The Complete Upanishads: Text, Context, and Philosophy (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798268448979)

The Complete Upanishads: Text, Context, and Philosophy is the most comprehensive and accessible guide to India's ancient spiritual wisdom available today. The Upanishads-composed between 900 BCE and 200 CE-are the philosophical heart of the Vedas, exploring questions that continue to shape religion, philosophy, and human self-understanding: Who am I? What is ultimate reality? How can liberation be attained?

This book presents the Upanishads in their historical setting, philosophical depth, and contemporary relevance. Each of the thirteen Principal Upanishads-including the Bṛhadāraṇyaka, Chāndogya, Īśa, Kaṭha, Kena, Taittirīya, Aitareya, Muṇḍaka, Māṇḍūkya, Praśna, Śvetāśvatara, Kauṣītaki, and Maitrī-is given a dedicated chapter covering its structure, central teachings, classical commentaries, and continuing influence. Later and minor Upanishads on Yoga, Sannyāsa, Śaiva, Śākta, and Vaiṣṇava traditions are also examined.

The book not only traces the Upanishads' role in shaping Vedānta philosophy but also explores their dialogues with Buddhism, Jainism, Neoplatonism, German Idealism, and American Transcendentalism, as well as their continuing impact on psychology, neuroscience, and consciousness studies.

The book includes:

• A Glossary of Sanskrit terms for quick reference.

• A Chronological Table of the Upanishads, showing their development and themes.

• An expanded Harvard-style Bibliography, linking readers to both classical commentaries and modern scholarship.

Written in a narrative, humanised style, The Complete Upanishads avoids both jargon and oversimplification. It balances scholarly rigor with readability, making it suitable for students of philosophy, seekers of spiritual wisdom, and anyone curious about India's enduring contribution to world thought.

Whether you are approaching the Upanishads for the first time or returning to them for deeper study, this book will serve as both a comprehensive reference and a living guide to texts that remain as fresh and transformative today as they were millennia ago.

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