Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja Yoga - Swami Vivekananda Audiobook

Written by Swami Vivekananda
Read by Clay Lomakayu, Barry J. Peterson
Format: MP3
Bitrate: Variable

Jnana Yoga

Here we stand, and our eyes look forward sometimes miles ahead. Man has been doing that since he began to think. He is always looking forward, looking ahead. He wants to know where he goes, even after the dissolution of his body. Various theories have been propounded, system after system has been brought forward to suggest explanations. Some have been rejected, while others have been accepted, and thus, it will go on, so long as man is here, so long as man thinks. There is some truth in each of these systems.

There is a good deal of what is not truth in all of them. I shall try to place before you the sum and substance, the result, of the inquiries in this line that have been made in India. I shall try to harmonise the various thoughts on the subject, as they have come up from time to time among Indian philosophers. I shall try to harmonise the psychologists and the metaphysicians, and, if possible, I shall harmonise them with modern scientific thinkers also.

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti yoga is a real, genuine search after the Lord, a search beginning, continuing, and ending in love. One single moment of the madness of extreme love to God brings us eternal freedom.

“Bhakti,” says Nârada in his explanation of the Bhakti-aphorisms, “is intense love to God.” “When a man gets it, he loves all, hates none; he becomes satisfied for ever.” “[T]his love cannot be reduced to any earthly benefit”, because so long as worldly desires last, that kind of love does not come. “Bhakti is greater than karma, greater than yoga, because these are intended for an object in view, while Bhakti is its own fruition, its own means, and its own end.”

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga (the yoga of action) is a book of lectures by Swami Vivekananda, as transcribed by Joseph Josiah Goodwin. It was published in February 1896 in New York City. Swami Vivekananda delivered a number of lectures in his rented rooms at 228 W 39th Street in New York City from December 1895 to January 1896. In 1895, friends and supporters of Swami Vivekananda hired Goodwin, a professional stenographer, who transcribed some of the lectures which were later published as this book. Goodwin later became a follower of Vivekananda.

Raja Yoga

The subject of the present audiobook is the form of yoga known as Raja yoga. The aphorisms of Patanjali are the highest authority on Raja yoga and form its textbook. The other philosophers, though occasionally differing from Patanjali in some philosophical points, have, as a rule, acceded to his method of practice a decided consent.

The first part of this audiobook comprises several lectures to classes delivered by the present author in New York. The second part is a rather free translation of the aphorisms (sutras) of Patanjali, with a running commentary. Effort has been made to avoid technicalities as far as possible and to keep to the free and easy style of conversation.

In the first part, some simple and specific directions are given for the student who want to practise, but all such are especially and earnestly reminded that, with few exceptions, yoga can only be safely learnt by direct contact with a teacher. If these conversations succeed in awakening a desire for further information on the subject, the teacher will not be wanting.