Recommended Reading 

Sanskrit Reading List

  • [ link ] sanskrit reading list provided by a renowned sanskrit connoisseur. 

Ramayana / Mahabharata / Bhagavatam

I want to mention three versions of this triad --
  1. C. Rajagopalachari -- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
  2. Kamala Subramaniam -- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
  3. Srinivasachariar & P.P.S Sastri -- Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institue
Rajagopalachari has only translated the Ramayana and Mahabharata, but this translations are very popular. Kamala Subramaniam's editions are also well read, and are not as abridged as Rajagopalachari's works. 

The last edition is not as well known. These three works are "condensed in the poet's own words". Srinivasachariar has provided us with a number of slokas from the original work in sanskrit, along with a simple english translation. The slokas are carefully selected to provide an abridged version of the story.


Yoga, Enlightenment and Perfection

Yoga, enlightenment and perfect -- of his holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal.

Excerpts from the introduction: "This book extensively deals with Acharyal's spiritual practices right up to their culmination ... Acharyal recounted to me the full details of His divine sport of practising spiritual disciplines and attaining enlightenment and jivanmukti ... I have reproduced as faithfully as I could the various conversaitons during which my revered Guru did so."

God Lived with Them

God lived with them -- Life stories of sixteen monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. Swami Chetanananda.

Excerpts from the back cover reviews: "God lived with them shows how Sri Ramakrishna affected those who knew him best, and how he inspired them to dedicate their whole lives to his message and mission. We learn how these fascinating figures grew as individual persons, each finding his own way to be true to Sri Ramakrishna's heritage, doing their work in India and the West."

Meditation and Spiritual Life

Meditation and Spiritual Life by Swami Yatiswarananda. 

Excerpts from the back cover: "This book, a compilation of class-talks given by the author to groups of earnest spiritual aspirants ... is a practical manual of spiritual life with special emphasis on meditation ... It is specially intended for those who sincerely practice prayer, japa and meditation, and are eager to attain some spiritual fulfilment."

Aghora

Aghora -- at the left hand of God. Robert E. Svoboda. 

Excerpts from the introduction: "This is the story of the Aghori Vimalananda ... the true Aghori cannot be recognized by any external sign or mark ... some of the events described in this book may well offend the reader's sensitivities. Part of this was Vimalananda's intention. He wanted Western holier-than-thou renunciates to know that "filth and orgies in the graveyard" (as one American once described Aghora) can be as conducive to spiritual advancement as can asanas, pranayama, and other "purer" disciplines ... He never tired of telling us, "Don't take anything I say as gospel truth. I am human, I make mistakes. Test on yourselves what I've told you. Try it out, experience it, and then you will know whether or not I'm telling you the truth. When you examine a gem you must evaluate it from all its facets before you can decide on its value." Here then is Vimalananda, for your evaluation."

Other books by Dr. Svoboda include the following.
  • The Greatness of Saturn: A Therapeutic Myth
  • Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution
  • Vastu: Breathing Life into Space