The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (sutras) compiled by the sage Patanjali around 400 CE. It provides a systematic framework for understanding the mind and achieving spiritual liberation. Patanjali defines yoga as the "cessation of the fluctuations of the mind-stuff"). The goal is to still the mental activity so that the "seer" (true self) can abide …

Isha Upanishad or Īśopaniṣad holds a pre-eminent position in the age-old spiritual tradition of India. It forms the last chapter of the Shukla Yajur Veda Samhita. The message of this small Upanishad, having only eighteen verses, is as profound as it is all-comprehensive. It proclaims the divinity of man and nature and the spiritual oneness …

Swami Divyananda ji Maharaj is the Vice-President of worldwide Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. Swami Divyananda ji joined Ramakrishna Mission in 1972. He did his post-graduation in physics and served Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math as a Vice Principal and Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, as a Principal. He took classes for two decades, served as …

A spiritually illumined soul who has scaled the depths of the Divine is a constant source of inspiration to countless other seekers. Swami Shivananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, was such a person whose simple conversations with spiritual seekers were treasured by them as unfailing blessings for the rest of their life. Swami Shivananda, …

An exposition on "The Gospel of the Holy Mother" (Sri Sri Mayer Katha) in Bengali by Swami Shukadevananda, Revered Secretary Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission Saradapitha, Belur Math.  

The Bhagavad Gita, popularly known as the Gita, comprises eighteen chapters in the Mahabhārata. It takes the form of an inspired dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna on the battle-field of Kurukshetra. The setting of the battle-field contributes a dramatic element to the book and relates religion to the realities of life. It is that …

    The singing of Ramnam Sankirtan in the centres of the Ramakrishna Order was started by none other than Swami Brahmananda. Rama's name is often chanted or sung within the many traditions of Hinduism. In Mahabharata, Shiva states that uttering "Rama" three times is equal to pronouncing the thousand other names of God.   Ram Nam Sankirtanam …

Swami Umapadananda serves as the Campus-in-Charge of the Bose House Campus at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira. He is a Honorary full time monastic faculty in the Department of History at the main campus of Vidyamandira.

Ramcharitmanas (Devanagari: रामचरितमानस rāmacaritamānasa), is an epic poem in the Awadhi language, composed by the 16th-century Indian bhakti poet Tulsidas (c. 1511–1623). It has many inspirations, the primary being the Ramayana of Valmiki. This work is also called, in popular parlance, Tulsi Ramayana, Tulsikrit Ramayana, Tulsidas Ramayana or simply Manas. The word Ramcharitmanas literally means …

Swami Urjitananda currently serves as the Controller of Examinations and an honorary faculty member at Ramakrishna Mission Sikshanamandira (B.Ed. College), Belur Math.

Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita, have the conversations of Sri Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, as recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book in Bengali under the pseudonym of ‘M’. The recordings alternate between deep mystical experiences and ecstasies, profound utterances about the nature of the Ultimate Reality, homely parables and illustrations, animated …