"Stand up, be bold, be strong. Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny. All the strength and succor you want is within yourselves. Therefore, make your own future." ~ Vivekananda
Spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) was born Narendranath Datta on this day in Calcutta, India.
The young law student became a Hindu monk who learned from the India's great spiritual leader Ramakrishna, who taught that God lived in all beings.
"Even the least work done for others awakens the power within; even thinking the least good of others gradually instills into the heart the strength of a lion," Vivekananda said.
He said, "Each soul is potentially divine." His philosophy is a celebration of spiritual democracy.
The holy man spoke passionately about Hinduism and its true meaning as written in the Vedas, the ancient sacred scriptures.
"You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself," he said.
With philosophy based on the unity of human life, he introduced the Vedanta teachings to the West in 1893.
"All religions are one," he said at the Parlaiment of Religions in Chicago.
Vivekananda helped renew interest of Hinduism throughout the world. In 1897, he founded the Ramakrishna Mission, one of India's leading charitable institutions. With advocacy, he dedicated his life to helping the poor.
"Never are we nearer the Light than when the darkness is deepest," he said.
More VIVEKANANDA Quotations
Let your heart guide your spirit.