Vivekananda: The Yogas and Other Works [Hardcover]

Swami Vivekananda (Author), Swami Nikhilananda (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0911206043 | ISBN-13: 978-0911206043 | Publication Date: June 1953 | Edition: Revised

Vivekananda: The Yogas and Other Works reveals the many facets of a spiritual giant of our times. It will serve as a guide for all spiritual seekers in their search for the Highest Good. This handsome edition includes the unabridged texts of Swami Vivekananda's' Jnana-Yoga, Raja-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, and Inspired Talks, together with additional lectures, poems, and letters. A biography of Vivekananda (179 pages) written by Swami Nikhilananda forms the introductory chapter. A glossary and an index are included along with 43 photographs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

His whole life and teaching inspired my generation . . . . he brought his great spirituality to bear upon his patriotism and thus his message was not confined to India only, but was for the whole world. I pay my homage to his memory. -- Jawaharlal Nehru

His words are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books at thirty years' distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports, must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero! -- Romain Rolland author and Nobel Laureate

My homage and respect to the very revered memory of Swami Vivekananda . . . .after having gone through [his works], the love that I had for my country became a thousandfold. -- Mahatma Gandhi

The man [Vivekananda] is simply a wonder for oratorical power . . . the Swami is an honor to humanity. -- William James

This book brings together the main teachings of Swami Vivekananda in an easily accessible and readable form. I hope that in these days of uncertainty and confusion of mind Vivekananda's teachings may prove an enlightenment to many troubled souls. -- S. Radhakrishnan, author, philosopher, and former Vice-president of the Indian Republic

This is a learned and illuminating selection from the works of a religious prophet of modern India. Swami Nikhilananda's introduction is an extremely helpful interpretation to the West of the life and wisdom of a key figure in the religious culture of the East by a responsible scholar thoroughly at home in both cultures. -- Irwin Edman, Columbia University

To convey Hindu meanings in English words is exceedingly difficult. The difficulty arises from the fact that the reader inevitably reads modern western, rather than ancient Hindu, meanings into the English words. The problem of any expositor or translator, therefore, is that of so wording the English translation of the Hindu doctrines that the Western philosophical or psychological meanings of the English words will not be introduced to the reader. Especially in his exposition of Jnana-Yoga, Vivekananda showed himself to be the expert in this.

It is important, therefore, that Swami Nikhilananda has brought out a revised edition of Vivekananda's works beginning with his Chicago addresses of 1893. It is important also for an understanding of Vivekananda's insistence upon developing Hinduism in ways that will permit his incorporation of Western science that Swami Nikhilananda has provided us with a biography of Vivekananda which shows his intellectual development. -- F.S.C. Northrop, Yale University

[Vivekananda is] one of the very greatest historical figures that India has ever produced. When one sees the full range of his mind, one is astounded. -- Christopher Isherwood, author

From the Publisher

Swami Vivekananda, India's first spiritual and cultural ambassador to the West, came to represent the religions of India at the World Parliament of Religions, held at Chicago in connection with the World's Fair (Columbian Exposition) of 1893. His message of the unity of humankind and harmony of religions was embraced by the public and press of the time as representing the essence of the Parliament.

The Swami wished to create a bridge between the East and the West by bringing to America the gift of India's ancient spirituality, in exchange for the scientific and industrial outlook of the West. After four years of traveling and teaching in America and Europe, the Swami returned to India, where he is revered as a "Patriot Saint." The government of India has declared his birthday a national holiday.

In 1976 on the occasion of the American Bicentennial, Swami Vivekananda was honored by the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery as one who came to America from abroad during the past 200 years and made a significant impact on its spiritual development.

Upon his return to India, Swami Vivekananda founded The Ramakrishna Order of India in the name of his teacher, Sri Ramakrishna, who is regarded as the Prophet of Harmony of Religions. The Order is the pre-eminent religious organization of modern India. More than 1000 monks of the Order serve throughout the world. While in the West the work is mainly in the form of conducting worship, teaching, writing and lecturing, in India the Order is widely known for its vast charitable activities -- running hospitals and schools, rural uplift, and extensive relief work in times of emergency. The Swamis of the Order work tirelessly in the spirit of "Service of God in Man," regarding the service of all people as a veritable form of worship.

The Centers of the Order in America, often referred to by such names as Ramakrishna or Vivekananda Centers, or Vedanta Societies, were first organized by Swami Vivekananda for the propagation of the Swami's teachings. Today there are Centers in many of America's major cities, including New York, Boston, Providence, Chicago, St. Louis, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, and Hollywood. Because of their belief in the underlying truth of all religions, the Centers of the Ramakrishna Order are at the forefront of the Interfaith Movement. Publisher's comments written by Swami Adiswarananda.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 974 pages
• Publisher: Ramakrishna Vivekanada Center; Revised edition (June 1953)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911206043
• ISBN-13: 978-0911206043
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Spiritual Master, March 7, 2003

By 

Ilaxi S. Patel "Editor, kidsfreesouls.com & A... (India) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vivekananda: The Yogas and Other Works (Hardcover)

As you have come into this world, leave some marks behind. Otherwise, there is no difference between you and the stones and the trees...said Vivekananada, the great spiritual master of all times. This book contains Vivekananda's Jnana-Yoga, Raja-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, and Inspired Talks, together with additional lectures, poems, and letters. Nice Introduction by Swami Nikhalananda with biography and photographs of Swami Vivekananda.Vivekananda said 'Do not care what be your color - green blue or red. Mix up all colors and produce that intense glow of white, color of love and through this book shows reasons of faith and immense study of vedanta focus on spiritual recognition and achieve self realization. He believed that, Truth, purity and unselfishness - wherever these are present, there is no power below or above the sun to crush the possessor thereof.This book makes one understand the spiritual culture and westerners get a peak a boo into the religious consciousness leading to one god - the universal creation known by name god. A nice read.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, January 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Vivekananda: The Yogas and Other Works (Hardcover)

This book is an utter masterpiece! It is a collection of the writings and the lectures of a Perfected Master, divinity in flesh. Perfection is noted everywhere, from his vast knowledge of the subject matter down to his unique text. A superb treasure of Truth!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply awesome., November 8, 2010

By 

Gautam Sameer (Bangalore, INDIA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vivekananda: The Yogas and Other Works (Hardcover)

This book, though a little bulky is simply awesome. Talks about Sw. Vivekanandaji's all four works on the Yoga and hats off to Sw. Nikhilanandaji for adding more about Sw. Vivekananda. Worth the price for this book and worth owning this precious book in life.