The Upanishads translated by Swami Paramananda

Preface

The translator's idea of rendering the Upanishads into clear

simple English, accessible to Occidental readers, had its origin

in a visit paid to a Boston friend in 1909. The gentleman, then

battling with a fatal malady, took from his library shelf a

translation of the Upanishads and, opening it, expressed deep

regret that the obscure and unfamiliar form shut from him what he

felt to be profound and vital teaching.

The desire to unlock the closed doors of this ancient treasure

house, awakened at that time, led to a series of classes on the

Upanishads at The Vedanta Centre of Boston during its early days

in St. Botolph Street. The translation and commentary then given

were transcribed and, after studious revision, were published in

the Centre's monthly magazine, "The Message of the East," in 1913

and 1914.. Still further revision has brought it to its present

form.

So far as was consistent with a faithful rendering of the

Sanskrit text, the Swami throughout his translation has sought to

eliminate all that might seem obscure and confusing to the modern

mind. While retaining in remarkable measure the rhythm and

archaic force of the lines, he has tried not to sacrifice

directness and simplicity of style. Where he has been obliged to

use the Sanskrit term for lack of an exact English equivalent, he