Lectures on Yoga and Vedanta

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Born on the 8th September, 1887,in the illustrious family of Sage Appayya Dikshitar and several other renowned saints and savants, Sri Swami Sivananda had a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta. Added to this was an inborn eagerness to serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind.

His passion for service drew him to the medical career, and son he gravitated to where he thought that his service was most needed. Malaya claimed him. He had earlier been editing a health journal and wrote extensively on health problems. He discovered that people needed right knowledge most of all; dissemination of that knowledge he espoused as his own mission.

It was divine dispensation and the blessing of God upon mankind that the doctor of body and mind removed his career and took to a life of renunciation to quality for ministering to the soul of man. He settled down at Rishikesh in 1924, practiced intense austerities and shone as a great Yogi, saint, sage and Jivanmukta.

In 1932 Swami Sivananda started the Sivanandashram. In 1936 was born the divine Life Society. In 1948 the yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy was organized. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge and training of people in Yoga and Vedanta were their aim and object. In 1950 Swamiji undertook a lighting tour of India and Ceylon. In 1953 Swamiji convened a 'World Parliament of Religions'. Swamiji is the author of over 300 volumes and has disciples all over the world, belonging to all nationalities, religions and creeds. To read Swamiji's works in to drink at the Fountain of Wisdom Supreme. On 14th July, 1963 Swamiji entered Mahasamadhi.

Yoga is an exact science. It aims at the harmonious development of the body, the mind and the soul. Yoga bestows perfection, peace and eternal bliss.

The path of Vedanta is the most natural. It is nothing but manifesting what you exactly are in essence.

Be Thyself. Thou art the resplendent Atman. Be rooted in this supreme consciousness. Eternity is thy very nature. Realise this now and here.

Deep as the ocean is thy life. Nothing can harm you. Thou art the all-pervading Immortal Soul.

It is mainly through books that we establish a connection with and obtain the fruits of a great mind's lofty labours. This avenue is open to all. In their books the Great Ones present themselves before you, talk to you, giving you the most precious thoughts and ideas and pouring their souls into you.

The present book, 'Lectures on Yoga and Vedanta', is a collection of lectures given by Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj on different occasions.

It is earnestly hoped that the readers will be highly benefited by a study and practice of these lectures.