Swami Vivekananda: A Comprehensive Analysis for UPSC Civil Services Examination

I. Early Life and Education (GS Paper I: Modern Indian History)

Birth and Family Background:
- Born as Narendranath Datta on January 12, 1863, in Calcutta (now Kolkata)
- Parents: Vishwanath Datta (attorney at Calcutta High Court) and Bhuvaneswari Devi (devout housewife)
- Belonged to traditional Kayastha family, known for their scholarly and intellectual pursuits

Education:
- Attended Metropolitan Institution (now Vidyasagar College) and Presidency College, Calcutta
- Studied Western philosophy, logic, European history, and Sanskrit
- Influenced by rationalist and skeptical thought of Herbert Spencer, John Stuart Mill, and Charles Darwin
- Demonstrated exceptional intelligence and photographic memory from a young age

Spiritual Awakening:
- Met Sri Ramakrishna in 1881 at Dakshineswar Kali Temple
- Initially skeptical, later became devoted disciple after experiencing mystical states under Ramakrishna's guidance
- Experienced nirvikalpa samadhi (highest state of spiritual realization in Advaita Vedanta) under Ramakrishna's tutelage

II. Philosophical Contributions (GS Paper IV: Ethics and Human Interface)

Vedanta Philosophy:
- Propounded Neo-Vedanta, synthesizing classical Advaita Vedanta with modern ideas
- Emphasized practical application of Vedantic principles in daily life
- Concept of "Practical Vedanta" - serving humanity as a form of worship
- Interpreted ancient texts like Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita in light of contemporary social issues

Religious Harmony:
- Advocated for acceptance and understanding between different faiths
- Famous quote: "As many faiths, so many paths"
- Introduced Hinduism to the Western world at the 1893 Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago
- Promoted interfaith dialogue and universal religion based on the unity of all existence

Karma Yoga:
- Emphasized selfless action as a path to spiritual growth
- Concept of "work is worship" - elevating everyday tasks to spiritual practice
- Stressed the importance of seva (selfless service) in personal and social transformation