The Upanishads: Breath from the Eternal Mass Market Paperback – August 1, 2002

I bought my first copy of this little book out of pure curiosity 40 years ago. I found these lovely & inspiring works (as one long interested in religion, science, and philosophy) to be uplifting at first reading, second reading, and twentieth reading. Having worn that first copy out, others by these authors have followed, been shared, and I keep two extra on hand for gifts. Many translations are out there; I say that this one is tough to beat. ( P.S. If you 'get' Acts 17:28, you'll be inspired by the Upanishads.)

This was my first introduction to the Upanishads, but it is still my favorite years later. I have bought several copies of this version, because I keep giving them away to people. I feel everyone seeking spiritual Truths MUST read this. In my daily life I often recommend the Upanishads to any spiritual seeker or philosophy lover, and always in this translation. I have read a few other translations, some of them being those that are most popular and readily available in bookstores, and while those translations were generally beautiful and helpful, they didn't seem to be on par with Swami Prabhavananda's rendering and interpretation. I once had a World Religions professor who made us answer on every test that EVERY translation is an interpretation. This couldn't be more true, even reading the original work of something is an interpretation within your own mind.The Upanishads are hundreds, even thousands of years old. They rank among the oldest of spiritual literature in existence, and are still practiced today. The amazing part about the Upanishads is how they are still advanced philosophy all these years later. They paint a beautiful and complete cosmology in a poetic and philosophical manner even today. It still blows my mind that these are so old, yet so intricate and profound. It just goes to show that Truth is eternal, unchanging with time. And that our ancestors were not the primitive fools that the currently accepted paradigm makes them out to be. The Upanishads rank among my favorite of all spiritual books from any religion. Which is important to me because as a student of comparative religions I have read many spiritual books from all the major religions, even though I am still young.This is my favorite interpretation to date, not only because I feel it in the depth of my being, but because it is clear, concise, and fluid. Many other translations keep the Upanishads in verse, making them rigid and a bit more difficult to get the full meaning from while being rendered into another language. This translation is mostly in prose and reads like a story or essay--as the preface states: "With minor exception the original Sanskrit here rendered is verse. With minor exception we have employed prose." I have read a few books by Swami Prabhavananda and all have been of superb caliber, his genius and spiritual understandings shine through in every sentence and concept.It is good to read several translations of a deep and symbolic spiritual work--that goes for all religions. The more translations you read the more you get a deeper understanding of what was originally intended by the creator and their native language. Don't miss this, and if you only read one translation, let it be this one!

I never thought I’d make it to the Upanishads. So happy I have. Started decades ago trying to live the Yoga Sutras ( still trying ). Two years ago , I did a deep daily , meditative dive into the Bhagavad Gita. I had done some study over the years but upon my only child transitioning from his physical incarnation two years ago - the Gita came to life and has given me life each morning to get through my day with peace & joy. Well I think I’m on my third round through Gita & my Soul prompted me to order this book ! I love how even though it is written in a different format from the first two and is a predecessor ( I think ) I see common threads between the three.

The literal meaning of upanishad, "sitting near devotedly" brings picturesquely to mind an earnest disciple learning from his teacher. The word also means "secret teaching"; or as Shankara said "knowledge that destroys the bonds of ignorance and leads to the supreme goal of freedom."In this book, the author shares 12 Upanishads: Isha, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taiittiriya, Aitreya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka, Swetasvatara, Kaivalya.Here are few verses:"The Power behind every activity of nature and of man is the power of Brahman. to realize this truth is to be immortal.""Through knowledge of Brahman (Self) comes power. Through knowledge of Brahman comes victory over death.""The secret of immortality is to be found in purification of the heart, in meditation, in realization of the identity of the Self within and Brahman without. For immortality is simply union with God.""The Self is not known through study of the scriptures, nor through subtlety of the intellect, nor through much learning. But by him who longs for him is he known. Verily unto him does the Self reveal his true being.""Soundless, formless, intangible, undying, tasteless, odorless, eternal, without beginning, without end, immutable, beyond nature, is the Self. Knowing him as such, one is freed from death.""What is within is also without. What is without is also within. He who sees difference between what is within and what is without goes evermore from death to death.""He is the one light that gives light to all. He shining, everything shines.""None beholds him with the eyes, for he is without visible form. Yet in the heart is he revealed, through self-control and meditation. those who know him become immortal."When all the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not - that, say the wise, is the highest state.""The Self is the goal of knowledge. Know him and go beyond death."