When I got the book from Amazon, I was all pumped up to read and finish the book as quickly as possible. I also was determined not to rush thru the pages without understanding everything in depth. But when I reached 200+ pages, I realized that it is such a monumental work and it would take its own course towards completion, however I might try to "drink-it-all-at-once" and whatever be my enthusiasm.

A few days I was able to understand and proceed faster and for many days I was stuck in a single page contemplating the meaning. The truth is that the contents of the book gradually grew on me and any effort on my side was just to aid it. The tons of stories, allegorical statements, profound sayings found in the book have affected me very deep inside that I can only admire it in wonder as to how it all happened inspite of me. Venkatesananda's command over the stuff he's talking about is evident in every word contained in the book.

I can only be thankful for everything that helped me in buying this book.

When I got the book from Amazon, I was all pumped up to read and finish the book as quickly as possible. I also was determined not to rush thru the pages without understanding everything in depth, as humanly as possible, because of the rave reviews from people who are important to me. But when I reached 200+ pages, I realized that it is such a monumental work and it would take its own course towards completion, however I might try to "drink-it-all-at-once" and whatever be my enthusiasm.

A few days I was able to understand and proceed faster and for many days I was stuck in a single page contemplating the meaning. The truth is that the contents of the book gradually grew on me and any effort on my side was just to aid it. The tons of stories, allegorical statements, profound sayings found in the book have affected me very deep inside that I can only admire it in wonder as to how it all happened inspite of me. Venkatesananda's command over the stuff he's talking about is evident in every word contained in the book.

I can only be thankful for everything that helped me in buying this book, reading it diligently everyday and mustering the energy to understand every little piece of it.

Vasistha's Yoga, supposedly the third longest book in the world, appears in this concise edition, superbly translated and deflowered, which is to say that it steers clear of Platonic, Aristotelean and Judeo-Christian biases while excising the poetic, Kalidasa-esque sections. As for the work itself, it forces its reader to get practical with his or her view of the spiritual - no "love and light" allowed - while at the same time undermining the solidity of the material. The format is one of stories, within stories within stories, interspersed with Upanishad-like instruction, which makes for a very compelling read. One caveat: a danger to uncritical, spiritual escapists.

This book is an amazing book full of knowledge and Truth. This book stretches your mind beyond any imagination and helps in breaking all the mental barriers. I have read only 100 pages so far but I Love it.

Reading this not only can change dramatically your cosmovision, but can let you undertand the secrets and the enigmas of the Universe and human existance. There's no doubt. This book was inspired by GOD himeself.

This book is not for the beginers in this field (Just a caution). People who need to know the ultimate truth about this so called universe and who is already well versed in the scriptures should be able to understand what exactly the author means. Please do not interpret it wrongly and please clarify if you are not sure, with people of higher wisdom.

I had always rated Bhagwad Gita as the most profound text, but this is deifnitely a notch higher! In fact, interestingly, Sage Vasistha tells Ram on what the message of Gita will be in the next Yuga.. and gives one of the best synopsis of Gita in his words!

It was difficult to read and had to read each sentence 2-3 times before I got the complete meaning..

The book was refreshing too because it brought out the Open, Direct and Brutally honest way of logic of the Vedic Rishis.. something that Krishna brought out in Gita as well.

For example, all the later sages believed in the primacy and indestructibility of the soul.. yet they would forward Ahimsa (non-violence) as a Moral. Krishna did not hide behind Morals.. he took the truth of an indestructible soul to its logical conclusion.. and took Arjuna through this logical journey as well... to finally substantiate his first verdict to Arjuna "Pick up your arms"!

It takes spiritual clarity, courage and brutal honesty to get through the cobwebs of Morals (which are relative and changing, in any case) to do your "duty" with calmness of the mind!

THAT courage, clarity and honesty is what distinguishes Vedic Rishis from all the other Prophets, Gurus and Saints that came later. No wonder they ended up starting religions that messed up human kind more that it was benefitted!! Ever heard of Vasisthism or Yajnavalkism?

Cheers,
Desh
Personal Blog: Drishtikone.com

This was an excellent book. It put into words what I felt inside. All is Infinite Consciousness / Spirit / Source / Life / Essence (choose the word that feels best to you). It is our ego that has misinterpreted what it is experiencing. We have identified with the energy of experience and forgot who we are.

I sugest this to everybody who is looking the Truth and would like to know more about himself and Atma.

I started reading this book so many year ago, that was the first time, then I tried to "start" many times, the thing is that no matter what, even one page of the book can give you many messages, depending on your mood, or your level of awareness, I'd say this is a "forever must read" book. I agree with all other reviewers, this book is not for everybody.

It is a great book, especially for those who are familiar with hindu philosophy. The correspondence between Rama and Vasistha answers some of the fundamental questions rising in everyone's mind. No wonder this book has changed the lives of some great men. You will love it if you read a couple of pages everyday. For serious readers, this is the only way to get an indepth understanding of what the book is about.
For me, this book as good as the Gita. Though one might find an excess of instances to support some concepts, but it is justified. Just like the Gita, to really follow the book, one has to identify oneself with Rama and his premonition.
Worth a read.

I am reading the book very slowly but it is fantastic: the concepts are explained over and over using different stories and it is clear that he is speaking from Being,
After I start this book the others seems very shallow,
I strong recommend it, but please do not read with your intellectual mind just let the knowledge detach you from all the noises and thoughts from the busy mind,

Paulo M. Coelho

If a person is able to comprehend this book well, then the principle of non-duality can be understood. All other books talk about what is non-duality, this book talks about how is non-duality existing in this apparently dual appearance.
This is the speciality of this book.

Very few books actually give one the sense of the transcendent reality like this one does. Often words point you in the direction but leave the actual experience untasted. The way the words are arranged in this book of stories you can almost sense what enlightenment is. Highly recommended to help us realize we are not the body mind complex but the Eternal One residing in the Heart. As far as words can take you this book does take one into the state. There are 2 versions of this book. One is the Concise version. The longer version is quite lengthy and the themes of the stories are repeated. Sometimes the words are flowery and bog down the pace. The Concise version eliminates much repitition in the themes but the price is not much different between the two. The larger book is definitely not a quick read especially if you have limited time and are reading other books at the same time, 725 pages. But the larger book will have more stories that you can read later whereas you might finish the Concise version,(400+ pages),early and still want more...One of the best books conveying the reality of Brahman.

This book is peace for the soul, which is ready to accept it's message. It is very simply written, and the stories are very engaging. It is a book that effected me deeply, to my core. It is VERY long, but well worth the read. It was a blessing to have come across it.

In short, it is about a man who became despondent realizing that all pleasures end in pain. He is instructed by a sage, how to liberate oneself from this pain and suffering.

Even if only one or two key concepts are adopted and practiced, remarkable changes are likely to occur, as they have for me.