What do you think?
Rate this book
Vasistha's Yoga
This is Swami Venkatesananda's longer Yoga Vasiṣṭha. His two volume book is here offered between two covers. Its purpose is to provide a means to eliminate psychological conditioning and to attain liberation. Containing the instructions of the sage Vasiṣṭha to Lord Rama, this scripture is full of intricately woven tales, the kind a great teacher might tell to hold the interest of a student.
767 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
281 people are currently reading
1181 people want to read
About the author
Venkatesananda
67 books53 followersSwami Venkatesananda (Parthsarathy as he was known then) was born in Tanjore on December 29th, 1921, to a South Indian Brahmin family. He learned Sanskrit at an early age from his uncle and grandfather, and used to love to take part in religious observances. He was not only scholarly but full of fun (a trait which endeared him in later life when, as a Swami, he travelled in the West, illustrating the everyday concepts we live by with his humorous stories.)
At the age of fourteen he discovered a book by Swami Sivananda in a bookshop. He was so impressed that he wrote to Swami Sivananda asking if he could join him in his ashram. Swami Sivananda told him to finish his education and then come to Rishikesh.
On leaving school, he studied shorthand and typing, coming first in the examination. After working for the Madras Corporation, he obtained the position of Private Secretary to the Minister of War in Calcutta; most suitably, as a member of the diplomatic core. In this capacity one day he was asked to escort some V.I.P.s to Haridwar and Rishikesh. He visited Sivananda Ashram and was told that Swami Sivananda was resting and he wouldn't be able to meet him. Shortly after, Sivananda unexpectedly came out. He looked at Parthasarathy and said, "So. You have come," and asked him to stay at the ashram.
So after fulfilling his work commitments for a year, he returned to Rishikes to stay. Sivananda put him to work in various departments of the ashram's kitchen, temple, office, and typing, the press etc. After that he became the private secretary to Swami Sivananda, typing his books, answering letters and generally helping in his day to day activities. Later he travelled the world to spread the message of his master, Swami Sivananda.
At the age of fourteen he discovered a book by Swami Sivananda in a bookshop. He was so impressed that he wrote to Swami Sivananda asking if he could join him in his ashram. Swami Sivananda told him to finish his education and then come to Rishikesh.
On leaving school, he studied shorthand and typing, coming first in the examination. After working for the Madras Corporation, he obtained the position of Private Secretary to the Minister of War in Calcutta; most suitably, as a member of the diplomatic core. In this capacity one day he was asked to escort some V.I.P.s to Haridwar and Rishikesh. He visited Sivananda Ashram and was told that Swami Sivananda was resting and he wouldn't be able to meet him. Shortly after, Sivananda unexpectedly came out. He looked at Parthasarathy and said, "So. You have come," and asked him to stay at the ashram.
So after fulfilling his work commitments for a year, he returned to Rishikes to stay. Sivananda put him to work in various departments of the ashram's kitchen, temple, office, and typing, the press etc. After that he became the private secretary to Swami Sivananda, typing his books, answering letters and generally helping in his day to day activities. Later he travelled the world to spread the message of his master, Swami Sivananda.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 14, 2010
There are no two things about this book :)...
I am putting it alongside the Bhagavad Gita, The Ashtavakra Gita and Vivekacudamani By Adi Sankaracharya.
Clearly not for the faint-hearted.
I am putting it alongside the Bhagavad Gita, The Ashtavakra Gita and Vivekacudamani By Adi Sankaracharya.
Clearly not for the faint-hearted.
April 24, 2015
This is a gem of a book, one of the great mystical scriptures from India. It is one of those rare books with extremely high vibrations which have the power of giving one the experience of the divine inside.
It is a very long read but very well worth it. It is the kind of book you can read a little a time right before going to bed and have very sweet dreams.
It is a very long read but very well worth it. It is the kind of book you can read a little a time right before going to bed and have very sweet dreams.
Read
September 6, 2014I have read the Yoga Vasistha multiple times.
I enjoyed reading it, and recommend that you read no more than a few pages per day. It is recommended in fact to read only one page per day.
I read it in the evening, just before meditation on my first read through, which commenced in Sept. 10, 2001, just before planes flew into the Pentagon, World Trade Centre, and Camp David on Sept. 11. I made a note of it, as it changed our world forever.
Americans now have had a taste of what Indians have been dealing with for a very long time. Of course there are other countries who have had terrorist threats & bombings as well. I am choosing not to dwell on that, just that that year the world really did change forever. The USA, while bombing many countries has had very little in the way of repercussions for the actions of their government internationally. The world needs a break from needless wars and terrorism. Since then, the wars and conflicts in the world have escalated. One would have thought that people would have urged their governments to drop the wars and conflicts, but until more people understand that war fuels big business, and they keep on voting in the wrong people they are creating this "experience" of a violent world. Why can we not create the opposite with more meditation, and understanding of those who are different from us, different faiths... We will not destroy the world, but we can and will destroy the ability for humans, birds, flora, fish and fauna to live on this earth. Illusory or not. We still have to live in this world with the illusions we collectively create.
"This world appearance is a confusion: even as the blueness of the sky is an optical illusion. I think it is better not to let the mind dwell on it but to ignore it." Meditate, meditate, meditate! Very hard to ignore what 'looks like' reality around you. Transcend your circumstances. The tool to help with that is meditation, the only thing that can purify the mind of the effects of our day to day experiences of life.
Yoga Rani
You will find that you will need to let the knowledge resonate with you for a day before reading the next part of the conversation.
You may also want to read it a second time from the very beginning to give the understanding more depth.
Enjoy!
I enjoyed reading it, and recommend that you read no more than a few pages per day. It is recommended in fact to read only one page per day.
I read it in the evening, just before meditation on my first read through, which commenced in Sept. 10, 2001, just before planes flew into the Pentagon, World Trade Centre, and Camp David on Sept. 11. I made a note of it, as it changed our world forever.
Americans now have had a taste of what Indians have been dealing with for a very long time. Of course there are other countries who have had terrorist threats & bombings as well. I am choosing not to dwell on that, just that that year the world really did change forever. The USA, while bombing many countries has had very little in the way of repercussions for the actions of their government internationally. The world needs a break from needless wars and terrorism. Since then, the wars and conflicts in the world have escalated. One would have thought that people would have urged their governments to drop the wars and conflicts, but until more people understand that war fuels big business, and they keep on voting in the wrong people they are creating this "experience" of a violent world. Why can we not create the opposite with more meditation, and understanding of those who are different from us, different faiths... We will not destroy the world, but we can and will destroy the ability for humans, birds, flora, fish and fauna to live on this earth. Illusory or not. We still have to live in this world with the illusions we collectively create.
"This world appearance is a confusion: even as the blueness of the sky is an optical illusion. I think it is better not to let the mind dwell on it but to ignore it." Meditate, meditate, meditate! Very hard to ignore what 'looks like' reality around you. Transcend your circumstances. The tool to help with that is meditation, the only thing that can purify the mind of the effects of our day to day experiences of life.
Yoga Rani
You will find that you will need to let the knowledge resonate with you for a day before reading the next part of the conversation.
You may also want to read it a second time from the very beginning to give the understanding more depth.
Enjoy!
February 8, 2019
This is not just a book you read and understand and analyse. Its a book that changes you as you read it - towards a better, more profound, enlightened being. When The Lord Rama himself went through a phase of depression and ignorance, he was enlightened by none other than Guru Vasistha, the son of the Creator Brahma. Through mind-twisting tales and deep revelations, often even contradicting with previous ones, you are set to go through a journey deep into your true nature, where everything dissolves, only the SELF remains. Grateful to have come across it. As someone else posted in their review "If I had to let go of all books and keep just one, this would be it"
One little spoiler here:
"This world appearance is a confusion: even as the blueness of the sky is an optical illusion. I think it is better not to let the mind dwell on it but to ignore it." - such texts cannot be understood by reading, no matter how much one tries to grasp it - one must Meditate - go beyond thoughts, feelings and intellect, just being. Without meditation, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that "I have understood"
One little spoiler here:
"This world appearance is a confusion: even as the blueness of the sky is an optical illusion. I think it is better not to let the mind dwell on it but to ignore it." - such texts cannot be understood by reading, no matter how much one tries to grasp it - one must Meditate - go beyond thoughts, feelings and intellect, just being. Without meditation, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that "I have understood"
August 15, 2016
One of the most refined spiritual scriptures. Talks about Non-duality, Nature of reality, Time & Space as non constant entities, Manifesting existence to be a Play within consciousness.
There is Time travel, World within worlds, Past-Present-Future all existing in the Now. Captivating stuff, interesting stories.
One of my Trinity: Gita, Yoga Vasishta, Tripura Rahasya
There is Time travel, World within worlds, Past-Present-Future all existing in the Now. Captivating stuff, interesting stories.
One of my Trinity: Gita, Yoga Vasishta, Tripura Rahasya
November 9, 2014
Masterpiece of non-duality.
September 4, 2008
Beautifully translated spiritual classic, but not for the beginner or the faint-hearted. And some variations in philosophy from the traditional advaita vedanta of Adi Shankara. Still, this book is worth daily reading and contemplation, if you are interested in the subject.
January 7, 2009
i read a passage a day and have been doing so for some fifteen months. very nice.
February 7, 2015
It's ridiculous to rate this book because it is way beyond it. Took me two years of broken reading to complete this, but I am hope I am wiser.
February 14, 2016
The strangest thing one can ever do is evaluate a sacred text.
February 5, 2014
Must Read
March 6, 2022
This is perhaps the best book I have ever read, but it can't really be compared to other books. The version I have is 900 pages and this is the 'abridged' version I'm told.
I have owned it for 20+ years and as it is very long, I tend to open it and read some chapters for a few months and then put it aside. I have not read it all the way to the end but I have read various bits repeatedly. It is not all abstruse Vedanta philosophy. There are also some quite mind-blowing stories, like "The Story of Lila", and "The World Within the Rock".
You can't read more than a few pages at a time really. Each page is quite powerful. Each passage or story completely changes your point of view and leaves you in a daze.
It is a marvel that someone in the 6th century could write a book that shakes the 21st century mind to its foundations.
From wikipedia, some further context:
The text has served as a reference on Yoga for medieval era Advaita Vedanta scholars. The Yoga Vasistha was one of the popular texts on Yoga that dominated the Indian Yoga culture scene before the 12th-century. The practice of atma-vichara, "self-enquiry," described in the Yoga Vasistha, has been popularised due to the influence of Ramana Maharshi, who was strongly influenced by this text.
I have owned it for 20+ years and as it is very long, I tend to open it and read some chapters for a few months and then put it aside. I have not read it all the way to the end but I have read various bits repeatedly. It is not all abstruse Vedanta philosophy. There are also some quite mind-blowing stories, like "The Story of Lila", and "The World Within the Rock".
You can't read more than a few pages at a time really. Each page is quite powerful. Each passage or story completely changes your point of view and leaves you in a daze.
It is a marvel that someone in the 6th century could write a book that shakes the 21st century mind to its foundations.
From wikipedia, some further context:
The text has served as a reference on Yoga for medieval era Advaita Vedanta scholars. The Yoga Vasistha was one of the popular texts on Yoga that dominated the Indian Yoga culture scene before the 12th-century. The practice of atma-vichara, "self-enquiry," described in the Yoga Vasistha, has been popularised due to the influence of Ramana Maharshi, who was strongly influenced by this text.
June 8, 2018
My pithy reactions to this gem of wisdom.
1) This book reflects how far India has come from the values of its ancient cultures. From the enrichment of the mind to the absolute irrelevance of knowledge, almost everything taught in this book is the opposite of what contemporary teaches its citizens to believe in (ie rote studying, copy-and-paste thinking, and complete obedience to the family, alone).
2) The guru/student dialectic seems to be a useful structuring device for a novel. In many ways, this is a Vedic pre-Diderot novel of ideas, but with a lot more to be gleamed from.
3) Like another reader said, there's too much to be taken from this in one go. Each page has something to teach, and I was too busy with my own projects to read it comprehensively. Can't wait to have another go, and to write something more significant after.
1) This book reflects how far India has come from the values of its ancient cultures. From the enrichment of the mind to the absolute irrelevance of knowledge, almost everything taught in this book is the opposite of what contemporary teaches its citizens to believe in (ie rote studying, copy-and-paste thinking, and complete obedience to the family, alone).
2) The guru/student dialectic seems to be a useful structuring device for a novel. In many ways, this is a Vedic pre-Diderot novel of ideas, but with a lot more to be gleamed from.
3) Like another reader said, there's too much to be taken from this in one go. Each page has something to teach, and I was too busy with my own projects to read it comprehensively. Can't wait to have another go, and to write something more significant after.
April 15, 2021
This was a very long book, it took me years to read and digest what it was saying. In the end I had a clear understanding of cosmic entanglement and understood what all the modern Sages were trying to say. It is a very old book and when it was written it was the 2nd biggest largest book ever written at that time. It jumps around a lot and is hard to follow in the middle part of the book but comes back around to making sense and pulls everything together. I wonderful book that shaped how I think.
November 14, 2017
Excellent book .. gives your practical insight over suffering and karma based theories. Must read for those who believe in theory of Karma and equilibrium of inevitable experiences of life. Mesmerizing experience..
August 22, 2019
Illustration of Advaita Vedanta through Yoga Vasistha
Great book. Through stories which are beyond comprehension, the subject matter is illustrated and dealt very beautifully. Fully enjoyed to the end.
Great book. Through stories which are beyond comprehension, the subject matter is illustrated and dealt very beautifully. Fully enjoyed to the end.
June 6, 2015
Its a wonderful collection of the supreme knowledge & is for only those who want to find out about the life & is on the path of moksha.
March 10, 2018
This is not just a book , this is a living presence . The Author has done a great job by compiling teachings in the most lucid and understandable way.
March 24, 2024
"Diese Welterscheinung ist nichts als eine Täuschung - so wie die Bläue des Himmels eine optische Täuschung ist."
Mit "Yoga Vasishta" habe ich mich an mein erstes Werk indischer Philosophie herangetraut.
Es ist faszinierend, wie viele tiefe Einsichten und Aktualitäten das Werk trotz des immens hohen Alters der Erstfassung enthält. Das hier dargelegte monistische System der Welt wirkt auf mich sehr beruhigend und befreiend. Ich mag die hier dargelegte Philosophie sehr gern. Natürlich hat auch sie ihre Tücken und solch ein altes Werk enthält offensichtlicherweise auch einige unzeitgemäße Passagen (jedoch verblüffend wenige); außerdem haben mich einige repetitive Stellen in sehr elaborierter Sprache zugegebenermaßen etwas ermüdet. Ich verstehe aber auch, dass diese Wiederholungen dem Stil eigen und auch zuträglich sind.
Allgemein war das Lesen des Werks auf jeden Fall ein Erlebnis, und obwohl es sich für mich stellenweise gezogen hat, bin ich froh, es gelesen zu haben.
Mit "Yoga Vasishta" habe ich mich an mein erstes Werk indischer Philosophie herangetraut.
Es ist faszinierend, wie viele tiefe Einsichten und Aktualitäten das Werk trotz des immens hohen Alters der Erstfassung enthält. Das hier dargelegte monistische System der Welt wirkt auf mich sehr beruhigend und befreiend. Ich mag die hier dargelegte Philosophie sehr gern. Natürlich hat auch sie ihre Tücken und solch ein altes Werk enthält offensichtlicherweise auch einige unzeitgemäße Passagen (jedoch verblüffend wenige); außerdem haben mich einige repetitive Stellen in sehr elaborierter Sprache zugegebenermaßen etwas ermüdet. Ich verstehe aber auch, dass diese Wiederholungen dem Stil eigen und auch zuträglich sind.
Allgemein war das Lesen des Werks auf jeden Fall ein Erlebnis, und obwohl es sich für mich stellenweise gezogen hat, bin ich froh, es gelesen zu haben.
August 22, 2020
I've been reading this book for 15 years or so. I haven't actually finished it, but even if I had I would still be reading it. Every portion of it is worth meditating on, and it has been a rock I can brace myself against when the vagaries of life stagger me. Ultimately what I've gotten out of it can be distilled into a short quip (which I will not share; you may get something completely different out of this and I would not derail your journey with a tepid remark), but the value in this book is not just in what it has to say, but in how many ways it says it. The point is to block off every path in your mind with the truth so that no matter where your mind wanders it finds something useful.
This is a book for building physical neurological pathways, well-beaten trails, by which you can travel quickly to the correct answers to life's challenges.
You may not NEED this book in order navigate life at a neutral or above emotional state, but it's a serviceable work for that end.
This is a book for building physical neurological pathways, well-beaten trails, by which you can travel quickly to the correct answers to life's challenges.
You may not NEED this book in order navigate life at a neutral or above emotional state, but it's a serviceable work for that end.
June 5, 2022
This is not a mere Book. Its a concise version of the Maha Ramayana Scripture which extolls the Ultimate Truth, contains the Highest Wisdom and is Pinnacle of All Knowledge. To a faithful seeker with a pure heart, The Scripture shows the clear path to realize the Inscrutable, Indescribable, Unfathomable GodHead..whatever be your religion or creed. The full Scripture can be found in scribd..the book by Swami Venkatesananda is a good start to kindle your interest in The Scripture. A study of this Scripture will set you free from your limited, mortal mindset and will expand your Heart and Horizon of understanding. Not just a recommended read...I will implore you to do yourself a favor and read it. Disclosure : Not an agent of the publisher!
October 3, 2024
Pokalbis tarp Indijos filosofų , pasitelkiant pasakas .
Pagr mintis- nieko nėra tikra , kaip kad sapne atrodo tikra, kol sapnuoji , taip ir dabar esame sąmonės sapne .
Nėra atskirų indvidų , kaip kad jūroje visos bangos yra tas pats vanduo ..
Ilgai medituojant , kai “išjungiamas “ protas ir imi stebėt savo kūno nesuvokiamai sustyguotą veiklą , nepaliaujamą kvėpavimą , kai išorės oras tampa tavimi , o iškvėpus- dalis tavęs išeina į aplinką , kai iš stresinės būklės gali nugrimzti į ramybę , pradedi išties kvescionuoti “ realybės “ sąvoką .
Tačiau knyga man per daug mistinė , mačiau , kiti pataria skaityti po 1 Psl prieš miegą , aš jos klausiau , daug ko nesuvokiau , nesupratau , nepriėmiau ..
gal reik skaityti popierinį variantà .
Labiausiai patiko tik 2 dalis .
Pagr mintis- nieko nėra tikra , kaip kad sapne atrodo tikra, kol sapnuoji , taip ir dabar esame sąmonės sapne .
Nėra atskirų indvidų , kaip kad jūroje visos bangos yra tas pats vanduo ..
Ilgai medituojant , kai “išjungiamas “ protas ir imi stebėt savo kūno nesuvokiamai sustyguotą veiklą , nepaliaujamą kvėpavimą , kai išorės oras tampa tavimi , o iškvėpus- dalis tavęs išeina į aplinką , kai iš stresinės būklės gali nugrimzti į ramybę , pradedi išties kvescionuoti “ realybės “ sąvoką .
Tačiau knyga man per daug mistinė , mačiau , kiti pataria skaityti po 1 Psl prieš miegą , aš jos klausiau , daug ko nesuvokiau , nesupratau , nepriėmiau ..
gal reik skaityti popierinį variantà .
Labiausiai patiko tik 2 dalis .
August 27, 2022
A must read book for spiritual seekers. To really be able to read the entire book, you must be someone who questioned everything happening around you and be in a lot of pain. Otherwise this book might not make sense. I will not reveal the mystery as this book should not be just read but need to meditated upon.
The book should be ready slowly, probably 2-3 pages everyday and each page is very powerful. I read this book before going to sleep and I always had a good sleep. In fact whenever my mind was agitated, this book came handy and helped me calm down. I would recommend this whole heartedly and am gonna read this over and over again.
The book should be ready slowly, probably 2-3 pages everyday and each page is very powerful. I read this book before going to sleep and I always had a good sleep. In fact whenever my mind was agitated, this book came handy and helped me calm down. I would recommend this whole heartedly and am gonna read this over and over again.
February 18, 2025
I have finished the 1st section and enjoyed teenaged Lord Rama's frustration when he sees life's uncertainty and asks questions about this world, reality, and how to get over this Maya so as to follow the path towards Nirwana .... more when I complete! enjoying ....
November 14, 2019
istorijos ir neo advaita mokymai - idomu
December 27, 2020
This is not a book that you can "finish" reading. One has to keep reading it over and over again and more importantly follow its teachings if one wishes to derive the maximum benefit from it.
March 29, 2021
Vasistha continued: .....
August 1, 2021
This "Book" is
- Beyond description
- Beyond description
November 1, 2025
Be kind to yourself - read this book. Truly phenomenal.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews