First Public Lecture in the East (Colombo)

Vedantism

Reply to the Address of Welcome at Pamban

Address at the Rameswaram Temple on Real Worship

Reply to the Address of Welcome at Ramnad

Reply to the Address of Welcome at Paramakudi

Reply to the Address of Welcome at Shivaganga and Manamadura

Reply to the Address of Welcome at Madura

The Mission of the Vedanta

Reply to the Address of Welcome at Madras

My Plan of Campaign

Vedanta in its Application to Indian Life

The Sages of India

The Work before us

The Future of India On Charity

Address of Welcome Presented at Calcutta and Reply

The Vedanta in all its phases

Address of Welcome at Almora and Reply

Vedic Teaching in Theory and Practice

Bhakti

The Common Bases of Hinduism

Bhakti

The Vedanta

Vedantism

The Influence of Indian Spiritual Thought in England

Sannyasa: Its Ideal and Practice

What have I learnt?

The Religion we are born in

Home / Complete-Works / Volume 3 / Lectures from Colombo to Almora / *

FIRST PUBLIC LECTURE IN THE EAST (Delivered in Colombo) After his memorable work in the West, Swami Vivekananda landed at Colombo on the afternoon of January 15, 1897, and was given a right royal reception by the Hindu community there. The following address of welcome was then presented to him:

SRIMAT VIVEKANANDA SWAMI.

REVERED SIR, In pursuance of a resolution pa.s.sed at a public meeting of the Hindus of the city of Colombo, we beg to offer you a hearty welcome to this Island. We deem it a privilege to be the first to welcome you on your return home from your great mission in the West.

We have watched with joy and thankfulness the success with which the mission has, under G.o.d's blessing, been crowned. You have proclaimed to the nations of Europe and America the Hindu ideal of a universal religion, harmonising all creeds, providing spiritual food for each soul according to its needs, and lovingly drawing it unto G.o.d. You have preached the Truth and the Way, taught from remote ages by a succession of Masters whose blessed feet have walked and sanctified the soil of India, and whose gracious presence and inspiration have made her, through all her vicissitudes, the Light of the World.

To the inspiration of such a Master, Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Deva, and to your self-sacrificing zeal, Western nations owe the priceless boon of being placed in living contact with the spiritual genius of India, while to many of our own countrymen, delivered from the glamour of Western civilisation, the value of Our glorious heritage has been brought home.

By your n.o.ble work and example you have laid humanity under an obligation difficult to repay, and you have shed fresh l.u.s.tre upon our Motherland. We pray that the grace of G.o.d may continue to prosper you and your work, and We remain, Revered Sir,