Teachings
Vivekananda Tributes
Great Thinkers of the East and West on Swami Vivekananda
Mahatma Gandhi
"My homage and respect to the very revered memory of Swami Vivekananda... after having gone through [his works], the love that I had for my country became a thousandfold."
Jawaharlal Nehru
"His whole life and teaching inspired my generation... he brought his great spirituality to bear upon his patriotism and thus his message was not confined to India only, but was for the whole world. I pay my homage to his memory."
Romain Rolland
"The thought of this warrior prophet of India left a deep mark upon the United States . . . . I cannot touch these sayings of his... without giving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!"
Christopher Isherwood
"[Vivekananda is] one of the very greatest historical figures that India has ever produced. When one sees the full range of his mind, one is astounded."
William James
"The man [Vivekananda] is simply a wonder for oratorical power... the Swami is an honor to humanity."
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution (from "Abroad in America: Visitors to the New Nation")
"At this exposition [the Parliament of Religions], the Swami charmed audiences with his magical oratory, and left an indelible mark on America's spiritual development."
The Brooklyn Standard
"It was the voice of the ancient rishis of the Vedas, speaking sweet words of love and toleration."