National Youth Day is celebrated in India on 12 January on the birthday of Swami Vivekananda.

Swami Vivekananda's birthday (12 January 1863), according to the Indian Almanac (Vishuddha Siddhanta Almanac) is on Pausha Krishna Saptami tithi, which falls on different dates in the English Calendar every year (generally in the month of January).

Swami Vivekananda Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda's birthday falls on the Paush Krishna Saptami, the 7th day after the full moon day in the Hindu month of Paush. Therefore the date varies from year to year. According to the English calendar or the generally used Indian Calendar, Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863. In 2016, the date of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as per Hindu Lunar Calendar Tithi is on January 31. In 2016, it is the 153rd birth anniversary.

Numerous programs are organized in India and in several countries around the world on the day. In India, it is observed as the National Youth Day.

Saints of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) never sought blind followers or converts. Their sole aim was to initiate a discussion on a particular topic. They wanted each individual to arrive at a conclusion through a healthy debate and contemplation. They wanted each individual to realize his/her potential. Swami Vivekananda was one such modern saint who kindled the passion of search for knowledge in the minds of people.

The ideal way to remember or honor a saint is by understanding his/her teachings. Swami Vivekananda has given his valuable thoughts on several topics. It is for us to pick up these pearls of wisdom and contemplate and apply it in our daily life. This can be done not just on his birthday but on all days of the year.

Few Quotes of Swami Vivekananda
Anything (reference to fear of God, superstition) that makes you weak, physically, intellectually, spiritually, reject it as poison. It cannot be true. For Truth is strengthening. Truth is purity.
Give up all that hateful malice, that doglike bickering and barking at one another and take your stand on good purpose, right means, righteous courage, and be brave.
The best way to serve and seek God is to serve the needy, feed the hungry, help the fallen and friendless, irrespective of caste or creed.

Everything in Life has a beautiful ending

You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.

You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.

Wish you a very Happy Swami Vivekananda jayanti 2016.

Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda                                                      

Paramhansa Yogananda was born on January 5, 1893

He lived in the West for most of his life and spoke of of oneness, cooperation, universal love, goodwill, and kindness to all.

Indian yogi, guru, and spiritual guide to millions of Westerners, Paramahansa Yogananda touched the lives of countless people all over the world. He taught in a "how-to-live" manner that proved invaluable to his followers. He also gave the gift of Kriya Yoga to the world.

His accomplishments go on and on, as do the words that he spoke. Though he passed away over 60 years ago, Yogananda’s wisdom lives on, so take time to imbue his words into your spirit. You can use them as mantras as you meditate, or just go through them for a few minutes in your day, allowing them to refocus your heart and soothe your soul.

15 Spirit-Calming Quotes from Paramahansa Yogananda 

1. Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may Scatter Rich Smiles In Sad Hearts.

2. Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of all before you. The future will take care of itself.

3. The happiness of one's own heart alone cannot satisfy the soul; one must try to include, as Necessary To One's Own Happiness, the happiness of others.

4. Remain calm, serene, always in command of yourself. You will then find out how easy it is to get along.

5. Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become.

6. You may control a mad elephant;
You may shut the mouth of the bear and the tiger;
Ride the lion and play with the cobra;
By alchemy you may learn your livelihood;
You may wander through the universe incognito;
Make vassals of the gods; be ever youthful;
You may walk in water and live in fire;
But Control Of The Mind is better and more difficult.

7. Meditation is the science of reuniting the soul with Spirit. The soul, descending from God into flesh, manifests its consciousness and life force through seven chakras, or centers of light, in man’s cerebrospinal axis. Always remember, nothing can touch you if you inwardly love God.

8. Spiritual success lies in constantly attuning yourself with the Cosmic Mind, and in maintaining your peace and poise no matter what irremediable events occur in your life, such as the death of dear ones, or other sorrowful happenings.Before embarking on important undertakings sit quietly calm your senses and thoughts and meditate deeply. You will then be guided by the great creative power of Spirit.

9. Build your inner environment. Practice Silence! I remember the wonderful discipline of the Great Ones. When we used to talk and chatter, they would say: "Go back into your inner castle." It was very hard to comprehend then, but now I understand the way of peace.

10. Stillness is the altar of spirit.

11. Giving Love To All, feeling the love of God, seeing His presence in everyone… that is the way to live in this world.

12. Affirm divine calmness and peace, and send out only thoughts of love and goodwill if you want to live in peace and harmony. Never get angry, for anger poisons your system.

13. The sun shines equally on diamond and charcoal, but the former has developed qualities that enable it to reflect the sunlight brilliantly, while the latter is unable to reflect the sunlight. Emulate the diamond in your dealings with people. Brightly reflect the light of God’s love.

14. May the heads of all countries and races be guided to understand that men of all nations are physically and spiritually one: physically one, be-cause we are the descendants of common parents— the symbolic Adam and Eve; and spiritually one, because we are the immortal children of our Father, bound by eternal links of brotherhood. Let us pray in our hearts for a League of Souls and a United World. Though we may seem divided by race, creed, color, class, and political prejudices, still, as children of the one God we are able in our souls to feel brotherhood and world unity. May we work for the creation of a United World in which every nation will be a useful part, guided by God through man’s enlightened conscience. In our hearts we can all learn to be free from hate and selfishness. Let us pray for harmony among the nations, that they march hand in hand through the gate of a fair new civilization.

15. Every tomorrow is Determined By Every Today.