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)