Concise Yoga Vasistha

Description

The Concise Yoga Vasistha a clear, provocative summary of one of the leading texts of Hinduism. Swami Venkatesananda continues the long tradition of elaborating on and clarifying the teachings of the sage Vasistha. It captures the verve of the original text while eliminating needless repetition. For the specialist, this book makes available a handy guide to the original Sanskrit without sacrificing philosophical depth. To the comparative religionist, it provides an occasion for understanding how Hinduism has been able to accommodate seemingly opposite schools of thought without giving way to the platitudes which mar many syncretic movements.

Reviews

"It is really quite a readable translation, and a good abridgement of an extremely long text. It includes most of the things that I like best in the Yoga Vasistha leaves out most of what I like least. It is certainly far and away the best thing available on this text, a text that never should have been neglected as it has been and never would have, had a translation as good as this been available." -- Wendy D. O'Flaherty

Table of contents

Preface Introduction Section One: On Dispassion Section Two: On the Behavior of a Seeker The Story of Suka Self Effort Section Three: On Creation The Story of Lia the Story of Karkati The Story of the Sons of Indu The Story of Ahalya The Story of the Great Forest The Story of the Three Non-Existent Princes The Story of Lavana Section Four: On Existence The Story of Sukra The Story of Dama, Vyala and Kata The Story of Bhima, Bhasa and Drdha The Story of Dasura Kaca's Story Section Five: On Dissolution The Story of King Janaka The Story of Punya and Pavana The Story of Bali The Story of Prahlada The Story of Gadhi The Story of Uddalaka The Story of Suraghu The Story of Bhasa and Vilasa The Story of Vitahavya Section Six: On Liberation Discourse on Brahman The Story of Bhusunda Description of the Lord Deva Puja The Story of the Wood-apple the Story of the Rock The Story of Arjuna The Story of the Hundrew Rudra The Story of the Vampire The Story of Bhagiratha The Story of Sikhidvaja and Cudala The Story of the Philosopher's Stone The Story of the Foolish Elephant The Story of Kaca The Story of the Deluded Man The Story of Vipascit The Story of the Hunter and the Sage The World Within the Rock The Story of the Sage from Outer Space The Story of Bhrngisa The Story of Iksvaku The Story of the Hunter and the Deer The Seven States of Yoga Bibliography Index