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 18, 2026
Bhagavad Gita - Song of God - Chapter 11: 33

The bhāvanā (attitude to life that Krishna inculcates in this verse, the nimitta-bhāvanā (attitude of being a mere instrument in the hands of God) is an important one. It has several implications.

August 18, 2026
The Yoga Vāsiṣṭha Volume II — VI.II (On Liberation) Chapter 109-110, Verse 109/4

Enemies who come under the following classification are not amenable to peaceful negotiation: sinners, barbarians, foreigners, they who are firmly united among themselves, as well as they who know our weakness very well. 

August 18, 2026
Venkatesa Daily Readings Volume I

There is a lovely picture by a famous painter depicting a sage who had fallen in love with a nymph and produced a baby. Suddenly he realizes that he is fallen from ...