"My homage and respect to the very revered
memory of Swami Vivekananda . . . . after having gone through [his works],
the love that I had for my country became a thousandfold."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
"His whole life and teaching inspired my
generation . . . . he brought his great spirituality to bear upon his
patriotism and thus his message was not confined to India only, but was
for the whole world. I pay my homage to his memory."
-- Jawaharlal Nehru
"The thought of this warrior prophet of
India left a deep mark upon the United States . . . . I cannot touch these
sayings of his . . . without giving a thrill through my body like an
electric shock. And what shocks, what transports must have been produced
when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!"
-- Romain Rolland
"[Vivekananda is] one of the very greatest
historical figures that India has ever produced. When one sees the full
range of his mind, one is astounded."
-- Christopher
Isherwood
"The man [Vivekananda] is simply a wonder
for oratorical power . . . the Swami is an honor to humanity."
-- William James
"At this exposition [the Parliament of
Religions], the Swami charmed audiences with his magical oratory, and left
an indelible mark on America's spiritual development."
-- National Portrait
Gallery, Smithsonian Institution (from "Abroad in America: Visitors to the
New Nation")
"It was the voice of the ancient rishis of
the Vedas, speaking sweet words of love and toleration."
-- The Brooklyn
Standard
