Preface

The Yoga Vasistha has always been considered as perhaps the most elaborate exposition of Philosophy and Religion ever written under the sun. The work, which is voluminous in its nature, has been abridged by several scholars subsequently to make the treatise accessible to people who would not have the time and patience to wade through this large literature. Sri Swami Venkatesananda, a direct disciple of His Holiness Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, has, however, excelled the earlier precis writers on this subject in' his brilliant two-volume presentation of this Scripture under the title 'The Supreme Yoga'. The First Edition was published under the auspices of The Chiltern Yoga Trust, P.O. Elgin, Cape Province, South Africa, in two excellently printed volumes.

Now, the Fourth Edition of this veritably standard work is being published by The Divine Life Society Headquarters for the benefit of all seekers of Truth and the general readers of spiritual teachings. We have a firm hope that this well-known, towering teaching will provide to everyone the requisite inspiration and solace.

This Edition is pecially dedicated to the sacred memory of H:H. Sri Swami Dayanandaji Maharaj who attained Maha Samadhi on 4.2.2002. He will be remembered by Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj's spiritual fraternity as one who has rendered invaluable service to the Institution in various capacities, besides being the chief architect of the printing establishment at the Headquarters Ashram.