Best Upanishads
In the ancient wisdom texts called the Upanishads, illumined sages share flashes of insight, the results of their investigation into consciousness itself. Easwaran recruited Michael Nagler to contribute notes to the translation and a lengthy afterword, which together with introductions to each Upanishad, guide us expertly through this strange and fruitful landscape.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"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). 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 karmāṇi jijīviṣec chatāḿ samāḥ. evaḿ tvayi nānyatheto'sti na karma lipyate nare. Eknath (no original in Sanskrit in his book): Thus working may you live a hundred years. 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. 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. ---------------------------------. ORIGINAL: anejad ekaḿ manaso javiyo nainad devā āpnuvan pūrvam arṣat. tad dhāvato'nyān atyeti tiṣṭhat tasminn apo mātarisvā dadhāti. Eknath: The Self is one. 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. 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."
"This is a beautifully done book that makes the Upanishads -- which take some getting used to but which are timeless and as relevant today as can be -- accessible through illuminating introductions, wonderful renderings in English, and an important Afterword."
"I heard monks compare Upanishads to mountains (of knowledge) one can not learn about upanishads in once lifetime but meditating up on “OM” it self is equivalent to knowing upanishads."
"I liked it but not loved it."
"I am reading through this book."
"After researching for a book about the Upanishads, this one is easy to understand and follow."
"Eknath Easwaran interpretation of the Upanishads is so comprehensive and deep."
In the ancient wisdom texts called the Upanishads, illumined sages share flashes of insight, the results of their investigation into consciousness itself. In his translation of The Upanishads , the font of Indian spirituality, Easwaran delights us with a readable rendition of one of the most difficult texts of all religious traditions. Easwaran recruited Michael Nagler to contribute notes to the translation and a lengthy afterword, which together with introductions to each Upanishad, guide us expertly through this strange and fruitful landscape. highly accessible new translation, complete with notes, annotations, interpretive essay, and glossary . -- East West, April 1988 "His translations keep the poetry and beauty of the original texts but present them in modern-day English."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"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). 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 karmāṇi jijīviṣec chatāḿ samāḥ. evaḿ tvayi nānyatheto'sti na karma lipyate nare. Eknath (no original in Sanskrit in his book): Thus working may you live a hundred years. 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. 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. ---------------------------------. ORIGINAL: anejad ekaḿ manaso javiyo nainad devā āpnuvan pūrvam arṣat. tad dhāvato'nyān atyeti tiṣṭhat tasminn apo mātarisvā dadhāti. Eknath: The Self is one. 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. 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."
"This is a beautifully done book that makes the Upanishads -- which take some getting used to but which are timeless and as relevant today as can be -- accessible through illuminating introductions, wonderful renderings in English, and an important Afterword."
"I heard monks compare Upanishads to mountains (of knowledge) one can not learn about upanishads in once lifetime but meditating up on “OM” it self is equivalent to knowing upanishads."
"I liked it but not loved it."
"I am reading through this book."
"After researching for a book about the Upanishads, this one is easy to understand and follow."
"Eknath Easwaran interpretation of the Upanishads is so comprehensive and deep."
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. 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 . At a time when we are all seeking to understand the soul of India and to interpret the religious heritage of the deeply spiritual people, [these volumes] ought to be carefully studied . 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. His translation of the original Sanskrit is literal but fresh and vigorous; to this he has added succinct, brilliantly written notes.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This series is a beautiful and scholarly introduction to the Upanishads."
"If you have basic knowledge already then this book is extra enlightening."
"A favorite Upanishad of Swami Vivekananda's."
"It was just like new, was so wonderful for my use in class!"
Best Vedas
The Vedas are ancient texts that are sacred in India and reknowned the world over.There are four vedas,known as the Rig Veda,the Yajur Veda,the Sama Veda and the Atharva Veda.Vedas teach the three paths to salvation.These paths are jnana(knowledge),bhakti(devotion) and karma(action).The Rig Veda is identified with the path of knowledge,the Yajur veda with the path of action and the Sama veda with the path of devotion.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Just excerpts from the four Vedas."
"Purchased it."
"A good overview, yet much is actually left out from the Vedas."
"The printing was substandard."
"Will make a good reference of the vedas if you are into scriptural studies."
"Definitely a great read for a new devotee!"
"I've see many translations of the Vedas, but what impressed me about this book are: (1) Translation is extremely readable/fluent, in prose-style (not in verse), not monotonous/boring and uses modern English (no thou, didst and stuff). (2) Print is good, font is big and clear, pages are good quality, binding is hardcover and feels solid. (3) Translation is loyal to the original text. For example, this book has the Gayatri Mantra in the Yajur Veda, which is not incorrect, but everyone expects it in the Rig Veda since that's where it originally is from."
"The red cover has stains on it, I have pages 171-176 looks like someone crumpled the pages and dragged it across the floor."
Best Bhagavad Gita
The Gita opens, dramatically, on a battlefield, as the warrior Arjuna turns in anguish to his spiritual guide, Sri Krishna, for answers to the fundamental questions of life. "No one in modern times is more qualified - no, make that 'as qualified' - to translate the epochal Classics of Indian Spirituality than Eknath Easwaran."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Very informative."
"A classic everyone must read."
"This book as well as the Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads and the Dhammapada, all by Eknath Easwaran offer excellent insights into the issues we all face throughout life and new ways to understand the challenges we all face from childhood to adulthood."
"Got this book for my husband, so, of course, I am reading it first.... (wink)."
"This was a great read."
"What I recommend is to read it complete, take notes and then read just the chapters without the introductions for a more fluent understanding of the book."
"Great translation and explanatory introduction before each chapter."
"This was the easiest to read and easiest to understand of any Gita that I have attempted."