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Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda #1-9
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekanda
Volume 1 of the Complete Works by Swami Vivekananda, the great exponent of Vedanta in America.
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 a hero -- --Romain Rolland, famed 19th-century author
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 a hero -- --Romain Rolland, famed 19th-century author
560 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1922
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About the author
Vivekananda
1,661 books1,564 followers"Arise Awake and Stop not til the goal is reached"
Vivekananda left a body of philosophical works (see Vivekananda's complete works). His books (compiled from lectures given around the world) on the four Yogas (Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga) are very influential and still seen as fundamental texts for anyone interested in the Hindu practice of Yoga. His letters are of great literary and spiritual value. He was also considered a very good singer and a poet.By the time of his death, He had composed many songs including his favorite Kali the Mother. He used humor for his teachings and was also an excellent cook. His language is very free flowing. His own Bengali writings stand testimony to the fact that he believed that words - spoken or written - should be for making things easier to understand rather than show off the speaker or writer's knowledge.
Swami Vivekananda [ স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ ] (1863 – 1902), born Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, and bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion.
Born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Kolkata, West Bengal, India)
Vivekananda left a body of philosophical works (see Vivekananda's complete works). His books (compiled from lectures given around the world) on the four Yogas (Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga) are very influential and still seen as fundamental texts for anyone interested in the Hindu practice of Yoga. His letters are of great literary and spiritual value. He was also considered a very good singer and a poet.By the time of his death, He had composed many songs including his favorite Kali the Mother. He used humor for his teachings and was also an excellent cook. His language is very free flowing. His own Bengali writings stand testimony to the fact that he believed that words - spoken or written - should be for making things easier to understand rather than show off the speaker or writer's knowledge.
Swami Vivekananda [ স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ ] (1863 – 1902), born Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, and bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion.
Born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Kolkata, West Bengal, India)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
March 30, 2010
Within the covers of this book, you will find a clear and lucid exposition of spirituality and Non-Duality that is sure to touch you deeply irrespective of your personal faith.
Swami Vivekananda was the devotee of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, but he was no ordinary devotee, and Ramakrishna was to say many times that the Swami was a greater teacher than him. These words were to come true, for it was Swami Vivekananda who set up the Ramakrishna Mission and immortalized the Master’s work. Vivekananda is also famous for taking the West by storm towards the end of the nineteenth century. He made two trips to the West, and both of these trips were remarkable for the stir and fervor they caused. He was the first among the true Hindu Swamis to go to the US and UK, and
people in the West who came into contact with him were revolutionized by this man who spoke in English and the language of rationality but spoke of an ancient wisdom. Many became his followers, and the Swami popularized the image of the Hindu spiritual seeker with his clear eyes and flowing ochre robes and turban.
In this book you will find out why he made such a huge impact. His words are clear and forceful. He never deviates the slightest from logic and reason, and he is also eager to embrace the latest scientific advancements like evolution, a new idea at that time which scared so many other religions. But here we find the Swami not just accepting it but actually welcoming it as a support. At the same time, he preached a message that was among the oldest philosophies in the world, yet was as unceasing in its rationality as any scientific work.
The volumes contain all his writings like his books on the Yogas Bhakti and Raja, and also Gyan and Karma, his essay and expositions of many other topics, his speeches including his famous speeches in the US and UK, his invaluable personal accounts of his life and meetings with men and women ranging from such men as Pavhari Baba, the saint who lived in a cave, to Kings and prostitutes. There are also his letters to his friends and others, and reporter’s accounts from Western newspapers of his visits there.
In all this, we find a man always completely devoted to Truth. Even the lightest glance through the book makes this clear. It was this love of the Truth that led him to Advaita, and it is no doubt because of this devotion that his words resonate so strongly within us. These writings are a must-read for anyone who has ever felt a longing for truth, a longing to understand the world. No one who reads them will fail to come away with a deeper understanding of the Truth.
Swami Vivekananda was the devotee of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, but he was no ordinary devotee, and Ramakrishna was to say many times that the Swami was a greater teacher than him. These words were to come true, for it was Swami Vivekananda who set up the Ramakrishna Mission and immortalized the Master’s work. Vivekananda is also famous for taking the West by storm towards the end of the nineteenth century. He made two trips to the West, and both of these trips were remarkable for the stir and fervor they caused. He was the first among the true Hindu Swamis to go to the US and UK, and
people in the West who came into contact with him were revolutionized by this man who spoke in English and the language of rationality but spoke of an ancient wisdom. Many became his followers, and the Swami popularized the image of the Hindu spiritual seeker with his clear eyes and flowing ochre robes and turban.
In this book you will find out why he made such a huge impact. His words are clear and forceful. He never deviates the slightest from logic and reason, and he is also eager to embrace the latest scientific advancements like evolution, a new idea at that time which scared so many other religions. But here we find the Swami not just accepting it but actually welcoming it as a support. At the same time, he preached a message that was among the oldest philosophies in the world, yet was as unceasing in its rationality as any scientific work.
The volumes contain all his writings like his books on the Yogas Bhakti and Raja, and also Gyan and Karma, his essay and expositions of many other topics, his speeches including his famous speeches in the US and UK, his invaluable personal accounts of his life and meetings with men and women ranging from such men as Pavhari Baba, the saint who lived in a cave, to Kings and prostitutes. There are also his letters to his friends and others, and reporter’s accounts from Western newspapers of his visits there.
In all this, we find a man always completely devoted to Truth. Even the lightest glance through the book makes this clear. It was this love of the Truth that led him to Advaita, and it is no doubt because of this devotion that his words resonate so strongly within us. These writings are a must-read for anyone who has ever felt a longing for truth, a longing to understand the world. No one who reads them will fail to come away with a deeper understanding of the Truth.
May 14, 2013
The most comprehensiv read for anybody interested in the ultimate identity of mankind.
September 11, 2014
I am too miniscule an entity to review HIM!! He changed the entire course of my life – Thousand salutations to His Holy Lotus Feet.
January 3, 2024
Swami Vivekananda is the king of philosophy and a fearlessly free thinker at heart. If anyone wants to collect gems and analyze Religion (Hinduism), Vedanta and Yoga, his collection of 9 volumes would definitely serve the purpose. Words are too puny to describe him or his works (yet I’m trying to assemble a few words).
Adroitly he has put forth Vedantic knowledge coupled with Advaita philosophy pruning all the necessary arguments and at the same time without creating any gap or contradicting the reader's intellect/mind.
Although I’m new to philosophy, it’s been just 4 years, yet, I think I have find a few answers with his works that are highly saturated with an in-depth understanding of philosophy regarding Reality, life, being, existentialism, free will, spirituality, meditation and understanding the potential as well as the kinetics of the world.
I can bet, there’s hardly any living (human) brain within whom his penetrating intellect won’t cast any vibration.
This soul-stirring work is definitely a must read for all those souls who are struggling to find a way out.
Adroitly he has put forth Vedantic knowledge coupled with Advaita philosophy pruning all the necessary arguments and at the same time without creating any gap or contradicting the reader's intellect/mind.
Although I’m new to philosophy, it’s been just 4 years, yet, I think I have find a few answers with his works that are highly saturated with an in-depth understanding of philosophy regarding Reality, life, being, existentialism, free will, spirituality, meditation and understanding the potential as well as the kinetics of the world.
I can bet, there’s hardly any living (human) brain within whom his penetrating intellect won’t cast any vibration.
This soul-stirring work is definitely a must read for all those souls who are struggling to find a way out.
March 7, 2020
A wonderful book that enlightens your mind... Swami Ji was the true representative of India who gave us what we call our true identity in the modern times.
December 21, 2013
I read most of the first four volumes of this collection, but realized recently that I'm not likely to continue on with the remaining volumes. The first volume includes some priceless writings: in particular V's Yoga Sutras and his descriptions of Karma and Raja yoga. The 2nd and 3rd volumes continue with his excellent review of the yoga systems, covering Bhakit and Jnana yoga, and all three volumes include numerous transcripts of his speeches in the US. There are some delightful passages throughout but as you go further into the set, those become increasingly infrequent and the repetition starts to become tedious. The remaining volumes include mostly transcripts, interviews, articles and letters; while fascinating, it takes quite an effort to sift through works to find the gems. These volumes offer unique access to V's brilliant thinking and extraordinary ability to communicate complex spiritual concepts, well worth anyone's attention, but choose carefully.
July 12, 2010
I am very proud to possess all the 9 volumes of this collection.
I am in very initial phase of reading its volume 2 (it doesn't mean that I have finished vol 1, I have not read vol 1 at all :) and what I have understood from this is that the sufferings will last as long as we have life. It ends only when the life ends. And the only way to end suffering forever is to attain Moksha(i.e, no life after this life).
I am in very initial phase of reading its volume 2 (it doesn't mean that I have finished vol 1, I have not read vol 1 at all :) and what I have understood from this is that the sufferings will last as long as we have life. It ends only when the life ends. And the only way to end suffering forever is to attain Moksha(i.e, no life after this life).
September 10, 2014
A book capable of doing miracles in your life.
May 30, 2015
If you are keen to understand hinduism then this book is answer. It summarize all branches very clearly. Very thought provoking. Highly recommended to all
February 2, 2018
A set of 9 amazing books which everyone must read in order to understand the country India is, has been and will be!
July 10, 2025
A monastic's musings on life, death and everything in between
This nine-volume set is the intellectual equivalent of a spiritual Everest climb.
Vivekananda throws around Sanskrit terms like confetti... but don't worry, even if you don't catch every nuance, you'll still feel profoundly enlightened!!! It is better than any self-help books...
Just be prepared... because after reading this, your old anxieties will seem utterly trivial.
Highly recommended for insomniacs, aspiring gurus or anyone who needs a truly epic cure for existential dread.
This nine-volume set is the intellectual equivalent of a spiritual Everest climb.
Vivekananda throws around Sanskrit terms like confetti... but don't worry, even if you don't catch every nuance, you'll still feel profoundly enlightened!!! It is better than any self-help books...
Just be prepared... because after reading this, your old anxieties will seem utterly trivial.
Highly recommended for insomniacs, aspiring gurus or anyone who needs a truly epic cure for existential dread.
November 8, 2020
Wonderful... the books by Swami Ji are more than a glimpse of what India has been what it stands for. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand India through the eyes of a Yogi with its riches in culture, civilisation and religion.
June 24, 2015
It has been extraordinary, wonderful. This is my 3rd time.
March 4, 2022
What can I say about these books? Wonderful and unmissable for anyone who wants to understand the purpose of life. Do read it!
January 24, 2019
I live just beside the main branch of Ramakrishna Math in Belur, West Bengal. I used to think that these people talk about woo-woo stuff, "god" and "who am I" stuff. If you're trying to find the meaning of life, or trying to deeply contemplate on some existential issue, just buy this collection, the subsidized version which I bought is just Rs.500, that's like, free, for what knowledge it holds.
Boy, this man is deep. Many spiritual teachers ignore or leave many concepts unanswered, but this man takes the skepticism first, then he gradually builds towards the real facts. I'm just in the middle of vol.1 and I'm baffled. I've bought many worthless books, but this set compensates all my pointless expenses. Thank you Swami ji, I'm grateful.
Boy, this man is deep. Many spiritual teachers ignore or leave many concepts unanswered, but this man takes the skepticism first, then he gradually builds towards the real facts. I'm just in the middle of vol.1 and I'm baffled. I've bought many worthless books, but this set compensates all my pointless expenses. Thank you Swami ji, I'm grateful.
May 30, 2017
I have not completed yet. But it clear beyond doubt that if anyone needs to understand spirituality (not necessarily religion) this is the book to be read. It appeals to the scientific mind as a rational and logical explanation of the nature and humanity in it. It astonishing to find that even-though the book was written before Einstein's time Swami has writen that matter(mass) & energy are interchangeable!!!! He also predicts that humans will discover Force field of human thoughts & thus end the scientific discovery of spirituality. Now this is something worth waiting for!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2016
I have the print edition of this collection, eight volumes. This is not a book to read page by page. Swami springs unending surprises every time you read. The digital version has a ready search function, so you do not have to remember what you read, and in which volume it was! My progress is going to be very slow on this collection. At least I know what is there in the first eight volumes. Thanks to Ramakrishna Mutt for updating this collection with the ninth volume.
March 13, 2022
I was taken to the Ramakrishna Ashram in Delhi by an Indian friend of mine and I was delighted by what I saw there; these books have been a blessing.
Life is so much more than we know. I recommend reading all 9 volumes, it will take a lot of time but its worth it, Swami Vivekananda is truly inspiring.
Life is so much more than we know. I recommend reading all 9 volumes, it will take a lot of time but its worth it, Swami Vivekananda is truly inspiring.
July 2, 2017
If you really want to understand India and her teachings then study Swamiji. He was a full blooded masculine personality an inspiration of youths. His works are full of practical Vedanta and the real existence of Hindutva.
January 13, 2014
philosophical truly facts by swamiji!!!
April 17, 2016
this is one book i keep coming back read it more than 3 times entire 9 volume . his work gave me hope when i'm facing biggest failure in life
May 25, 2018
This 9 volume masterpiece is a collection of works of the great Indian Swami Vivekananda. It contains his lectures delivered throughout the length and breadth of this globe. It contains the letters which he had written. The diary entries of his disciples, some of the ground breaking speeches and the ancient teachings of the vedanta and the upanishads can be found in this volume.
July 18, 2019
Yes, I can proudly say that I have read the entire collection. More than once.
Once I started it was so addictive that I could not put it down. For all my university years, I would check out the entire volume from libraries and then read them through the semester.
For anyone interested in understanding enormity of eastern thought, Swamiji's writings are essential.
Once I started it was so addictive that I could not put it down. For all my university years, I would check out the entire volume from libraries and then read them through the semester.
For anyone interested in understanding enormity of eastern thought, Swamiji's writings are essential.
July 14, 2019
Inspiring and everyone must read!
December 27, 2018
He is very spiritually motivating I follow Surat Shabd Yoga but I read this just to pick up on his zeal and ardor which I can apply to my own path . He really does make it clear why we should be urgent about our spiritual progress because and make as much as we can before we die
life is short and the way is long after death we will have to take birth again if we don't finish our journey and who wants to come back to this veil of tears????? Why not go straight into eternal joy , love and bliss and not have to suffer the womb again ???
http://www.swamivivekanandaquotes.org... gives his most motivational quotes .
here are my personal faves :
Swami Vivekananda's quotes
Advance like a hero. Don't be thwarted by anything. How many days will this body last, with its happiness and misery? When you have got the human body, then rouse the Atman within and say -- i have reached the state of fearlessness! Say -- i am the Atman in which my lower ego has become merged for ever. Be perfect in this idea; and then as long as the body endures, speak unto others this message of fearlessness: "Thou art That", "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached!" If you can achieve this, then shall I know that you are really a tenacious East Bengal man.[Source]
Arise and awake, for the time is passing and all our energies will be: frittered away in vain talking.
Arise and awake, let minor things, and quarrels over little details and fights over little doctrines be thrown aside, for here is the greatest of all works, here are the sinking millions.[Source]
Arise! Arise! A tidal wave is coming! Onward![Source]
"Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached"[Source]
Arise! Awake! and stop not till the goal is reached." Life is ever expanding, contraction is death. The self-seeking man who is looking after his personal comforts and leading a lazy life — there is no room for him even in hell.[Source]
Arise! Awake! Stand up and fight! Die if you must. There is none to help you. You are all the world. Who can help you?[Source]
Arise, awake; wake up yourselves, and awaken others. Achieve the consummation of human life before you pass off — "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached."[Source]
Awake, awake, great ones! The world is burning with misery. Can you sleep? Let us call and call till the sleeping gods awake, till the god within answers to the call. What more is in life? What greater work? The details come to me as I go. I never make plans. Plans grow and work themselves. I only say, awake, awake![Source]
Children of the Aryans, do not sit idle; awake, arise, and stop not till the goal is reached.[Source]
Go and preach to all, "Arise, awake, sleep no more; within each of you there is the power to remove all wants and all miseries.
life is short and the way is long after death we will have to take birth again if we don't finish our journey and who wants to come back to this veil of tears????? Why not go straight into eternal joy , love and bliss and not have to suffer the womb again ???
http://www.swamivivekanandaquotes.org... gives his most motivational quotes .
here are my personal faves :
Swami Vivekananda's quotes
Advance like a hero. Don't be thwarted by anything. How many days will this body last, with its happiness and misery? When you have got the human body, then rouse the Atman within and say -- i have reached the state of fearlessness! Say -- i am the Atman in which my lower ego has become merged for ever. Be perfect in this idea; and then as long as the body endures, speak unto others this message of fearlessness: "Thou art That", "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached!" If you can achieve this, then shall I know that you are really a tenacious East Bengal man.[Source]
Arise and awake, for the time is passing and all our energies will be: frittered away in vain talking.
Arise and awake, let minor things, and quarrels over little details and fights over little doctrines be thrown aside, for here is the greatest of all works, here are the sinking millions.[Source]
Arise! Arise! A tidal wave is coming! Onward![Source]
"Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached"[Source]
Arise! Awake! and stop not till the goal is reached." Life is ever expanding, contraction is death. The self-seeking man who is looking after his personal comforts and leading a lazy life — there is no room for him even in hell.[Source]
Arise! Awake! Stand up and fight! Die if you must. There is none to help you. You are all the world. Who can help you?[Source]
Arise, awake; wake up yourselves, and awaken others. Achieve the consummation of human life before you pass off — "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached."[Source]
Awake, awake, great ones! The world is burning with misery. Can you sleep? Let us call and call till the sleeping gods awake, till the god within answers to the call. What more is in life? What greater work? The details come to me as I go. I never make plans. Plans grow and work themselves. I only say, awake, awake![Source]
Children of the Aryans, do not sit idle; awake, arise, and stop not till the goal is reached.[Source]
Go and preach to all, "Arise, awake, sleep no more; within each of you there is the power to remove all wants and all miseries.
June 21, 2019
Got all the volumes and began reading the first one. It is a tremendous treasure of wisdom and realisation. I like the way Swami Ji explains his ideas and the vast knowledge he has. Once you begin reading his thoughts, you feel how far ahead from his times he was and how he realised what is needed in the world.
January 27, 2021
One wouldn’t look outside for spirituality or religion after reading these 9 volumes. I would say they are the universe of wisdom, knowledge and truth.
May 22, 2019
Swami Vivekananda is the king of philosophy and a fearlessly free thinker at heart. If anyone wants to understand Hinduism, Vedanta and Yoga, his collection of 9 volumes would definitely serve the purpose.
This can be the book capable of doing wonders in your life. This book has some really influential topics which can change your whole perspective towards life.
I read mostly the first four volumes of this collection and decided not to continue on with the remaining volumes. All four volumes include numerous transcripts of his speeches in the US which are highly inspirational and work as an eyeopener. They make us familiar with the plight of social, economical and political status of India at that time.
Reason which made me discontinue reading after the 4th volume was his theory of detachment, which I didn't favour. Following is an example:
Attachment is the source of all our pleasures now. We are attached to our friends, to our relatives; we are attached to our intellectual and spiritual works; we are attached to external objects, so that we get pleasure from them. What, again, brings misery but this very attachment? We have to detach ourselves to earn joy. If only we had power to detach ourselves at will, there would not be any misery.
The continuation of this topic at length made me disheartened and unwilling to read further. To be frank, if you even read the first volume of his work it will be more than enough.
This can be the book capable of doing wonders in your life. This book has some really influential topics which can change your whole perspective towards life.
I read mostly the first four volumes of this collection and decided not to continue on with the remaining volumes. All four volumes include numerous transcripts of his speeches in the US which are highly inspirational and work as an eyeopener. They make us familiar with the plight of social, economical and political status of India at that time.
Reason which made me discontinue reading after the 4th volume was his theory of detachment, which I didn't favour. Following is an example:
Attachment is the source of all our pleasures now. We are attached to our friends, to our relatives; we are attached to our intellectual and spiritual works; we are attached to external objects, so that we get pleasure from them. What, again, brings misery but this very attachment? We have to detach ourselves to earn joy. If only we had power to detach ourselves at will, there would not be any misery.
The continuation of this topic at length made me disheartened and unwilling to read further. To be frank, if you even read the first volume of his work it will be more than enough.
December 28, 2017
Just finished the third volume of this set after moving through one volume per year thus far--had planned to proceed through to the end of the collection over the next six years, but I'm going to throw in the towel. There is a great deal of wisdom and insight in this set, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to either locate or focus on the nuggets given my unfamiliarity with Hindu concepts and terminology. In earlier volumes, this didn't seem to be as much of a barrier; this most recent volume, however, has turned more arid, uneven, and recondite, to my eyes: "The Bhakta's Renunciation Results from Love," "The God of Love is His Own Proof," "The Vedanta in All its Phases," etc. The more engaging selections for me focused on interfaith awareness and the positioning of Hinduism within the context of other world religions. I'll look forward to cracking open a briefer, more focused anthology.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews