Swami Vivekananda - Photograph

“‘The Swami’s personality impressed itself on the mind with visual intensity,’ Mr. [Frank] Rhodehamel was to write some ten years later. ‘The speaking eyes, the wealth of facial expression and gesticulation; the wondrous Sanskrit chanting, sonorous, melodious, impressing one with the sense of mystic potency; the translations following in smiling confidence—all these set off by the spectacular apparel of the Hindu sannyasin—who can forget them?’” 30 In his reminiscences of Swami Shivananda, Swami Shraddhananda has this entry for January 28, 1931: “When I was cleaning Swamiji’s room, Mahapurushji entered. On the north wall hung a big framed photograph of Swamiji sitting on a chair in a Western dress, his hair long, black and curly. Mahapurush Maharaj: ‘See in this photograph what a grand appearance Swamiji had! Nivedita used to call him King. He indeed looks like a King. In America they used to call him a ‘Prince among Men.’” 31 This photo is still hanging on the northern wall in Swamiji’s room at Belur Math. ❊ ❊ ❊ This is the question: With every sense and every organ active, have you that tremendous peace so that nothing can disturb you? Standing on Market Street, waiting for the car with all the rush . . . going on around you, are you in meditation—calm and peaceful? In the cave, are you intensely active there with all quiet about you? If you are, you are a yogi, otherwise not. (CW [1984] 1:476)