Swami Vivekananda - Cossipore Garden House - Cossipore (1886)

This profound image features Swami Vivekananda, then known as Narendranath, seated in deep contemplation at the Cossipore Garden House in 1886. This was a profoundly significant period in his spiritual journey, immediately following Sri Ramakrishna’s Mahasamadhi. Here, Narendranath and his brother-disciples dedicated themselves to intense spiritual practices, forging the foundational bonds of what would become the Ramakrishna Order. The setting at Cossipore was where they lived an austere, communal life, embodying Sri Ramakrishna's teachings and preparing for their future missions. This portrait, capturing Swamiji bare-chested and with a thoughtful gaze, symbolizes the rigorous self-discipline and profound introspection that characterized his early monastic life. It offers a rare glimpse into the formative phase of the great spiritual leader, highlighting his unwavering commitment to renunciation and the pursuit of ultimate truth. This image is a testament to the ascetic fervor that shaped his monumental future.