REGARDING THE SWAMI'S DEATH, JULY 4, 1902, AND HIS 1898 POEM "TO THE FOURTH OF JULY."
REGARDING THE SWAMI'S DEATH, JULY 4, 1902, AND HIS 1898 POEM "TO THE FOURTH OF JULY."
The cause of Swami Vivekananda's death on the 4th of July, 1902, has been long debated as whether it was a deliberate act of will --through the Swami's powers of yoga, or took place because of his illness, aggravated by over- exertion.
One fact that might favor the former view is that the Swami wrote a poem in praise of the 4th of July, on that date in 1898.
Written when he was travelling in Kashmir with some disciples, including some American and English disciples — it was read aloud at breakfast that early morning.
The poem was preserved by one of his American disciples, Mrs Ole Bull.
While it may have been a coincidence and possibly not unique that someone wrote a poem in praise of the day/holiday on which he happened later to die, it may be singular that it was written by someone whose death has been much debated as to its cause (and for reasons other than this poem).
Moreover, the Swami's meaning in the poem, while clearly referencing the ideal of Amercan freedom celebrated on this holiday, possibly alludes to a greater more eternal freedom...
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- www.vivekananda.net edited by Frank Parlato Jr.
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