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.

September 1, 2026
Bhagavad Gita - Song of God - Chapter 12: 1-2

Indian and other schools of thought differ about the right attitude. Some say: God should be approached as nameless and formless – to give him form is false and heretical. Others hold that God can only be approached through his manifestations. Even J. Louis Orton in his book “Hypnotism Made Pract

September 1, 2026
The Yoga Vāsiṣṭha Volume II — VI.II (On Liberation) Chapter 130, Verse 2

The way out of this misfortune is that which was its original cause. Any other path is not the right one and it will not be productive of happiness, welfare or fruition. 

September 1, 2026
Venkatesa Daily Readings Vol 1 — September 01

You cannot beat a flower into blossoming in any desired way or any desired time. It is an extraordinary thing - the closer to perfection you are, the more ...