Shankara's Vivekachudamani is a popular Vedanta text which gives its basic principles. This translation, a work by a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, was transcribed from notes taken by Ida Ansell, an American devotee who attended Swami Turiyananda's classes at the turn of the century. Text in Sanskrit, transliteration, and English translation. A verse index in Sanskrit is included.
Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life -- think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, and this is the way great spiritual giants are produced. Others are mere talking machines.
-Swami Vivekananda