Books
Shyamdas has spent his life absorbed in the literature, poetry, and philosophy of the devotional lineages of northern India. After 35 years traveling sacred India and studying with saints and teachers, he has developed fluency in Sanskrit, Hindi, Gujarati, and Brajabhasha. He has skillfully and insightfully translated into English many sacred scriptures, devotional texts, and poems and has also written of his own unique experiences. Click on the book titles below to hear samples and to purchase these books from their official source, sacredwoods.net
The Poems of Rasakhan: Treasure House of Love
Rasakhan, a 16th century, Muslim-born, ecstatic Krishna follower, discovered his beloved Divinity in this world. His spiritual love poems describe Krishna's adorable childhood antics and ultimate union with the beautiful Radha. Hardcover, Vrajabhasa and English
The Teachings of Shri Vallabhacharya
A virtual manual for the spiritual practitioner. This thoughtful translation of Vallabhacharya’s teachings includes the original Sanskrit and transliteration. Recite, read, or sing the Song of Sweetness, Yamuna praises, (as heard on Shyamdas’ CD Beloved Chants), How to increase devotion, My conclusions on renunciation, and more. Explore Vallabhacharya’s amazing logic, his insight into devotional subjects, and practical advice. Hardcover, 111 pp.
Inner Goddess
Inner Goddess follows the transformation of the dairymaid Gopis of Vrindavan along their path to devotional enlightenment. This text renders an ancient scripture, the Shrimad Bhagavatam, into flowing prose. 2nd Edition, Hardcover, 176 pp
Path of Grace
This detailed introduction to the history, literature, poetry, arts, philosophy, celebrations, and sacred worship of the Pushti Marg, the Path of Grace, provides a rare glimpse into an authentic, deep, yet accessible devotional lineage of India. It begins with a biography of the founder of this path of Krishna devotion, Shri Vallabhacharya (1479-1531). Scholars, practitioners, and casual readers alike will find in these pages ample information and inspiration, wisdom and devotion, to fuel their studies and fill their hearts and minds. 2nd ed., Hardcover, 216 pp.
Loving Wisdom
Shyamdas’ original translation and commentary illuminates Shri Vallabhacharya’s teaching, “Wisdom, Perseverance and Refuge,” a brief devotional guide to living and loving in the world. This pocket-size paperback makes a great traveling devotional reference and companion.
Krishna's Inner Circle: The Ashta Chaap Poets
These devotional biographies recount the lives and songs of the Ashta Chaap poets of Vraja. For these 16th century poets, Shri Krishna was not an image, but the living Supreme Being. Their poems reveal the intimate divine plays of the Lord as well as the greatness of the Lord, guru, and fellow practitioners, and are like mantras able to evoke the seed devotion and yield the divine fruit of bhava realization – divine mood. Hardcover, 403 pp
252 Vaishnavas, Part 1
Shyamdas is pleased to present this original translation of a 17th century text documenting the lives of 252 accomplished Bhakti Yogis of India. In each of three volumes of the 252 Vaishnavas, Shyamdas has rendered 84 of these amazing stories into flowing English, while maintaining the unique style of the original texts. The stories are surreal, but also reveal refined Vedantic teachings. Hardcover
252 Vaishnavas, Part 2
These instructional and often hilarious devotional accounts, translated for the first time here in English, shed light on the way these great practitioners lived their lives, the practices they did, and the circumstances that led to their yogic God-realizations. Hardcover 332 pp
252 Vaishnavas, Part 3
This text is filled with practical and priceless examples of how to discover the enlightened devotional lifestyle within our own lives. Through these bhaktas’ devotion filled stories, we can enjoy their association (satsang) and discover our own unique relationship with the Beloved, wherein the hidden essences of Grace flourish. Hardcover, 298 pp
Ocean of Grace: the Teachings of Shri Prathameshji
Shyamdas recorded and translated these public lectures and private conversations with his Guru, His Holiness Goswami Prathameshji. This text, a favorite among Shyamdas’ readers in its earlier manuscript form, is filled with the illumined teachings of an authentic spiritual master, Vedic pundit, poet, singer, and humorist, Goswami Prathameshji, or ‘JJ,’ as Shyamdas affectionately knew him. www.facebook.com/OceanOfGrace
In Praise of Vallabh
Ecstatic and romantic poems in praise of Vrindavan, the bhakti teacher Vallabhacharya, Shri Radha and Krishna, and more, comprise this translation of Gopaldas’ Vallabhakhyan. Includes original text in Hindi script, transliteration for recitation, and extensive notes by Shyamdas. Paperback, 114 pp.
The Amazing Story of Shri Nathji
The extraordinary, historical account of Shri Krishna’s 15th century appearance on the Govardhan Hill as Shri Nathji, one of the most famous Krishna deities in India. Paperback 126 pp.
The Call of the Flute
Glimpse the effect of Shri Krishna’s bewitching flute song (Venu Gita) on the inhabitants of Vrindavan. Includes Shri Vallabhacharya’s amazing Subodhini commentary. Paperback 114 pp
