In this issue

The Vedanta Kesari, meaning ” Lion of Vedanta”, is a spiritual and cultural monthly in English published from Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. This Magazine contains articles on Indian spiritual traditions and scriptures, mainly focusing on Vedanta as expounded by Swami Vivekananda, the illustrious disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. The focus of the magazine is to promote a spiritual and matured outlook towards life. It advocates renunciation of selfish desires along with the service to others in a spirit of worship.

The Durga Puja

This article is from Studies from an Eastern Home, a posthumous publication carrying a collection of Sister Nivedita’s writings. Here, Sister Nivedita, one of the foremost disciples of Swami Vivekananda, outlines the different dimensions of Durga Puja and the coupling of the Divine Mother’s worship with the worship of the Motherland.

6 mins

First Durga Puja at Belur Math

The Durga Puja, and the associated Kumari Puja of Belur Math and also of the other ashrams of the Ramakrishna Order have become a great cultural and spiritual heritage of our country. Every year lakhs of people come to the Math to witness the worship, pray to the Mother and fill their lives with Her Grace, which gets specially manifested in this worship. This article describes how the first Durga Puja in image was celebrated under the guidance of Swami Vivekananda. Originally published in the Oct 1989 issue of The Vedanta Kesari, the article is reproduced here with a little editing and abridgment.

6 mins

Reminiscences of Sargachhi

Swami Premeshananda (1884 – 1967) was a disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. For over two decades he lived at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Sargachhi, West Bengal. Under his inspiration countless people led a life of spirituality and service, and many young men and women entered into monastic life. His conversations – translated from Bengali and presented below – were noted by his attendant who is now Srimat Swami Suhitananda Ji, one of the VicePresidents of the Ramakrishna Order.

5 mins

Assimilating the Human Possibilities Vision

The Human Possibilities Vision, gifted to us by Swami Vivekananda calls upon every person to unfold his or her full potential as a person, and thereby be fulfilled. How do we help millions of ’vision-hungry’ people recognise and assimilate this life-affirming message of Vedanta?

10+ mins

An Unusual Punishment

A fictional narrative based on incidents from the childhood of Swami Vivekananda.

3 mins

The Royal Devotee

The Story of Kulashekhara Aazhvaar

4 mins

Mahendranath Gupta

This is the fifth story in the series on devotees who had a role in the divine play of Sri Ramakrishna. ्मेवयैष वृणु्े ्ेन लभ्ः It is attained by him alone whom It chooses (Kathopanishad. 1.2:23)

5 mins

The Importance Of Daily Schedule In Our Life

One of the powerful tools to have control over our lives is to learn how to control our time, because Time is Life. This article discusses the nature of our mind, the process of getting established in a daily schedule, and thus our self-development.

9 mins

Sattvika Shraddha

Shraddha is a complex term which signifiesगुरु्दिष्वेिान्वाक्ेषुयवश्वासः, ‘faith in the words of the guru and scriptures’1 and सयभि््ह्ा वस्ू्लभ््े, ‘by which the Truth is comprehended’.2 It is simply translated into English as ‘faith’ for want of a better word.

6 mins

Pariprasna

Srimat Swami Tapasyananda Ji (1904 – 1991) was one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ramakrishna Order. His deeply convincing answers to devotees’ questions raised in spiritual retreats and in personal letters have been published in book form as Spiritual Quest: Questions & Answers. Pariprasna is a selection from this book.

2 mins

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The Vedanta Kesari Magazine Description:

The Vedanta Kesari, meaning ” Lion of Vedanta”, is a spiritual and cultural monthly in English published from Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. This Magazine contains articles on Indian spiritual traditions and scriptures, mainly focusing on Vedanta as expounded by Swami Vivekananda, the illustrious disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. The focus of the magazine is to promote a spiritual and matured outlook towards life. It advocates renunciation of selfish desires along with the service to others in a spirit of worship.