Swami Nikhilananda's English translation of four of the major Upanishads - Katha, Isa, Kena, and Mundaka - offers a scholarly, yet readable version of the sacred texts of ancient India. The Upanishads form the foundation of the Hindu religion and describe the ultimate objective of life - the liberation of the soul from the bondage of the phenomenal world. Swami Nikhilananda's clear and insightful writing combined with notes and explanation based on the commentary of Sankaracharya, the great eighth-century philosopher and mystic of India, will help the spiritual seeker delve into the meaning of these spiritual treasures. This first of four volumes also contains an introduction with a general outline of the metaphysics and philosophy of Hinduism.
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A remarkably felicitous and spiritual translation which will go far toward making the great literature of the Hindu philosophical scriptures both accessible and intelligible to [the] thoughtful . . . . -- Edgar S. Brightman
A scholarly and highly illuminating work. At a time when we are all seeking to understand the soul of India and to interpret the religious heritage of the deeply spiritual people, [these volumes] ought to be carefully studied . . . . -- Edward J. Jurji
Anyone who is seriously interested in the religious and philosophical thought of India would be anxious to have this, as well as the [other] volumes of Upanishads in translation by Swami Nikhilananda. -- Pitirim A. Sorokin
His translation of the original Sanskrit is literal but fresh and vigorous; to this he has added succinct, brilliantly written notes. It is difficult to over-estimate the value of Swami Nikhilananda's project for those who are interested in the spiritual life. Will add incomparable riches to any which contemplates it. -- Thomas Sugrue, New York Times Book Review
Swami Nikhilananda's line by line commentary on The Upanishads is a most welcome addition to our knowledge and understanding of the country and culture which perhaps more than any other is now taking on a position of primary importance in the Oriental world. -- F.S.C. Northrop
This is by far the most satisfactory and readable translation of The Upanishads I have seen. -- Herbert W. Schneider
A scholarly and highly illuminating work. At a time when we are all seeking to understand the soul of India and to interpret the religious heritage of the deeply spiritual people, [these volumes] ought to be carefully studied . . . . -- Edward J. Jurji
Anyone who is seriously interested in the religious and philosophical thought of India would be anxious to have this, as well as the [other] volumes of Upanishads in translation by Swami Nikhilananda. -- Pitirim A. Sorokin
His translation of the original Sanskrit is literal but fresh and vigorous; to this he has added succinct, brilliantly written notes. It is difficult to over-estimate the value of Swami Nikhilananda's project for those who are interested in the spiritual life. Will add incomparable riches to any which contemplates it. -- Thomas Sugrue, New York Times Book Review
Swami Nikhilananda's line by line commentary on The Upanishads is a most welcome addition to our knowledge and understanding of the country and culture which perhaps more than any other is now taking on a position of primary importance in the Oriental world. -- F.S.C. Northrop
This is by far the most satisfactory and readable translation of The Upanishads I have seen. -- Herbert W. Schneider
From the Publisher
The Upanishads - Volumes I through IV are published by The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York which bases it teachings on the principles of Vedanta, or Hinduism. Hinduism teaches that every soul is potentially divine, and that its divinity may be manifested through worship, contemplation, unselfish work, and philosophical discrimination. According to Hinduism, Truth is universal and all humankind and all existence are one. It preaches the unity of the Godhead, or ultimate Reality, and accepts every faith as a valid means for its own followers to realize the Truth.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best edition of one of the greatest of all books,
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This review is from: Upanishads, Volume 1 (Hardcover)
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 Upanishads 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 the Upanishads in a myriad of ways, and, in the final analysis, I would not want to be without them when approaching this seminal and always challenging text.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Volume I : Cryptic..but deep.,
By
This review is from: Upanishads, Volume 1 (Hardcover)
This book provides an excellent treatment of what the vedantas call "Brahman". This latter term indeed represents the concept of "emptiness" or "Self" in the buddhist literature. This first volume of a series of four presents the general philosophy of the Upanishads by explaining the terms used throughout the four volumes of the series. The meaning of the text is by no means easy to grasp and the intent is not there. For getting into the depth of the text one should really have some knowledge of the historical context of India at that time and be able to make the difference between what is written and what is meant.A historical book about Hindu history and philosophy is a prerequisite...but this work deserves the time spent on it... Don't be discouraged by its cryptic style...the subject is deep...
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A lucid translation with thorough commentary,
By anondoesnot4giv (internets) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Upanishads, Volume 1 (Hardcover)
This is probably the best introduction to Indian religious philosophy possible, maybe the best introduction to religion and philosophy in general. It could be said that most of Western thought consists of a series of annotations to the Upanishads.
For example: compare the section where Yama offers the world and is refused to the New Testament verses where Satan offers Jesus the world. Compare the explanation of Atman as being like an Indian fig tree (the one-tree forest) to Jesus' statement "I am the vine, ye are the branches." Compare the verse that Atman "Is called the Bright; there is no path to Brahman outside of Atman" to "I am the Way and the Truth and the Light; none come to the Father except through me." After a while, you might realize that the Upanishads are the source text of the New Testament. Or you may not.
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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sattva particles, unillumined person, association with máyá, unmanifested prakriti, illusory superimposition, determinative faculty, such spiritual disciplines, relative universe, lower knowledge, relative immortality, mighty rule, root sad, third boon, second boon, ritualistic worship, unitive knowledge, manifold universe, illumined soul, tangible universe, ritualistic action, inmost self, inner calmness Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pure Consciousness, Saguna Brahman, Supreme Self, Higher Knowledge, King of Death, World Soul, Supreme Lord, Highest Good, Knowledge of Atman, May Brahman, Non-dualistic Vedanta, Cosmic Mind, Brahman Itself, Great Atman, Nirguna Brahman, Lord Himself, Personal God, Way of the Gods, World of the Fathers, Northern Path, Plane of the Deities, Plane of the Moon, Supreme Bliss, Therefore Brahman New!
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sattva particles, unillumined person, association with máyá, unmanifested prakriti, illusory superimposition, determinative faculty, such spiritual disciplines, relative universe, lower knowledge, relative immortality, mighty rule, root sad, third boon, second boon, ritualistic worship, unitive knowledge, manifold universe, illumined soul, tangible universe, ritualistic action, inmost self, inner calmness Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pure Consciousness, Saguna Brahman, Supreme Self, Higher Knowledge, King of Death, World Soul, Supreme Lord, Highest Good, Knowledge of Atman, May Brahman, Non-dualistic Vedanta, Cosmic Mind, Brahman Itself, Great Atman, Nirguna Brahman, Lord Himself, Personal God, Way of the Gods, World of the Fathers, Northern Path, Plane of the Deities, Plane of the Moon, Supreme Bliss, Therefore Brahman New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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