Mon Jan 12 00:30:00 UTC 2026: ### Vivekananda’s Spiritual Journey Began with a Sweet Tooth and a Roshogulla
The Story:
An article published by Independent News Service on January 12, 2026, commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, highlighting a unique and pivotal moment in his life: his meeting with his guru, Ramakrishna Paramhansa. According to the article, Vivekananda’s childhood fondness for Roshogulla, a popular Indian sweet, played a crucial role in initiating his spiritual journey. Driven by the promise of free Roshogulla at the Dakshineshwar temple, Vivekananda, then known as Narendra, visited Ramakrishna Paramhansa, leading to a profound guru-shishya relationship that shaped Vivekananda’s life and teachings.
Key Points:
- Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary is January 12, 1863.
- As a child, Vivekananda, known as Narendra, had a strong fondness for Roshogulla.
- Ramchandra Dutta, Vivekananda’s cousin, told him about Ramakrishna Paramhansa offering Roshogulla at the Dakshineshwar temple.
- Vivekananda visited Ramakrishna, expecting Roshogulla, and instead found his spiritual guru.
- The book ‘Swami Vivekananda: The Feasting, Fasting Monk’ details Vivekananda’s eating habits and this encounter.
Key Takeaways:
- Seemingly trivial incidents can have profound impacts on an individual’s life trajectory.
- The guru-shishya relationship between Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramhansa was pivotal in shaping Vivekananda’s spiritual and philosophical contributions.
- Cultural elements like food can serve as catalysts for significant encounters and life-altering journeys.
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