3 Review(s)

The Upanishads capture the quintessence of Indian spiritual wisdom — unfolding deep-set, highly perceptive reflections on human existence and how it is related to cosmic mystery. Authored by enlightened seers, at different times, during 1500-200 b.c., the Upanishadic message inheres neither a promise of heaven, nor scare of hell. Rather, it is a magnificent vision that raises human consciousness to sublime heights. The Taittiriya —appended to the Krishna (Black) Yajur Veda —is one of best among the principal Upanishads. And, schematically, is offered in three chapters, entitled: (1) Shiksha Valli, (2) Brahmananda Valli, and (3) Bhrigu Valli —which each Swami Muni Narayana Prasad treats singly, superbly revealing the invisible thread that goes through all of them. With origjnal Sanskrit text, its Roman transliteration and easy-to- understand English paraphrase, this stimulating, at once analytical commentary grows from Swami Muni Narayana Prasad’s prolonged reflections on the Taittiriya Upanishad, coupled with the insights he acknowledges to have gained from Nataraja Guru’s discourses on different Upanishadic themes, Narayana Guru’s mystico-philosophical poems, and numerous sessions of intellectual interaction with different groups of scholars.