The Upanishads

by Parmananda

The Upanishads are some of the world's most important works of spiritual literature, presented here in an accessible form by an early ambassador of Vedantic teaching. Swami Paramananda's translations were created in the early 1900s out of a desire to make the Hindu sacred texts comprehensible to Westerners, who had previously had to contend with the more obscure language of purely scholarly translations. The text and commentary was generated in a series of classes given by Paramananda in Boston, and later revised for publication. As a result the language is simple and clear, and the annotations relevant to a non-Hindu audience. These translations and commentary are still cherished by English speakers the world over for their lucidity and insight, and will be an asset to anyone interested in Vedic spirituality.

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality

110 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Rakhi Dalal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collectively, Vedas and Upanishads form the very basis of Indian philosophy, laying stress on the relation of Self with the Absolute while propounding the idea of a spiritual life. The importance of Upanishads in the canon of Indian scriptures can be well understood from the fact that sacred text of the Hindus "The Bhagwad Gita" is a commentary on Upanishads. Here I am going to hold my views on "The Upanishads" till I read some more and detailed translations. My issue with this version being that the volume had translations of only three Upanishads, while there are estimated to be more than 200 known Upanishads.

[Robbie Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly accessible text that introduces some of the philosophy and mythology of Hinduism. This is the first sacred text of Hinduism I've read, and I was surprised by the quality of the thinking and the ways (to me as a non-Hindu reader)the myths served as effective illustrations of the ideas being discussed.

[Marissa Ruesch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This translation only covers 3 Upanishads but the commentary on each of them is extremely helpful.

[Dhruti Rampelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

definitely must read !!

[Krishen Mohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the Upanishads contained therein I managed to enjoy the Kena Upanishad the best. It's helped know by mind some things that I know by being. That others may feel the way I do I write this.

What I learned this time around is that to know the Infinite is to know that it cannot be known. This is because all that the Mind knows is itself. And so to know is to know Knowing and only so can in a sense All be "known" by the Being. This "known" is not the same as the Knowing of the mind. It is not a Conceptualisation.

To Seek is to become Lost. To Find is to Pause and Reflect.

[Arun Acharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

One has to practice what's written here to understand what's the sage saying. Meditation and concentration lead to a still mind that then reflects the Brahman even though He is beyond all knowledge.

The book could have been more detailed for most of it is already contained in Bhagwad Gita.

[Devendra Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and crisp. But for introduction it is a good one.

[Kathy Nealen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This translation contained three of the Upanishads only .

[Rajni Vashist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book enlighten us on Isha -Katha - Kena Upanishads .A short simple 186 pages book with deep insightful meaning and message

[AreGeeBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

To the newbies,the book could help you enter the world of ancient pure and powerful thinking done and supported by Hindus.Even if not reading for the sake of some mythology reading,this book will truly help you understand essence of the world of past also connecting to the invisible and unknown certainty of Today...
Small chunk of vast knowledge,this book is easy to read and helpful indeed.

[Kushal Kushlendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the very clear and concise book on Upanishads. Patanjali Yoga - Sutras are a bonus with very simple and direct interpretation.

[Shubham Prajapati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literal translation of the Upnishads. Not much of explanation provided. Nice for baisc overview of the sacred texts from Inidan Vedic period.