Yet another masterly piece of Hindu spiritual wisdom, Aitareya essentially reinforces the grand Upanishadic message which is neither a picturesque mythology nor a promise of heaven nor a threat of hell. It is yet another reminder (from the ancient seers) of our cosmic connection -- showing how this universe, this phenomenal world of ours, and all that is created, whether movable or immovable, are unfolded from one primeval casual Reality: atman, variantly called the Supreme Spirit, Pure Consciousness or Prajnanam Brahma; and how, in turn, atman perceives itself as the one underlying substance of all these phenomena.
A distinguished exponent of Vedanta, Swami Muni Narayana Prasad reinterprets this Upanishad, developing refreshing insights into its textual discourse, its meaning, and its message. Also included in this critical commentary are its original Sanskrit text, Romanised transliteration, and verse for verse English translation.
Appended to the Rigveda, Aitareya Upanishad comprises three chapters (IV-VI) of the Aitareya-Aranyaka which, in itself, is a continuation of Aitareya Brahmana. And as one of the principal Upanishads is invaluable as much to the discerning readers as to the scholars of Indian philosophy. |
