Sister Gargi

SISTER GARGI (MARIE LOUISE BURKE) (1912–2004) was a prominent literary figure and a respected monastic in the Ramakrishna Order. She was the award-winning author (as Marie Louise Burke) of the six-volume classic Swami Vivekananda in the West: New Discoveries. The New Discoveries books, through the knowledge they have given of Swami Vivekananda’s personality, have become indispensible sourcebooks, admired by writers such as J.D. Salinger and valued by scholars worldwide. Her other early works include Swami Trigunatita: His Life and Work, Vedantic Tales, and Hari the Lion.

Three final books about her illustrious spiritual teacher include her biography of Swami Ashokananda, A Heart Poured Out, her spiritual memoir, A Disciple’s Journal, and Shafts of Light, a compilation of Swami Ashokananda’s instructions to his close disciples. Popular for their insights into spiritual life and practice under an authentic guru, they have received high praise from seekers worldwide.