The Great Journey to the West Question and Answer

1. How did Maharaja of Khetri help Vivekananda for his journey to the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago?

Maharaja of Khetri provided a ticket on the boat for Vivekananda. And despite Vivekananda’s protests he provided him a beautiful robe.

2. Whom does, according to the author, fate always helps?

According to the author, fate always helps those who know how to help themselves.

3. Why did Vivekananada have to spend the night at Chicago railway station?

Vivekananda had to spend the night at Chicago railway station because the train arrived late and he had lost the address of the committee. No one was ready to inform him about the address of the committee.

4. How was Vivekananda treated in Chicago?

In Chicago, Vivekananda was treated very badly. He was rudely dismissed from some of the houses. At others he was insulted by the servants. At still others, the door was slammed in his face. No one helped Vivekananda because he was a coloured man.

Long Question and Answer

1. What arrangements were made in India for Vivekananda’s journey to the Parliament of Religions?

Vivekananda had heard vaguely of a Parliament of Religions to be opened some day somewhere in America and he had decided to go to it. But neither he nor his disciples, nor his Indian friends, students, pundits, ministers or Maharajas had taken any trouble to find out about it. No one knew the exact date and the conditions of admission. The Maharaja of Khetri had taken his ticket on the boat for him and had provided him with a beautiful robe. But no one had considered the climatic conditions and customs. Thus, no proper arrangements were made for Vivekananda’s journey to the Parliament of Religions.

2. What thoughts struck Vivekananda while he visited China and Japan?

Everywhere, both in China and Japan, Vivekananda’s attention was attracted by all things that might confirm his hypothesis and conviction. He realised religious influence of ancient India over the Empires of the Far East and the spiritual unity of Asia. At the same time the thought of the ills from which his country was suffering never left him; and the sight of the progress achieved by Japan reopened the wound.

3. Why was Vivekananda overwhelmed in Chicago? What did he do to get help?

Vivekananda discovered at the Information Bureau of the Exposition that the Parliament would not open until after the first week of September and that it was too late for registration of delegates and that no registration would be accepted without official references. He had no credentials with him. His purse was nearly empty. So he was overwhelmed. He cabled to his friends in Madras for help. He also applied to an official religious society to make him a grant.

4. What did Vivekananda discover at the Information Bureau of the Exposition? Why was he shocked?

Vivekananda discovered at the Bureau that the Parliament would not open until after the first week of September. And it was too late for the registration of delegates. Moreover, that no registration would be accepted without official references. Vivekananda had no credentials with him. His purse was nearly empty. So he was shocked.

5. How many persons represented in the Parliament of Religions in Chicago? Who were they?

There were eight persons including Cardinal Gibbons who represented in the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Protap Chunder Mozoomdar and Nagarkar represented the Indian theists. Dharmapala represented the Buddhists of Ceylon. Gandhi represented Jains. Chakravarti and Annie Besant represented the theosophical society. And Vivekananda represented India as a whole.