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| Sister Nivedita |
Sister Nivedita Oct 20, 1867 - Oct 13, 1911 Born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble, she was more popularly known as sister Nivedita. Prior to be known as Sister Nivedita, she was an Anglo-Irish social worker, who was one amongst the many disciples of Swami Vivekananda. She came across Swami Ji in the year 1895 in London. It was the Swami, who called her by the name "Nivedita". The word refers to someone who is highly dedicated to the almighty God. This short article presents the biography of Sister Nivedita, who has made a niche for herself in the arena of Hindu spirituality. She was born on October 20, 1867. She was born in Ireland to Mary Isabel and Samuel Richmond Noble. Her father gave the valuable lesson that service to mankind is the true service to God. His words made a profound impression on her. She was very fond of music and art. After completing her education, she took up the job of a teacher and worked for a period of ten years from 1884 to 1894. She was gifted as a teacher and founded many schools and centers of higher learning for women in India. She started taking interest in the teachings of Lord Buddha. It is during this time that she met Swami Vivekananda. He stressed on the fact that, it is the ignorance and selfishness that pave way for our sufferings. His principles and teachings influenced her and this brought about a visible change in her. Seeing the fire and passion in her, he could foresee her futuristic role in India. She became the first Western woman to be received into an Indian monastic order (Ashram) as a Sanyasin. In November 1898 she started a school for girls who were deprived of even basic education. She took part in various altruistic activities. She worked to improve the lives of Indian women of all castes. Nivedita was a good friend of many intellectuals and artists in the Bengali community, including the Nobel laureate writer Rabindranath Tagore. She knew and trusted Sri Anirvan and left many extraordinarily valuable documents with him. When Sri Shankari Prasad Basu Mahashay came to Anirvan asking about her life, she simply handed over all the papers, carefully preserved. Later she would take up the cause of Indian independence. Her identity as a westerner and being a disciple of Swami Vivekananda enabled her to do many things that might have been difficult for other Indians of her time. She promoted pan-Indian nationalism, working tirelessly serving the Indian people and society. Her noble soul left for her heavenly abode on October 13, 1911. Books by Sister Nivedita : Complete Works of Sister Nivedita :
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Created by Sushma Gupta on March 15, 2009
Contact: sushmajee@yahoo.com
Modified on
05/05/13