First Visit to England and Europe
On August 7, 1895 Swami Vivekananda left The Thousand Island Park for New York, and from there he was to make that historic first visit to England and Europe. He had received two invitations, one from Miss F. Henrietta Muller and the other from Mr. E. T. Sturdy, to visit and enlighten the British people. The Swami was to be their guest of honor during his stay in London. Mr. Sturdy had lived in India, and also had known Swami Shivananda, and from him about his brother-disciple Swami Vivekananda. For about ten days the Swami was busy in New York making arrangements for his first stop at Paris. From there he was to go to England. Mr. Francis Legget was to accompany him in the voyage. Accordingly the Swami sailed from New York on 17th August 1895 to reach Paris on 24th.
For most part his Paris visit was for rest and as a pleasure trip. But Swamiji did not lose the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture and history of France. Mrs. Sturges and Miss MacLeod gave him the company, as they knew Paris well. They conducted him on various tours visiting the world-renowned art galleries, museums, churches, cathedrals, and other places of import. The high culture and historical background filled the Swami's heart with admiration. He also met a few renowned intellectuals and personage of fame, discussing with them the various cultural and spiritual aspects of the two nations.
In these days the Swami received letters from Indian friends that the Missionaries were bent on criticizing his life, eating habits, conduct and teachings. The orthodox Hindus were thus skeptical about his mission in the West. To such criticism Swami Vivekananda wrote to his disciple friend Alasinga Perumal in Madras:
'I am surprised you take the missionaries' nonsense seriously� if the missionaries tell you that I have ever broken the two great vows of the sannyasin - chastity and poverty - tell then that they are big liars.
I do not stand at anybody's dictation. I know my mission in life, and no chauvinism about me; I belong as much to the world as to India, no humbug about that... What country has any special claim on me? Am I any nation's salve? I see a greater Power than man, or God, or devil, at my back...'
This letter shows Swami Vivekananda in his true spirit: a fearless sannyasin. The Christian Missionaries mattered to the narrow-minded people; but for Swami Vivekananda, the matter required to be viewed from the broadest possible perspective.
Consequent upon these thoughts, and also the fact that he was coming from a subject nation to preach Hinduism to the nation of rulers, the Swami had some apprehension as to how he would be received by the people of England. Would they not look at him with contempt, and criticize his missionary zeal? But to his surprise he was received with great warmth and courtesy, bordering on respect. 'Later on, this uncertainty would give place to wonder and gratification at his singular and immediate success.'
In London
Swami Vivekananda reached London in the second week of September 1895. Many friends, Mr. Sturdy and Miss Muller being the main, received him in London. Initially he stayed as Miss Muller's guest at Juan Duff House, Regent Street Cambridge. Later he moved to Mr. Sturdy's house at High View, Caversham, Reading - some thirty-six miles southwest of London. Here he stayed for six weeks and paid visits to many places of historic importance and artistic interest. He also had high-level philosophical discussions with his friends and new introductions, and he translated Naradiya Bhakti Sutra into English as well. For most time in September and October 1895, the Swami lived quietly at Reading; for 'the London season was not open yet, and Mr. Sturdy wanted him to go slowly and build on a sure foundation rather than make a good deal of noise for nothing.'
The English people received him warmly and gladly. They were civil and polite towards him; he felt 'at home' in England. In the late October, two of his friends decided to arrange his first lecture. Accordingly, the Swami delivered his first speech at Prince's Hall, Piccadilly on 22nd October; the subject being 'Self-Knowledge'. It was a tremendous success, as many people attended and appreciated his talk. Favorable reports appeared the next day in morning newspapers - The Standard wrote: 'Since the days of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, and Keshab Chandra Sen, there has not appeared on an English platform a more interesting Indian figure than the Hindu who lectured in Prince's Hall...'
The London Daily Chronicle wrote:
'Vivekananda, the popular Hindu monk, whose physiognomy bore the most striking resemblance to the classic face of Buddha, denounced our commercial prosperity, our bloody wars, and our religious intolerance, declaring that at such a price the mild Hindu would have none of our vaunted civilization.'
American Work Part 3... |
American Work Part 5...
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c s shah