The Upanishads (Katha - Prashana - Mundaka)

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Katha

Kathaopanishad comes from the Yajurveda. It is the story of nachiketas, son of Vajashravas, discussing the important question of Death and immortality with yama the lord of Death. this ancient story , mentioned in various other scriptures, is discussed in the Kathopanishad in detail. Kathopanishad is one of the ten principal Upanishads.

Prashna

As the name indicates, it is an Upaishad that question everything including the concept of the guru and disciple A great rishi proclaims to his students that if they abide with him for sometime, at the end of that period he would teach them the Truth if he himself has understood it Adi Shankara has written an excellent commentary on Pashana which is again one of the Principal Upanishads.

Mundaka

The Mundaka Upanishad too is one of the Principal Upanishads and drives its name from the shaven head of the renunciant. Therefore e central theme of the Upanishad is the Brahman, the Supreme Truth and the Only reality , and how to understand it. Para vidya or the science of reality is discussed in Contrast to Aparaa vidya , knowledge of this illusory, material world. The path to the truth is described t be akin to walking on the razor‘s edge.

Sri M was born in Trivandrum, kerala. At the age of nineteenth and a half , attracted by a strange and irresistible urge to go to the Hmalayas he left home.

At the Vyasa Cave, beyond the Himalayan shrine of Badrinath , he met his Master and lived with him for three and a half years , wandering freely , the length and breadth of the learnt from his Master Maheshwarnth Babji , transformed his consciousness totally.

Back in the plains, he, as instructed by his master, lived a normal life , working for a living , fulfilling his social commitments and at the same time preparing himself to teach all that he had learnt and experienced . At a signal from his aster he entered the teaching phase of his life. Today, he travels all over the world to share his experiences and knowledge.

Sri M is married and has two children. He leads a simple life - teaching and heading the Satsang Foundation, a charitable concern promoting excellence in education. At presents he lives in Madanapalle , Andhar Pradesh , three hours drive form Banglore.

Sri M recently traversed the varied landscape of Indi a on foot from Kanyakumari to Kashmir for 15 month covering a distance of 7500 kms in 2015 -16 spreading the message of peace & harmony to restore the nation fit enough to be bequeathed to our future generations.

Equally at home in the religious teaching of most major religions, Sri M, born as mumtaz lai khan, says “Go to the core. Theories are of no use.”

The contents of this book are the edited transcription of the discourses on the Upanihads by Sri M. Minimum editing has been done to retain the style of the talks. The editor acknowledges with the contribution of Ms. Uma singh in transcribing the discourses with care and attention.

The introductory portions might sound repetitious at times, but that could not be avoided, considering that the talks were given at different times to different people. It is suggested that these portions be re-read for a through comprehensive of each Upanishad.

The Upanishads represents the high watermark not only of Hindu Philosophy but of spiritual literature anywhere in the world. These marvellous discourses and dialogues between self-realized seers, known as Rishis , and one or more disciples, contain powerful and eloquent statements regarding the ultimate reality in its multifarious facets. They have been well described a providing an ‘ ecstatic slide show of reality, a privileged glimpse of the unites vision in which all things are one in a world aflame with God.’ They contain some of the most eloquent passage such as - I have seen that Great Being shining like a thousand suns beyond the darkness; it is only by knowing that being that we can achieve immortality ‘and again, ;Hear O children of immortal bliss , you are born to be united with the Divine ; follow the path of the illumined one’s and be united with the supreme Being.’

The Universal truths articulated in the Upanishads have formed the basis for numerous commentaries down through the centuries, beginning with the luminous insight of Adi shankaracharya . In our times Sri aurobindo, sri Krishnaprem,D Radhakrishnan, swami Ranganathanada, Eknath Ishwarn and other great seers an sages have produced commentaries and interpretations on various Upanishads. The Upanishads are enduring and unfailing sources of inspiration, and their impact grows with each successive reading. One of my favourites is the Mundaka which I have translated and upon which I have attempt a short commentary.

This author of this Book, Sri Mumtaz ali, Popularly known as ‘M’, has spoken extensively upon the Upanishads, based on his Personal experience. the Fact that a person born a Muslim Should have such a deep insight into the Hindu traditional proves once again that the Spiritual path accepts no boundaries.

In these talks M has expounded in a clear and cogent fashion various aspects of these three great texts. I have Pleasure in Commending this book to spiritual seekers and students of Hinduism around the world.