Upanisads (Oxford World's Classics) | 
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Product Description
In the first major English translation of the ancient Upanisads for over half a century, Olivelle's work incorporates the most recent historical and philological scholarship on these central scriptures of Hinduism. Composed at a time of great social, economic, and religious change, the Upanisads document the transition from the archaic ritualism of the Veda into new religious ideas and institutions. The introduction and detailed notes make this edition ideal for the non-specialist as well as for students of Indian religions.
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Customer Reviews:
• Stilted, Uninspired 26 May, 2004
This is a literal translation without any soul. Olivelle doesn't have the heart at the right place to translate mystical writings of the Upanishads. He should stick to Jesuit material.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3VXCT380WAMCE
• The Moral Fabric Of India 28 March, 2007
The Upanisads, like the Bhagavad-Gita, form the backbone of the morals existing in India. This collection of writings is a subset of the larger Vedic writings, but an important part nonetheless. This book is primarily about self within the surroundings much like zen teachings except with a little more storytelling to go along with the lessons.
The author includes many notes in the back of the book to provide the reader with some contextual background as well as some historical notes of interest which help the western reader get a feeling of perspective.
Much like the Bible in the West, not everything in this text should be taken literally as there is much imagery, allegory, and metaphor. For those of you that are students of the world's philosophy, you will probably enjoy this text. If your travelling to India in the future and looking for background reading, this will only fill a small void, as India is in a constant state of flux. However, this book is not for the casual reader since there definitely is some effort needed to try to gain the proper context. This book is by no means an easy read nor is it insurmountable, but squarely falls in the moderate range.
- Reviewed by customer ID: ANP5IY7JZI8QZ
• In No Way Challenged By Roebuck's Newer Penguin Translation 26 January, 2008
After some Sanskrit studies years ago, I decided I'd like to read the principal Upanishads in an accurate (so not the laughably loose Mascaro version) but readable (so not the painfully literal and commentary-heavy tome of Radhakrishnan) English version. It soon became apparent that the choice was between Olivelle (the volume reviewed here) and Valerie Roebuck's Penguin Classics edition of 2000/2003. The academic book reviews were quite ambivalent, so I got the two rivals out from the library and made my own comparison.
I was surprised to find the Oxford superior in every way. Most importantly, Olivelle's translation (while plenty literal) is simply in much more natural English. Roebuck is fond of unnatural word order. Her version includes many footnotes on each page, without which her text would sometimes make no sense; Olivelle manages to translate just as literally, but so that you don't NEED to consult his equally voluminous notes in the back. Looking at the Sanskrit text in cases of notable differences, I found that I was almost always more satisfied with Olivelle's version as scrupulously & clearly reflecting the original, too. (In any case, there's no question that Olivelle is the more authoritative scholar; Roebuck needs to cite several of his books in her bibliography and apologize for the "temerity" of offering a new version, but there is no important scholarly work of Roebuck's that Olivelle can cite in his extensive bibliography.)
Publishing is a business. Roebuck freely admits that she relied heavily on Olivelle's version in making her own. The surprise is that she did not manage to stand on his shoulders and make something better in any way. (The reviews and marketing blurbs that suggest Roebuck's version has any more "devotional" value boils down to some pretty superficial and unimportant differences, like including the invocations before and after each upanishad--which are in no sense a part of the actual text or teaching.) In a sane world, there is no need for the Penguin. The chronology is clear: Penguin realized Mascaro was an embarrassment in need of replacement; they contracted Roebuck; while she was working Olivelle's version came out, making hers otiose. Penguin can't let its Mascaro version be totally eclipsed by Oxford, so we have this choice to confuse us. Don't be confused--get this Oxford edition.
Finally, the Oxford volume is much better-designed. The notes are clearly indexed by page numbers at the top; the upanishads themselves have much clearer running head-numbers; the upanishads are usefully prefaced by a short, clear outline; etc.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AT7JPKGVN6AO9
• Good Introduction To The Upanishads 14 October, 2006
The Upanishads, regarded by Hindus as sacred scripture, are essential reading for anyone wishing to understand Eastern literature, philosophy and religion.
The Upanishads are a series of works in dialogue format which explore the nature of the universe, the nature of the human soul and conciousness, God and Gods in Hindu belief, and also the appropriate religious duties of men.
These works are often of varying length but with patience and read carefully, contain profound spiritual insights and also great philosophical interest. The Upanishads have influenced philosophers, poets, artists and writers including Emerson, Coleridge, Schopenhauer and Wittgenstein. They are also essential for understanding Buddhism, which in many ways is a reaction against Hindu philosophy and theology.
This version of the Upanishads includes a good introduction by a scholar on Eastern literature as well as very useful explanatory notes, and an introduction to each chapter and book of the Upanishads. Also like other Oxford versions it is very affordable.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3DXVAI08P00HD
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