Swami Vivekananda was a blessed soul, a karana janma, a man with
a purpose and mission. In Ramakrishna Paramhamsa’s
words he was an Avatar Purusha, someone who chose to take birth
to alleviate the suffering of the mankind.

But Swami Vivekananda was also a human being, who lived the life of
an ordinary and may be below ordinary many a time. He slept on the
pavements, he lived the life of a monk, and touched the lives of many.

The book ‘The Living Vedanta’ spans across the life of Vivekananda–an
eventful 39 years–and presents a picture of him as seen through his
relationships. His relationship with his brother monks, with his western
disciples and most of all, his inner self.

It also deals with the inner turbulence of a man on his way to the higher
spiritual plane. A man divided inside with desire to go beyond the world,
and his mission for the world.

The book is a must read for everyone who wishes to understand the great man
and most importantly, his message.

“..Desire, ignorance, and inequality–this is the trinity of bondage.

Denial of the will to live, knowledge and same-sightedness is
the trinity of liberation.

Freedom is the goal of the universe.

Nor love nor hate, nor pleasure nor pain, nor death nor life, nor religion
nor irreligion; not this, not this, not this.”