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Meditation and Its Methods

Meditation and Its Methods is divided into two sections: Meditation according to Yoga and Meditation according to Vedanta. Vivekananda’s views on meditation are sprinkled throughout his “Complete Works”. These various views, thoughts, opinions, and lectures are compiled to make this book.   ..... Read More

Jnana-Yoga (1899)

Jnana Yoga or The Yoga of Knowledge is a book of lectures by Swami Vivekananda as transcribed by Joseph Josiah Goodwin. These lectures were delivered mostly in New York. In this book, Vivekananda explains the knowledge of the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita in a scientific manner. According to him, knowledge is the ultimate goal. It is only knowledge which can give us freedom from Maya or illusion. The book also touches upon other important Hindu philosophies ..... Read More

Teachings of Swami Vivekananda

Teachings of Swami Vivekananda comprises a choice collection of his speeches, quotes, and teachings. These are categorised into 44 suitable sections. This is a perfect book for a beginner reader looking to start Vivekananda’s books. It is suitable for those who cannot make the time to go through his voluminous writings. ..... Read More

Swami Vivekananda on Himself

This book is a biography of Swami Vivekananda written in an autobiographical manner. It was first published in 1963. The publishers have picked up excerpts from his various books and written them in the first-person voice. The life and different incidents of Swami Vivekananda’s life have been documented in this book. ..... Read More

Vedanta: Voice of Freedom

Vedanta: Voice of Freedom presents the spiritual wisdom of India as it has evolved over five thousand years. It does so in a clear, easy and concise form. The book is a compilation of Vivekananda’s ideas on the subject of Vedanta. The ideas have been sourced from his various speeches and books.     ..... Read More

Lectures from Colombo to Almora

After visiting the West, Vivekananda reached Colombo on 15 January 1897. From there he proceeded to India and was received as a hero. He went around the country making speeches to thousands of people who were eager to hear him. Lectures from Colombo to Almora is a collection of many of those speeches.   ..... Read More

Lectures on Bhagavad Gita

This book would be useful to people who are trying to understand the Gita. “Lectures on the Bhagavad Gita” is an anthology of Vivekananda’s writings, opinions and comments on the sacred Hindu text. The Bhagavad Gita was a lifelong companion of Swami Vivekananda and he used to carry one where ever he went. All these lectures were delivered in 1900 and were recorded by Ida Ansell in shorthand. ..... Read More

Inspired Talks by Swami Vivekananda

In 1895, Vivekananda conducted a series of private lectures to groups of selected disciples. These lectures were recorded by one of the disciples, Sara Ellen Waldo (who was later known as Haridasi). Inspired Talks by Swami Vivekananda was first published in 1909 by The Ramakrishna Mission. ..... Read More

Letters of Swami Vivekananda

Letters of Swami Vivekananda is a close look at the personality and spirit of Swami Vivekananda as seen through his letters. In this book, the reader gets a picture of Vivekananda that is untouched by any biographer. The letters have been arranged in chronological order for the benefit of the reader. The letters show the plan of his work and the means he wanted to adopt for the fulfilment of his mission. In the end, the book also has notes on the persons who are menti ..... Read More

My India: The India Eternal

My India: The India Eternal talks about India’s past, its present and Vivekananda’s vision for its future. Swami Vivekananda talks about the duties of India’s youth and the path they must follow to make India a great nation. The book also includes his comments on education and religion. ..... Read More

Powers of The Mind

This is a booklet but packs more information than other volumes written on the subject of mind. It is a lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda in Los Angeles on January 8th, 1900. Powers of The Mind talks about the infinite possibilities and powers hidden within the human mind. It also explains how the powers of the mind can be unlocked using Yoga.   ..... Read More

Chicago Addresses

Swami Vivekananda attained global fame because of his speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. Chicago Addresses contains those lectures delivered by him. Through these speeches, Swamiji wished to impart the teachings of Vedanta to the world. The core theme of his lecture was – brotherhood and universal acceptance. ..... Read More

My Master

While in the West, Swami Vivekananda mostly talked about and preached the beauties of Vedanta. But on two occasions – in New York and England – he talked about his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. My Master contains both those lectures in which Swamiji discusses his Master’s life right from his birth in 1836 to his evolution from Gadadhar Chattopadhyay (Pre-monastic name of Ramakrishna) to Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. ..... Read More

Essentials of Hinduism

This book is a detailed account of Hinduism. It begins by describing the word ‘Hindu’ and goes on to discuss the various schools of thought in Hinduism. It stresses upon the Vedanta Philosophy and the Advaita system. The book also talks about the various Hindu scriptures, Smritis and sects in Hinduism. Swami Vivekananda discusses other deeper topics like the theory of creation, law of karma, aatma, mukti, idol worship, guru, divine incarnations and much more. &nbs ..... Read More

Living at the Source

This book has many inspirational messages which have been selected from the various writings, speeches and teachings of Swami Vivekananda. The book is ideal for people seeking to live a spiritual life but are busy with their everyday material life. ..... Read More

My Idea of Education

Swami Vivekananda had many insightful and deep thoughts on education – a subject very close to his heart. In My Idea of Education, he writes about the philosophy of education, the relationship between society and education, and The Teacher. Swamiji presents some brilliant ideas on educating the masses and women – concepts which were far ahead of their times in India. Swamiji also writes about the importance of practical experience, mother tongue and concentration. ..... Read More

Work and Its Secret

Work and Its Secret is based on the speech by Swami Vivekananda in Los Angeles, California on January 4th, 1900. In it, Swamiji talks about giving equal importance to both the means and the end while doing work. He emphasises that the major reason for failure is lack of attention while doing work. Swamiji draws upon the lessons of the Bhagavad Gita to emphasise this point. ..... Read More

Steps to Realisation

Steps to Realisation explains the secrets of self-realisation. The book begins by explaining the concept of organs – the external organs i.e., eyes, nose, and mouth are mentioned as instruments and internal organs i.e., brain, and heart are considered as organs. Swami Vivekananda explains the importance of shutting down the instruments to activate the organs – “So in order to control the mind, we must first be able to control these organs. To restrain the mind f ..... Read More

To the Youth of India

To the Youth of India is a collection of some of the rousing and inspiring lectures that Swami Vivekananda delivered to vast audiences in India and Sri Lanka after his rise to fame. It has some of the best messages that can be given to the youth of India. This book is recommended for all young minds and should be definitely read by girls and boys alike. ..... Read More

Pearls of Wisdom

The content of this book is derived from “Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda”. Pearls of Wisdom is a collection of all the quotes and thoughts by Swamiji, grouped into different themes like love, knowledge, leader etc. These quotes have inspired many people over the years and will surely inspire many others in the future. ..... Read More

Women of India

This book includes the speeches of Swami Vivekananda about the position of women in India, that had been delivered at the request of the western audience outside India. Swamiji also referred to the stature and glory of Indian women on a number of other occasions that are presented in this book. The ideas contained in this book are highly relevant to us today that will enable India to successfully lead the comity of nation once again. ..... Read More

Life after Death

Perhaps no other subject has haunted the human mind, right from the hoary past, with such unerring consistency as the one regarding life and death. Is man mortal or immortal? What is reincarnation? What happens when a man dies? Every man is forced to ask these questions at some juncture in his life. Life after Death by Swami Vivekananda provides brief but clear answers to these fundamental questions. ..... Read More

The East and the West

Underlying the many observations that Swami Vivekananda makes in this book is the message: Every nation is the expression of an idea. “This idea is working for the world and is necessary for its preservation.” “Every nation has a national purpose of its own.” East and West have much to learn from each other, but each is to be true to its own genius and vocation. Remaining of the East, Swami Vivekananda drank of what was good in the West. He g ..... Read More

Pathways to Joy: The Master Vivekananda on the Four Yoga Paths to God

At the 1893 Parliament of religions in Chicago, Swami Vivekananda transformed Western thinking. He showed  hat, far from being an exotic novelty, Hinduism was an important, legitimate spiritual tradition with valuable lessons for the West. Pathways to joy is a selection of 108 of his sacred teachings on Vedanta philosophy. In accessible and powerful prose, Vivekananda illuminates the four classical yoga paths – karma, bhakti, Raja and jnana – for the diff ..... Read More

Religion of Love

Religion of Love is based on a lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda in London on November 16, 1895. Swamiji classifies love into 5 types – 1. Shânta, a common, peaceful love, with such thoughts as those of fatherhood and help 2. Dâsya, the ideal of service 3. Vâtsalya, God as mother or child. 4. Sakhya, God as a friend. 5. Madhura, sweetest love, the love of husband and wife. ..... Read More