FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Upanishads - Volumes I through IV are published by The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York which bases it teachings on the principles of Vedanta, or Hinduism. Hinduism teaches that every soul is potentially divine, and that its divinity may be manifested through worship, contemplation, unselfish work, and philosophical discrimination. According to Hinduism, Truth is universal and all humankind and all existence are one. It preaches the unity of the Godhead, or ultimate Reality, and accepts every faith as a valid means for its own followers to realize the Truth.

INSIDEFLAP: The Upanishads form the concluding portion and contain the essence of the Vedas, which are the Scriptures of the Hindu faith. They record the direct and immediate spiritual experience of the rishis, the seers of truth, and have been passed down orally through a succession of illumined teachers. They treat of the origin and destiny of the soul, the nature of the universe, and the nature of ultimate reality. What are often presented as theological dogmas are in this new translation considered living experiences available to all. The divinity of the soul, the oneness of humanity, and the indivisibility of the Godhead are discussed not as articles of faith, but as truths of spiritual experiences. Schopenhauer once said: "The Upanishads are the most rewarding and elevating reading possible in the world: they have been the solace of my life and will be that of my death."

This new translation is both literal and graceful. It has the dignity and flavor of the original. Swami Nikhilananda has based his notes and explanations on the commentaries of Sankaracharya, the great eighth-century philosopher and mystic. Volume I contains the Katha, Isa, Kena, and Mundaka Upanishads. With two introductory chapters dealing with the historical background, the metaphysics, and the psychology of the Upanishads. Of this volume the Contemporary Review wrote: "Swami Nikhilananda has rendered us an unforgettable service. The scholar and the student will certainly find himself fully repaid by a study of this remarkable edition."

SYNOPSIS

Swami Nikhilananda's English translation of four of the major Upanishads - Katha, Isa, Kena, and Mundaka - offers a scholarly, yet readable version of the sacred texts of ancient India. The Upanishads form the foundation of the Hindu religion and describe the ultimate objective of life - the liberation of the soul from the bondage of the phenomenal world. Swami Nikhilananda's clear and insightful writing combined with notes and explanation based on the commentary of Sankaracharya, the great eighth-century philosopher and mystic of India, will help the spiritual seeker delve into the meaning of these spiritual treasures. This first of four volumes also contains an introduction with a general outline of the metaphysics and philosophy of Hinduism.

About the Translator
Swami Nikhilananda, a direct disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, was born in a small Indian village in 1895 and was ordained a monk of the Ramakrishna Order in 1924. After spending several years in the Himalayan monastery of his Order, during which time he made a study of Hinduism and other systems of philosophy and religion, he was sent to America in 1931. He founded the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York in 1933 and was its spiritual leader until his passing away in 1973.

The Swami was a gifted writer, and his contributions to the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature cannot be overstated. His translations of the scriptures, his biographies of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, his compilations of the works of Swami Vivekananda, his other books and many articles in various journals and publications are permanent sources of spiritual knowledge and inspiration. Notable among these works are the following titles: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, Vivekananda: A Biography, The Upanishads (volumes I-IV), The Bhagavad Gita, Self-Knowledge, Hinduism, and Man in Search of Immortality. Many of these works were originally introduced by major publishers, such as Harper & Row (New York) and George Allen & Unwin (London). Time Magazine called Swami Nikhilananda's translations of The Bhagavad Gita, "The first really readable, authoritative English translation of one of the world's greatest religious classics." W. Somerset Maugham praised Self-Knowledge as a "wonderful piece of exposition."

But the Swami's monumental work, for which he will ever be remembered, is The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. This complete translation into English from the original Bengali of the Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita, as recorded by "M," has made the immortal words of this great prophet of the nineteenth century available to countless readers throughout the world. Aldous Huxley was pleased to write a foreword to The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, and high praise was given to the book by such notable persons as Thomas Mann and Henry Miller. Time Magazine referred to The Gospel as "One of the world's most extraordinary religious documents.

FROM THE CRITICS

Thomas Sugrue

His translation of the original Sanskrit is literal but fresh and vigorous; to this he has added succinct, brilliantly written notes. It is difficult to over-estimate the value of Swami Nikhilananda's project for those who are interested in the spiritual life. Will add incomparable riches to any which contemplates it. New York Times Book Review

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Anyone who is seriously interested in the religious and philosophical thought of India would be anxious to have this, as well as the other volumes of Upanishads in translation by Swami Nikhilananda. — Pitirim A. Sorokin

This is by far the most satisfactory and readable translation of the Upanishads I have seen. — Herbert W. Schneider

A remarkably felicitous and spiritual translation which will go far toward making the great literature of the Hindu philosophical scriptures both accessible and intelligible to [the] thoughtful . . . . — Edgar S. Brightman

Swami Nikhilananda's line by line commentary on the Upanishads is a most welcome addition to our knowledge and understanding of the country and culture which perhaps more than any other is now taking on a position of primary importance in the Oriental world. — F.S.C. Northrop