The Philosophy of the Upanishads

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About the Book The Hindu scriptures the Upanishads are, according to German scholar PAUL DEUSSEN (1845-1919), the culminating point of the Indian doctrine of the universe, an achievement that had been reached even before the arrival of the Buddha. In this work- originally published in German in 1906 and translated into English two years later- Deussen explores the place of the Upanishads in the literature of the Veda and explains the theology, cosmology, and psychology of that holy book. A landmark for East-West cross- cultural scholarship, The Philosophy of the Upanishads helped create the European understanding of the mind and heart of India, a philosophical and cultural endeavor that consumed both academics and armchair truth-seekers of the day. Today, it is still essential reading for anyone wishing to obtain a deeper knowledge of Indian spiritual wisdom. The Upanishads are treatises on Brahman-knowledge, that is knowledge of Ultimate Hidden Reality, and their presentation of philosophy presumes, "it is by a strictly personal effort that one can reach the truth". Similarly, the Karma doctrine is presented in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, which is the oldest Upanishad.

About the Author Paul Jakob Deussen (1845-1919) was a German Indologist and professor of Philosophy at University of Kiel. Strongly influenced by Arthur Schopenhauer, Deussen was a friend of Friedrich Nietzsche and Swami Vivekananda. He, who Sanskritised his name to "Deva-Sena" as a mark of his admiration for Hinduism, is one of the distinguished roll of Europeans who often with lyrical admiration participated in the scholarly Western discovery of Sanskrit and Hinduism that took place in British India itself, Germany, France and England. Translated by A. S. Geden: Alfred Shenington Geden (1857-1936) also known as Alfred Geden was born in 1857. His father name was John Dury Geden. He was an English missionary and linguist and ran Royapettah College, now in Chennai. He has few important books to his credit such as Philosophy of Upanishads, Outlines of Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, The Massoretic and Other Notes Contained in the Edition of the Hebrew Scriptures Published by the British and Foreign Bible Society and Studies in Comparative Religion - Scholar's Choice Edition.

Preface DR. DEUSSEN's treatise on the Upanishads needs no formal introduction or commendation to students of Indian thought who are familiar with the German language. To others I would fain hope that the translation here presented, which appears with the author's sanction, may serve to make known a work of very marked ability and of surpassing interest. As far as my knowledge extends, there is no adequate exposition of the Upanishads available in English. The best was published by Mesara. Trübner more than a quarter of a century ago, and is in many respects out of date. As traced here by the master-hand of the author, the teaching of the ancient Indian seers presents itself in clearest light, and claims the sympathetic study of all lovers of truth.

For the English rendering I am alone responsible. And where I may have failed to catch the precise meaning of the original, or adequately to represent the turn of phrase, I can only ask the indulgence of the reader. Dr. Deussen's style is not easy. And if a more capable hand than mine had been willing to essay the task of translation, I would gladly have resigned my office. With whatsoever care I can hardly hope entirely to have escaped error. But for any indication of oversight or mistake, and any suggestion for improvement, I shall be most grateful The work has exacted many hours that could be ill spared from a very full life. If however it conduce in any way to a better understanding of the mind and heart of India I shall be amply repaid.

**Contents and Sample Pages**