On 20th June,1899, once again, <br />Swamiji started out on a plan <br />To visit the Western world, <br />Where branches he had opened. <br /> <br />The sea trip was smooth <br />And it improved his health. <br />With two of his disciples, <br />He enjoyed the sea travel. <br /> <br />He reached the destination, <br />New York, one afternoon, <br />His old friends and disciples <br />Welcomed his grand arrival. <br /> <br />Then, he went to Los Angeles, <br />Where he conducted classes <br />And gave many public lectures, <br />Attended by local admirers. <br /> <br />Back in New York, he visited <br />Vedanta Society, which enlisted <br />Several University professors <br />And other learned scholars. <br /> <br />In Paris, he attended the Congress <br />Of the History of Religions, <br />Like the Parliament of Religions, <br />Last held in the United States. <br /> <br />After visiting many places, <br />He was feeling more restless. <br />So, to Bombay, he left then <br />By the first available ship alone. <br /> <br />During his second visit, <br />He smelt war in the West, <br />Europe looked like a base <br />For all military operations. <br /> <br />On a Volcano, Europe stood. <br />And if there was no flood <br />Of spirituality to put it out <br />The fire would burn it. <br /> <br />In this second visit <br />More commercial interest <br />Greed, craze for power, <br />He saw everywhere. <br /> <br />It gave rise to a question <br />About his Universal Religion, <br />How best it would integrate <br />And harmonize East and West?<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/49-vivekananda-visits-to-west-again/
