"From every sentence (of the Upanisads of the Vedanta) deep, original and sublime thoughts arise, and the whole is pervaded by a high and holy and earnest Spirit. In the whole world there is no study so beneficial and as elevating as that of the Upanishads (the Vedanta). (They) are products of the highest wisdom. It is destined sooner or later to become the faith of the people."
The number of the Upanishads, as commonly reckoned, very large; but only about dozen of them are genuine portions of Veda. The rest are all later and are inferior value, though even they are not without their distinctive appeal. Selections from both the groups are included here, the being classed as 'major' and the latter as 'minor' Upanishads Two or three short Upanishads, belonging to the first group appear in full, while the others are represented by passages which have been selected with a good deal of care.
The first Part of the book contains selections from the ten Major Upanishads that head the classical list as found in the last of the Upanishads, Makita. Next follow the Svetasvatara and the Kaushitaki which, though classed under the Minor Upanishads, are very important from the point of view of the central Upanishadic teaching. The second Part consists of selections from the other Minor Upanishads whose classification into six groups according to the topic dealt with has been adopted. In the matter of selection, the guiding principle has been to give the main teaching of the Upanishadic philosophy. To secure this end, consistent with the limitations of space, repetitions have been avoided without omitting the important passages. At the commencement of the selections from each Upanishad will be found an introductory note giving details regarding the Upanishad as also its contents. To ensure continuity of thought, prefatory notes are given at the top of sections of the Upanishads, and the contents of omitted portions are also indicated.
In preparing the translation, it has been my aim to be faithful to the original without doing violence to the English language.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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Vedas (1294)
Upanishads (524)
Puranas (831)
Ramayana (895)
Mahabharata (329)
Dharmasastras (162)
Goddess (473)
Bhakti (243)
Saints (1282)
Gods (1287)
Shiva (330)
Journal (132)
Fiction (44)
Vedanta (321)
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