58
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 81:
Line 81: − *Raja Yoga was not published in America until 1899 after Swami Abhedananda added a glossary. The book served two purposes. First, Swamiji demonstrated that religious experiences could stand on the same footing as scientific truths, being based on experimentation, observation, and verification. Therefore genuine spiritual experiences must not be dogmatically discarded as lacking rational evidence. Secondly, he explained lucidly various disciplines of concentration, with the warning, however, that they should not be pursued without the help of a qualified teacher.<ref name=":0">Swami Nikhilananda (1953), Vivekananda A Biography, New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center.</ref>+ + + + + + +
Text
*The book hit a jackpot and was sold like hot cakes within eight months after its publication. We find him writing to Alasinga from 14 Grey Coat Gardens, Westminster, S. W. on 11 '''November 1896''' that, “PS. The first edition of Raja-Yoga is sold out, and a second is in the press. India and America are the biggest buyers.”
*The book hit a jackpot and was sold like hot cakes within eight months after its publication. We find him writing to Alasinga from 14 Grey Coat Gardens, Westminster, S. W. on 11 '''November 1896''' that, “PS. The first edition of Raja-Yoga is sold out, and a second is in the press. India and America are the biggest buyers.”
*He also wrote to Mrs Bull from Greycoat Gardens, Westminster, London, S.W. on 13 November 1896 that, “You will be interested to know that the first edition of Raja-Yoga is sold out, and there is a standing order for several hundreds more.”
*He also wrote to Mrs Bull from Greycoat Gardens, Westminster, London, S.W. on 13 November 1896 that, “You will be interested to know that the first edition of Raja-Yoga is sold out, and there is a standing order for several hundreds more.”
So, there was a slight difference of opinion and miscommunication regarding the publication of the Raja Yoga from New York or London as a book or pamphlet. But, finally New York Publication Committee retained control of its rights. Mr Sturdy acted as agent for the Committee in negotiating with Longmans, Green, and Company. The book was printed and copyrighted in England only and distributed both there and in America.
But, this arrangement of the publication of Raja Yoga in England for distribution in America created difficulty for the New York Vedanta Society. Swami Abhedananda wrote in his diary for September 1897, “As the Raja Yoga was published by Longmans and Green in London… it was difficult to get the book from London to New York for there was imposed a heavy Customs duty on all foreign publications. For this reason, Swami Vivekananda’s American students, headed by Miss Mary Phillips, published an American edition of his Raja Yoga in New York. I made necessary corrections and made a Glossary of Sanskrit words in the text.” So, the Raja Yoga was not published in America until 1899 after Swami Abhedananda added a glossary.
The cheap Indian edition of Raja Yoga came out in Madras through the efforts of Alasinga Perumal in 1898 as permitted by Swamiji in October 1896.<ref>Marie Louise Burke (2013), Swami Vivekananda in the West New Discoveries - The World Teacher (Part Two), Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama.</ref>
The book served two purposes. First, Swamiji demonstrated that religious experiences could stand on the same footing as scientific truths, being based on experimentation, observation, and verification. Therefore genuine spiritual experiences must not be dogmatically discarded as lacking rational evidence. Secondly, he explained lucidly various disciplines of concentration, with the warning, however, that they should not be pursued without the help of a qualified teacher.<ref name=":0">Swami Nikhilananda (1953), Vivekananda A Biography, New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center.</ref>
==Sarah Ellen Waldo and Raja Yoga==
==Sarah Ellen Waldo and Raja Yoga==