Varanasi (Kashi), widely acclaimed as the "Eternal City," is as old as history itself. Mention of Kashi is found even in the Vedas.  Naturally the question arises: How did Varanasi stand the onslaught of Western culture through British rule in the later eighteenth century? Varanasi is also regarded as the main seat of traditional Hindu culture and the religious headquarters of Hinduism. Are such claims justified?

An honest attempt to answer these questions and present a comprehensive account of the city within the time-frame of 1781 and 1857 has been made in this volume. Readers will also find interesting and important pieces of information, some of which were hitherto unknown, regarding the deities and temples, fairs and festivals, mahallas, markets and ghats, learning and literary pursuits, residents and visitors, and miscellaneous ideas and practices of this ancient city as we see them today.

The author, Swami Medhasananda is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order, and presently the head of its center in Japan.

but, while Hinduism includes aspects of Indian culture, Vedanta is universal in its application and is equally relevant to all countries, all cultures, and all religious backgrounds A succinct and very readable overview.

Foreward – by Christopher Isherwood
Preface – by Huston Smith
Introduction: Vedanta and Vivekananda – by Swami Chetanananda

A skillfully selected compilation of Vivekananda's essential ideas:

What is Vedanta?

The Philosophy of Vedanta

The Religion of Vedanta

God and Man in Vedanta

The Concept of Maya

Karma Yoga (The Path of Action)

Jnana Yoga (The Path of Knowledge)

Bhakti Yoga (The Path of Devotion)

Raja Yoga (The Path of Meditation)

Vedanta in Practice

The Goal of Vedanta

The Universality of Vedanta

Con prefacios de Christopher Isherwood y Huston Smith.

A collection of articles and lectures given by Swami Swahananda on many aspects of the message of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda. The author, a senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order, has taught for many years in the West and is an articulate interpreter of modern Vedanta.

The author responds to the intense spiritual searching he finds in the world today.

A book all about Vedanta taken from informal class talks given by the Swami.

A compilation of thought-provoking lectures given by the Swami at MIT. They help the reader to understand the principle of Oneness contained the most ancient vedantic scriptures which naturally harmonizes different religions and and transcends belief systems.

Quietly and without much ado the (Vedanta) societies took hold in the land, a tiny, almost symbolic presence of South Asia exported to America. A valuable, objective historical study.