Editorial Reviews  
Book Description  
This book offers an excellent analysis and study of Hinduism from both its theoretical and its practical aspects. In very concise and understandable language, Swami Nikhilananda describes how the highest ideal of non-dualism, that is the oneness of existence as the ultimate truth, points the way to enduring happiness both here and here-after, and leads to the highest good. Also, described are the spiritual concepts that created and supported Indian culture for thousands of years and helped the leaders of India win the country's political freedom in the 20th century. 

About the Author  
Swami Nikhilananda, a direct disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sar ada Devi, was born in a small Indian village in 1895 and was ordained a monk of the Ramakrishna Order in 1924. After spending several years in the Himalayan mon astery of his Order, during which time he made a study of Hinduism and other sys tems of philosophy and religion, he was sent to America in 1931. He founded the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York in 1933 and was its spiritual leader until his passing away in 1973. 

The Swami was a gifted writer, and his contri butions to the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature cannot be overstated. His tran slations of the scriptures, his biographies of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, his compilations of the works of Swami Vivekananda, his other books and many articles in various journals and publications are permanent sour ces of spiritual knowledge and inspiration. Notable among these works are the fo llowing titles: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, Vivekananda: A Biogr aphy, The Upanishads (volumes I-IV), The Bhagavad Gita, Self-Knowledge, Hinduism , and Man in Search of Immortality. Many of these works were originally introduc ed by major publishers, such as Harper & Row (New York) and George Allen & Unwin (London). Time Magazine called Swami Nikhilananda's translations of The Bhagava d Gita, "The first really readable, authoritative English translation of one of the world's greatest religious classics." W. Somerset Maugham praised Self-Knowl edge as a "wonderful piece of exposition." 

But the Swami's monumental work, f or which he will ever be remembered, is The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. This comp lete translation into English from the original Bengali of the Sri Sri Ramakrish na Kathamrita, as recorded by "M," has made the immortal words of this great pro phet of the nineteenth century available to countless readers throughout the world. Aldous Huxley was pleased to write a foreword to The Gospel of Sri Ramakrish na, and high praise was given to the book by such notable persons as Thomas Mann and Henry Miller. Time Magazine referred to The Gospel as "One of the world's m ost extraordinary religious documents." For more information about Swami Nikhila nanda, please visit his website