This book is excellent, but of course only then, if one really wants to get a lot of Shiva mantrams. It's stuffed from beginning to end with one mantram after the other, each in Sanskrit, first in the Devanagari script, then in Sanskrit but transliterated and then in English. Among the mantrams one finds for instance the thousand names of shiva, the arati etc. There are few small photographs, which show mudras needed during the pujas. But if one does not know pujas from personal attendance, it's difficult to use, understand and apply those mudras. There are also a few Yantras.

So the book is to recommend to everyone, who practices any form of Shaiva sadhana, independent of the philosophy. Pujas are not explained in this book, rather one gets the mantras for it. But one can use the mantras without pujas, as well.

The Fire Ceremony (Yajna) is an integral part of Hinduism. Yajna, which means the union of the two fires, one of internal spiritual enlightenment mirroring the ceremonial fire altar, is a core part of Siva Puja. This union is the sacrifice of an individual's egotism, duality, selfishness and other asuras. Puja means "the actions which give birth to the highest merit." By doing Puja, we practice what it would be like for God to visit our homes. The Siva Puja and Advanced Yajna book goes into the intricate details of worshipping the great deity, Mahadeva. Siva allegorizes Infinite Goodness and Continual Transformation; the literal translation of Siva is "the welfare of all objects of perception." He is inconceivably limitless and by worshipping him, we can cultivate and imbibe some of His great qualities, such as Detachment, and Infinite Consciousness. We learn to recognize that the intrinsic reality is not the external appearance and this wisdom frees us from pain and fear. Swamiji is most encouraging in his guidance and continuously helps us along in our quest for divine grace. He says, "Worship does not mean the memorization of mantras, or even the proper placement of the flowers and other objects. Worship is an attitude of respect, of dedication, of devotion to the exclusion of selfishness...." In this manner, we can all become a part of Lord Siva.

This book would be priceless if it only contained the Lalita Trisati Strotram, the song containing the 300 names of the Beautiful, Playful, Beloved Goddess. These are the songs which bring the most pleasure to the Goddess. Enjoy it!But this book also contains the profound Guru Gita loved by millions and treasured by devotees all over the world in a new sacred translation which conveys with its poetry the very attitude of devotion necessary to approach the Guru.It also presents the Kasyapa Sutras in a lively description of Swamiji and Shree Maa in action teaching their devotees. As Swamiji explains the ancient Sanskrit teachings which offer a firm foundation for spiritual practice and Shree Maa adds her sublime wisdom and her inspired singing, you will feel as though you are seated at the feet of the Supreme Guru.You don't have to go to India!Let these Divine Teachers show you how to find Truth within.

The Guru and the Goddess is really three seperate books under one cover. I was surprised to see such a wealth of knowledge in one book. I found this rare culmination of Hindu wisdom to be extremely illuminating.

The author's treatment of the Kasyapa Sutras is quite unique in that it is the only series of classes by Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda that is currently in print. Swami Satyananda is a student of Vedic philosophy who has actually lived these ancient teachings. His twenty years studying with various Gurus and the fact that he spent his formative years growing up in California have made him a unique translator of eastern wisdom. In this series of classes, Swami explains the Kasyapa Sutra's to a group of western students. His practical, accessible teaching style allows the students and therefore the reader to apply these ancient teaching to our hectic, western life. In addition, questions from the students and comments and songs from the Swami's Guru, Shree Maa make this a most delightful and informative work.

The second section of the book is comprised of Swami Satyananda's translation of the Guru Gita. As in all his Sanskrit translations, Swami has the ability to make Sanskrit scriptures comprehensible to the western reader. The Guru Gita is the most important scripture for understanding the relationship between Guru and disciple and is a crucial text for anyone who is interested in the Guru disciple relationship.

The Lalita Trishati is a joyful rendition of the three hundred names of this playful Goddess. This is a very engaging scripture for any lover of the Divine Mother. It is very rare to find an English translation of these mantras. The combination of Sanskrit and Roman phonetic transliteration allows the reader to utilize this scripture immediately as one of the foundations for their spiritual practice.

This incredible book contains such a wealth of spiritual wisdom. There is so much to absorb that you could literally work with this one book for the rest of your life and be completely satisfied. I would recommend this book highly.

Mahavir Nanda

I cant praise this book enough. This book answers questions about life that I didn't know could be answered. Krisnapada writes like he was born under a banyon tree listening to ancient swami secrets, took that knowledge to a modern day University and crashed it all together to make up the truth. I could not put this book down.

a must-have it! book for every inteligent person this book gonna change the way of see life or will open more your eyes!

I read this series of books and found it to be full of a lot of information on all subjects. I enjoyed it very much, and have recomended it to my friends who wanted to know more on one of the most dynamic personalities in the last 500 years, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprapbu, whose birth and life are documented in this wonderful translation. His life has had an influence on the entire world. When you read the series you will understand what I am talking about.

This is a classic devotional texts composed by a great Vaisnava saint in the 17th century. It expounds on the life and teachings of the Medival Saint and Avatar, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who started a spiritual revolution in medival India, a time charaterized by materialism. Originally written in Bengali, this masterpeice has been translated by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, who has added extraordinary commentary to the nectarean verses. This is a must read for all serious spiritual seekers.

This book is a special gift of God to us

This book is pure wisdom! Perfect for the serious seeker

This book is really like ten or twenty spiritual books in one, because it's teachings are so dense with wisdom, yet easy to understand. I have many of Satchidanada's books and he is my favorite author on living a spiritual life. This was the first of his books I read- they're all wonderful! Believe me, his books WILL change your life for the better, no matter what religion you are. I feel truly blessed to have found his teachings at the young age of 23, for now, whenever I need that life guidance, I just open up one of his books and all answers are given, and more, in very easy to understand words...

Excellent book. Very simple writing. Gives the feeling as the teacher is talking face to face to the reader! You will feel like reading it again and again. It will help to read repeatedly at intervals of months for betterment of ones life. I feel like giving it as a gift for everyone I know.

Those trying to quit smoking at least should read the 4 pages section on "How to stop smoking".

In essence it is an encyclopedia of etiquette for daily living, but short and simple.

I first picked up the Bhagavad Gita translated by Stephen Mitchell, and began from there- however after reading Krishna's testment to Uddhava, I now am able understand more of both, and appreciate them in greater light.

I would reccomend reading the Uddhava Gita before the Bhagavad Gita, as this translation will greatly enhance your understanding of the Song of the Beloved One. After these, The Upanisads, Dhammapada, and the Vedas will become many times more meaningful.

This is an excellent book for Bhagavan Krishna devotees. It teaches a path of devotion to reach Him. Ambikananda Saraswati gives a brief dialogue overview at the beginning and meanings of key terms. Excellent book...everyone should read it.

Vedanta is another name of Hinduism. The basic teaching of Vedanta is that man is inherently Divine and Free. It is a delusion that makes man feel impure, bound and limited. Thus the voice of Vedanta is a clarion call to manifestation of the Divinity and Freedom to which we truly are heirs. Swami Vivekananda was the first Indian in modern times to effetively spread this message in the West. This book contains a brilliant compilation from Swami Vivekananda's lectures, writings and letters. The book is compiled by Swami Chetanananda, a senior monk of the Sri Ramakrishna Order, which was founded by Swami Vivekananda. The book is well organized. The language is very clear and forceful. The book is a very good introduction to anyone who is interested in Indian Philosophy and Religion, especially Hinduism, ie. Vedanta. Readers who are already in touch with Hinduism will get their ideas much more clearer and well organized by reading this book.

This book is a compliation of lectures delivered by the great swami on the subject of vedanta.( I don't want to give any explanation onvedanta at the moment since I feel that that won't help you in anyway)But I believe that once the book is read, the reader willdefinitely find the truest meaning of the term " vedanta" by himself/herself through the instrumentality of Swamiji. Reading of chapters will not do. Alongwith,the reader should digest, atleast try to digest, the inner meaning of those lectures,to ponder over the same and to seek guide from those who mastered theart of living . Vedanta is not meant for one particular community or sect.as is widely believed. It's for everyone. The meaning of vedanta is " the end of knowledge". For those who feel " the frustration of anxiety "in life and those who feel " dullness from abundant availability" , this book is the penacca. It's justlike listening to the voice of Swamiji. If you dive deep into the teachings,not only you feel the warmth of Swamiji; you feel yourself too. I don't mind begging you to read this book. Advance congratulations...

I bought this book the moment I saw it. I have read a detailed biography of Swami Vivekananda (in two volumes by his east and west disciples) and this book complements it very well by providing all available pictures of Swamiji. The firm, clear and practical message of the Swamiji to both his countrymen and the west of both their achievements and needs is beautifully brought out in this book with precise and apt quotations. A must for all seekers of harmony and peace in the society..

A must for all Swami Vivekananda followers. The photographs are simply amazing and mostly been seen for the first time.

I read a book years ago about Sri Ramakrishna, his life and teachings. Then a few years later I came across Vevakananda, his desciple. Then I read THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, by Vedanta which gave so much more meaning to Jesus' teachings that I had been having trouble with for years. And now THE WISDOM OF VEDANTA. It's taken 30 years but I believe this latest book has brought it all together for me. I highly recommend it to all who have spent their lives searching. I keep this one on my nightstand.

Vedanta has its origin in the Upanishads of ancient India. Swami Abhayananda tells the story of Vedanta (its origins, its universal applications, and its practice) in The Wisdom Of Vedanta, a compendium of his talks examining the philosophy and art of Self-Realization from many perspectives derived from his more than 25 years of insightful study and experience. The Wisdom Of Vedanta is a welcome addition to the reading list for all students of enlightenment, metaphysics, and the teachings of the Upanishads.