Stories from India, Volume One
About this ebook
This treasury of Indian tales will delight both the casual reader and students of Eastern thought. Featuring a gamut of characters—from saints to thieves, God-realized masters to lions and frogs—these stories were all told by Paramhansa Yogananda in his lectures, informal talks, and writings.
Yogananda, author of the best-selling spiritual title Autobiography of a Yogi, knew that stories have a way of bringing out a childlike openness within us, regardless of our age. In that openness, heart and mind make connections the intellect alone may miss. He told these tales to illustrate the spiritual and practical truths he was teaching.
It is not enough to be inspired by spiritual truths. We must be able to apply those teachings to our daily lives.
Each story is followed by a “Wisdom Gem,” illuminating spiritually vital topics such as Right Action, Courage, Unconditional Love, Faith, and Wisdom—an enjoyable way to explore and reflect on these universal principles. For ease of use, the stories are indexed by the qualities they illustrate.
Whether you are a teacher, parent, student, or devotee, these stories are resource to turn to again and again for inspiration, sharing and personal study.
About the author
As a bright light shining in the midst of darkness, so was Yogananda’s presence in this world. Such a great soul comes on earth only rarely, when there is a real need among men. —The Shankaracharya of KanchipuramParamhansa YoganandaBorn in 1893, Yogananda was the first yoga master of India to take up permanent residence in the West.Yogananda arrived in America in 1920 and proceeded to travel throughout the country on what he called his “spiritual campaigns.” Hundreds of thousands filled the largest halls in major cities to see the yoga master from India. Yogananda continued to lecture and write up to his passing in 1952.Yogananda’s initial impact on Western culture was truly impressive. His lasting spiritual legacy has been even greater. His Autobiography of a Yogi, first published in 1946, helped launch a spiritual revolution in the West. Translated into more than a dozen languages, it remains a best-selling spiritual classic to this day.Before embarking on his mission, Yogananda received this admonition from his teacher, Swami Sri Yukteswar: The West is high in material attainments, but lacking in spiritual understanding. It is God’s will that you play a role in teaching mankind the value of balancing the material with an inner, spiritual life.In addition to Autobiography of a Yogi, Yogananda’s spiritual legacy includes music, poetry, and extensive commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and the Christian Bible, showing the principles of Self-realization as the unifying truth underlying all true religions.Widely considered one of the 20th century’s most influential spiritual teachers, his life and work helped launch and continue to inspire a spiritual revolution. Thousands of seekers around the world today considered themselves his disciples.
