Welcome

 Swami Venkatesananda has often been described as a modern Yogi, a Sanskrit scholar, the author of numerous books and the translator of some of India's most renowned scriptures. 

While his writings and public talks offer boundless knowledge to scholars and students of Yoga, he made it clear to all who spent time with him, that wisdom can best be appreciated and assimilated by its presence in action. He was tempered in the kiln of his Master, Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, himself an exemplar of wisdom in action. Thus, his life offered a vibrant textbook in practical wisdom, as every word, every action demonstrated a life free from conflict and rooted in harmony. This equanimity diffused into the very atmosphere surrounding him much as a tuning fork transmits its perfect pitch into surrounding space. 

As you explore this website, be alert to the living energy embedded in them. It can be likened to a benevolent virus (his words) ready to be caught by those who are primed and vigilant. In this regard, it will also be useful to remember something he said in his final days with us:

             "All this is description, and no description is ever the same is that which
              is described. Truth is indescribable. It is so indescribably simple
              that every description complicates it." 
               
                    - from The Kingfly Secret, the last talks of Swami Venkatesananda  

                                                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note:   Although a new version of this website has been delayed, we hope to have it functional before the end of 2026.  Thank you for your patience.
 


Daily Readings

The next three daily readings are shown below. You may also view a complete listing on our Calendar of Daily Readings.

August 6, 2026
Song of God (Bhagavad Gita) — Chapter XI: 9-11

The anthropomorphic tinge often deters the Indian himself! He closes The Bhagavad Gita as a book with which he would not like to associate himself. That is the best climate for ...

August 6, 2026
Venkatesa Daily Readings Volume 1 — August 6

"Does hope bring about positive attitude or approach to meditation in the practitioner?" asked a young man who is involved in the practice of meditation. Naturally, if there was no hope of ...

August 6, 2026
The Yoga Vāsiṣṭha Volume II — VI.II (On Liberation) Chapter 97, Verse 22

All people at all times seek their own good as if under compulsion just as water flows downwards. One should understand this and resort to the company of the wise.