A Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda (Set of 3 Volumes)

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Late Prof. Saliendra Nath Dhar, the author of this book, was born in 1987 at rajeshahi (Bengal), and was, educated at this native place and in Calcutta. He taught History , political science and International Relations in educational institutions affiliated to a number of Universities, such as the Punjab, Allahabad Agra Delhi, Calcutta and jadavpur. Of his forty five years of service, twenty –seven years we spent in indore as the head of the History Department , Holkar College and brief periods as the first ever Secretary education, Madhya bharat, Gwalior and as additional Controller of Examinations, Calcutta University. Prof. Dhar was a pioneer among researches in India on international relations, his first major work on the subject , namely, Europe Between two World Wars, 1918-39, being published in 1951. His other publications on the subject include atomic weapons in world politics and international Relations and world politicfs since. 1919. Commenting on the last – named work. The times Literary supplement London, observed as follows:” He has balanced outlook on International affairs and he strives consistently to preserve an objective detachment in his treatment of very controversial issues.”

Since its very foundation and for many years Prof. Dhar was a mamber of the Indian history congress. He was for more some time a member of the Indian historical Records Commission , govt. of India , and of the these bodies and read paper in them . He acted as the local Secretary at the Indore session of the Indian Historical Records Commission. During his long career as teacher, Prof. Dhar contributed numerous article s to learned magazines.

Prof. Dhar merged with the sprit of swami Vivekananda on 3rd March 1995 at 4.30 A.M. leaving behind monumental work.

It is a welcome sign that the charam of swami Vivekananda has not faded over the years; on the other hand , even after hundred and odd years of his passing away is not only remembered but also debated and discussed by people all over by people all over the world . his messages is catching up as a much in western hemisphere as an in eastern . Probably more . even in his life time , both America and Europe had come under the influence of this “Cyclonic Hindu Monk “. Some of the top intellectuals were so fascinated that they wrote if sketches, through brief , about this ‘Master ‘ with scanty material personally collected from the disciples and in the course spread his message across the west . Max Muller and Tolstoy were two of the most eminent among them who wrote the biography of Sree Ramakrishna. Later on romain Rolland brought out one of the most scholarly biographies of Swamiji which caught the imagination of the intellectuals all over . After a long interregnum of about seven decades of indifference, if not hostility , in the erstwhile Soviet Union , Study of swami Vivekannanda has been revived in various Centres. Considering all these, it is no wonder that there is a growing demand for authentic biography as well as for scholarly studies on swami Vivekanandaa whose relevance is growing with the passage of time. Vivekananda Kendra is extremely happy to bring out the third reprint of “The comprehensive biography of swami Vivekanandah “ by Dr. S. N. Dhar Incidentally it also reveals how this two – volume-biography has appealed to the reading public all over India.

The preface to the first edition was written by no less a person than Sri R.C. Majumdar , the doyen of Indian history . A quote from this eminent author is enough to highlight the quality of the book.

“The author has fully justified the title of the book, for I believe it is the most comprehensive biography of Swami Vivekananda written in English . the author , an eminent historian, has approached his subjected in a reverent but truly historic spirit. He has narrated, in a simple language but as critically as possible, the major events of the life of Swamiji and his principal activities – leaving the reader to from his own conclusion on the personality and achievement s of the greatest men in modern Indian History.

There is one reason why comprehensive biography of the Swami Vivekananda containing every bit of information is made available to the public at this juncture of time . this is because concerted attempts are a foot to misrepresents the great Swamiji and his vast contribution to suit ulterior purposes. People are free to evaluate and interpret great men from varying perspectives but interpretations should be based on irrefutable facts. When this accepted norm is violated and facts are selectivelypicked up or omitted and interpretations foisted upon such basis, I this a great disservice not only to the presents generation but also to the posterity. Unfortunately such attempts have been made deliberately by vested interests. Such motivated falsifications can be effectively countered only if all the facts are available to the public for reference. This is precisely what are available to the public for reference. This is precisely what the “Comprehensive Biography “ effectively does. Hence it can be safely stated that this valuable book fulfils an important requirement not only for the time being but for all times to come.

Vivekananda Kendra deems it is a proud privilege to presents these volume before the public . Our hearts are full of gratitude to the erudite author who is no more with us and also to the larger number of readers and partons who have made the reprint an urgent necessity. two special features that would make the reprint more attractive than the earlier one needs to be mentioned. The present edition is in three volumes , which would make it more handy for the users. Another feature is the inclusion of some very rare and hitherto unpublished swamiji ‘s photos .we hope the readers will heartily welcome these changes. We are deeply indebted to utilise these photos.

Let me end this preface by invoking an inimitably beautiful passages from romain Rolland’s biography of swami Vivekananda.

“He has less than forty years of age when the athlete lay stretched upon the pyre…. But the flame of that pyre is still alight today from his ashes, like those of phoenix of old, has sprung anew the conscience of India…faith in her unity and the great Message, brooded over from Vedic times by the dreaming spirit of his ancient race – the message for which it must render account to rest of mankind”.

This reprint is a humble attempt in that direction.