BIOGRAPHY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

58 SWAMI VIVEKANANDAproclaimed him a Prophet and a Seer. The New YorkHerald referred to him as ‘undoubtedly the greatestfigure in the Parliament of Religions’, and added,‘After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to sendmissionaries to this learned nation.’The news of Swami Vivekananda’s unparalleledsuccess soon poured into India as well. Indianjournals and magazines—from Madras to Almora,from Calcutta to Bombay—were filled with theAmerican reports of his triumph at the Parliament.The happiness of the monks of the RamakrishnaOrder at Baranagore knew no bounds when theycame to learn that it was their beloved leader whohad taken the New World by storm. The citizens ofCalcutta organized a great representative meetingin the Town Hall to thank the Swami and the Americanpeople. The name Vivekananda rang with acclaimthroughout the length and breadth ofHindusthan. Everywhere he was recognized as theman who had come to fulfil a great need. Theunknown monk without titles and ties blossomedinto a world-figure and became the man of the hour.But in the midst of this recognition of hisgenius, universal applause, and immense popularity,the Swami was never found for a momentforgetful of his duties to the sunken masses of India.On the very day of his triumph when he was invitedby a man of great wealth and distinction to his home