Universal Brotherhood Day is celebrated annually on September 11 to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s historic speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago on this day in 1993. Swamiji tried to bring peace to the strife-torn world by the words of Vedantik wisdom. True, this did not bring peace and harmony in the world. But his words presented a beacon of light. Now, accidentally, this day came to be chosen by a few bigots, inspired by textual reading of a book, to perpetrate a suicide attack (hujum intihari) on the Trade Towers. This incident has given added reason to celebrate Universal Brotherhood Day on September 11.
Speech of Swami Vivekanand
The three-minute speech on the opening day of the World Parliament of Religions, on September 11, paved the way for catapulting this young Sanyasi, in the coming days, into the most celebrated figure of the conclave. He was an unannounced delegate, with no formal credentials, aged just thirty. By this speech, he completely mesmerised the audience of over 6,000 knowledgeable persons, who were mostly sceptics of the Sanatan and scornful of the sanyasi in weird dress. His opening words, “sisters and brothers of America,” drew a standing ovation from the entire crowd.
He expressed pride at belonging to a religion which had taught the world not only tolerance but acceptance and which held all religions as true. He proudly mentioned allowing Israelites to settle in South India 2000 thousand years back, when their holy temple was shattered by the Romans. He also mentioned giving shelter to Zoroastrians coming as refugees from Persia, who were still living honourably in India.
In this speech, he shared the idea that all religions lead to the same goal, comparing different faiths to rivers flowing into the same ocean. He quoted verse 7 of Shiv Mahimn Srtotr: “As the different streams having their sources in different places, all mingle their water in the sea, so, o lord, the different paths which men take through tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to thee.”
He attributed religious fanaticism, bigotry, and sectarianism as the factor behind violence in human history. He stressed that holding of the World Parliament of Religions was itself a vindication of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: “Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me.” (This was the gist of verse 11 of chapter 4 of Geeta.)
In the end, he deprecated sectarianism, bigotry and fanaticism which had long dominated humanity. These were the cause of violence in the world and drenched it time and again with human blood, destroyed civilisation, and sent whole nations to despair. He said that but for bigotry and fanaticism, human society would have been far more advanced than the stage it had reached. He envisaged that bigotry and fanaticism were nearing an end and that this religious convention would give the death-knell of all fanaticism, to all persecutions with the sword or with the pen and to all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.
The astounded American newspapers were constrained to shower unstinted praise on him. The New York Herald declared him the greatest figure in the Parliament and stated that “sending missionaries to India was foolish”. The New York Critic praised his divine oratorical gift and striking appearance. The Boston Evening Transcript noted he was a great favourite who drew applause simply by crossing the platform.
He Became the Greatest Figure in the Parliament: The parliament ran up to September 27. Over 8,000 people from all over the world participated. Many described the proceedings of the convention. The result of Swamiji’s exposition was so profound that stacked headlines like “Parlor talk — Religion Not the crying Need of India” appeared. General assessments of Swamiji may be guessed from the headlines like “THE HIT OF THE DAY” etc. He was pronounced “The Cyclonic Monk from India” for his magnetic influence. The organisers purposely made him speak at the end of the day to keep the audience numbering over four thousand seated.
Made to Stay on After the Parliament was Over
His charismatic success in opening a window to Sanatan created a massive demand for his lectures and an opportunity to share the teachings of Vedanta in America. This made him stay in the US till April 15, 1996. After this, there was an eight-month sojourn in Europe till the end of December. There was another five-month visit to various European countries in 1900.
In his heart of hearts, he had awareness of his mission. He spoke shortly before he passed away on July 4, 1902. “It may be that I shall find it good to get outside of my body—to cast it off like a disused garment. But I shall not cease to work! I shall inspire men everywhere, until the world shall know that it is one with God.” The world is far away from realising this ideal, but Vedant philosophy prods to actualise it.
Legacy of Swamiji
His soul and like those of him may be inspiring, but demonic forces, as evidenced in the suicidal attack on the trade towers, have a powerful presence. These cannot be countered just by the spiritual force of Shastras. Physical force of arms needs to be cultivated. Swami Vivekananda championed peace, harmony and universal brotherhood, but his philosophy was deeply rooted in strength, courage, and “manliness”. Such manliness is needed to counter the forces of evil.
