Essence of Vedanta

by Swami Sivananda

Vedanta is the crest-jewel of all schools of philosophical thought, which preaches the Unity of existence, or Oneness of Consciousness. It proclaims that all these innumerable beings are, in essence, one and the same. It thrills and widens the heart, brightens the intellect, and makes one experience the Absolute Being, the Only Reality. Goodness of heart and intelligence of brain, which the whole world considers as a marvelous possession, is superseded by the divinity of Absolute Consciousness through direct intuitional cognition of the Universal soul!

"Essence of Vedanta” is a priceless jewel from the diadem of Sivananda Literature. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, unlike many other Vedanta’s, is a practical Vedanta. This glorious characteristic runs through all his writings. This wonderful scripture bears witness to it. We are confident that students of Vedanta, and seekers after Truth who have chosen the path of Jnana, will find in this volume a great practical guide to Self-realization.

Table of Contents:

• Publisher’s Note
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Hints on Vedantic Sadhana
• Vidyas in The Upanishads
• Sivananda - Vidya
• The Way of Meditation
• The Great Reality and Its Nature
• Upanishad Sadhana
• Categories in Vedanta
• Questions and Answer in Vedanta
• The Six Khyatis
• Vedanta in Daily Life
• Worldly Man, Wake Up!
• Story and Formulae
• Appendix.

About the Author:

Sri Swami Sivananda, born on the 8th September, 1887, in the illustrious family of Sage Appayya Dikshita 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.

He was an inborn eagerness to serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind. He is the author of over 300 volumes and has disciples all over the world, belonging to all nationalities, religions and creeds. To read his works is to drink at the Fountain of Wisdom Supreme. On 14th July, 163 he entered Mahasamadhi.