"Most people fail in life not because of lack of ability, but because they do not have the courage at the right moment. They become fearful."
Every word spoken by Swamiji comes alive when we look at the events from his life. One such incident occurred during the famous Parliament of World Religions in Chicago, in 1893, which brought his courage, wisdom, and deep-rooted Indian values to the global stage.
Let me share with you a short episode from this event - a moment that beautifully reflects the etiquette and grace embedded in Indian culture.
The chicgo Conference:A Monent of History
In 1893, the World's Parliament of Religions was being held in Chicago. Swami Vivekananda had traveled from India to address this global platform. His speech was scheduled for September 11.
As he prepared to speak, he saw something unsettiling:
on the blackboard behind the stage, in was written- "Hinduism: A Dead Religuon."
Any ordinary person would have been furious. But not Swami Vivekananda. He calmly stood up, walked to the podium, and began with the now legendary words:
"Sisters and brothers of Amerika..."
These five words created magic.
The entire hall erupted into thunderous applause. The audience was deeply moved. But what made this greeting so powerful?
It was the etiquette - the simple yet profound Indian value of giving first respect to women, of seeing the entire world as one family.
No one else had greeted the audience with such warmth and grace. This subtle cultural expression touched everyone's hearts.
Swamiji's allotted time was just 5 minutes, but the audience sat spellbouns. When the time ended, Cardinal Gibbons, the chairman, requested him to speak longer. Swamiji continued for over 20 minutes.
His fame spread across America like wildfire. People rushed to hear him. In fact, whenever the audience became noisy, the organizers would cal them by saying:
"If you remain silent, you will get to hear Swami Vivekanda speak again."And immediately, silence would return.
The Triumph of Indian Values
Through his speech, Swami Vivekananda proved that Hinduism is not a dead religion, but a living, inclusive philosophy that embraces all faiths. He showed that Indian culture does not insult or reject any belief - it teaches unity, compassion, and respect.
By the end of the conference, Swamiji had proudly raised the flag of Indian culture across the seven seas - not with anger, but with dignity, wisdom, and true etiquette.
Moral:
True strength lies not in aggeression, but in graceful courage.
Let us walk in the footsteps of great souls like Swami Vivekananda, who showed the world the power of Indian values and respectful conduct.
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