From the final decades of the 19th century to the present day, the life and message of Swami Vivekananda continue to inspire countless people in India and around the world. In 1893, he attained global fame in a very short time through his fiery speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Chicago, where he represented Hinduism. His deep understanding of both Eastern and Western societies and cultures, spiritual insight, powerful oratory, radiant personality, handsome appearance, and broad humanitarian sensitivity made him immensely popular among diverse sections of American society. Those who saw him or heard him speak often reminisced with reverence about the experience even decades later.

Swami Vivekananda is considered one of modern India's greatest patriot-saints and a pioneer of nationalist consciousness. He championed the ideals of strength in the making of true human beings. For Indians overly attached to traditional rituals and customs, he presented service to humanity as a direct path to the realization of God. Many political leaders of India have publicly acknowledged Swami Vivekananda as the primary source of inspiration in their lives.

Swamiji’s principal objective in America was to reveal the spiritual essence of Indian culture through the light of Vedanta philosophy. At the same time, he preached the rational and humanistic message of Vedanta for the spiritual upliftment of the West. He served as a spiritual ambassador of India and called for deeper understanding between East and West — between religion and science — through a harmonious synthesis of the two domains.

Swamiji’s ideals were both national and international. As a lover of humanity, he sought to establish peace and universal brotherhood by propagating Vedanta’s message of the essential unity of existence. As a high spiritual seeker, he directly experienced the essential truth of existence and sometimes expressed this deep wisdom in profoundly poetic language.

Like his guru Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda’s nature was to rise above worldly concerns and remain immersed in contemplation of the Supreme Self. Yet, a part of his heart was pained by the suffering of humanity across the world. His mind perhaps sought refuge somewhere between the realization of God and service to mankind. Ultimately, he responded to a divine call and embraced service to humanity as the core mission of his life — a decision that earned him immense love and reverence among Americans in particular.

In his short life of just 39 years (1863–1902), during which he actively served humanity despite intense physical suffering for at least ten of those years, he left behind for future generations four foundational works — Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Raja Yoga — considered among the most important texts of Hindu philosophy. In addition, he delivered countless speeches, wrote numerous inspirational letters to disciples, friends, and admirers, composed poems, and offered spiritual guidance to many seekers. In 1897, he founded the Ramakrishna Mission — now recognized as one of India’s premier spiritual and philanthropic organizations, dedicated to spreading India’s spiritual heritage both within the country and across the globe.

Swami Vivekananda once described himself as "condensed India." His life and message remain a priceless resource for the West to understand the Eastern mind. The Harvard philosopher William James called him "paragon of Vedantists". Renowned 19th-century Orientalists like Max Müller and Paul Deussen evaluated him with deep respect and admiration. "His words," writes Romain Rolland, "are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books, at thirty years' distance, without receiving 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!"