154th Birthday Celebration of

15th Inter School Quiz Contest – 2016

IMPORTANT & URGENT NOTE FOR THE KIND ATTENTION

OF PRINCIPALS OF SCHOOLS
Std. VII to Std. IX
QUIZ
PLEASE PHONE & CONFIRM IN WRITING THE NUMBER OF
COPIES REQUIRED :
1) QUIZ BOOKLETS : To be given in advance to interested students.
2) QUIZ QUESTION : To be kept CONFIDENTIAL until the day of
PAPERS the contest at school level.
3) ANSWER SHEET : For Correction

RAMAKRISHNA MATH,
12th Road, Khar (West), Mumbai - 400 052.
Ph : 6181 8000, 6182 8082, 6181 8002
E-mail : mumbairkm@gmail.com Website : www.rkmkhar.org
 Contents
Unit 1: Multiple Choice Questions(50questions)

Unit 2: Fill in the Blanks

2a. Swami Vivekananda’s Utterances by theme
(24 questions)
2b. Utterances of Swami Vivekananda (13 questions)
2c. Life of Swami Vivekananda (26 questions)

Unit 3: Choose any one option (10 questions)

Unit 4: True or False

4a. From Swamiji’s life (11 questions)
4b. From Swamiji’s utterances (8 questions)

Unit 5: Who said the following

5a. Who said the following to whom (5 questions)
5b. Who said the following (10 questions)

Unit 6: Answer in one line (4 questions)

Unit 7: Match the following (28 questions)

7a. Events and Dates from Swamiji’s first tour to the West
7b. Incidents that demonstrate Swami Vivekananda’s
power of concentration
7c. The 4 locations of the Ramakrishna Math
7d. People in Swami Vivekananda’s life who helped him
in bleak situations
7e. Events in Swamiji’s life with what we can learn from them
7f. Period of Swamiji’s life with events from his life

Unit 8: Identify the Pictures (16 questions)

Note: Any of the questions below can be asked in any other format also. For
example, ‘Match the Columns’ can come in ‘Fill in the Blanks’, ‘Multiple Choice
Questions’ can come as ‘Who said to Whom?’ etc.
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Unit 1: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Name the special train launched by the Indian Railways to commemorate the
150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and create awareness among
the masses about his thoughts and philosophy
a] Vivekananda Express b] Vivek Express
c] Narendra Express d] Amrita Express
2. A street in USA has been named after Swami Vivekananda as ‘Honorary Swami
Vivekananda Way’. Name the city.
a] Boston b] New York
c] Chicago d] London
3. Who spearheaded the building of the Vivekananda Memorial at Kanyakumari?
a] EknathRanade b] Indira Gandhi
c] V.V Giri d] Bhaktavatsalam
4. Swami Vivekananda’s first interaction with Sri Ramakrishna at the house of a
neighbour
a] transformed his life. b] left him disenchanted.
c] made no particular impression on him. d] left him fully satisfied.
5. In which sport wasNaren said to have won the first prize?
a] Athletics b] Football
c] Cycling d] Wrestling
6. Vivekananda “is the maker of modern India”.Who said this?
a] Rabindranath Tagore b] Jawaharlal Nehru
c] C Rajagoplachari d] Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
7. The founder of Ramakrishna Mission, which is based on the principles of Practical
Vedanta was:
a] Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa b] Swami Vivekananda
c] Swami Yogananda d] Swami Brahmananda
8. Where did Sister Nivedita first meet Swami Vivekananda?
a] New York b] Boston
c] Chicago d] London
9. In 1899 Swami Vivekananda started a Bengali journal to carry forward the ideas
propounded by the Ramakrishna Mission. It was called -
a] Vedanta Kesari b] Udbodhan
c] Brahmavadin d] Prabuddha Bharata
10. What was the name of Swami Vivekananda’s sister?
a] Sister Nivedita b] Swarnamayi Devi
c] Sister Gargi d] Parama Devi
11. What was the question that Swami Vivekananda asked Sri Ramakrishna at their
first meeting?
a] Have you seen God? b] Do you think God exists?
c] Do you believe in God? d] Is there a God?
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12. Ekanathji Ranade founded a non-monastic organization based on the principles
preached by Swami Vivekananda. What is it called?
a] Swami Vivekananda Youth Association b] Vivekananda Kendra
c] Vivekananda Mission d] Vivekananda Educational Society
13. “The Master as I saw him” was written by?
a] Sister Josephine Macleod b] Swami Vivekananda
c] Swami Yogananda d] Sister Nivedita
14. The World’s Parliament of Religions where Swamiji gave the famous speech on
the Universality of Religions was held in Chicago in:
a] September 1886 b] September 1893
c] July 1893 d] July 1886
15. Where did Swami Vivekananda live during the last years of his life?
a] Dakshineswar b] Kanyakumari
c] Cossipore d] Belur Math
16. Margaret Noble, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda is well known as
a] Gauri-ma b] Sarada Devi
c] Sister Christine d] Sister Nivedita
17. Disgruntled with his father, Narendranath once asked him, “What have you done
for me?” What did his father say in reply?
a] Be you always a man, my son b] May no other father face such a question
c] Go look at yourself in the mirror d] Be grateful all your life for what you have
18. One evening young Naren ventured into a grove of banana trees to meditate,
expecting which God / Goddess to appear there?
a] Ram b] Hanuman
c] Shiva d] Kali
19. Sri Ramakrishna said, “if Keshab is possessed of one sign of greatness which
has made him famous, Naren has _______ such signs to the fullest degree.”
a] 7 b] 18 c] 1000 d] 108
20. As a young man, Narendranath was…
a] Careful not to engage in arguments with anyone.
b] Cheerful and made many friends who stayed close to him all his life.
c] Studious and focused only on studies.
d] Talented and showed-off his skills at every opportunity.
21. When Naren was not getting a job and went through many struggles in his life,
what did he do?
a] He gave up and wanted to end his life.
b] He had faith in himself and found the strength to carry on.
c] He sat down brooding over and analyzed why life had taken such a difficult turn.
d] He prayed to God for a miracle.
22. Which of these ideas did Swami Vivekananda espouse all through his life?
a] Have faith in yourself b] Never to live a life of secrecy
c] Living a life of integrity d] All the above
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23. According to Swamiji, “Politics has to be preached by showing how much it will
improve the one thing that the nation wants – its…
a] Wealth & development b] Yoga
c] Spirituality d] Both (a) & (c)
24. According to Swami Vivekananda, what should we seek?
a] Western science coupled with Vedanta
b] Eastern science coupled with Western religion
c] Western science coupled with Eastern science
d] Eastern religion coupled with Western religion
25. According to Swami Vivekananda, what kind of countries become great and strong?
a] Ones which believe in its people
b] Ones which believe in themselves
c] Ones which believe in unity
d] Ones which believe in the nation’s progress
26. Swami Vivekananda’s missionary effort in the UK didn’t create any ill feeling
or sectarianism. Why?
a] Because he promoted Christianity as well.
b] Because he promoted Hinduism.
c] Because he was the promoter of ‘Religion’, and not of any one religion
alone.
d] Because he promoted everyone following all religions.
27. What happened because of Swami Vivekananda’s triumphal march through South
India, especially the lectures he delivered in Madras?
a] It aroused the latent energy of the Indian nation.
b] It raised money for his trip to the West.
c] It inspired people to be more religious.
d] It inspired people to join the Ramakrishna Math & Mission.
28. Which of these adjectives has been most widely used to describe Swami
Vivekananda?
a] Punditji b] Vedantic Scientist
c] Mahatma of the masses d] Shaheed Bhagat
29. The spirit of ______was implanted in Swamiji’s mind when he studied Western
thought during his college days.
a] critical inquiry b] religion
c] sportsmanship d] fierce patriotism
30. Before Narendranath became a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, he followed the
socio-religious BrahmoSamaj as _____________.
a] it aimed to seek the revival of ancient customs and traditions.
b] it believed in a formless God,condemned the worship of idols, and
addressed various forms of social reform.
c] it served as a platform to make friends with prominent religious leaders.
d] he had ambitions of one day becoming the leader of the BrahmoSamaj.

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31. Who was Swamiji referring to when he said this?
“Who was there ever like Him? – the Lord, who never performed one action
for Himself – with a heart that embraced the whole world! So full of pity, that
He – prince and monk – would give His life to save a little goat! So loving that
He sacrificed himself to the hunger of a tigress!”
a] Gautam Buddha b] Sri Rama
c] Sri Krishna d] Sri Ramakrishna
32. When Swamiji’s family was going through a difficult time, he prayed for
_________________ to Mother Kali
a] Wealth to alleviate poverty and distress of his family members
b] Knowledge and devotion
c] Spiritual bliss and liberation
d] Personal fulfillment
33. Swami Sadananda, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda was entrusted the mission
of _______________by him.
a] Alleviation of poverty in India
b] Spreading the ideas of Sri Ramakrishna across India
c] Spiritual regeneration of India and the world
d] Building a hospital at Kedarnath for pilgrims &Sannyasis
34. After his visit to Kanyakumari, Swamiji meditated on a rock, off the South coast
of India,to be able to-
a] understand the causes of India’s downfall and seek the means for her
resurrection.
b] attain the highest spiritual experience of Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
c] overcome the distress experienced by witnessing the poverty and misery in
India.
d] see a vision of God.
35. What would young Naren call himself while playing with his friends?
a] Samrat, the King of kings b] Swamiji
c] Young Mr. Dutta d] Bileh
36. Why did Narendranath give only as much time to examinations as was
unavoidable?
a] Because he wanted to put his time & energy to meditation & extra-curricular
studies.
b] Because he had a prodigious memory.
c] Because he was not interested in the prosperity a university degree could get
him.
d] Both [a]&[c]
37. JJ Goodwin was a court-stenographer, engaged to put down every word of Swami
Vivekananda’s talks. He was very expensive. Yet after one week, he refused any
money. Why?
a] The people working with Swami Vivekananda said “There are not enough
funds for the work. Will you consider this as charity?”
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 b] Because Swamiji told him: “You are a noble person. Why not dedicate yourself
to good work?”
c] He said, “Of what use is my talent if it can be put to use only for money.”
d] He said, “If Vivekananda gives his life, the least I can do is to give my service.”
38. What was Swami Vivekananda’s purpose in meeting Princes and Dewans?
a] To spread the teachings of his Master.
b] To build a wide set of followers.
c] To influence them and through them ensure the welfare and prosperity
of the common man.
d] To teach science and religion to the rulers of the country.
39. Swami Vivekananda’s brother disciples initially thought that a monk should
a] only pray and meditate and try to realize God.
b] focus on building hospitals and schools.
c] work for the upliftment of society.
d] preach and evangelize the name of Sri Ramakrishna.
40. Swamiji was given to fits of temper as a child, and his mother found a strange
remedy for it. What was it?
a] Pour water on his head while chanting Shiva’s name.
b] Give him a cold water bath and wrap him in a sacred cloth.
c] Place him near the idol of Lord Shiva and sprinkle him with holy water.
d] Tie a holy thread on his hand and feed him with butter and cold milk.
41. Which were the two religious practices that the agnostic young Narendra
instinctively accepted as absolutely necessary for the seeker of truth?
a] Continence and Meditation b] Animal Sacrifice and Meditation
c] Worship and Fasting d] Meditation and Mantra Chanting
42. In 1898, while at Almora, Swamiji received the news of the sad demise of three
persons he loved very much. Who were they?
a] Mrs. Seviers, Sister Nivedita and Haribhai
b] Miss Macleod, Swami Premananda and Sri Sarada Devi
c] Mr. Hale, Maharaja Ajit Singh, and Swami Abhedananda
d] Mr. Goodwin, Saint Pavahari Baba, and Rajam Aiyar
43. What is the lesson in this utterance of Swami Vivekananda – “The brave alone
can afford to be sincere. Compare the lion and the fox.”
a] How to fight b] Sincerity
c] Study of animals d] Courage
44. Who is Swamiji talking about – “His was the first heart that was large enough to
see truth in all, His the first lips that uttered beautiful words for each and all.”
a] Sri Krishna b] Sri Aurobindo
c] Maharaja of Khetri d] Gautama Buddha
45. At the Parliament of Religions, Swami Vivekananda’s speeches were kept at the
end of the day by the organizers because
a] his speeches were too long.
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 b] people would stay till the end to hear him.
c] his speeches always summarized every speaker’s speech.
d] he was from India and not America.
46. In 1896 Swami Vivekananda started a monthly journal, which would become
the voice of the Ramakrishna movement. What was it called?
a] Prabuddha Bharata b] Brahmavadin
c] Udbodhan d] Vedanta Kesari
47. In his concluding speech at the Parliament of Religions, Swamiji said that “upon
the banner of every religion will soon be written, in spite of resistance”:
a] help and not fight
b] assimilation and not destruction
c] harmony and peace, and not dissension
d] all of the above
48. What happened when Swami Vivekananda returned from the West the second
time, on December 9, 1900?
a] The entire monastery was decorated for his welcome.
b] Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday celebrations were going on.
c] There was a public lecture planned without his knowledge.
d] The man at the gate did not let him in because it was late night, and he
did not recognize Swami Vivekananda in his Western clothes.
49. What did Swami Vivekananda say when his disciple did not want to do service
and wanted to remain engaged in spiritual practices?
a] You will go to heaven if you seek your salvation alone.
b] Work, my children, work heart and soul without caring for results.
c] What is the use of going to hell while trying to do good to others?
d] Better to retire to the forest, than to expend one’s energies in fruitless service.
50. Swami Vivekananda’s mother made religious offerings to which deity in Varanasi,
wishing that a son be born to her?
a] KashiVishwanath b] Kashi Annapurna
c] Gaya Vishnu d] Vireswara Shiva

Unit 2: FILL IN THE BLANKS

Any part of the sentence may be given as a blank.
2a.Swami Vivekananda’s utterances by theme
What does it mean to have faith?
1. The old religions said that he was an atheist who did not believe in God. The
new religion says that he is an atheist who does not believe in himself.
2. Never say, “No”; never say, “I cannot”, for you are infinite. Even time and space
are as nothing compared with your nature. You can do anything and everything,
you are almighty.
3. Faith, faith, faith in ourselves, faith in God – this is the secret of greatness.
4. Believe, therefore, in yourselves. The secret of Advaita is: Believe in yourselves
first, and then believe in anything else.
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How can we overcome the fear of failure?
5. Every idea that strengthens you must be taken up and every thought that weakens
you must be rejected.
6. Hold the ideal a thousand times; and if you fail a thousand times, make the attempt
once more.
7. Be bold and fearless and the road will be clear.
8. Never mind failures; they are quite natural, they are the beauty of life – these
failures. What would life be without them? It would not be worth having if it
were not for the struggles.
What is the code of ethics?
9. What is the watchword of all ethical codes? “Not I, but thou”.
10. Every thought, word, or deed that is unselfish is called moral. That definition
holds good in every system of ethics.
11. Oneness is the rationale of all ethics and all spirituality.
What is meant by knowledge? How do we gain ideal knowledge?
12. Only knowledge can free and save us, but with knowledge must go virtue.
13. The knowledge of Brahman is the ultimate goal – the highest destiny of man.
14. Let us work for that knowledge which will bring the feeling of sameness towards
all mankind.
15. When knowledge comes, we find nothing but freedom in ourselves.
What is the goal of life?
16. The ultimate goal of all mankind, the aim and end of all religions, is but one –
reunion with God.
17. The goal of all knowledge of the Self, the realization of this Self.
18. We are all travelling towards the same goal, but by different paths.
What is the power of meditation?
19. Meditation is one of the great means of controlling the rising of the waves in the
mind.
20. It is meditation that brings us nearer to truth than anything else.
21. Beyond time, space and causation the worshipper and the worshipped, the meditator
and the object of meditation, the knower and the known, all become one.
Is there a God? How can we perceive God?
22. Today God is being abandoned by the world, because He does not seem to be
doing enough for the world. So they say, “of what good is He?” Shall we look
upon God as a mere municipal authority?
23. Where should you go to seek for God; are not all the poor, the miserable, the
weak, Gods? Why not worship them first?
24. If there is a God, He is in our own hearts.
2b. Utterances of Swami Vivekananda
1. In language, simplicity is the secret. My ideal of language is my Master’s
language: most colloquial and yet most expressive.
2. Let your work proclaim, let the tongue rest.

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3. The highest manifestation of strength is to keep ourselves calm and on our own
feet.
4. Evolution is in nature, not in the soul – evolution of nature, manifestation of the
soul.
5. Let us never, never forget our Ideal.
6. From dreams awake, from bonds be free.
7. A great national sin [of India] is the neglect of the masses, and that is one of the
causes of our downfall.
8. He who cannot literally worship his mother, can never become great.
9. The struggle is the greatest lesson. Mind you, the great benefit in this life is
struggle. It is through that we pass. If there is any road to Heaven, it is through
Hell.
10. It is a tremendous truth that if there be real worth in you, the more are
circumstances against you, the more will that inner power manifest itself.
11. The older I grow, the more everything seems to me to lie in manliness.
12. We must struggle, and through struggle growth will come.
13. Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success, and above
all, love.
2c. Life of Swami Vivekananda
1. Swamiji’s professor William Hastie had mentioned to him about Sri Ramakrishna.
2. The Swami’s New York classes, held during the first part of 1895, dealt largely
with Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga.
3. Swamiji once said about Sri Ramakrishna, “it is his love for me that binds me
to him.”
4. Swami Akhandananda joined Swamiji during his journey to the Himalayas, after
returning from Tibet.
5. Swamiji assumed the name Vivekananda in the court of Maharaja of Khetri.
6. The New York Herald referred to Swamiji as ‘undoubtedly the greatest figure in
the Parliament of Religions’.
7. During his stay at Thousand Island Park in America, Swamiji wrote the Song of
the Sannyasin, which became one of the most precious legacies to spiritually-
minded souls.
8. The Ramakrishna Math & Mission is headquartered at the bank of the Hooghly
River at Belur, Kolkata.
9. Sri Alasinga Perumal was one of those from Madras who dedicated himself,
heart and soul to Swami Vivekananda’s work.
10. Sri Ramakrishna’s desire, that his band of select young people with Swami
Vivekananda as leader take up monastic life, was symbolized by a gift of Gerua
cloth.
11. Swami Vivekananda was deeply pained by the selfishness of the so-called
educated.
12. Swami Vivekananda said to his young disciple: “you will go to hell if you seek
your own salvation!”
13. Speaking of himself once, Swami Vivekananda said he was ‘Condensed India’.
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14. Swami Vivekananda started his memorable speech at the Parliament of Religions
by saying “Sisters and Brothers of America”.
15. Swami Vivekananda admired the capacity to organize of the West.
16. Less than a month after returning from the West for the second time, Swami
Vivekananda went to Mayavati because his good friend Mr. Sevier had died.
17. The Japanese scholar with whom Swami Vivekananda visited Bodh Gaya and
Benaras was Mr. Okakura.
18. Sri Ramakrishna especially rejoiced at the intellectual sincerity of Narendra.
19. The two things that helped Swamiji follow his Guru’s words were his brilliant
intellect and fiery enthusiasm.
20. Swamiji was offered the chair in Oriental Philosophy at Harvard and the chair
in Sanskrit at the Columbia University during his first successful voyage to the
West.
21. Swamiji wanted to learn Hathayoga from Pavahari Baba to free his body from
diseases.
22. In his early childhood, Naren learnt by heart the aphorisms of the Sanskrit
grammar Mugdhabodha.
23. A wandering monk is called Parivrajaka.
24. At the Belur Math, Swami Vivekananda’s dream was to start a Vedic College.
25. When Swamiji said “The wonderful poem, without one note in it, of weakness
or unmanliness”, he was referring to the Bhagvad Gita.
26. Swami Vivekananda says that India is a “punyabhumi” because it is the land of
introspection and spirituality.

Unit 3: CHOOSE ANY ONE OPTION

1. Complete Swamiji’s quote: If there is a sin, this is the only sin; ______.
1. To say that you are weak, or others are weak.
2. To say that God doesn’t exist.
2. Complete Swamiji’s quote: The remedy for weakness is_______
1. Not brooding over weakness, but thinking of strength.
2. Reading scriptures and following prescribed rituals.
3. While conducting classes to impart the religious teachings in Brooklyn, Swamiji
would hold “question classes” to ____________________
1. Hear their opinions & gain valuable lessons from them.
2. Create an opportunity for giving elaborate explanations to students for
whom these teachings were new and strange.
4. Swami Vivekananda’s success in the West ____________________
1. Gave Indians self-respect.
2. Began a religious movement throughout the world.
5. The Master, Sri Ramakrishna, realized that all religions pointed towards the same
goal ____________________
1. After listening to a person talking about religion.
2. By practising other religions.

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6. Narendranath accepted Sri Ramakrishna as his Guru after ________________
1. Sharing mystical experiences with the Master.
2. Testing every word of the Master by his own experience or reason.
7. One of the principle purposes of Swamiji for organizing classes in the Vedanta
Society of New York was_______
1. Exchanging of ideas and ideals between the East and the West.
2. Spreading the awareness about greatness of India in the West.
8. Swamiji asked the Dewan of the court to spit on the picture of Prince Mangal
Singh of Alwar to__________________
1. Help the Prince understand the meaning of idol worship.
2. Help the masses see the value of democracy & condemn anarchy.
9. At the Parliament of Religion, Swamiji proclaimed _____________
1. Hinduism as the true religion.
2. The universality of all religions.
10. Name the professor at Oxford University who wrote a book on Sri Ramakrishna
1. Max Müller
2. Paul Deussen

Unit 4:TRUE OR FALSE

4a. From Swamiji’s life
1. Sri Ramakrishna said, ‘O my Naren, do you know that I would do anything for
you, even go about begging from door to door!’ – True
2. Narendranath was born an idealist and seeker of Truth, not content with mere
worldly enjoyments. –True
3. Sri Ramakrishna once said to Narendranath – “if one can keep one’s mind steadily
on God after eating beef or pork, these things are as good as Havishyanna. But
vegetables eaten by a man engrossed in worldliness are no better than beef or pork.”
– True
4. Swamiji’s religious teachings propagated that religion was not a question of belief
but of practise and realization. – True
5. Other children came to Naren for settlement of their quarrels. – True
6. On one occasion, when Narendra was seated in meditation, he saw in a vision, a
luminous person of serene countenance who was carrying the staff and water-bowl
of a monk (which he later thought might have been a vision of the Buddha). – True
7. Swami Vivekananda left his mortal remains on July 4th1902 – True
8. As a wandering monk, Swamiji took a vow not to touch money. – True
9. Swamiji believed that it was possible to live according to Indian ideals even in the
strange environment of America. – True
10. Swami Vivekananda had no patience with sectarianism or fanaticism. – True
11. When Narendranath saw Sri Ramakrishna for the first time, he thought he was a
madman. – True
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4b. From Swamiji’s utterances
1. When you believe a thing is true, you do it, you do not dream about it. That is your
power. –True
2. Gratitude and hospitality are the peculiar characteristics of Indian humanity. – True
3. First bread and then religion. –True
4. India will be raised, not with the power of the flesh, but with the power of the
spirit. –True
5. It is better to be an outspoken atheist than a hypocrite. – True
6. Raja yoga teaches us to believe nothing until you find it out for yourself. – True
7. There has been more bloodshed in the name of God than for any other cause, because
people never went to the fountain-head; they were content only to give a mental
assent to the customs of their forefathers, and wanted others to do the same.– True
8. The power of suffering is infinitely greater than the power of doing; the power of
love is infinitely of greater potency than the power of hatred. – True

Unit 5: WHO SAID THE FOLLOWING

5a. Who said the following to whom?
1. “Ask me whatever you like from these ten volumes, and I can answer it
satisfactorily.”
Ans: Swami Vivekananda to Saratchandra Chakravarty
2. “How shall I conduct myself in the world?”
Ans: Narendranath to his father
3. “Lord, I know you are that ancient sage Nara, the Incarnation of Narayana, born
on earth to remove the miseries of mankind.”
Ans: Sri Ramakrishna to Narendranath
4. “If you have a real desire to realize God, then come to the Master at Dakshineshwar
instead of visiting Brahmo Samaj and other places.”
Ans: Ramchandra Dutta, a close relative of young Narendra
5. The task is not as easy as it looks. Let us see how you do it.
Ans: Young boys practising shooting, to Swami Vivekananda
5b.Who said the following?
1. “Swami, whatever you tell me, I have gone to various places in this world and
mixed and lived with great kings. I know how they talk, how they walk, how
they sit, how they behave. All those traits are in you.”
Ans: The Secretary of Mr. Francis Leggett
2. “According to Ramaswami Sastri, who said this about Swamiji? “He had a
beautiful voice like a violoncello, grave without violent contrasts, but with deep
vibrations that filled both hall and hearts?”
Ans: Romain Rolland

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3. “Here is a man more learned than all our learned professors put together”
Ans: J. H. Wright
4. “Vivekananda was a soul of puissance if ever there was one, a very lion among
men, but the definite work he has left behind is quite incommensurate with our
impression of his creative might and energy.”
Ans: Sri Aurobindo
5. “I have gone through his [Swami Vivekananda’s] works very thoroughly, and
after having gone through them, the love that I had for my country became a
thousand-fold.”
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi
6. “…I felt that Swamiji had unlimited power, that he could move heaven and earth
if he willed it. This was my strongest and lasting impression of him.”
Ans: Brahmachari Gurudas
7. “Nobody could understand Vivekananda unless he saw at least a fraction of the
volcanic feelings (about India) which were in him.”
Ans: Swami Turiyananda
8. “The qualities I most admire in Vivekananda are his activity, manliness and
courage...He spoke up and acted. For this, all must honor him, who, whatever
be their own religious beliefs, values, sincerity, truth and courage, which are the
badges of every noble character.”
Ans: Sir John Woodroffe
9. “Follow the truth always, whatever happens.”
Ans: Bhuvaneshwari Devi
10. “Stop running. Face the Brutes!”
Ans: Old monk at Varanasi

Unit 6: ANSWER IN ONE LINE

1. Why did Naren want to test the hookahs kept for people of various castes?
Ans: He wanted to see what would happen if he broke caste.
2. Why did young Narendranath identify himself with the newly formed Sadharan
Brahmo Samaj?
Ans: Because his intense desire for freedom made him willing to identify
himself with anything that promised liberation from obsolete methods.
3. When Narendra asked Sri Ramakrishna, when he would be blessed with
Nirvikalpa Samadhi, the highest spiritual experience, why did the Master
admonish him?
Ans: Because he was seeking personal liberation instead of thinking about
alleviating the distress of others.
4. What was the chief trait of Narendranath’s character that his companions
perceived when they were with him?
Ans: The radiance of purity

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Unit 7: MATCH THE COLUMNS
7a. Events and Dates: Swamiji’s first tour to the West
Significance Events
1. 1893May 31 Sails for America from Mumbai
2. 1893September 11 First Address at the Parliament of Religions
3. 1894May 16 Speaks at Harvard University
4. 1896May 28 Meets Prof. Max Müller in Oxford
5. 1896 December 16 Leaves for India from London

7b. Incidents that demonstrate Swami Vivekananda’s power of concentration

1 Did not respond to someone calling out to With Paul Deussen
him when he was reading a book of poetry.
2 Undisturbed by a “sheet” of mosquitoes on With Girish Chandra Ghosh
his body when sitting in meditation.
3 Perfect shot at egg-shells floating in the river. In a small town in America with
young boys
4 Undisturbed by bullets whizzing past him. In a cowboy village in America

7c. The Ramakrishna Math shifted to four locations – the fourth being where it
is housed right now. What are the 4 locations?
1 First location Nilambar Mukherjee’s garden house
2 Second location Baranagore
3 Third location Alambazar
4 Fourth location Belur

7d. Who are these people in Swami Vivekananda’s life who helped him in bleak
situations?
1 When wandering Swami Vivekananda has A sweetmeat seller who is
no food and a rich man taunts him that he has instructed by Lord Rama in a
food because he earns money but Swamiji dream to give Swamiji food
has no food because he depends on God
and does not earn. Just then someone comes
and gives Swamiji fresh food and begs him
to eat it.
2 He loses the address of the committee of the Mrs. George W. Hale
Parliament of Religions and is begging from
door to door at Chicago. A lady sees him on
the road, takes him into her house, and takes
him to the Parliament.
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 3 Since he has no official letter from any J. H. Wright
organization, he is not allowed entry at the
Parliament of Religions. A professor from
Harvard University recognizes his caliber
and gives him a letter of recommendation.
4 A noble lady on the train invites him to visit Mrs. Sanborn
her if he ever visits Boston. He is able to take
up this invitation when he is running out of
money in Chicago before the beginning of
the Parliament of Religions.
7e. Match these events in Swamiji’s life with what we can learn from them
Insight we get into Swamiji’s Incident in
personality from this incident Swamiji’s life
1 Putting others need before his When there was insufficient food to eat in the
house, he would refuse to eat on the plea that
he had already eaten at the house of a friend,
when the fact was, he did not eat at home for
fear of depriving the others of a full meal.
2 Impatient with superstition He climbed trees, swung to and fro on them,
even when he was told by an old grandfather
that there was an evil spirit that broke the
necks of people who climbed that tree.
3 Never misusing his powers Swamiji felt extraordinary Yoga powers spon-
taneously manifest in him, but very rarely did
he deliberately exercise them. Whenever he
did so, it was always for a grave reason, and
for the benefit of others.
4 Taking initiative He organized an amateur theatrical company
where he presented plays; and started a gym-
nasium in the courtyard of his house where he
and his friends did regular physical exercises.
7f. Match the period of Swamiji’s life with the life events
1 1863 – 1878 a] Throughout his childhood, he displayed outstanding quali-
ties of character, devotion, talent, a deep philosophical
mind, and a capacity for both deep meditation and intense
compassion for his fellow men.
2 1879 – 1884 b] In college, he explored Western Philosophy and at the
same time, was attracted by the ideal of renunciation em-
bodied in the Great Rishis of India. It was a deep spiritual
urge that took him to Sri Ramakrishna.

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 3 1881 – 1886 c] In these years, the extraordinary bond between Sri Ramak-
rishna and the future Swami Vivekananda was revealed.
This is also the story of the quelling of a great and rebel-
lious spirit by an even greater master.
4 1890 – 1893 d] He plunged into the life of austerity and the years saw the
shaping of the future World Transformer – Swami Vive-
kananda. This phase included the wandering as a “name-
less monk” across the length and breadth of India, and the
extraordinary realizations at Kanyakumari.
5 1893 – 1897 e] The “period of contact” between Swami Vivekananda and
a world hungry and thirsty for ideas to rejuvenate it. The
new beginning was heralded by the triumphant addresses
at the Chicago “Parliament of Religions”. The West gave
him a core group of disciples who would carry the work
forward.
6 1897 – 1900 f] On coming back to India, he presented to his motherland
a new vision of India as a Heroic Nation in its own right.
Put his work into a firm institutional framework with the
setting up of the Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna
Math. This time he consolidated his work in the West by
starting the Vedanta Society.
7 1900 – 1902 h] After his return, one and half years were spent not only in
travelling and meeting people, but also in Belur Math with
brother disciples and young novitiates. Towards his end he
said, “It may be that I shall find it good to get outside my
body – to cast it off like a worn-out garment. But I shall
not cease to work! I shall inspire men everywhere, until
the world shall know that it is one with God!”

Unit 8: IDENTIFY THE PICTURES

Recognize these persons and places associated with Swamiji
1. Swami Swarupananda
(Swami Vivekananda’s monastic disciple)
1. He first met Swamiji at Nilambar Mukherjee’s garden house
in 1897, soon after Swamiji returned from his first trip to the
West, and expressed his desire to become a Sannyasi.
2. On 29th March 1898, Swamiji offered him at the Lotus Feet
of Sri Ramakrishna, in the service of mankind.
3. He, along with Captain Sevier, took over the sacred mission
of publishing the Prabuddha Bharata, at Swamiji’s request.

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3. Maharaja of Khetri
1. Assisted Swamiji to go to the US.
2. Gave him the flaming robe.
3. Was the Maharaja of a place in Rajasthan.

4. Swami Shuddhananda
1. In his youth, instead of attending college, he would
frequently visit the college office to collect the latest news
about Swamiji.
2. He first met Swamiji at the Sealdah station in February
1897, while Swamiji was returning to Calcutta from his first
visit to the West.
3. Soon after having joined the Ramakrishna Order, he had
the mettle to transmit the dynamic message of Swami
Vivekananda to the world.
5. Swami Kalyanananda
1. Swamiji asked this disciple to do something about the sick
and ailing monks around the Rishikesh-Haridwar belt, as
there was no one to look after them.
2. He established himself at Kankhal, which is at a short
distance from Haridwar, to carry out the work ordained by
his Master, till his death.
3. Swamiji said about this disciple “A day will come when
he will be blessed by the attainment of the State of a
Paramahamsa.”
6. South Pasadena, California
1. When Swami Vivekananda left this house for San Francisco,
he placed his pipe on the mantel of the fireplace saying,
“This house won’t remain the same.”
2. It is now known as Vivekananda House, and this photograph
was taken in 1900.
3. It belonged earlier to the Mead Sisters.
7. Swami Achalananda
1. Swamiji loved this disciple for his spirit of service, and
lovingly called him “Kedar Baba”.
2. This disciple was initiated by Swamiji on Lord Buddha’s
birthday.
3. He was Swami Vivekananda’s last monastic disciple.

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8. Swami Bodhananda
1. In his school days, when he would see Swamiji, he would
wonder, “Can a human being have such radiant eyes? Surely
he is an extraordinary person.”
2. His first meeting with Swamiji, after long associations
with the Ramakrishna Order, happened on a birthday of Sri
Ramakrishna, and he felt as though the sun itself, the dispeller
of all darkness, had emerged in front of him.
3. He never considered any work to be lowly, and performed
all activities with his whole heart, and in a spirit of worship.
He made no distinction between the study of the scriptures,
spiritual disciplines, and service to his Master.
9. Swami Atmananda
1. During the plague epidemic in Kolkata, he rendered
memorable service in the relief work organized by Swamiji
himself.
2. He learnt to play the drums on Swamiji’s request, and
became an excellent player. He would accompany Swamiji
on the drums on several occasions.
3. His expositions of the Bhagvad Gita, the Upanishads,
and the Brahma Sutras were not only scholarly, but also
inspiring. Swamiji would ask him to teach the scriptures to
other monastics.
10. Captain Henry Sevier
1. He was the joint founder and manager of the Advaita
Ashram in Mayavati.
2. At the end of his strenuous summer work in 1896, when
Swamiji badly needed rest, he arranged a six weeks’ trip
for him to Switzerland, accompanying him and bearing the
expenses of the journey
3. He died on 28 October 1900, while Swamiji was out of India
and he was cremated by the nearby river Sarada, according
to Hindu traditions as he wished.
11. Swami Vivekananda on the Platform of the Parliament
1. The picture was taken on September 11, 1893.
2. On this platform Swami Vivekananda gave his world
famous address, “Sisters and Brothers of America.”
3. He let go his turn to speak time and again until the afternoon
session, after four other delegates had read their prepared
papers.

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12. Swami Sadananda
1. When Swamiji was travelling from Vrindavan to Rishikesh,
he got down at the Hathras station, where this person was the
station-master.
2. When Swamiji told this disciple about the great mission that
Sri Ramakrishna had entrusted him with – that of propagating
his message, and the regeneration of India, he said, “Here I am
Swamiji, please tell me how I can serve you?”
3. Recalling his early days at the Baranagore monastery, Swamiji
would say, about this disciple, “But for his love and guidance,
I don’t know what would have become of me.”
13. Hale House
1. Swamiji went to this house on Sept 10, 1893.
2. Address: 451 Dearborn Street. Later became 1415 North
Dearborn.
3. Swami Vivekananda sat down exhausted after his long walk
from the railway station after which the lady of this house
welcomed him in.
14. House at Thousand Island Park
1. Swami Vivekananda spent time here in 1895, staying for 7
weeks.
2. He also trained a group of close disciples here.
3. His talks were recorded by a student and later published as
“Inspired Talks”.
15 Swamiji’s Temple at Belur Math
1. Its site was selected in 1902 & consecrated in 1924.
2. There is a Bel tree next to this temple which is very
significant in Swami Vivekananda’s life.
3. The temple is built in the very place where Swamiji was
cremated.
16. Professor J.H. Wright
1. He was Greek Professor at Harvard University who wrote a
letter of introduction to the Chairman of the Parliament of
Religions, so that Swamiji could be a delegate.
2. He had bought Swamiji a train ticket to Chicago
3. His famous words to Swamiji were, “To ask you, Swami,
for credentials, is like asking the sun to state its right to
shine!”

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