To know India one must know her ancient culture, must know her people and identify oneself with their hopes and aspirations, joys and sorrows, and with their daily problems. Swami Vivekananda was unique in this respect. In fact very few have known India as thoroughly as did the author of this book, and without any fear of exaggeration, we may say that very few have loved India with the same degree of intensity as he did. In the pages of this book are collected some of the writings of the author dealing with India. They are extremely relevant at a time when India is entering on a new era of her history.
I am the thread that runs through all these pearls, and each pearl is a religion or even a sect thereof. Such are the different pearls, and God is the thread that runs through all of them; most people, however, are entirely unconscious of it.
-Swami Vivekananda