After his memorable work in the West, Swami Vivekananda landed in Colombo on 15 January 1897. During his passage from Colombo to Kolkata, and from there to Almora, he had delivered electrifying lectures at different places, rousing the Indian masses from their age long siesta. These made the Indian masses aware of the greatness of their own culture and glorious heritage, and the distinctive role they ought to play in due course as far as the world peace and amity was concerned by the dissemination of spiritual ideas. In this book the reader can get a glimpse of what India stands for and where lies its true strength. This collection of thirty highly informative and inspiring lectures is specially meant for all those who are eager to learn about the glory of Indian culture and civilization.
After every happiness comes misery; they may be far apart or near. The more advanced the soul, the more quickly does one follow the other. What we want is neither happiness nor misery. Both make us forget our true nature; both are chains--one iron, one gold; behind both is the Atman, who knows neither happiness nor misery. These are states, and states must ever change; but the nature of the Atman is bliss, peace, unchanging. We have not to get it, we have it; only wash away the dross and see it.
-Swami Vivekananda