Vivekananda

(born Jan. 12, 1863, Calcutta—died July 4, 1902, Calcutta) Hindu spiritual leader and reformer. He received a Western education.

He later joined the Brahmo Samaj and became the most notable disciple of Ramakrishna. By stressing the universal and humanistic aspects of the Veda and emphasizing service over dogma, he attempted to infuse vigour into Hinduism. He was a motivating force behind the Vedānta movement in the U.S. and England, lecturing and proselytizing in both countries. In 1897 he founded the Ramakrishna Mission, which carries out extensive educational and philanthropic work in India and expounds Vedānta in Western countries.