Swami Vivekananda is the leading disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. His lectures and books provide the best explanation of the Upanishads in modern literature. The Upanishads are the original source of Vedanta.

Swami Vivekananda visited the West at the end of the 19^th century, and his influence is felt to this day. His message of uncompromising strength, devotion to the truth, unity of all creeds, and dedication to the higher pursuits of life, re-invigorated the spiritual landscape of America and Europe.

His work in India provided a genuine alternative to the sweeping materialism that resulted from the scientific achievements of his century.