Vedanta: Voice of Freedom

by Vivekananda

Vivekananda once said, "I have a message to the West, as Buddha had a message to the East." And the message was Vedanta. Voice of Freedom is culled from Vivekananda's collected works. This book presents in a clear and concise form the spiritual wisdom of India as it has evolved over five thousand years. Thus it evokes the living Vedanta put forth by an extraordinary mind.
Edited & with an Introduction by Swami Chetanananda of the Ramakrishna Order of India Foreword by Christopher Isherwood
Preface by Huston Smith

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Hinduism, Religion

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1986

About the author

"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)

Reviews

[Rucha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swami Vivekananda was one of the most dynamic and vibrant personalities to have walked this earth. His words leave one astounded. This book is no different. His ideas on religion and spirituality are still refreshing 120 years later. Swami Vivekananda has made it abundantly clear that fear and worry are the enemies of realizing our true nature. Following religious doctrine without finding out for oneself what is the truth through subjective experience is the most dangerous way to live. His ideas on an impersonal God and self-misery caused by ignorance of the True self (one of freedom, without bondage and limitations) always leave me feeling inspired. Every time I read Swami Vivekananda I feel uplifted and encouraged. His words remind me of my higher-self, and I am always left vibrating higher.

[Sudipta Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book is the compilation of insightful commentary by the outstanding mind of Swami Vivekananda about Vedanta, outcome of millenia of spiritual evolution. He boldly speaks, time and again, of Strength and Freedom. This is one book that I read, from time to time. My homage to Swami Vivekananda.

[Erik Steevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

every home should have this book !!!
no more fear ... no more superstition !

[Dhaval · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are lazy like me and dont want to go through volumes of work that Vivekananda produced during his 37 years of life then this is your book.

You obviously need prior knowledge of Indian philosophy otherwise this will prove to be a tough read, but if you do then this is 300 pages of eternal wisdom.

You realize how contemporary his understanding is about our current reality, even after more than 100 years of this being written.

He clearly marks a guide-path for us to make us realize the divinity within. This could be "The book" that will give you all the wisdom and enlightenment that you need in this life and next!

[Vita · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm not sure if it is right version of Bahasa translation ver I'm reading now (Suara Kebangkitan - Voice of Vivekananda)
i just want to share this great mind of Swami Vivekanda (similar to sufi world, comment from my god)...
what do you call for someone who inspired your hero? superhero? :)
wish could get complete series of Vivekanda work (9 vol)
wish could reach a little of concentration when i try to meditate... wish...

[panbucholan]

This is the first time I am reading Vivekananda and Vedanta. It is truly a divine experience and I got convincing answers to some unsolved questions about life. I have read a handful of books on self improvement/ self help. Now I can boldly say that the Vedanta is the original work on self improvement and all the other books are only it's shadows. On knowing about Vedanta and the ancient wisdom our country I am proud about being an Indian. A must read to all.

[Ashwini Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

confirmed some of what i believed - gave new and interesting dimensions too that further evolved the line of thought that I had clinged to.

[Aditya Mandwekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

[Arindam · Rating 4 out of 5]

If vivekananda writes something,you have no other option except undivided attention.A little gem consisting of various speeches by the great soul.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The essence of the young monk and spiritual revolutionary's call to us to wake up and manifest our divine nature without fear or limitation. Strength and truth on every page.

[Drew]

It doesn’t seem right for me to rate a book like Vedanta Voice of Freedom. I’m very glad I read it—a brilliant introduction to the Vedanta flavor of Hinduism. Swami Vivekananda spoke at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 and took the Western world by storm. He ended up speaking in churches and universities throughout the US and Europe. Vivekananda was a brilliant, learned, articulate and engaging young man and spiritual giant. The book is a series of his lectures. Huston Smith wrote the Preface. I will return to this good book on occasion.

[Sundarraj Kaushik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to get started on, what else, Vedanta. The sections on Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga are a treat to read.

The whole book is readable. The only jarring sections are the ones where there is a comparison to Christianity. This is because many of the lectures were made in the West and it was unavoidable to avoid comparison or part discourse of Christianity.

On the whole a very good book to read.

[Anish Sharma]

how to read online this book

[Vishal Vishu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book the modern world needs. We are living in times where humanity is in conflict with polarizing views over religion. While some religions are moving ahead with the only motive of expansion, some are struggling to survive and many are on the verge of extinction .

This is a treatise and a potpurrie of different philosophical thoughts primarily based on Sanatana Dharma. Swami Vivekananda tries to separate the inter woven thoughts between Philosphy, Religion and Spirituality and lays emphasis on the Message and not the Messenger.

This is a book that breathes Spirituality with Rationality and does not mince any words when it comes to criticizing Superstitions.

Read this
IF YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL ASPIRANT
IF YOU ARE A SEEKER OF TRUTH
IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT THOUGHTS OF PHILOSOPHY
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SIMPLE WORK ON PHILOSOPHY
IF YOU BELIEVE IN EXISTENCE OF GOD
IF YOU ARE AN ATHEIST
IF YOU ARE HUMAN BEING
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FOOD TO FEED YOUR INNER IMMORTAL SELF

[Nicholas]

I'm fairly religiously literate, but I struggled with this book. I found the abrupt and unannounced tonal shifts among historical, homiletic, philosophical, and apologetic materials hard to follow. For a path of undogmatic self-discovery, there is a lot of lecturing here (in the soaring, and distracting, rhetorical style of the nineteenth century), and for all Swami's protestations that Vedanta is a gracious universal philosophy that embraces all creeds, he veers often into (equally grandiloquent and dated) condemnations of "Western man." As when I read Alan Watts, for instance, I was distracted by the sweep of Swami's religious agenda and by the sheer volume of his confidence. Less drawn to gurus than to devotees, I wished for a more down-to-earth and contemporary introduction to the magnificent philosophy of Vedanta.

[Vivek Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional work by Swami Chetanananda who beautifully compiled the great lectures of Swami Vivekananda from different places , if you are a beginner in Advait Vedanta then this book will help you to get insight of it , includes a series of references of Swami Vivekananda's work , Swami's language is some times tough to understand the lectures sometimes seems to be given by an ancient sage in the fancy construct of Sanskrit shlokas , you may need help of a teacher of the Ramakrishna order to get the exact meaning of the words and terminology , i personally follow Swami Sarvapriyananda head of Vedanta society New York , his videos on YouTube may help you to get an essence of swami Vivekananda's work and much more .

[Richa Kewalramani · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached…” In this book, you will find introduction to vedantic teachings, and an intellectual discourse on the rationale and practical aspects of these teachings. Swami Vivekananda has gone to painstaking lengths to strip away superstitions and materialism, and help mankind realize its own divinity.

Hands down the most life-transforming book that I have ever read.

[Sanjay Bose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief description of vedanta

The book gives insight of vedanta knowledge. It also give a brief discussion about hindu philosophy. A lot discussion has been done on all four type of yoga. It has explained four type of yoga in great details. One need not read any scripture. This book alone is sufficient for details understanding of hindu philosophy.

[Avo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Masterpiece

A masterful expression of spiritual and practical wisdom. I highly recommend reading Vedanta: Voice of Freedom after reading Jnana Yoga by Swami Vivekanada. Jnana Yoga (pronounced Gyana Yoga) goes deep into understanding the illusions that keep us from truly experiencing our true self, the Atman.

[Oleg · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting view of one of the most popular Hinduism branches. This book gives a good overview of what is Vedanta, how to practice Vedanta in your everyday yogic experience, what Vedanta stands for and what is the place of this philosophy in the world

[Samar Sisodia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly Powerful

The most powerful book I gave ever read! Saving it for rereading it. Powerful message from the great thinker of the east.

[Gopal Bandyopadhyay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book

[BHARAT MANSUKHANI · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowledge Based

Great book well presented increases Knowledge Power. This is a keeper. I have always been intrigued by this subject. I enjoyed every page of the book

[Shantharam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning. One of the books I closely keep.

[Kamalpreet Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. It should be read with open mind irrespective of race or religion.

[Avinash Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often searched for a spiritual Guru in my life. It ends with Vivekanand. This book has transformed me and it will do the same to anyone seeking truth and liberation.

[Zhenghu Maolong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and insightful. Needful for today’s society.

[Katrin Josephine Van de Velde · Rating 4 out of 5]

***(*)

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not concise or Feely enough

[Ujjwal Chaturvedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only Book Capable of Representing Hinduism in it's Truest Form.