While travelling in western and southern India, Vivekananda heard about the Parliament of Religions that was to be held in Chicago in 1893. A group of Indian rulers and influential people requested that he attend in order to represent Hinduism, the religion of Vedanta, but he refused. He was waiting for the Master’s call. In December 1892, at Kanyakumari, sitting on the last bit of Indian rock in the Indian Ocean, he received his call to go to the West.
One day, while in Madras, Swamiji had a symbolic dream: He saw Sri Ramakrishna walking into the water of the ocean and beckoning him to follow. He also heard the command: “Go!” Although Swamiji was now certain of his journey, he still felt it necessary to have Holy Mother Sarada Devi’s permission and blessing. He wrote to Swami Saradananda: “I have had a vision in which the Master told me to go to the West. My mind is quite disturbed. Please tell Holy Mother everything and let me know her opinion.” Saradananda went to Holy Mother and read Swamiji’s letter to her. Holy Mother did not give her opinion immediately, but asked Saradananda to wait. After a couple of days, Holy Mother had a dream. She saw Ramakrishna walking over the ocean waves and asking Narendra to follow him. Then Holy Mother told Saradananda: “Please write to Naren that he should go to the West.” Swamiji was overjoyed when he received Holy Mother’s approval and blessing. (Source: God Lived with Them)