Religious Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Rabindranath Tagore is considered one of the greatest personalities of modern India. He was not a philosopher academically but his outstanding writings and spiritual thinking are very deep insights into the world of Philosophy. His concept of humanism centers rounded or tinted by the lessons of Vaishnavism. Rabindranath Tagore was the greatest poet of contemporary India and the religion propounded by him is essentially known as the poet's religion. His religion is the essence of human life. Tagore perceives God in the wake of variety. Like Tagore, Vivekananda is one of the living figures of contemporary India. He put effort to establish brotherhood among the people of different world religions. He stood for religious pluralism and tolerance as well. He referred; universal religion as a common platform for all religions. He was also known as the initiator of Hinduism and the introducer of Nationalism. For Vivekananda religion is the essence of a man, a living path in favor of truth. Hinduism is a religion that is not a doctrine or not a statement of belief but the basics of it. Every religion has its quality that is why it is very hard to find out some common or universal elements and to compare all religions. The religious ideal given by Tagore and Vivekananda is very important in our modern times to lead a proper ethical and peaceful life. This paper is an attempt to understand the religious interpretation of Tagore and Vivekananda in the domain of religion and philosophy. Effort is also being made to understand their ideal and religious values in real life.