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PREFACE
This book contains the original text of nine upanishads with
their translation in simple English so that the English knowing
public (in India and abroad) may become acquainted with the
knowledge of the true Vedic spiritual philosophy, by knowing
and by acting in accordance with which one can attain true
happiness and peace of mind in this life as well as attain supreme
bliss, i.e.,
moksha
(Salvation). These nine upanishads are
Isha,
Kena, Katha, Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittriya, Aitreya
and Shvetashvtara.
The first two (Isha and Kena) are named
after the first word occuring therein at their commencement,
the third (Katha) is named after the name of its author-sage,
the fonrth (Prashna) is so named as being in the form of
questions and answers, the fifth (Mundaka) is so named as
being head or brain, i.e., as containing spiritual knowlddge in an
excellent way (in fact all the upnishads possess this merit), and
the last four (Mandukya, Taittriya, Aitreya, and Shvetashvtara)
are named after the names of their respective authors—
sages.
The etymological meaning of the word "upanishad" is that
by which one can come close to God, the Omnipresent,
Omnipotent and Omnicient Supreme Spirit. Thus all these
upnishads deal solely with the knowledge of the true concep-
tion of God and mode of his realisation. All these upnishads
are so to say commentarier on, or explanotory of, certain parts
of the Vedas, the revealed books, and are authoritative, being
in accordance with the Vedas which, being regarded as the very
word of God, are considered as of supreme authority.
There have been, from time to time, several translation (some
English too) of the upanishads, but some of them have gone