Swami Achuthananda's Books

Many Many Many Gods of Hinduism

Turning believers into non-believers and non-believers into believers

By: Swami Achuthananda

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Many Many Many Gods of Hinduism

Turning believers into non-believers and non-believers into believers

By: Swami Achuthananda

Religion is the opium of the people, said Karl Marx many centuries ago. For more than a billion people living in India and abroad, Hinduism is the religion and a way of life. In this multi-award winning book, Swami Achuthananda cracks open the opium poppy pods, analyzes the causes for euphoria, and comes away with a deeper understanding of the people and their religion. *** Winner 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Religious Non-fiction) *** This is a comprehensive book on Hinduism. It tells you why Hindus do the things they do - and don't. Written in a casual style, the book guides you through the fundamentals of the religion. It then goes further and debunks a number of long-standing myths, some of them coming from the academia (of all places). While most books shy away from contentious issues, this book plunges headlong by taking on controversies, like the Aryan Invasion Theory, idol worship, RISA scholarship and many more. In fact one-third of the book is just on controversies that you rarely find in any other literature. Other Awards: *** Finalist - 2014 Pacific Book Awards (Religion) *** *** Bronze - 2014 IPPY Award - (Religion) ***

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110

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CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

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ISBN 10

1481825526

ISBN 13

9781481825528

The Ascent of Vishnu and the Fall of Brahma

By: Swami Achuthananda

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The Ascent of Vishnu and the Fall of Brahma

By: Swami Achuthananda

According to Hindu mythology, Brahma has a lifespan of 100 years. That may appear way short for a god of Brahma’s standing . (He is the creator of our solar system.) But Brahma and Hindu gods do not follow our traditional 24-hour clock. They represent time in cosmic units of yugas and kalpas. If you don’t understand any of these terms, that’s ok. A kalpa, for instance, is defined as a day of Brahma and translates to 4.32 billion human years. In fact Brahma has a lifespan of 311 trillion years! We explain these colossal timescales, as we introduce Brahma in this book. You will learn that Brahma initially was the supreme deity of Hinduism, but he could not hang on to his position for long. A judgmental lapse is said to have caused his downfall. With Brahma’s descent, Vishnu rose to power. Today, in the Hindu pantheon, Vishnu is a prominent god, and has a following of more than 700 million devotees, who are occasionally identified by the U-shared marks on their foreheads. With a focus on Vishnu and Brahma, we continue our journey beyond the Vedic era. We begin by examining a popular creation myth in which Brahma emerges from the navel of a sleeping Vishnu and starts crafting the world. Further on, we explore the churning of the milky ocean, a crucial event in Hindu mythology and one of the rare occasions when gods and demons collaborated (instead of fighting) to search for the nectar of immortality. Many precious things—and surprises—came out this quest, including Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu. We also get to know a critical insight into our ancestry. According to Hinduism, we are all related and descendants of Manu, the father of human race. While this book focuses on Brahma and Vishnu, there will be occasional detours when we pause to look at art and architecture. In particular, we’ll look at Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple in the world. Guess what? The fact that Angkor Wat is located outside India has dented Hindu pride from time immemorial. We’ll also peek at ancient paintings from a mythological perspective, especially the unique genre of miniature paintings called ragamala that combines art, music, and poetry. A remarkable shift in worship took place during this period. Bhakti became a major form of worship and pervaded Hindu society forever. If you are unfamiliar with bhakti, then nothing exemplifies bhakti (devotion) more than the dancing-and-chanting Hare Krishnas.

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163

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Relianz Communications Pty Ltd

Published Date

ISBN 10

0975788337

ISBN 13

9780975788332

The Reign of the Vedic Gods

By: Swami Achuthananda

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The Reign of the Vedic Gods

By: Swami Achuthananda

Home to one of the ancient civilizations of the world, India is also the birthplace of a dizzying array of gods worshipped by millions of Hindus living in India and across the globe. Over the centuries many of these gods rose to power and became the object of utmost devotion, only to fall from grace and lose their standing. These deities shared a peculiar trait: they were never perfect. In this multivolume series entitled, The Galaxy of Hindu Gods, Sach takes you on an extended journey to meet with the gods and share their tales with you. Among the multitude of deities, the most ancient are the Vedic gods, which include luminaries like Indra, Surya, Varuna, Agni, and others. Today a minor deity, the Vedic Indra was once the ruler of the three worlds who, under the influence of a mysterious power drink, fought with the demons and vanquished them. His reign did not last long. His comrades Surya and Varuna also had their glory days but were overthrown by other gods of the pantheon. Yet, after thousands of years, gods like Indra, Surya, and Varuna are still household names and honored in Hindu rituals and traditions. If you know little or nothing about Hindu mythology, this is your ideal starting point where you will meet the overwhelming array of Hindu gods and learn about their wonderful stories.

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203

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Relianz Communications Pty Ltd

Published Date

ISBN 10

0975788310

ISBN 13

9780975788318

Rama and the Early Avatars of Vishnu

plus Ramayana abridged

By: Swami Achuthananda

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Rama and the Early Avatars of Vishnu

plus Ramayana abridged

By: Swami Achuthananda

Full-blown trade wars, nuclear threats, attacks on nation's sovereignty...are we dangerously at the crossroads of a world war that may even threaten entire humanity? Maybe we are, but fear not. Hindus believe that whenever cosmic balance is threatened, Vishnu descends into the world as an avatar of change. "I am born age after age," says Krishna (Vishnu) in the Bhagavad Gita. Vishnu has many avatars, but his top ten avatars are special and known as the Dashavataras. In this volume, we enter the most exciting part of Hindu mythology--the Dashavataras--and discuss the early avatars of Vishnu. The avatar saga begins with a wicked demon stealing the Vedas while Brahma is sleeping. Vishnu takes the form of a giant fish and not only saves the Vedas but rescues mankind from a great deluge. As we progress through the avatars, you will come across Prahlada, whose story offers a shining example of the extent to which Vishnu would go to protect his devotees. In another incarnation of Vishnu, a generous king called Bali is dispatched to the netherworld for being too ambitious. While ambition is a virtue, not vice, this may seem unfair to the people of Kerala who hold Bali in high esteem. But Vishnu makes amends by bestowing the gift of longevity on Bali. Next, the axe-wielding Parashurama, a Brahmin by birth, embarks on a mission to exterminate the warrior caste from the face of Earth--and largely succeeds until he bumps into another avatar of Vishnu. The highlight of this volume undoubtedly is Rama, the hero of the Ramayana and a name that is synonymous with dharma (religious duty). About half the book is dedicated to Rama as we dissect Ramayana in detail, particularly the controversies. Although Rama is famous for defeating the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, it seems he waged a bigger battle with the dictates of dharma--and lost. We meet the monkey-faced Hanuman for the first time in this book. He is closely associated with Rama and highly revered among Hindus. Also in the Ramayana, we encounter one of the ultimate villains of Hindu mythology--the mighty Ravana. Even though Ravana abducted Rama's beloved wife, Sita, you will be surprised to know that not everyone regards Ravana as an antihero. In fact, at the end of the Ramayana, we are left with many bitter, thought-provoking questions that are debated even today.

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171

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Relianz Communications Pty Ltd

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ISBN 10

0975788345

ISBN 13

9780975788349

The Ascent of Vishnu and the Fall of Brahma

By: Swami Achuthananda

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The Ascent of Vishnu and the Fall of Brahma

By: Swami Achuthananda

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ISBN 10

0975788337

ISBN 13

9780975788332

Rama and the Early Avatars of Vishnu

plus Ramayana abridged

By: Swami Achuthananda

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Rama and the Early Avatars of Vishnu

plus Ramayana abridged

By: Swami Achuthananda

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Relianz Communications Pty Ltd

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ISBN 10

0975788345

ISBN 13

9780975788349

The Reign of the Vedic Gods

By: Swami Achuthananda

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The Reign of the Vedic Gods

By: Swami Achuthananda

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203

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Relianz Communications Pty Ltd

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ISBN 10

0975788310

ISBN 13

9780975788318

Krishna and the Later Avatars of Vishnu

plus Mahabharata Demystified

By: Swami Achuthananda

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Krishna and the Later Avatars of Vishnu

plus Mahabharata Demystified

By: Swami Achuthananda

Krishna is the single most beloved figure in Hinduism. Such is his popularity that he is considered a supreme god in his own right even though he is only an avatar. In this book, we journey through Krishna's life--spanning his birth, childhood, youth, and adulthood--and describe many of the delightful stories associated with him. We also examine the Mahabharata War in which he plays a major non-combat role. Krishna is the eight incarnation of Vishnu. Although the purpose of his incarnation was to end the life of the demon king Kamsa, he turned into a larger-than-life figure with his childhood pranks and adolescent romances. Starting with a miraculous birth—that has parallels to the birth of Jesus—Krishna grew up as an ordinary, but adorable child. In his youth, Krishna became the heartthrob of milkmaids and popularized the passionate romantic dance Rasa Lila, together with his childhood sweetheart Radha. The annihilation of Kamsa followed thereafter. By this time the purpose of his incarnation was accomplished, but he stayed back on Earth to play a major part in the Mahabharata War. His greatest gift to humanity—the Bhagavad Gita—was delivered at this time. Maybe he overextended his stay, because his extraordinary life came to an end in less than perfect circumstances. The Mahabharata occupies a significant portion of this book. With a complex plot and a myriad of characters, the epic has surprisingly no role models, only many heroes. Yet, the Mahabharata has been the inspiration for countless books, songs, and Bollywood movies. Although this book is centered on Krishna, the remaining avatars of Vishnu—particularly Buddha—are also explored at length.

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292

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Relianz Communications Pty Ltd

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ISBN 10

0975788353

ISBN 13

9780975788356

Enlightening Stories

By: Swami Vimohananda

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Enlightening Stories

By: Swami Vimohananda

‘Enlightening Stories’ is a collection of 74 stories culled from the Indian and other religious traditions. Geographically, they range from the jungles of India to the deserts of the Middle East and the hills of Italy; historically, from the Vedic period to the 20th century; culturally, from the Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi, and Christian traditions. Wide-ranging and eclectic, they reflect our rich heritage and illustrate the universality of spiritual truth. Compiled by Swami Vimohananda from Bengali title ‘Galpa Malika’ by Swami Chetanananda and other sources and published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math. #AdvaitaAshrama #RKMathBelurMath

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326

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Advaita Ashrama (A publication branch of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math)

ISBN 10

8175059249

ISBN 13

9788175059245

Eternal Words

Spiritual Instructions of Swami Adbhutananda

By: Swami Siddhananda

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Eternal Words

Spiritual Instructions of Swami Adbhutananda

By: Swami Siddhananda

Swami Adbhutananda, or Latu Maharaj, was one of the sixteen monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. Swami Vivekananda called him Sri Ramakrishna’s greatest miracle. He remarked upon Latu Maharaj’s uniqueness saying: “Latu progressed so quickly in the spiritual realm that, considering the different circumstances of his background and ours, he is far greater than us. We were all born of high ancestry and came to the Master with an intellect refined by formal education whereas Latu was entirely illiterate. If we did not care to meditate or do other spiritual practices, we could escape such a mood by studying. But Latu had no other recourse. He had to hold on to a single idea throughout his life. Starting from a very ordinary and low state, by keeping his mind unruffled by meditation and other spiritual practices alone, Latu became fit to receive the highest spiritual wealth. This indicates his inner potential power and the limitless grace of our Master.” Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, this is an English translation of ‘Sat Katha’ in Bengali by Swami Siddhananda. The translation was completed in 2012 and thereafter serialized in the monthly Prabuddha Bharata. Swami Siddhananda was Latu Maharaj’s attendant and was fortunate to hear the spiritual instructions which flowed from him. He published a number of his talks serially in the Udbodhan magazine under the title Satkatha which later was published in book form.

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249

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Advaita Ashrama (A publication branch of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math)

ISBN 10

817505929X

ISBN 13

9788175059290

PATHWAYS TO PEACE

By: Swami Ishwarananda

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PATHWAYS TO PEACE

By: Swami Ishwarananda

A pilgrimage, as we usually understand it, is a journey taken toward His worldly abode. But, as Swami Ishwarananda points out in 'Pathways to Peace', the Lord's holiest dwelling is in our own hearts and a pilgrimage inwards, toward our own Self, is the ultimate journey. Swamiji asks the very fundamental of questions: what is this mind? And by gently guiding the sadhak with everyday tips and simple suggestions, he unravels a great mystery, so each of us can become a seeker, cleanse the mind and live out the true, inspired life of this human birth. Along with the practical wisdom comes an urgent message that is not be missed: be a seeker, a true devotee and do it all NOW ! And peace will be ours ! Click here and grab our OUR OTHER INSPIRATIONAL TITLES

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Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

ISBN 10

8175975318

ISBN 13

9788175975316

The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda - Volume 2

By: Swami Vivekananda

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The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda - Volume 2

By: Swami Vivekananda

Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, this is Volume 2 of the nine volume series constituting 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda'. In these volumes we have not only a gospel to the world at large, but also, to its own children, the Charter of the Hindu faith. For the first time in history, Hinduism itself forms here the subject of generalization of a Hindu mind of the highest order. What Hinduism had needed was the organizing and consolidating of its own idea, a rock where she could lie at anchor, and an authoritative utterance in which she might recognise herself. What the world had needed was a faith that had no fear of truth. Both are found in the words and writings of Swami Vivekananda. It is the latest gospel of a modern Prophet of religion and spirituality to the mankind.

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368

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Advaita Ashrama (A publication branch of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math)

ISBN 10

8175058633

ISBN 13

9788175058637

A MANUAL OF SELF UNFOLDMENT

By: Swami Chinmayananda

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A MANUAL OF SELF UNFOLDMENT

By: Swami Chinmayananda

In an age where scientific minded youngsters are turning away from religion, there is a great need for a clear, systematic and logical explanation of the ancient spiritual teachings of Hinduism. That is exactly what Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda has given us in Self Unfoldment - a step-by-step analysis of the thought development of Vedanta. In precise, simple and profound language, Gurudev takes us from the fundamental principles of life to the very highest philosophical truths in this spiritual masterpiece. Self Unfoldment has inspired thousands of young people over the years, bringing out the noblest and best in them. Swami Chinmayananda, pioneered the art of conveying sublime knowledge intricately wrapped in Sanskrit scripture through the medium of English discourse and commentary. On realising the true purpose of life he worked tirelessly and with tremendous energy for more than four decades to spread the message of Vedanta. A great writer, leader, patriot and spiritual giant: He brought about a spiritual renaissance of the Vedantic heritage to the world. A powerful orator with his own brand of wit and humour; he paints vividly the wisdom of the ages in front of us. His commentary on the Bhagavad Geeta and Upanishads are considered one of the best ever for their clarity and crisp logic.

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204

Publisher

Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

Published Date

ISBN 10

8175971932

ISBN 13

9788175971936

AS I THINK

An Intellectual Revolution Essays on Nation Building

By: Swami Chinmayananda

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AS I THINK

An Intellectual Revolution Essays on Nation Building

By: Swami Chinmayananda

This is a collection of various essays by Gurudev, originally written for the magazines Usha and Tyagi. Written in his inimitably powerful style, inspiring and dynamic, the essays cover topics such as ethics, superstition, communalism, education, sadhana and wisdom. Each of these is packed with the deep spiritual wisdom of one of the greatest masters of our age.

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112

Publisher

Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

ISBN 10

8175976543

ISBN 13

9788175976542

The Path to Ananda: A Mystic's Guide to Unlimited Happiness

By: Swami Avdheshanand Giri

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The Path to Ananda: A Mystic's Guide to Unlimited Happiness

By: Swami Avdheshanand Giri

About the Book DISCOVER THE SECRETS FOR BEING TRULY HAPPY WITH 101 MANTRAS THAT LEAD TO UNLIMITED HAPPINESS. What is happiness? What makes a person happy? What makes a life truly joyful and meaningful? There are as many conceivable responses to these questions as there are people in this world. While happiness is a very individual concept, it is most often seen as containing a measure of health, prosperity, social status, professional or creative satisfaction, a loving family and friends. The problem is that all of these are transitory phenomena. Happiness, on the other hand, can be unlimited, unbound by conditions. Such a state comes from a deep understanding of, and focus on, our fundamental goal. It is a path that sages have led us down for centuries. Through 101 short, workable capsules, The Path to Ananda: A Mystic’s Guide to Unlimited Happiness offers readers that knowledge again. This is a mystic’s guide for those who like following practical, easy-to-follow advice, knowledge that makes a difference, and wisdom that’s practical. Swami Avdheshanand Giri distils years of research, experiments with spirituality, enlightenment and invaluable advice into a regimen that can be applied to daily life by every reader. Grounded in ancient wisdom and Hindu philosophy, this essential guide steers readers towards the path to unbridled happiness—Ananda—and a rich and meaningful life.

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117

Publisher

Westland

Published Date

ISBN 10

9357761888

ISBN 13

9789357761888

The Breath of God

By: Swami Chetanananda

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The Breath of God

By: Swami Chetanananda

These brief, poetic pieces--most delivered in response to questions from Swami Chetanananda's disciples--gently teach you how to relax in the face of difficulties; to comprehend that you are not alone; and to experience the unity of all things. He discusses topics as varied as the practice of Kundalini yoga; ways to work with pain; and how to appreciate the good in yourself. "...typifies the support that a skilled and authentic spiritual guide can offer. The passages are direct and candid, yet crafted with benevolence."--Spectrum.

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336

Publisher

Rudra Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0806935618

ISBN 13

9780806935614

OUR CULTURE AT A GLANCE

By: Swami Chinmayananda

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OUR CULTURE AT A GLANCE

By: Swami Chinmayananda

This booklet contains striking passages which are culled from Swami Chinmayananda's works, his letters to his devotees and his answers to their questions. Many of these passages appeared in 'Chinmaya's WIsdom Capsules', a booklet published by Chinmaya Mission, Chennai, mainly for distribution among its members. These collections have guided, inspired and illumined many seekers of Truth and it is hoped that all real seekers hwo may care to read them will be similarly benefited. If a few passages alone, culled at random from Swamiji's letters and utterances, have evoked inhis devotees considerable spiritual fervour, it is needless to say that a close study of all his works will undoutedly give a great impetus to their spiritual pursuits.

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Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

ISBN 10

8175972165

ISBN 13

9788175972162

The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna

By: Swami Abhedananda

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The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna

By: Swami Abhedananda

This 1903 collection of the wisdom of the great sage logically arranges Ramakrishna's aphorisms to create a broad, practical, nonsectarian set of instructions about living a spiritual life. It inspired seekers after the divine a century ago, and it continues to do so today. Indian mystic SRI RAMAKRISHNA (1836-1886) was revered in the East for his keen, artistic intellect and his religious tolerance. He frequently worshipped alongside Muslims and Christians, which was unprecedented at the time. After he directed his disciple, Indian spiritualist SWAMI ABHEDANANDA (1866-1939), to travel the United States and Canada in the late 19th century to spread the teachings of Hindu Vedanta philosophy, he was soon beloved in the West as well.

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240

Publisher

Cosimo, Inc.

Published Date

ISBN 10

1616402482

ISBN 13

9781616402488

A Short Life of Swami Vivekananda

By: Swami Tejasananda

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A Short Life of Swami Vivekananda

By: Swami Tejasananda

The life and message of Swami Vivekananda are a source of great inspiration to many in their individual as well as collective life. The present short biography published by Advaita Ashrama, a Publication House of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, is intended to meet the needs of those who have neither the time nor the opportunity to read bigger works about the Swami. A versatile genius as the great Swami was, and many-sided as were his activities, it is idle to hope that a complete picture of his wonderful life could be given in such a small compass. Here an attempt is made to give only a glimpse of this great personality so that people may become interested to know more about him.

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Advaita Ashrama (A publication branch of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math)

Published Date

ISBN 10

8175058609

ISBN 13

9788175058606

Book's by Swami Achuthananda

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