[4] In 1963, M. S. Golwalkar, the second "Sarsanghchalak" (Supreme chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh requested Ranade to take up the responsibility to establish the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

[2][6] While Vivekananda, during his lifetime, had talked on a wide spectrum of themes such as philosophy, religion, sociology, music and architecture, Eknath Ranade in his compilation limited the coverage to Vivekananda's writings related to India's ancient heritage, the reasons that led to its decline to the present state and the ways and means to reattain the past glory.

Highlighted in the book are Vivekananda's call to rouse the conscience of the Hindus to establish the glory of Hindustan: "Arise!

[7] Ranade divided the book in four parts — a) The message b) selections from Addresses, discourses and writings, c) some observations and admonitions and d) Man-making or the moulding of workers.

Each part is divided into multiple chapters, each of which contains selections of Swami Vivekananda's writing and speeches related to India and Hinduism.