This Publisher’s Note introduces "The Ships of Vivekananda" by Sri Somenath Mukherjee, published during the swami's 150th birth anniversary. It highlights Swami Vivekananda’s conviction that India’s historical downfall was caused by isolationism—"going into her shell." To reverse this, he advocated for a "spiritual conquest," where India would share the truths of its Shastras while learning from other nations.

The book meticulously documents the eleven ships Vivekananda boarded during his two western sojourns, which spanned fifty-six months across the US and Europe. By focusing on these seafaring journeys, the author provides a unique biographical lens on the swami’s mission and his significant impact on the "sea voyage movement" of the late nineteenth century.