Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 1 Hardcover – January 1, 1947

Its a remarkable, priceless compilation of literature from a true Guru! This review is for the print material ONLY! The binding starts falling apart at the very first reading. The paper is so thin, often times you can see print from the other side of the page. It was meant to be highly subsidized to popularize it and the entire 8 volume set was to be no more than Rs 500/- (approximately $7). It seemed like a great price before buying. After buying, I feel cheated.

This is a really cheap printing of the paperback edition. This bindings are all creased and the paper is so thin you can see the text on the other side. Beyond disappointed I was really hoping for a quality paperback print similar to "How to know God" or US editions of his individual yoga books.The only reason this isn't 0 stars is because the words are priceless.

It is humanly impossible to ingest all this in one's lifetime. I am still meditating on Swami Vivekanand's definition of Atma (soul, sort of) and Parmatma (supreme soul/creator), the former being a circle with the center in the body and circumference nowhere (with transmigration moving the center of the circle from one body to other) and the latter a circle with the center everywhere and circumference nowhere. Only a genius can decode the most complex of all complexities with such logic. He was a spiritual giant. Not to offend any Hindu, Vedanti or Eastern philosopher, but this Works in itself is no less an upanishad or a Hindu scripture.May we all be granted enough wisdom and courage to understand and experience just a bit of what is laid out here!

Vivekananda is perhaps the most accessible apologist for Advaita Vedanta. His writings are accessible, yet profound. They are also timeless and present a very positive contribution to the study of world religions.

It is humanly impossible to ingest all this in one's lifetime. I am still meditating on Swami Vivekanand's definition of Atma (soul, sort of) and Parmatma (supreme soul/creator), the former being a circle with the center in the body and circumference nowhere (with transmigration moving the center of the circle from one body to other) and the latter a circle with the center everywhere and circumference nowhere. Only a genius can decode the most complex of all complexities with such logic. He was a spiritual giant. Not to offend any Hindu, Vedanti or Eastern philosopher, but this Works in itself is no less an upanishad or a Hindu scripture.May we all be granted enough wisdom and courage to understand and experience just a bit of what is laid out here!Yesterday was Swami Vivekananda's 153rd birth anniversary, which I am celebrating with a week-long "Guhaasth" (living in peace and seclusion by creating a cave (guhaa) like ambience right at home, reading this Works, meditating and observing silence). Swamiji, please continue to guide me and help me intensify the fire you have lit within me.॥ हरि: ॐ तत् सत् ॥

This is a wonderful set. Swami Vivekananda writes many beautiful things about the individual spiritual journey. He makes room for all religions, all sects, to live in peace. I recommend for anyone, especially those interested in the Divine Mother, Sri Ramakrishna, or ideas of universality of religion.

I looked for Vivekananda's works for years since I was introduced to his writings by Dr. Jay Bhatacharyya, a terrific friend I first met in 1983.

Great and interesting to read.

Although I ordered the complete works, I only received only one volume (volume 7)

Swami Vivekananda is simply the king among philosophers and free thinkers.A true 'jnani' indeed.Neither am I eligible to describe Him nor I have the words to do so.Anyway,I will try.One thing is pretty clear,the search for your soul ends with the Vedanta philosophy.It can't get any bigger than this.Swami Vivekananda takes up a subject,analyses it from the root,puts forward everything that has been taught/speculated on the subject till date,cuts off all self-contradictory/unnecessary viewpoints,nicely prunes the necessary arguments,and tops it off with Advaita philosophy without contradicting the reader's intellect/mind.That's it.One can't go beyond that.I have read so may books on philosophy,spirituality etc.,none has given me this kind of an in-depth understanding about so many topics concerning life;philosophy in general and spirituality in particular. Swamiji holds your hand like a mother holding her toddler,and he not only helps you understand the world but also takes you beyond it.A 'Guru' is some one who helps us to across the ocean of life,right? and Swamiji does it so elegantly with His penetrating intellect and unreserved love.Now it's all about practicing it in real life.Hopefully we'll all be able to live up to Swamiji's expectations.Thanks Gurudev.I also thank Advaita Ashram and Amazon for providing this soul-stirring work at a very cheap price.This is a must-read for all persons who are on the spiritual path,especially for those who are pursuing the 'jnana marga'.Go for it.All the best!!!!

No one is ever reached to the level in teaching the people the way Swami Vivekananda did. He tried to make people understand the reality of many things in easy manner. He is just great. Whoever can understand Swamiji, will find himself in state of goodness and happy. Swamiji encouraged people to follow true path with clear understanding. Sri Ramkrishna's teaching is always great. Blessed indeed to have such personalities in the world.

Very good set of books. But, it is priced as Rs 500/-they charged Rs 980!

This is an amazing book. Thank you.