Swami Vivekananda Books are famous across the world and are ready by millions of people. Before we get into the famous books written by him, let us know about Swami Vivekananda first.
Who is Swami Vivekananda?
Swami Vivekananda(birth name – Narendranath Datta) was an Indian Hindu monk and philosopher who is regarded as one of the most inspiring and motivating people in India and around the world. Born within an affluent Bengali household in Calcutta, Swami Vivekananda was spiritually interested. He was influenced by his guru, Ramakrishna, who taught him that all living creatures were manifestations of the holy self, and hence devotion to God might be performed by service to humanity.
Following Ramakrishna’s death, Vivekananda traveled across the Indian subcontinent, learning about the realities in British India. Later, he went to the United States of America, where he represented India at the 1893 Parliament of the World’s Religions. Vivekananda delivered thousands of public and private lectures and classes throughout the United States, England, and Europe, disseminating Hindu philosophy concepts. Vivekananda is revered as a patriotic saint in India, and his birthday is observed as National Youth Day.
He traveled the world, giving talks on philosophy, religion, yoga, spirituality, and other important topics. The majority of his publications are based on these recorded lectures, which were eventually transcribed into books.
Books by Swami Vivekananda
There are numerous life-changing, self-help, and motivational books written by many authors from Simon Sinek to Robert Frost, but there are only a few authors whose entire body of work has the ability to modify and mould your thoughts and have an ever-lasting impact. Swami Vivekananda without a doubt is one in a million authors who have touched and improved the lives of many generations.
1. Karma Yoga
Karma yoga (The Yoga of Action) is a book based on Swami Vivekananda’s lectures, which he gave in a rented room in New York City from December 1895 to January 1896. This book was recorded by Joseph Josiah Goodwin, a professional stenographer (someone who transcribes speech in shorthand) who later became a Swami Vivekananda disciple. Swami Vivekananda addresses the subject of Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita in this book. The text also demonstrates a righteous road to knowledge and understanding.
Swami Vivekananda defined Karma Yoga as the mental discipline that enables a person to carry out his or her duties as a service to the entire world, as a road to enlightenment. This book is easy to understand and can act as a very powerful tool in spiritual development.
2. Raja Yoga
Swami Vivekananda’s interpretation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is the basis of the book ‘Raja Yoga.’ It conveys Vivekananda’s grasp of the Yoga Sutras in a profound and simple manner. The book was initially published in 1896 and was an immediate success. This book is useful for both experienced and inexperienced Raja-Yoga practitioners.
It begins with an introduction and the eight Raja-yoga steps. More complicated ideas, such as Dhyana and Samadhi, are explored in subsequent chapters. All of these principles are discussed concisely and in an easy-to-understand manner for everyone.
This book also includes an introduction to Patanjali’s Yoga Aphorisms, where the concept of Concentration is discussed, as well as its practical applications and procedures. There are also theories for Mind Powers, Reincarnation, and Discipleship.
Readers can even sense a connection to the book and get a lot of pleasant vibes from it while reading it. It is certainly a wonderful book that everyone should read!
3. Jnana Yoga
Jnana-Yoga, or the Path of Knowledge, is a modern scientific description of the substance of Vedanta philosophy – the wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. It is one of the earliest books to discuss some of the fundamental concepts that underpin Yoga. It begins with the significance of religion and its relationship to men. Swami discusses the nature of man and makes a genuine and comprehensive attempt to assist people to understand that Vedanta is a complete source of all Absolute knowledge.
4. Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti yoga is a Hindu spiritual path or practice that focuses on the growth of love and devotion to God. It is the most straightforward and direct road to God.
Swami Vivekananda writes with clarity and profound understanding in this book, providing the reader with a straightforward road to the Divine. This book will teach you everything you need to know about Bhakti Yoga. It is succinct yet being extremely rich in material and knowledge.
Swami Vivekananda skillfully presents before the reader the complete gamut of Hinduism’s devotional path teachings in this book. This book addresses every fundamental concept of Bhakti Yoga, from simple dualistic views to the greatest Advaitic principles. Even in the current age, it is possible to achieve the ultimate spiritual objective of Samadhi with these practices and our interpretation of Bhakti!
This is a whole book chock-full of profound and deep insight. It is a novel that everyone should read. Even if you choose science and logic over faith, you can read it without having to abandon your own convictions!
5. Lectures from Colombo to Almora
Swami Vivekananda’s Lectures from Colombo to Almora is a book based on lectures he gave following his return from the west in 1897. His trip to the West was a huge success, and his accomplishments were widely recognised in India.
Swami Vivekananda then toured extensively throughout India, visiting several states. From January through June 1897, he lectured in a variety of locations ranging from Colombo to Almora. These lectures were later turned into a complete book.
It is a fantastic work that provides insights into many fundamental and complex issues such as religion and advaitism. It enlightens and motivates us to do great things in life. Here’s a motivational statement from the book.
“You have unlimited power; you can do anything and everything.” Believe in it, and don’t believe you’re weak; don’t believe you’re half-crazy lunatics, as most of us do these days. You have the ability to perform anything and everything without the assistance of anyone. “Stand up and reveal the divinity that resides within you.”
6. My Master
As the title suggests, this book is about Swami Vivekananda’s Master or Guru, Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. This book is based on two lectures given by Swami Vivekananda in 1901 in New York and England. It’s a brief book that beautifully depicts the interaction between a Guru and his pupil. After reading this book, it was evident where Swami Vivekananda found his passion and tenacity for the things he did in his brief but full life.
Swami Vivekananda’s humble comment regarding his spiritual master sums up the immense value of wisdom that Shri Ramakrishna had bestowed into his life.
“If there has ever been a word of truth, a word of spirituality, that I have spoken anywhere in the world, I owe it to my Master; only the mistakes are mine.”
7. Swami Vivekananda on Himself
It is one of the best Swami Vivekananda Books. Despite the fact that ‘Swami Vivekananda on Himself’ is a biography, it is written in an autobiographical style (first-person narrative). Swami Sambudhdhananda, general secretary of Swami Vivekananda’s birth centenary committee, originally published this book in 1963. Swami Vivekananda’s life events have been recorded in his own words in this book. The book is based on chosen notes, letters, and utterances of Swami Vivekananda regarding himself and his works from many volumes.
The book covers several parts of his life and provides a picture of the world through Swami Vivekananda’s own eyes.
8. Teachings of Swami Vivekananda
Many of Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts, beliefs, and teachings are contained in this book. It demonstrates how Swami’s teachings emphasized various aspects of religion, education, character development, and Indian social issues.
If you haven’t read any of Swami’s writings, lectures, or teachings before, this book is a great place to start. It will undoubtedly inspire you, lift your spirits, and create a fresh feeling of hope in you.
9. Meditation and its Methods
A brief book that summarises Swami Vivekananda’s most important meditation talks. The language is straightforward and simple to read and understand. Though the book is short, each page is jam-packed with meaningful thoughts and wisdom. ‘Meditation and its Procedures’ not only discusses the practical methods of meditation, but also the power and philosophy behind it, as well as its ultimate objective. It also discusses self-control, patience, and coping with people and misery on a daily basis. Above all, it leads you to a more tranquil and joyful life.
This book is absolutely for you if you want to encourage yourself toward meditation, yoga, and spirituality. Give it a read and it will change your perception of life for the better!
10. The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (Set of 9 Volumes)
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, as the title suggests, are a collection of nine books that cover all of Swami Vivekananda’s works and teachings. All of Swami’s publications, speeches, beliefs, and ideologies have been compiled into these nine volumes, which serve as an encyclopedia of everything relevant to Swami’s life. It includes everything from Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga to Gita, Upanishad, Vedanta, and other lectures and teachings.
All of the Swami Vivekananda Books described above are essentially subsets of these entire volumes. If you want to learn everything there is to know about Swami’s life and be inspired, you should absolutely purchase these books.
Author – Anoop Sajjan
