January marks the birth of two of India’s greatest sons, whose contributions ignited the flame of patriotism in the hearts and minds of the Indian people. Swami Vivekananda, born on January 12, 1863, is one of the most towering personalities in modern Indian history. Just a few days after Swami Vivekananda’s return from his first visit to the West, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897. Netaji was a leader who brought the colonial government to its knees with his unwavering determination and leadership.
Today, millions of Indians are familiar with the name of the great Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. However, few truly understand the pivotal role he played in India’s freedom movement, despite being one of its most key figures. Even fewer are aware of the influence that Swami Vivekananda had on his life. The story of how the patriotic saint, Swami Vivekananda, became the inspiration behind the revolutionary Netaji Bose is a remarkable tale of spiritual foundations leading to a powerful surge of patriotism. It was through Swami Vivekananda’s teachings that Bose found the deep-rooted spiritual strength that fuelled his commitment to India’s liberation. This connection between spiritual awakening and patriotic fervour highlights the impact of Swami Vivekananda’s ideals on the freedom struggle, shaping Netaji Bose’s revolutionary vision.
The common thread between these two great souls is that both lived and died for their motherland, India. Every moment of their lives was dedicated to freeing India from British rule. It could be said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s life stands as one of the finest examples of how Swami Vivekananda’s teachings and life could impact an individual. The extent to which Vivekananda’s message inspired and shaped Bose’s actions is remarkable. It is a testament to the power of Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy—how it could fuel a person’s passion, drive, and commitment to work tirelessly for India and its people.
To understand the relationship, impact, and association between Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda, one can turn to Netaji’s autobiography, An Indian Pilgrim: An Unfinished Autobiography and Collected Letters (1897-1921), and Netaji’s Life and Writings – Part Two: The Indian Struggle 1920-34. These works provide a clear view into how Swamiji influenced Netaji’s life, with Netaji considering him nothing less than a guru.
According to Netaji Bose, he was just fifteen when he was introduced to Swami Vivekananda through his literature, particularly the book Colombo to Almora, which is a compilation of Swamiji’s lectures delivered in India after his first visit to the West. Netaji mentions that while studying Swamiji’s works, he found ideals to which he could dedicate his entire being.
Netaji writes, “For days, weeks, and months, I pored over his works. His letters, as well as his speeches from Colombo to Almora, replete with practical advice for his countrymen, inspired me deeply. From this study, I emerged with a vivid understanding of the essence of his teachings: ‘Atmano Mokshartham Jagaddhitaya’—for your own salvation and for the service of humanity—that was to be life’s goal.”
Netaji also believed that it was Swamiji’s teachings that made him realize that a spiritual life could not be led through personal yoga practice alone; it required engaging in social work as well. He began working for society after drawing inspiration from Swami Vivekananda, who emphasized the concept that serving humanity is serving God. From Swamiji’s teachings, Netaji felt that “for spiritual development, social service was necessary.”
Netaji Bose was so deeply aligned with the mission of Swami Vivekananda that in school he found inspiration only in those teachers who were followers of Swami Vivekananda and his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna.
By the time he finished school, Netaji had resolved to follow the examples of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda in his own life, choosing not to pursue a conventional career.
Netaji writes, “The philosophy which I found in Vivekananda and in Ramakrishna came nearest to meeting my requirements and offered a basis on which to reconstruct my moral and practical life. It equipped me with certain principles with which to determine my conduct or line of action whenever any problem or crisis arose before my eyes.”
In another instance, Netaji mentions that since childhood, he has always held deep respect for Swami Vivekananda and Jagadish Chandra Bose, drawn to them through their pictures and the stories shared by others. He writes, “I do not know why, but since my childhood, I have always had the deepest respect for two persons—Jagadish Chandra and Vivekananda. I was attracted to them through the pictures I saw and what I learned about them from others.”
Swami Vivekananda served as a central figure of inspiration for Netaji throughout his life, whether during his school and college years, after he cleared the ICS exam yet chose to decline the position, or later when he actively participated and led the struggle against British colonial rule in India. The spiritual force of Swami Vivekananda provided a foundational strength and guidance that influenced Netaji’s decisions and actions.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s admiration for Swami Vivekananda is reflected in his powerful words, which capture the influence Swamiji had on the Indian consciousness.
Netaji writes about Swamiji that, “He tried to infuse into the new generation a sense of pride in India’s past, of faith in India’s future, and a spirit of self-confidence and self-respect. Though the Swami never gave any political message, everyone who came into contact with him or his writings developed a spirit of patriotism and a political mentality. So far, at least as Bengal is concerned, Swami Vivekananda may be regarded as the spiritual father of the modern nationalist movement. He died very young in 1902, but since his death, his influence has been even greater.”
The impact of Swami Vivekananda’s message, according to Netaji, was not confined to the spiritual realm alone but had a tangible effect on India’s freedom struggle against the British. Swamiji’s teachings provided the moral and intellectual foundation that inspired many freedom fighters, including Netaji himself, to continue the struggle for independence with renewed Vigor and determination.
The author is the Deputy Head of Vivekananda Kendra, North Zone, holds a Ph.D. from JNU, New Delhi and is the writer of the book “Influence of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Movement on Gandhi” (2024).
