Upanishads, Volume 1

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.

The Upanishads are the most important text of Vedanta. The Triple Canon of Vedanta (Prasthana Traya) include: (1) the Upanishads, (2) the Bhagavad Gita, and (3) the Brahma Sutras. The Upanishads are considered the revealed scriptures and so referred to as 'Sruti Prasthana'. The Bhagavad Gita is the recollected scripture and hence referred to as 'Smriti Prasthana'. The Brahma Sutras use logic and reasoning to discuss the Sruti and so called 'Nyaya Prasthana'. The best commentary to these three was written by the 7th or 8th century Sage, Swami Adi Sankara. Any serious student of Vedanta should have all these three books with Sankara's commentary. Adi Sankara selected 11 Upanishads and wrote commentary on them and called them 'the Major Upanishads'. This four volume set contains all the major Upanishads with notes based on Sankara's commentary. Swami Nikhilananda's translation is superb. Rather than literally translate Sankara's commentary, he has chosen to place 'notes' based on Sankara's commentary and this makes the text very readable. He has added explanations to Sankara's commentary, which I feel are essential for modern readers. Another feature of this 4 volume set is Nikhilananda's extensive introductions on the concept of Brahman as portrayed in Vedic scriptures and also on other aspects of Veda Dharma (i.e., the religion based on the Vedas). The central message of the Upanishads is that Brahman (God) is the only Reality. As you read through these 4 volumes, you will enjoy among other things: Nachiketa's conversations with Yama on the Supreme Secrets of life and death in Katha Upanishad, profound discussions of the transcendental turiya state in Mandukya Upanishad, beautiful conversations of King Janaka with Sage Yajnavalkya in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and discussions of the five sheaths that 'conceal' the Supreme Reality in Taittiriya Upanishad. The Section on the short but extremely important Upanishad, Mandukya, also contains Gaudapada's Karika or commentary. (Gaudapada is Sankara's Guru's Guru). To conclude, this 4 volume edition is the most comprehensive as well as best available English translation of the Major Upanishads with notes based on Sankara's commentary.

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.

To have a work of this philosophic profoundness translated by someone who was himself steeped in the very same tradition as the work that he is translating is a privelege.Swami Nikhilananda was a genuine Hindu holy man who was also a scholar and he brings to this translation rare insights that can only be found from the actual experience of what he is writing of.Be careful of premature comparisons between the Upanishads and the teachings of Buddhism: While there are similarities between both traditions, they are each distinct and have their own value and integrity as religious systems and both make a decided contribution to the wisdom of the religions of the east.

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...