The keyword phrase functions as a composite proper noun, identifying a specific historical event. The date, "11 Sep 1893," acts as an adjectival modifier specifying the time of the action performed by the subject, "Swami Vivekananda." The core concept or "main point" represented is the event itself: the delivery of a groundbreaking speech at the first Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago. This speech is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the introduction of Hindu philosophy, particularly Vedanta, to the Western world.
On this date, the Hindu monk delivered his first and most famous address at the Parliament. Bypassing a prepared text, he began with the salutation, "Sisters and Brothers of America," which elicited a two-minute standing ovation from the audience of nearly seven thousand. The core of his message was a plea for universal tolerance and an end to religious fanaticism. He presented Hinduism not as a competing creed but as a universal religion that accepts all paths as valid routes to the same divine reality. Citing a Hindu scripture, he used the analogy of different streams all merging into the same sea to illustrate this concept of religious harmony.
The practical application and lasting significance of this event are profound. The speech immediately established the speaker as a preeminent spiritual figure and fundamentally altered Western perceptions of Hinduism, shifting it from a subject of exotic curiosity to a serious philosophical system. It marked a significant milestone in interfaith dialogue and is credited with initiating a wave of interest in Indian spirituality across the United States and Europe. The event remains a cornerstone of modern Hindu identity and a symbol of universal religious acceptance.
