The Upanisads

The style of the Upanisads is very peculiar. But still it was quite intelligible to the great scholars of the Vedas (mahasrotriyah) about
whom we hear from the Chandogya Upanisad. We live in an age far removed from the age of these great scholars. As a result, we find the texts of the Upanisads to be very difficult to comprehend. Now commentators come to our help. They elucidate the texts and make them
intelligible to us.

A good commentator should have three essential qualities. First, he should be well versed in all the original texts of the Upanisads. Second, he should have the skill to logically analyse the texts and successfully bring out their true import through the analysis. Third, he should be absolutely sincere in interpreting the texts. Generally speaking, the commentator is learned and skilful but not sincere in the work undertaken by him. Instead of elucidating the texts for the sake of making them intelligible he often uses elucidation as a means for getting support for his preconceived notions. As a result, he gives up the primary senses of the original words and puts into them his own personal ideas.

This book is intended to offer a new perspective to the study of the Upanisads. It will be surely helpful to all students of Indian
Philosophy, particularly those studying the texts of the Upanisads. It contains valuable information and insights not obtainable from the
current literature on the subject.

There are twelve authoritative Upanisads. This study covers eight out of the twelve-Isa, Kena, Katha, Mundaka, Mandukya, Svetasvatara, Chandogya and Brhadaranyaka. Its aim is to prove how discrimination and reliance on the original texts are the real sources of help in reading the Upanisads. The help given by the commentator is acceptable to the extent he is faithful to the original texts. Otherwise it is not indispensable. Trustworthiness of a commentary is determined not by the large support received from scholars but solely by the measure of its fidelity to the original scripture.

The Upanisads: A Study of the Original Texts is intended to offer a new perspective to the study of the Upanisads. It will be surely helpful to all students of Indian Philosophy, particularly those studying the texts of the Upanisads. It contains valuable information and insights not obtainable from the current literature on the subject.