Upanishads

by C. Rajagopalachari

BRAND NEW, Exactly same ISBN as listed, Please double check ISBN carefully before ordering.

Genres: Religion, Hinduism, Nonfiction

50 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, informally called Rajaji or C.R., was an Indian lawyer, independence activist, politician, writer, and statesman. Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General of India. He also served as leader of the Indian National Congress, Premier of the Madras Presidency, Governor of West Bengal, Minister for Home Affairs of the Indian Union, and Chief Minister of Madras state, and as such, he rendered yeomen service to the nation.

Rajagopalachari founded the Swatantra Party and was one of the first recipients of India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. He vehemently opposed the use of nuclear weapons and was a proponent of world peace and disarmament. During his lifetime, he also acquired the nickname 'Mango of Salem'.

Rajaji was a great patriot, astute politician, incisive thinker, great visionary, and one of the greatest statesmen of all time. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, hailed as conscious-keeper of the Mahatma.

Rajaji was closely associated with Kulapati Munshiji and he was among the distinguished founder-members of the Bhavan (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan). The Bhavan has published 18 books by him so far, the copyright of which he gifted to the Bhavan.
Rajaji wrote not only in English but also in chaste Tamil, his mother-tongue. He was at his best as a short-story writer.

Rajaji passed away in 1972 at the age of 94.

Reviews

[Appu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rajaji writes in simple direct prose. In this short book, he translates selected verses from 7 of the principal Upanishads and provides brief commentary. It is a very accessible introduction to what is arguably the most profound philosophical treatise India has produced. The basic idea seems to be that inside each person, soul or the fragment of the universal spirit, dwells. To realise it, a life of detachment is needed. Worldly pleasures are ephemeral and of little value. Philosophy of advaita or non dualism is inherent in Upanishads. Whether or not this otherworldliness did damage to science and material progress in India, is another debate altogether.

[Appu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rajaji writes in simple direct prose. In this short book, he translates selected verses from 7 of the principal Upanishads and provides brief commentary. It is a very accessible introduction to what is arguably the most profound philosophical treatise India has produced. The basic idea seems to be that inside each person, soul or the fragment of the universal spirit, dwells. To realise it, a life of detachment is needed. Worldly pleasures are ephemeral and of little value. Philosophy of advaita or non dualism is inherent in Upanishads. Whether or not this otherworldliness did damage to science and material progress in India, is another debate altogether.

[Manoj Onadan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a simple readable one

[Kinshuk Kashyap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banger

Especially liked the Kathopanishad