Life of Sri Ramanuja


Book Description

Rare and blessed is the occasion when a saint, an illumined soul, Swami Ramakrishnananda, a direct-disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, undertakes the task of writing a biography of an Acharya, a world-teacher, Sri Ramanuja. No writer, however erudite and accomplished, can bring to his work that revealing insight which a saint does by virtue of his illumination. From this point of view, the biography of Sri Ramanuja in Bengali, authored by Swami Ramakrishnananda, is a unique work. Whether one belongs to the ranks of orthodox followers or to those of the heterodox, going through the pages of this book, one would surely feel the devotional fervour the author had for Sri Ramanuja. The book was translated into English by Swami Buddhananda, Interspersed with more than 150 colour photographs, annotated with many additional notes, and additional material appended, this new edition of the book, brought out to commemorate Sri Ramanuja’s 1000th Birth Year, will surely communicate the transforming power of the great life of a mighty and magnanimous world-teacher written by an illustrious apostle of another great world-teacher.







Spirituality in Modern Literature


Book Description

Fictional literature, when enkindled with spiritual ideas, creates an appeal that transcends time and place. This has been the case with many literary works produced in India and other parts of the world, and this is so even in our modern times characterized by consumerist culture that hardly sees below the surface of things. A compilation from ‘Prabuddha Bharata’, this book presents to the readers, through a series of articles, a systematic record of some of those writers who added the spiritual dimension to their fictional works in India and the Americas. Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math




The Complete Works of Swami Ramakrishnananda Volume - 2


Book Description

This book is the second of the three-volume Complete Works, which comprises the writings, letters, lectures, conversations, and reports of Swami Ramakrishnananda, a direct monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. Affectionately known as Shashi Maharaj, the Swami pioneered the Ramakrishna movement in southern India. He was a great thinker, prolific writer, forceful speaker, and above all, a God-realised soul. This book, which is divided into three parts, comprises the following works of Swami Ramakrishnananda: (1) the writings, class notes and reports on Ramakrishna-Vivekananda; (2) Sri Krishna, Pastoral and King Maker and God and Divine Incarnations; and (3) The Soul of Man. It also comprises a short biographical sketch of the illustrious Swami for the benefit of the readers. This book is a treasure trove of spirituality and is a must-read for all the devotees and the admirers of the Ramakrishna movement.




Great Saints of India


Book Description

Saints are the great souls who have devoted their life, energy and experience for the welfare of the people. They are extraordinary human beings having great wisdom, vast experience and character worthy of imitation. They gifted everything to the world without seeking fame or any kind of gain. Welfare of the world was their sole objective. India has been blessed from time immemorial by the advent of innumerable saints. In this book you can read the stories of some of these known saints.




Icons of Grace


Book Description

The path to spiritual understanding can be a confusing one. The manic pace of the present age has loosened the threads that tied our ancestors to prayer and faith. But role models could still help us find our way back. In Icons of Grace, respected ISKCON monk Nityanand Charan Das introduces readers to the lives of twenty-one extraordinary people who served as spiritual guides, through their teachings and through personal example. At one level, the lives of these great souls-from Mirabai and Ramanujacharya to Sant Tukaram and Adi Shankaracharya-are a practical demonstration of the most essential spiritual principles. In relating them, though, Nityanand Charan Das aims not just to record the richness of their cultural and spiritual legacies but also to convey to readers the lessons one can learn through one's daily actions and choices. Icons of Grace is inspiring. It also offers hope: however imperfect our journey has been thus far, spiritual redemption is accessible to us all.




Hinduism


Book Description

An invaluable encyclopedia of Hinduism Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions; an amalgam of diverse beliefs and schools, it originates in the Vedas and is rooted in Indian culture. Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide illuminates complex philosophical concepts through lucid definitions, a historical perspective and incisive analyses. It examines various aspects of Hinduism, covering festivals and rituals, gods and goddesses, philosophers, memorials, aesthetics, and sacred plants and animals. The author also explores pivotal ideas, including moksha, karma, dharma and samsara, and details the diverse commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita and other important texts. Citing extensively from the regional languages, the book describes Hinduism’s innumerable myths and legends, and looks at the many versions of texts including the Ramayana and Mahabharata, placing each entry in its historical context and tracing its evolution to the present. • Outlines all eighteen major Puranas, the 108 Upanishads, and a selection of Vaishnava, Sahiva and Tantric texts • Provides quotations from rare original texts • A product of years of research, with a wide range of entries




The Bhagavad-Gita for the Modern Reader


Book Description

What is the Bhagavad-Gita? Is it just a religious text? When was it composed? How relevant is it to the modern world? This book answers these foundational questions and more. It critically examines the Bhagavad-Gita in terms of its liberal, humanist and inclusive appeal, bringing out its significance for both present times and novel applications. The author elaborates the philosophy underlying the text as well as its ethical and spiritual implications. He also responds to criticisms that have been levelled against the text by Ambedkar, D. D. Kosambi and, more recently, Amartya Sen. With additional material including chapter summaries of the Bhagavad-Gita, the second edition of the volume proposes new ways of utilising the text in diverse fields, such as business and management and scientific research. Eclectic and accessible, this work will be of interest to scholars of philosophy, religion, history, business and management studies, as well as the general reader.




The Life of Sri Ramanuja


Book Description




Major Socio -Religious Reform Movements in India


Book Description

The 6th century B.C. is viewed as a significant age of world history.The term "prehistoric age" refers to the period of time prior to that century. However, historical evidence began to emerge in the sixth century B.C. Thus, the historical period began in the sixth century B.C., which adds significance to that period. India was home to the people who established two major religions in the sixth century B.C.The founders of Jainism and Buddhism were Mahavira Jina and Gautama Buddha, respectively.There was sufficient literature written about Jina and Buddha and their religions.Even though the Buddhist and Jaina literature had a religious bent, they also had a lot of information about the political and social conditions of the time.These writings could be used to write history.The greatness and splendor of the sixth century B.C. were brought about by the rise of Jainism and Buddhism