Download PDF The Upanishads 2nd Edition Eknath Easwaran 8601404237256 Books
Download As PDF : The Upanishads 2nd Edition Eknath Easwaran 8601404237256 Books
In the ancient wisdom texts called the Upanishads, illumined sages share flashes of insight, the results of their investigation into consciousness itself. In extraordinary visions, they have direct experience of a transcendent Reality which is the essence, or Self, of each created being. They teach that each of us, each Self, is eternal, deathless, one with the power that created the universe.
Easwaran’s best-selling translation is reliable and readable. It includes an overview of the cultural and historical setting, with chapter introductions, notes, and a Sanskrit glossary. But it is Easwaran’s understanding of the wisdom of the Upanishads that makes this edition truly outstanding.
Each sage, each Upanishad, appeals in a different way to the reader’s head and heart. In the end, Easwaran writes, “The Upanishads are part of India’s precious legacy, not just to Hinduism but to humanity, and in that spirit they are offered here.â€
Download PDF The Upanishads 2nd Edition Eknath Easwaran 8601404237256 Books
"This is the best translation available by far. The translation reads well and is thoroughly enjoyable. Easwaran's commentary gives you a great deal to work with, and just every part of it is lovely. Easwaran's translation also includes a handful of extra Upanishads he found valuable, which means you actually get more content in his translation than the alternatives; and rest assured, these additional 4 Upanishads are just as valuable and enjoyable as the rest. Indeed the only part I wasn't as fond of was the section that wasn't written by Easwaran, though I still believe that section to be valuable. All in all, an excellent read."
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The Upanishads 2nd Edition Eknath Easwaran 8601404237256 Books Reviews :
The Upanishads 2nd Edition Eknath Easwaran 8601404237256 Books Reviews
- Eknath Easwaran's "The Upanishads" book is very elegant, beautiful, and easy to read. I like how he placed titles to every section and that he also wrote very small superscript numbers for every verse. From the front cover to the back one, it is a gorgeous book. It really invites/makes you read it all the time.
For those who are very serious, however...
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is missing the entire chapter 1 (very important chapter), it starts on chapter 2. Then on chapter 3, verses 2 through 7 (very important too) are missing... this pattern keeps going with other Upanishads.
Eknath was condensing the Upanishads to make it less repetitive (in a way I like it - abridge version) and many verses had missing parts/words/ideas/watered down (this repeats throughout the book and it is my biggest complaint). I understand "selecting portions" of some of the Upanishads, but it should be stated, and more importantly, the best parts should've been selected (per Upanishad). Here (Brihadaranyaka), the best parts were left out (a main issue), perhaps because another Upanishad touches on the same topic, but this is not mentioned or shown where. It is obvious that he was making a very westernize translation, omitting things that would turn away any western mind, as for example being reborn in another planet (see below verse 3 of the Isha Upanishad). Our "scientific" society would laugh at this. Yet, I rather have it in the original context than to delude it. And still, Eknath managed to do a very good translation (my second favorite "most readable").
It would have been better if he gave the entire text of all the Upanishads and he did not condense (missing words or ideas) them so much, just a bit. Also, it would be much better if he gave the original Sanskrit text (for the serious student). When I bought the book, I was under the impression that not only it was beautiful (and it is), but that this one had the complete text (almost everyone else has them incomplete).
The introduction before each of the Upanishads (the one some reviewers complain about) is written by Michael Nagler, not Eknath, and I do like it.
This book also includes 4 minor Upanishads Tejobindu, Atma, Amritabindu, and Paramahamsa.
I do like the way Eknath writes. His style is pleasant, appealing, and easy, it keeps you interested. I absolutely like his other book "Essence of the Upanishads".
Of all the translation I have read and own, the best one so far is "The Upanishads, Breath of The Eternal" by Swami Prabhavanada. This one is not as elegant/stylish looking on paper as Eknath's, but it is not missing important parts and the translation is soul touching... poetic... deep... for the most serious students.
By the way, "The Upanishads Breath of The Eternal" also includes only selected portions of the Taittiriya, Chandogya, and Brihadaranyaka. However, they do state it as such on the table of content, and more importantly, the best parts were selected and there is no deluding of anything, they rather added (to convey better the idea) than remove.
Yes, another reviewer is right there cannot be a literal translation of the Sanskrit text (see a Sanskrit sample below). It would not make sense at all. It has to be interpreted. But a good interpretation would not omit an idea, and in a text so deep like this, not leaving words/ideas out or "not watering them down" is critical... if we are serious about realizing these truths.
At other places, Eknath's translation was literal, for example, most translate it as "All this is Brahma, all that is Brahma", but the original in Sanskrit actually says "All this is full, all that is full" and it is how Eknath has it.
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Here is a quick comparison of Eknath's Isha Upanishad translation with other translators. Pay more attention to verse 3 on Eknath's translation where you can easily notice missing words/ideas, which leads to a different interpretation. Also, see how simple, yet beautiful, and direct is the translation by "The Upanishads Breath of the Eternal"
ORIGINAL - Sanskrit transliteration
kurvann eveha karmÄnÌ£i jijÄ«visÌ£ec chatÄmÌ samÄhÌ£
evamÌ tvayi nÄnyatheto'sti na karma lipyate nare
Eknath (no original in Sanskrit in his book)
Thus working may you live a hundred years. Thus alone will you work in real freedom. P. 57, verse 2
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada (in his book, he provides the original in Sanskrit)
One may aspire to live for hundreds of years if he continuously goes on working in that way, for that sort of work will not bind him to the law of karma. There is no alternative to this way for man.
Sri Aurobindo (in his book, he provides the original in Sanskrit)
Doing verily works in this world one should wish to live a hundred years. Thus it is in thee and not otherwise than this; action cleaves not to a man.
"The Upanishads Breath of the Eternal" by Swami Prabhavanada (no Sanskrit)
WELL MAY HE BE CONTENT TO LIVE A HUNDRED YEARS WHO ACTS WITHOUT ATTACHMENT - WHO WORKS HIS WORKS WITH EARNESTNESS, BUT WITHOUT DESIRES, NOT YEARNING FOR ITS FRUITS - HE, AND HE ALONE.
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ORIGINAL
asurya nama te lokÄ andhena tamasÄvrÌ£tÄhÌ£
tÄmÌs te pretyÄbhigacchanti ye ke cÄtma-hano janÄhÌ£
Eknath
Those who denied the self are born again blind to the self, envelope in darkness, utterly devoid of love for the Lord. P. 57, verse 3
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada
The killer of the soul, whoever he may be, must enter into the planets known as the worlds of the faithless, full of darkness and ignorance.
Sri Aurobindo"
Sunless are those worlds and enveloped in blind gloom where to all they in their passing hence resort who are slayers of their souls.
"The Upanishads Breath of the Eternal"
WORLDS THERE ARE WITHOUT SUNS, COVERED UP WITH DARKNESS. TO THESE AFTER DEATH GO THE IGNORANT, SLAYERS OF THE SELF.
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ORIGINAL
anejad ekamÌ manaso javiyo nainad devÄ Äpnuvan pÅ«rvam arsÌ£at
tad dhÄvato'nyÄn atyeti tisÌ£tÌ£hat tasminn apo mÄtarisvÄ dadhÄti
Eknath
The Self is one. Ever still, the Self is swifter than thought, swifter than the senses. Though motionless, He outruns all pursuit. Without the Self, never could life exist. P. 57, verse 4
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada
Although fixed in His abode, the Personality of Godhead is swifter than the mind and can overcome all others running. The powerful demigods cannot approach Him. Although in one place, He controls those who supply the air and rain. He surpasses all in excellence.
Sri Aurobindo
One unmoving that is swifter than Mind, That the Gods reach not, for it progresses ever in front. That, standing, passes beyond others as they run. In That the Master of Life establishes the Waters.
"The Upanishads Breath of the Eternal"
THE SELF IS ONE. UNMOVING, IT MOVES SWIFTER THAN THOUGHT. THE SENSES DO NOT OVERTAKE IT, FOR ALWAYS IT GOES BEFORE. REMAINING STILL, IT OUTSTRIPS ALL THAT RUN. WITHOUT THE SELF, THERE IS NO LIFE.
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Bottom line 1. Missing important parts, 2. ideas are missing or have been diluted too much, or 3. changed.
I returned the book, unfortunately.
For a complete translation/interpretation (no Sanskrit or transliteration) of the main Upanishads get the F. Max Muller version & Swami Paramananda which can be freely obtained in PDF from "forgottenbooks" dot org. You might have to create a free account. I find their interpretations very accurate, and suited for advanced studies. Combine them with "Breath of the Eternal" and it is almost as reading the original in Sanskrit.
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UPDATE 2015-01-13 Forgotten Books has changed its membership. Now, most if not all books come with adds and missing a page after every eight page count (the free account), and if you want them with no adds and no missing pages then you must upgrade to the monthly fee membership. - The Upanishads can be read, not only for historical interest, but for portraying a radically different worldview to that prevalent in the contemporary neo-Enlightenment West. To be honest, I disagree with this perspective, sometimes radically so, but as a believer in the worth of diversity of ideas I found the Upanishads provide a fascinatingly different perspective on the underlying nature of the universe.
Essentially, the modern scientific worldview—noting the similarity between the brains of human beings and the brains of other primates--assumes that the material configuration of the brain explains the phenomena of consciousness. Noting that matter existed before terrestrial life, the scientific worldview sees matter, and the laws governing it, as the fundamental grounding of the world.
The Upanishads take an entirely different perspective. Instead of seeing matter increasingly organizing itself into a mind through the mechanism of natural selection, the Vedic commentaries see consciousness as present in all things while rising to its highest state in humanity. This, the self, Atman, or consciousness—these words describing different aspects of the same substance---is the primary reality. In fact, the seeming plurality of the world is really beneath its appearance the same self or Brahmin. To realize the underlying sameness of all reality beneath apparent differences is to achieve enlightenment and escape the cycle of births and rebirths.
While not a perspective I share, I am far too aware of the lacunae in the modern science paradigm to think that exploring other perspective is fruitless. That, along with the fact that the text was written to be memorized and recited so that it displays an almost melodic rhythm, makes this a book worth reading for those interested in ontology. The peculiarity of the ideas prevents me from calling this essential reading, however, except for those who want to understand South Asian culture.
Is the theory of the Upanishads true? This is for every reader to decide. Is it worth reading nonetheless? Yes, if you are interested in ontology, metaphysics or whatever you want to call philosophical reflection on the underlying nature of reality. Good prose and verse make the text enjoyable as well. - I love the Upanishads by made the mistake of ordering the Paramanda translations, which is not from the point of view of Advaita Vedanta (non-duality) which is how I see life, but from his Dual point of view (God). Also the translation and his commentary are in the same font which make it hard to decide when the text ends and his commentaries begin (distracting from the purity of the Upanishads).
- This is the best translation available by far. The translation reads well and is thoroughly enjoyable. Easwaran's commentary gives you a great deal to work with, and just every part of it is lovely. Easwaran's translation also includes a handful of extra Upanishads he found valuable, which means you actually get more content in his translation than the alternatives; and rest assured, these additional 4 Upanishads are just as valuable and enjoyable as the rest. Indeed the only part I wasn't as fond of was the section that wasn't written by Easwaran, though I still believe that section to be valuable. All in all, an excellent read.
