Swami Vivekananda was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher and author. He
was a chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic
Ramakrishna.[4][5] Influenced by Western esotericism,
[6][7][8] he was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian
darsanas (teachings, practices) of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western
world, [9][10][11] and is credited with raising interfaith
awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion
during the late 19th century.[12] He was a major force in the
contemporary Hindu reform movements in India, and contributed to the
concept of nationalism in colonial India.[13] Vivekananda founded the
Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission.[10] He is perhaps best
known for his speech which began with the words "Sisters and brothers of
America ...,"[14] in which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of
the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.