Are you looking for Swami Vivekananda Books? In this article, I list 28 books which are must-reads to understand the thoughts, ideals and philosophies of Swamiji.
Swami Vivekananda was an Indian Hindu monk, public speaker, Vedanta philosopher and Yoga practitioner. He was the chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
He is best remembered as the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission and the Ramakrishna Math.
His speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893 brought him International fame. It introduced the concept and philosophy to the Western World.
Named Narendra Nath Datta at birth by his aristocratic Bengali parents in Calcutta, he is considered a patriotic saint for propagating the message of Vedanta in the west through hundreds of speeches and lectures.
His works are still read by millions of followers even today. Some of his other books are Sangeet Kalpataru, Karma Yoga, and Lectures from Colombo to Almora, Raja Yoga and Vedanta Philosophy: An address before the Graduate Philosophical Society.
Table of Contents
- 1. Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (9 vols.)
- 2. Raja-Yoga (1896)
- 3. Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Action (1896)
- 4. Meditation and Its Methods
- 5. Jnana-Yoga (1899)
- 6. Teachings of Swami Vivekananda
- 7. Swami Vivekananda on Himself
- 8. Vedanta: Voice of Freedom
- 9. Lectures from Colombo to Almora
- 10. Lectures on Bhagavad Gita
- 11. Inspired Talks by Swami Vivekananda
- 12. Letters of Swami Vivekananda
- 13. My India: The India Eternal
- 14. Powers of The Mind
- 15. Chicago Addresses
- 16. My Master
- 17. Essentials of Hinduism
- 18. Living at the Source
- 19. My Idea of Education
- 20. Work and Its Secret
- 21. Steps to Realisation
- 22. To the Youth of India
- 23. Pearls of Wisdom
- 24. Women of India
- 25. Life after Death
- 26. The East and the West
- 27. Religion of Love
- 28. Pathways to Joy: The Master Vivekananda on the Four Yoga Paths to God
1. Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (9 vols.)
Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda (9 vols.) is an exhaustive collection of Swami Vivekananda’s speeches and works.
It brings together his thoughts on Vedanta, philosophy, and human consciousness. His teachings in these volumes convey the core meaning of Vedanta philosophy in an easy-to-understand way.
2. Raja-Yoga (1896)
This book, as the title suggests, is a book by Swami Vivekananda on Raja Yoga. It contains, for the most part, his interpretation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
This book was written keeping his Western audience and reader in mind.
The book begins with a brief introduction to Yoga. It explains various techniques for practising basic Yoga exercises like Prânâyâma, Pratyâhâra, Dhyâna, Samâdhi etc.
The book also provides insights into developing concentration and the powers of practising Yoga.
3. Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Action (1896)
Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Action is a book of lectures by Swami Vivekananda, as transcribed by Joseph Josiah Goodwin.
The main subject of the book is Karma (Work) and Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). Vivekananda uses the concept of Karma as described in the Bhagavad Gita to explain his philosophy.
The final message is that work is worship and a path to enlightenment.
4. Meditation and Its Methods
Meditation and Its Methods is divided into two sections:
- Meditation according to Yoga and
- Meditation according to Vedanta.
Vivekananda’s views on meditation are sprinkled throughout his “Complete Works”. These various views, thoughts, opinions, and lectures are compiled to make this book.
5. Jnana-Yoga (1899)
Jnana Yoga or The Yoga of Knowledge is a book of lectures by Swami Vivekananda as transcribed by Joseph Josiah Goodwin. These lectures were delivered mostly in New York.
In this book, Vivekananda explains the knowledge of the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita in a scientific manner.
According to him, knowledge is the ultimate goal. It is only knowledge which can give us freedom from Maya or illusion.
The book also touches upon other important Hindu philosophies like the atman, cosmos, immortality etc.
Jnana-Yoga, along with Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, and Raja-Yoga, is a classic book on Hindu philosophy.
6. Teachings of Swami Vivekananda
Teachings of Swami Vivekananda comprises a choice collection of his speeches, quotes, and teachings. These are categorised into 44 suitable sections.
This is a perfect book for a beginner reader looking to start Vivekananda’s books.
It is suitable for those who cannot make the time to go through his voluminous writings.
7. Swami Vivekananda on Himself
This book is a biography of Swami Vivekananda written in an autobiographical manner. It was first published in 1963.
The publishers have picked up excerpts from his various books and written them in the first-person voice.
The life and different incidents of Swami Vivekananda’s life have been documented in this book.
8. Vedanta: Voice of Freedom
Vedanta: Voice of Freedom presents the spiritual wisdom of India as it has evolved over five thousand years. It does so in a clear, easy and concise form.
The book is a compilation of Vivekananda’s ideas on the subject of Vedanta. The ideas have been sourced from his various speeches and books.
9. Lectures from Colombo to Almora
After visiting the West, Vivekananda reached Colombo on 15 January 1897.
From there he proceeded to India and was received as a hero. He went around the country making speeches to thousands of people who were eager to hear him.
Lectures from Colombo to Almora is a collection of many of those speeches.
10. Lectures on Bhagavad Gita
This book would be useful to people who are trying to understand the Gita.
“Lectures on the Bhagavad Gita” is an anthology of Vivekananda’s writings, opinions and comments on the sacred Hindu text.
The Bhagavad Gita was a lifelong companion of Swami Vivekananda and he used to carry one wherever he went.
All these lectures were delivered in 1900 and were recorded by Ida Ansell in shorthand.
11. Inspired Talks by Swami Vivekananda
In 1895, Vivekananda conducted a series of private lectures to groups of selected disciples. These lectures were recorded by one of the disciples, Sara Ellen Waldo (who was later known as Haridasi).
Inspired Talks by Swami Vivekananda was first published in 1909 by The Ramakrishna Mission.
12. Letters of Swami Vivekananda
Letters of Swami Vivekananda is a close look at the personality and spirit of Swami Vivekananda as seen through his letters.
In this book, the reader gets a picture of Vivekananda that is untouched by any biographer.
The letters have been arranged in chronological order for the benefit of the reader. The letters show the plan of his work and the means he wanted to adopt for the fulfilment of his mission.
In the end, the book also has notes on the persons who are mentioned in these letters.
13. My India: The India Eternal
My India: The India Eternal talks about India’s past, its present and Vivekananda’s vision for its future.
Swami Vivekananda talks about the duties of India’s youth and the path they must follow to make India a great nation.
The book also includes his comments on education and religion.
14. Powers of The Mind
This is a booklet but packs more information than other volumes written on the subject of mind.
It is a lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda in Los Angeles on January 8th, 1900.
Powers of The Mind talks about the infinite possibilities and powers hidden within the human mind. It also explains how the powers of the mind can be unlocked using Yoga.
15. Chicago Addresses
Swami Vivekananda attained global fame because of his speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.
Chicago Addresses contains those lectures delivered by him.
Through these speeches, Swamiji wished to impart the teachings of Vedanta to the world. The core theme of his lecture was – brotherhood and universal acceptance.
16. My Master
While in the West, Swami Vivekananda mostly talked about and preached the beauties of Vedanta. But on two occasions – in New York and England – he talked about his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa.
My Master contains both those lectures in which Swamiji discusses his Master’s life right from his birth in 1836 to his evolution from Gadadhar Chattopadhyay (Pre-monastic name of Ramakrishna) to Ramakrishna Paramhamsa.
17. Essentials of Hinduism
This book is a detailed account of Hinduism.
It begins by describing the word ‘Hindu’ and goes on to discuss the various schools of thought in Hinduism.
It stresses upon the Vedanta Philosophy and the Advaita system. The book also talks about the various Hindu scriptures, Smritis and sects in Hinduism.
Swami Vivekananda discusses other deeper topics like the theory of creation, law of karma, aatma, mukti, idol worship, guru, divine incarnations and much more.
18. Living at the Source
This book has many inspirational messages which have been selected from the various writings, speeches and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
The book is ideal for people seeking to live a spiritual life but are busy with their everyday material life.
19. My Idea of Education
Swami Vivekananda had many insightful and deep thoughts on education – a subject very close to his heart.
In My Idea of Education, he writes about the philosophy of education, the relationship between society and education, and The Teacher.
Swamiji presents some brilliant ideas on educating the masses and women – concepts which were far ahead of their times in India.
Swamiji also writes about the importance of practical experience, mother tongue and concentration.
The book ends with one of the main goals of a good education – Character Building.
20. Work and Its Secret
Work and Its Secret is based on the speech by Swami Vivekananda in Los Angeles, California on January 4th, 1900.
In it, Swamiji talks about giving equal importance to both the means and the end while doing work.
He emphasises that the major reason for failure is a lack of attention while doing work.
Swamiji draws upon the lessons of the Bhagavad Gita to emphasise this point.
21. Steps to Realisation
Steps to Realisation explains the secrets of self-realisation.
The book begins by explaining the concept of organs – the external organs i.e., eyes, nose, and mouth are mentioned as instruments and internal organs i.e., brain, and heart are considered as organs.
Swami Vivekananda explains the importance of shutting down the instruments to activate the organs –
“So in order to control the mind, we must first be able to control these organs. To restrain the mind from wandering outward or inward, and keep the organs in their respective centres”.
Other important concepts like Shama, Dama, Uparati, Titikshâ, Shraddhâ, Samâdhâna, and Mumukshutva which lead to self-realisation are also explained.
22. To the Youth of India
To the Youth of India is a collection of some of the rousing and inspiring lectures that Swami Vivekananda delivered to vast audiences in India and Sri Lanka after his rise to fame.
It has some of the best messages that can be given to the youth of India.
This book is recommended for all young minds and should be definitely read by girls and boys alike.
23. Pearls of Wisdom
The content of this book is derived from “Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda”.
Pearls of Wisdom is a collection of all the quotes and thoughts by Swamiji, grouped into different themes like love, knowledge, leader etc.
These quotes have inspired many people over the years and will surely inspire many others in the future.
24. Women of India
Women of India is based on the lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda at the Shakespeare Club House, in Pasadena, California, on January 18, 1900.
The content is focused on the position of women in Indian society.
Swamiji touches upon the glory and stature of Indian women and tries to clear some of the misunderstandings that Westerners might have about Indian women –
“Now, the ideal woman in India is the mother, the mother first, and the mother last.”
Swamiji also narrates the difference between the concept of women in the East and the West.
25. Life after Death
Perhaps no other subject has haunted the human mind, right from the hoary past, with such unerring consistency as the one regarding life and death.
Is man mortal or immortal? What is reincarnation? What happens when a man dies?
Every man is forced to ask these questions at some juncture in his life.
Life after Death by Swami Vivekananda provides brief but clear answers to these fundamental questions.
26. The East and the West
In The East and the West, Swami Vivekananda makes a comparative study of Eastern and Western cultures.
The book is divided into six chapters – Customs, Food and Cooking, Civilisation in Dress, Etiquette and Manners, France — Paris and Progress in Civilisation.
27. Religion of Love
Religion of Love is based on a lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda in London on November 16, 1895.
Swamiji classifies love into 5 types –
- Shânta, a common, peaceful love, with such thoughts as those of fatherhood and help
- Dâsya, the ideal of service
- Vâtsalya, God as mother or child.
- Sakhya, God as a friend.
- Madhura, sweetest love, the love of husband and wife.
28. Pathways to Joy: The Master Vivekananda on the Four Yoga Paths to God
Pathways to Joy is a collection of 108 of the best teachings of Swami Vivekananda on Vedanta Philosophy.
Swamiji illustrates the four classical yoga paths – Karma, Bhakti, Raja and Jnana.
The messages focus on the oneness of existence; the divinity of the soul; the truth in all religions; and unifying with the Divine within.
Invaluable and inspiring, the selections also explore karma, maya, rebirth, and other great revelations of Hinduism.
