Books By Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda, the holy and divine spirit, needs no introduction. The global village knows him as a Hindu saint, a yoga guru, a philosopher, a teacher, a writer, and an extraordinary speaker. Below is the list of books by Swami Vivekananda:
- Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Knowledge ( Get this book )
- Bhakti Yoga: The Yoga of Love and Devotion ( Get this book )
- Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Action ( Get this book )
- Raja Yoga: Conquering the Internal Nature ( Get this book )
- My Master ( Get this book )
- Swami Vivekananda on Himself ( Get this book )
- Teachings of Swami Vivekananda ( Get this book )
- Meditations and its Methods ( Get this book )
- The Master as I Saw Him: The Life of The Swami Vivekananda ( Get this book )
- Vivekananda ( Get this book )
Let us discuss each Swami Vivekananda book in detail, along with its key takeaways and reviews.
#1 - Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Knowledge
Book Review:
The book is a collection of lectures by Swami Vivekananda. Jnana is a Sanskrit word that means knowledge. Jnana Yoga shows the path to wisdom and describes the philosophy of Hinduism and Vedanta, the knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads.
Key Takeaways
- Book describes Bhagwat Gita in a modern scientific manner.
- Knowledge is the ultimate goal.
- Freedom is the object of Jnana Yoga.
#2 - Bhakti Yoga: The Yoga of Love and Devotion
Book Review:
The book brings you the spiritual link to God. Bhakti means devotion. Swamiji says that the most direct, shortest, and simplest way to experience the divine is through Bhakti Yoga.
Key Takeaways
- Nothing else is attractive; nothing else holds the attention except the beloved God. All else is meaningless.
- Surrender yourself to God by worship, rituals, and prayers.
- Channel your emotions into unconditional love and devotion.
#3 - Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Action
Swami Vivekananda Book Review:
The book is on various concepts of Karma Yoga described in the holy Bhagavad Gita. For example, in the practice of Vedanta, it is said that we have to work and work as hard as we can, but we don’t have a right to the results of our actions.
Key Takeaways
- Shows the right path to perform Karma (the appropriate actions).
- One’s karma influences his future.
- Offer the results of your actions to god; it will purify your soul.
#4 - Raja Yoga: Conquering the Internal Nature
Swami Vivekananda Book Review:
The book is a wide-ranged subjective content where Swamiji interprets Patanjali’s yoga sutras. The book is designed for the audience of the west. Swamiji and his teachings highly influenced the people of the west about their understanding of Yoga.
Key Takeaways
- Shows the path of meditation and mind control techniques.
- Scientifically describes the Raja Yoga philosophies.
- Methods for better concentration, physical development, and liberation of the soul from the bondage of the body.
#5 - My Master
Book Review:
The book reflects two lectures of Swami delivered in England and New York in tribute to his master Saint Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Swamiji says, “if there was even a single word of truth, a single word to spirituality in his lectures, he owed it to his master-Ramakrishna, and only the mistakes were his own.
Key Takeaways
- Explore the experiences of Swamiji with his guru Ramakrishna.
- Book reveals the glorious lineage of acharyas in Bharat.
- Swamiji presents the spiritual superiority of Hinduism to the west.
#6 - Swami Vivekananda on Himself
Book Review:
The book can be considered an autobiography of Swami Vivekananda. However, it is not written in an autobiography format but is a compilation of various lectures Swamiji delivered during his world travels and numerous letters he wrote.
Key Takeaways
- Get a glimpse of the divine personality of Swami Vivekananda.
- A chronologically arranged documentation of selected notes and lectures of Swamiji.
- Swamiji says, “He whose joy is only in himself, whose desires are only in himself, he has learned his lessons.”
#7 - Teachings of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda Book Review:
A comprehensive collection of lectures and sayings by Swamiji in the genre of philosophy, religion, and spirituality. Swamiji stressed different forms of religion and their importance and impact on education, character building, and global social issues.
Key Takeaways
- In a conflict between heart and brain, follow your heart.
- The perfectly unselfish person is the most successful
- The greatest religion is to be true to your nature. Have faith in yourself.
#8 - Meditations and its Methods
Book Review:
The book combines Swami's complete works and his thoughts on meditation and its methods. It has two sections that discuss different methods of meditations vis. 1.) Meditation according to Yoga and 2.) Mediation, according to Vedanta.
Key Takeaways
- Book targets the ‘truth’ seekers and meditation practitioners.
- Get your reach into your deep insights through meditation.
- Swamiji, through this book, teaches meditation and its methods with authority.
#9 - The Master as I Saw Him
The Life of The Swami Vivekananda
Author: Sister Nivedita
Book Review:
Sister Nivedita drafts the classic text about Swami Vivekananda himself and her experiences with Swamiji. The book is a biography of Swami Vivekananda in the words of his close disciple.
Key Takeaways
- Great and humble description of Swamiji’s life.
- The book brings Indian spirituality to the west.
- An intelligent summary of the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
#10 - Vivekananda
A Biography
Author: Swami Nikhilananda
Book Review:
A wonderful and comprehensive biography of Swami Vivekananda by Swami Nikhilananda covers his important teachings and contains his rare photographs.
Key Takeaways
- The author describes Swamiji as the first spiritual and cultural ambassador of Hinduism to the west.
- Swamiji propagated the message of unity of humanity and the harmony of religions.
- Swamiji takes India’s ancient spirituality to the west and brings the nation's scientific and industrial outlook back.
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