BIOGRAPHY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

sanction from a supernatural authority, but the accumulated treasure ofspiritual laws discovered by various Indian seers in different times. Just as thelaw of gravitation existed before its discovery, and would continue to exist evenif all humanity forgot it, so do the laws that govern the spiritual world existindependently of our knowledge of them. The moral, ethical, and spiritualrelations between soul and soul, and between individual spirits and the Fatherof all spirits, were in existence before their discovery, and will remain even if weforget them. Regarding the universal character of the Hindu faith the Swamisaid: 'From the high spiritual flights of the Vedanta philosophy, of which thelatest discoveries of science seem like echoes, to the low ideas of idolatry with itsmultifarious mythology, the agnosticism of the Buddhists, and the atheism ofthe Jains, each and all have a place in Hindu religion.'The young, unknown monk of India was transformed overnight into anoutstanding figure of the religious world. From obscurity he leapt to fame. Hislife-size portraits were posted in the streets of Chicago, with words 'The MonkVivekananda' written beneath them and many passers-by would stop to doreverence with bowed heads.Dr. J.H. Barrows, Chairman of the General Committee of the Parliament ofReligions, said: 'Swami Vivekananda exercised a wonderful influence over hisauditors,' and Mr. Merwin-Marie Snell stated, more enthusiastically: 'By far themost important and typical representative of Hinduism was SwamiVivekananda, who, in fact, was beyond question the most popular andinfluential man in the Parliament....He was received with greater enthusiasmthan any other speaker, Christian or pagan. The people thronged about himwherever he went and hung with eagerness on his every word. The most rigid oforthodox Christians say of him, "He is indeed a prince among men!"'Newspapers published his speeches and they were read with warm interest allover the country. The New York Herald said: 'He is undoubtedly the greatestfigure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it isto send missionaries to this learned nation.' The Boston Evening Post said: 'He isa great favourite at the Parliament from the grandeur of his sentiments and hisappearance as well. If he merely crosses the platform he is applauded; and thismarked approval of thousands he accepts in a childlike spirit of gratificationwithout a trace of conceit....At the Parliament of Religions they used to keepVivekananda until the end of the programme to make people stay till the end ofthe session....The four thousand fanning people in the Hall of Columbus wouldsit smiling and expectant, waiting for an hour or two to listen to Vivekanandafor fifteen minutes. The chairman knew the old rule of keeping the best until thelast.'It is one of the outstanding traits of Americans to draw out the latent greatness