The Principal Upanishads [Abridged] [Paperback]

Swami Nikhilananda (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 20, 2003

This volume comprises the major Upanishads, regarded as the basis of the Vedanta philosophy and the outstanding contribution of Hindu thinkers to the philosophical thought of the world. A comprehensive glossary addresses the Sanskrit terms contained in this volume — it provides a variety of meanings for each word.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; abridged edition edition (June 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048642717X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486427171
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,325,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Upanishads

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Higher than the highest peak, March 12, 2006

By 

cvairag (Allan Hancock College) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Principal Upanishads (Paperback)

I have not read this abridgement - but any version of Nikhilananda's magistral four-volume translation is worth the price and at least the equal of whatever is out there available. What follows is my review of the full, inspired Nikhilanada translation:
There are numerous translations of the Upanishads extant, and each that I have had the privilege to inspect has much to offer. My favorite, however, for overall presentation and scholarship is Nikhilananda's four volume masterpiece published by the Ramakrishna-Vedanta Center of New York beginning in 1949. The first volume contains the Katha, Kena, and Mundaka Upanishads, along with the majestic eighty-one page introductory essay, "Discussion of Brahman in the Upanishads", and a General Introduction to the entire work. The second volume contains the Svetasvatara, Prasna, and Mandukya Upanishads, and another searching and informative introduction embodying a study of Vedic ethics. The third volume contains the Aitareya and Brihadaranyaka Upanishads with another awesome introductory essay discussing the value of rituals and symbols for the contemplation of Brahman. The fourth volume contains the Taittiriya and Chandogya Upanishads and an essay discussing ritual and contemplative worship as steps leading to the knowledge of Brahman. The translation has been decribed by leading authorities in the field over the years as clear, literal, and vigorous - to these observations, I would add radiant and inspiring. Nikhilananda's own commentaries are succinct and incisive. Nikhilananda's translations of Sankara's commentaries are considered definitive. In the words of one academic reviewer, "The special value of the translation lies in the infusion of the author's dual quality - that of a practiced mystic and religious scholar. The use of Sankara's commentaries makes as it were for another dimension - as of a vastly competent Thomas Aquinas winnowing the scriptural chaff from the kernel of reality."
If you're considering a multi-volume edition of the Upanisads for your library, check out the Nikhilananda. Although the one-volume Centenary Edition of Radhakrishnan's translation is masterful, great, and deserves honorable mention, I value Nikhilananda's guiding light and incredible introductory essays as among the most useful tools available for understanding this seminal text, and, in the final analysis, I would not want to be without them when approaching this seminal and always challenging text.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mountain Top, October 1, 2004

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Principal Upanishads (Paperback)

I own a hard copy of what I believe is the same book--it includes the principal Upanishads by this author. It's one of my favorite books of all time--a keeper: I usually give away books after I've read them. It's not for everyone though. It is very high philosophy--the top of the mountain, not partway up (though there is some variation among the various Upanishads--they are not entirely consistent in level of abstraction). This is great for Myers-Briggs iNtuitives; not so hot for Sensates. And, of course, one needs to step out of his/her own religious upbringing if not a Hindu. It may seem very different from other religious views, but in point of fact, the Brahman (not to be confused with the Hindu Brahma, creator god) is pretty much the same as the Tibetan (both Buddhist and Bon) Dharmakaya or Ground of Being (a la Dzogchen and Mahamudra) or the Jewish Kabbalah's Ein Sof. It's amazing how the highest, esoteric views (Truth's if you will) are consistent across humanity. This is a book of vision, not dogma.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I'd recommend other translations..., December 28, 2007

By 

C Dub - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Principal Upanishads (Paperback)

I felt compelled to offer a bit of a dissenting review after seeing the only other reviews for this book are 5 stars.

I must say that this book does have some strong points. Although it is an abridged version of an earlier, 4-volume publication, it is still a relatively full presentation of the principal Upanishads. Several translations of the Upanishads I've encountered cut fairly large portions from some of the Upanishads, especially the longer ones (e.g., Brihadaranyaka). The text is also well annotated, with clear chapter and verse markings, and includes a good glossary. I would venture to say that the glossary covers everything that someone unfamiliar with Sanskrit or Hindu religious terminology will need.

I read a fair bit of literature in translation--myths and legends (like Beowulf or Gilgamesh), some modern literature, and religious works (e.g., Tao Te Ching, Rumi's Masnavi, the writings of the early Church fathers, Baghavad Gita). This translation, unfortunately, displays some of clumsier and more awkward English I've encountered in translations from any language.

I certainly understand that translators run into situations where they cannot both use good English and achieve their desired level of accuracy. Nonetheless, a good translation will be mostly clear and fluid, and I don't believe that Nikhilananda achieved that in this translation. This shortcoming is particularly striking because there are good translations into Engling of various Sanskrit works, for example Barbara Stoler Miller's version of the Gita.

I definitely believe the Upanishads are worth reading; I've read all the ones in this volume multiple times. Many sections are moving and/or profound, and they are also interesting for historical and other academic study. While this translation does have some good points, and is far from the worst version, it is also definitely not the best. I would recommend Patrick Olivelle's version, which shows the same strengths as this version without the weaknesses.