The Upanishads, the earliest of which were composed in Sanskrit between 800 and 400 bce by sages and poets, form part of the Vedas - the sacred and ancient scriptures that are the basis of the Hindu religion. Each Upanishad, or lesson, takes up a theme ranging from the attainment of spiritual bliss to karma and rebirth, and collectively they are meditations on life, death and immortality. The essence of their teachings is that truth can by reached by faith rather than by thought, and that the spirit of God is within each of us - we need not fear death as we carry within us the promise of eternal life.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Acknowledgments
Sanskrit Pronunciation
Abbreviations
Introduction
Bibliography
About the Translation
Gayatri Mantra
Isavasya or Isa Upanisad: "Pervaded by the Lord"
Brhadaranyaka Upanisad: The Great Forest Teaching
Chandogya Upanisad: The Chanters' Teaching
Taittiriya Upanisad: The Taittiriyas' Teaching
Aitareya Upanisad: Aitareya's Teaching
Kausitaki Upanisad: Kausitaki's Teaching
Kena Upanisad: "By Whom?"
Katha Upanisad: The Kathas' Teaching
Svetasvatara Upanisad: Svetasvatara's Teaching
Mundaka Upanisad: The Renouncers' Teaching
Prasna Upanisad: The Teaching in Questions
Mandukya Upanisad: The Mandukas' Teaching
Maitri Upanisad: Maitri's Teaching
Notes
Glossary
Index

About

The Upanishads, the earliest of which were composed in Sanskrit between 800 and 400 bce by sages and poets, form part of the Vedas - the sacred and ancient scriptures that are the basis of the Hindu religion. Each Upanishad, or lesson, takes up a theme ranging from the attainment of spiritual bliss to karma and rebirth, and collectively they are meditations on life, death and immortality. The essence of their teachings is that truth can by reached by faith rather than by thought, and that the spirit of God is within each of us - we need not fear death as we carry within us the promise of eternal life.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Sanskrit Pronunciation
Abbreviations
Introduction
Bibliography
About the Translation
Gayatri Mantra
Isavasya or Isa Upanisad: "Pervaded by the Lord"
Brhadaranyaka Upanisad: The Great Forest Teaching
Chandogya Upanisad: The Chanters' Teaching
Taittiriya Upanisad: The Taittiriyas' Teaching
Aitareya Upanisad: Aitareya's Teaching
Kausitaki Upanisad: Kausitaki's Teaching
Kena Upanisad: "By Whom?"
Katha Upanisad: The Kathas' Teaching
Svetasvatara Upanisad: Svetasvatara's Teaching
Mundaka Upanisad: The Renouncers' Teaching
Prasna Upanisad: The Teaching in Questions
Mandukya Upanisad: The Mandukas' Teaching
Maitri Upanisad: Maitri's Teaching
Notes
Glossary
Index

Author