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Swami Rama's Life
Rama Tirtha was born in Murariwala, Gujranwala district, in Punjab (now in Pakistan) on October 22, 1873. When he was a few days old his mother died, and he was raised by his elder brother Gossain Gurudas. After receiving his Masters degree in mathematics from Government College of Lahore, he became Professor of Mathematics at Forman Christian College in Lahore. A chance meeting with Swami Vivekananda in 1897 in Lahore inspired his later decision to take up the life of a sannyasi.
In the late 19th century, he became well known in Punjab for his speeches on worship of Krishna and later through lectures and essays on Advaita Vedanta. He eventually entered the monastic swami order in 1901, leaving his life as a math professor, husband, and father. A maharaja sponsored a trip by Rama Tirtha to Japan to teach Hinduism. From Japan he traveled in 1902 to the United States, where he spent two years lecturing on the essence of Hinduism and other religions, and a philosophy he called "practical Vedanta."
He frequently spoke about the inequities of the caste system in India and the importance of education for women and the poor, stating that, "Neglecting the education of women and children and the labouring classes is like cutting down the branches that are supporting us, nay, it is like striking a death-blow to the roots of the tree of nationality." Arguing that India needed educated young people-and not missionaries-he began an organization to aid Indian students in American universities.
Upon his return to India in 1904 he was received with great acclaim-large crowds thronged to his lectures. In 1906, weary of the adoration, he completely withdrew from public life and moved to the foothills of the Himalaya. There he prepared to write a book giving a systematic presentation on practical Vedanta, which was never finished. He died on October 17, 1906 on the day of Diwali-drowning while bathing in the Ganges.
Last update : 28-09-2009 12:17
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