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Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (1871-1953) is a very renowned and respected figure in contemporary Indian spirituality. He was held by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) as ‘Vedanta Incarnate’.

Swamiji took sannyasa at the age of 33. For many long years he lived mainly in forests, dwelling in caves. On the order of his guru, he later became a little more accessible and became well known for his spiritual radiance and knowledge. In 1936 he set up an ashram in Varanasi.

The seta of Shankaracharya at Jyotirmath had been vacant for 165 years. When efforts were made to restore this most important peeth, Swami Brahmanand Saraswati was accepted by all as the ideal person to fill the post. After much persuasion he eventually allowed himself to be anointed Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math on 1st April 1941.

Shankaracharya Swami Brahmananda Saraswati was highly respected for his knowledge and realization. Swami ji travelled widely across India sharing his wisdom and revising the religious and spiritual traditions wherever he visited.

We are fortunate in that many of Swami Brahmananda’s ‘upadesha’ (discourses or sermons) were transcribed, and published in the ashram newsletter of ‘Shri shankaracharya Upadesha’. Now these most important words of shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati are being made available in this special edition, both in their original Hindi and in English, with translation done by Paul Mason. 108 Discourses of Swami Brahmananda is so much more than a book of quotations, it is the exploration of the very meaning and purpose of human life. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Indian philosophy and spiritual practices.