The Holy Science
About this ebook
Written in 1894 at the command of the great master Mahavatar Babaji, The Holy Science is the foundational work of Swami Sri Yukteswar—a true Gyanavatar, or "Incarnation of Wisdom." This is not a philosophical treatise; it is a practical map for the modern spiritual seeker.
With the "scalpel of intuitive reasoning," Sri Yukteswar dissects the scriptures to reveal the essential unity underlying all religions. He demonstrates that the message of the saints is not one of dogmatic division, but of a single, unchanging goal. Within these pages, you will discover that the assertion "Love is God" is not just a poet’s sentiment, but an eternal, practical truth—the very "ruling principle" of the heart.
Life is often "unsafe and unstable like a drop of water on a lotus leaf," yet this timeless volume offers the raft of wisdom you need to navigate those turbulent waters. Whether you are a student of Kriya Yoga or simply a sincere seeker of truth, The Holy Science provides the clarity and divine guidance needed to begin dissolving the illusions of Maya and unite with the Divine.
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About the author
Sri Yukteswar (1855–1936) was born to a wealthy businessman and his wife on May 10, 1855, in Serampore, India. He was given the name Priya Nath Karar. After leaving college, he married and had a daughter. In 1884, he became a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya and received initiation into Kriya Yoga from him. Sri Yukteswar had a profound influence on Paramhansa Yogananda. His gentle demeanor, pleasing presence, and deep spiritual insights earned him the veneration of all who knew him. He prepared his disciple specifically for the challenge of bringing India’s teachings to the materially minded West, shaped by his own keen interest in the welfare of people in America and England. Yukteswar had a comprehensive approach to spirituality, blending discipline, devotion, and harmonious integration of Eastern and Western thought. Yogananda’s mission, as he understood it, was to uplift Western society spiritually within its own cultural context, an approach centered on meditation and inner calm.Yogananda called Sri Yukteswar a gyanavatar, an incarnation of wisdom, an avatar being a fully liberated master who returns to fulfill a special divine mission. From this understanding, Yukteswar’s task was to secure divine guidance for Dwapara Yuga’s scientific and cultural advances and prepare Yogananda to carry that purpose forward.
Nayaswami Sagar, a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, lives at the Ananda Village. He is the editor of the Sanskrit text throughout The Holy Science in the sutras (stanzas).
