The Upanishads, Part 1

by F. Max Müller (Translator)

This two-volume set contains the famous Max Müller translation of the classical upanisads that first appeared as Volumes I and XV of the "Sacred Books of the East." It contains the full text, translated into English and annotated, of the following upanisads: Chandogya, Kena, Aitareya, Kaushitaki, Isa, Katha, Mundaka, Taittiriyaka, Brhadaranyaka, Svetasvatara, Prasna, and Maitriyana. These are the most important upanisads, the classical basic documents that have been accepted as authoritative by practically all Indian religious and philosophic traditions.
These remarkable mystical and philosophical treatises have not only created the later wisdom of India, they have also played an important part in Western thought. While one many be doubtful of their claimed influence upon the Neoplatonists and the medieval Christian mystics, they still have greatly influenced later developments in Western philosophy, from the time of Schlegel, Hegel, Schopenhauer, and Schelling. Probably written by various authors over several centuries before 500 B.C., they exhibit a remarkable uniformity of purpose: they strive — through parable, proverb, simile, and metaphor, and through a method similar to Socratic dialogue — to arrive at truth without erecting a formal system.
Although there have been other translations of the upanisads, this edition of Max Müller has long enjoyed the reputation of being the most scholarly. Not only does the translation contain the mature reflections of the greatest Indologist and Sanskritologist of the nineteenth century (who was also a profound philosopher in his own right), it also contains his long introductions of more than 250 pages, discussing the position of the upanisads and their value for the modern world.
These profound writings are necessary reading for all Indologists, philosophers, and historians of religion. They are also most valuable experiences for the modern reader who is interested in learning about a great field of thought with deep mystical and existential implications.

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Spirituality, Classics, Hinduism, India, History

421 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1879

About the author

Friedrich Max Müller, K.M. (Ph.D., Philology, Leipzig University, 1843)—generally known as Max Müller or F. Max Müller—was the first Professor of Comparative Philology at Oxford University, and an Orientalist who lived and studied in Britain for most of his life. He was one of the founders of the western academic field of Indian studies and the discipline of comparative religion. Müller wrote both scholarly and popular works on the subject of Indology and the Sacred Books of the East, a 50-volume set of English translations, was prepared under his direction.

Müller became a naturalized British citizen in 1855. In 1869, he was elected to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres as a foreign correspondent. He was awarded the Pour le Mérite (civil class) in 1874, and the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art the following year. In 1888, he was appointed Gifford Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, delivering the first in what has proved to be an ongoing, annual series of lectures at several Scottish universities to the present day. He was appointed a member of the Privy Council in 1896.

His wife, Georgina Adelaide Müller was also an author. After Max's death, she deposited his papers at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

Reviews

[Mark Noce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily one of the most important books ever written. Unlike more linear Western philosophy/religion, the Upanishads is much more cyclical and requires meditation to really grasp even a few of the endless concepts tightly packed within these pages. What I found particularly interesting is how positive and upbeat the entire work is. The statements throughout are applicable to any person's life regardless of religion or condition. The openness of the Upanishad's philosophy makes it compatible with many other belief systems because it is not exclusionist. How can you not enjoy a book that quite succinctly states "You are immortal, you are unchangeable, you are imperishable."

[Peter J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed the first volume of this two part translation by Max Mueller. It is challenging to know how to describe it though. Mr. Mueller is correct in his introduction where he describes how readers of ancient oriental texts should prepare themselves to be both lifted to shockingly brilliant thoughts and just as frequently, or perhaps more so, left disappointed after reading something either childish or cruel. This work did just that to me. I was stunned at the introspection and depth at times (e.g. Discussion on the highest Brahma residing within everything) and sadly disappointed at others (e.g. Souls going to the moon). I can only assume that this is because this work was a living document whose parts ranged from ~600bc-~1400ad. Some of the authors during this massive length of time were bound to be less insightful than others. Considering how impressed Apollonius of Tyana was with the wisdom of the ancient Brahman sages, I wonder if the older parts are the more insightful ones.

[Scribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished last night after a few months. Not quite sure how to review this one.

I've read taoist books over the years, and grew up with the bible. The Upanishads kind of fits in somewhere alongside these, but also not. The Tao te Ching raises questions. The Upanishads is full of something closer to answers - in terms of how it communicates its ideas.

Which is to say, I found the overlap with the taoist texts interesting - mainly snippets about paths, but more around the role that dreaming and dreamless sleep play (which Chuang Tzu and Liu I-ming mention a few times). The true meaning of "aum/om" is massive, in this sense.

Overall, a dense and often repetitive text but with sound reason and a lot to take in and understand. I'll keep this and refer back to all the sticky bookmarks I've put in place, until such time that I can burn it and escape this body.

[Natacha Pavlov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I’ve briefly explored some concepts of Hinduism through a college religion course I took years ago, The Upanishads was my first actual Vedic read. The text focuses on man’s relation with the Self and the importance of making this his priority. Some of the themes include the concept of the ultimate reality known as 'brahman', salvation, attachment vs. detachment (freedom from want), the importance of thoughts, and the divine nature of the incantation 'Om'. Some of the concepts were unfamiliar and thought-provoking (namely the ones dealing with moral issues). While it’s a fairly easy read, I did sometimes feel confused which is likely the result of my limited background on Vedic literature.

[Rachna Dhand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Isa Upanishads from 416 onwards. Mesmerizing.

[Lenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

AUM, Atman-Brahman, tat tvam asi.

[Kafkasfriend · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far the most important and best interpretation

[Katherine Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good. Will find more sacred texts!

[Ghida Mouazen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Similar to any other religious bullshit.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent translation for how old it is. Very significant at the time.

[syna with a why · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg babe you’re so South Asian studies major coded!!

[Julia Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You are immortal, you are unchangeable, you are imperishable."

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is good stuff.

[Prateeksha S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinnacle of Indian verse