He once said that playing football is better than merely reading the Gita. On the birth anniversary of that very Swami Vivekananda, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) paid a special tribute. On Monday, marking his 163rd birth anniversary, the Knights shared a special video dedicated to Swamiji. The video highlights the long struggle and history of the house in North Kolkata’s Simla where Swami Vivekananda was born. Drawing inspiration from Swamiji, KKR conveyed a message of moving forward with strength and courage.
What exactly did Swami Vivekananda say about the importance of sports in human life? It was in 1897, during his lecture titled “The Application of Vedanta to Indian Life”, that he spoke about football and the Gita. He said, “We are weak, very weak. First of all, our physical weakness this physical weakness is the cause of at least one-third of our misery.”
Explaining this further, Vivekananda stated, “Our youth must first become strong; religion will come later. O my young friends, be strong this is my message to you. By playing football rather than merely reading the Gita, you will come closer to heaven.” From this statement, it is clear that he wanted to convey to the youth that without a strong body, it is impossible to achieve anything.
However, this remark of his is often misinterpreted by isolating it from its broader context. What is often ignored is that when he spoke of understanding the greatness of the Upanishads and the soul, he emphasized the necessity of physical strength as the foundation. Today, keeping Swamiji’s ideals in mind, his birth anniversary is celebrated as National Youth Day.
Always deeply interested in sports, Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary was also used by KKR to highlight the legal complexities surrounding his ancestral home. After the death of Swamiji’s father in 1884, one of his relatives suddenly claimed ownership of the Simla house. A legal battle over the property continued for years. Eventually, shortly before her death, Swamiji’s mother won the case and gained ownership of the house. After Swami Vivekananda’s passing, the Ramakrishna Mission took over the house to preserve his legacy, and a museum was established in his name. Even today, people from all walks of life visit the place.
To preserve this heritage, KKR’s message echoes Swamiji’s ideals: “A strong mind and a fearless heart this is Swami Vivekananda’s inspiration.” The Knights also extended their greetings on the occasion of National Youth Day.
