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The Upanishads (Penguin Classics) Paperback – November 30, 1965

by Anonymous (Author), Juan Mascaro (Translator)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 407 ratings
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The Upanishads, the earliest of which were composed in Sanskrit between 800 and 400 bce by sages and poets, form part of the Vedas - the sacred and ancient scriptures that are the basis of the Hindu religion. Each Upanishad, or lesson, takes up a theme ranging from the attainment of spiritual bliss to karma and rebirth, and collectively they are meditations on life, death and immortality. The essence of their teachings is that truth can by reached by faith rather than by thought, and that the spirit of God is within each of us - we need not fear death as we carry within us the promise of eternal life.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    144 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Classics
  4. Publication date
    November 30, 1965
  5. Dimensions
    5.1 x 0.3 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0140441638
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0140441635
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The poetic backbone of Hinduism, the millennia-old Upanishads transcend time. The selections offered here illuminate a path that is as "narrow as the edge of a razor" but pregnant with freedom and bliss. Through vivid metaphors and timeless prose, learn how the path of yoga leads beyond the treacherous web of karma to the final, blissful union of the personal soul, atman, with the universal soul, Brahman.

About the Author

Juan Mascaro was born in Majorca, and later studied modern and oriental languages, Sanskrit, Pali and English at Cambridge University. He died in 1987, and was lauded as a great translator of our time.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Classics; Reissue edition (November 30, 1965)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140441638
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140441635
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.3 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 407 ratings

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Juan Mascaro

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4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
407 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Razzmatazz
5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent translation by Juan Mascaro
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2018
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Juan Mascaro's selections of the Upanishads are an intriguing glimpse into Hindu scripture and represent "the end" of the ancient Vedas and by extension the end of all knowing and seeking. The selections have various modes of presentation but one unifying message and theme: seeking to know the knower, to see the light of Truth, to go beyond the cycle of life and death.

These diverse writings distill the multitude of cosmology into but a few lines; they fearlessly ask and answer the most daunting questions mankind has thought to ask, in but a few pages; in line with so many enduring texts they emphasize letting go of desire and achieving self-control. These selections are brief in terms of pages but longer than most in terms of meaning and value. If you get through this book in a matter of days, you didn't really read it, you didn't pay attention, you didn't respect the wisdom or give it its due.

I am not overstating when I say that aside from the great value of these selections, Juan Mascaro's introduction would have been worth the cost on its own. As with the Dhammapada he shows a deep appreciation for the source material and an equally strong desire to retain its poetry and potency while bringing these ancient works to modern readers in a fluid, impactful style. It is truly a shame that Mascaro was not a translator of more ancient works, but his three translations for Penguin Classics are perhaps more than anyone could ask for and will certainly remain among my most cherished books
18 people found this helpful
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Joel Bancroft
5.0 out of 5 stars This text can facilitate Transcendence!
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2014
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This translation of the Upanishads has preserved the hidden capacity to facilitate an awakening. I can only speak of my own experience. I'm not a Vedic scholar, but I follow a path that is an ever-deepening comprehension of surrender. Throughout the world's wisdom traditions there are certain Holy texts that contain the capacity to awaken the reader through the mere act of reading itself. In Christianity it is the Gospel of John that transmits the energy of the Word of Life. While in Hinduism it is the Upanishads that transmit the frequency of the Om, the primordial sound of silence.
This is because through the simple act of devotional reading, the reader is both aligned and entrained to the energy field out of which the text emerged. It is a type of immersion. Certain texts can facilitate transcendence. This translation has preserved this special hidden capacity. If the reader is properly primed, and ripened, reading this book will facility a direct experience of that which they call Brahman the Spirit. This is God as pure consciousness, the vibrant sound of silence, the blessed Om, the source of our true identity. This simple paper back is not merely a paper back, but a literary device of energetic entrainment. Give it a try, enter the immersion of primordial silence. It is Peace, it is Joy, is it the high-frequency You since before the beginning of the world.
15 people found this helpful
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Timothy Lonon
5.0 out of 5 stars Necessary Book of Spiritual Truths
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2021
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I recommend this book for anyone tired of seeing so much complexity in “spiritual” books. The Upanishads provides such sublimity and illumination in very simple words and phrases. The author does a great job translating this text for English readers, allowing a perfect comprehension of these deeply vital teachings for all readers, no matter how far on your spiritual path you find yourself when you start to read this book.
One person found this helpful
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JMN
4.0 out of 5 stars Great for sharing with kids
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2010
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The stories don't have a very deep background, but they definitely present a beautiful image that would appeal to little kids... so, overall, I would describe this book as a nice introduction. The narration is lovely.
One person found this helpful
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Jeffery T
3.0 out of 5 stars Happy to have it but not “good” condition
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
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Arrived quickly, reasonable price, for a timeless classic. It shows how subjective the ratings are tho: was rated as “good”. I’ve received books rated as “good” condition, that are like new, but THIS one, which IS readable but is beat, marked up, broken down, barely rates as “fair”
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Silence of the mind leads the soul back to connectedness with the one infinite source
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2018
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Amazing!!! This was one of the most fascinating books I have read, Totally up there with the Tao Te Ching, and the Hua Hu Ching. I was fascinated by the messages and the commentaries. A truly enlightening book. Well worth the read. I was so moved by this book I went back and re read the Tao te ching and Hua hu ching. I feel so compelled to begin to develop my inner self and relinquish attachment to all the falseness of the modern word and seek the true path of love and compassion and interconnectedness that we all have forgoten
3 people found this helpful
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Beyondwords
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic by the best translator
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2013
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I also have the Bhagavad Gita translated by Juan Mascaro and, to my mind, his translations are without equal. He seems to write from insight into the deepest meanings, has poetic sensibility yet favours simplicity over obtuse expression. This helps give these texts the inspirational quality I am sure they have in the original Sanskrit. The selections in this translation concentrate on the core philosophical and esoteric texts (the Upanishads are a vast collection of material, some of it of historical rather than spiritual interest). This book contains the essence of ancient Indian wisdom and will resonate for anyone who has a sense of 'God' (call it what you will) beyond a simplistic personal God.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A most beautiful and insightful translation of Hinduism scriptures
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2012
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Readers may well learn from the Introduction that professor Mascaro was a great scholar, poet, and philosopher. His knowledge in both the Eastern and Western religions was deep and rigorous, and he apparently practiced what he believed. His translations of Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, though criticized by some but loved by many, is the best, the most poetic, and reveals the true meaning of the scriptures. From his Introduction, you can appreciate that he truly understood the meaning of "One Humanity Many Faiths."
10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Dioglas
5.0 out of 5 stars Cânone!
Reviewed in Brazil on January 9, 2023
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Livro para estudantes avançados nas filosofias monistas Advaita Vedanta.
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Joao Nunes
4.0 out of 5 stars Boa relação preço qualidade. Letra pequena com imprecisões na impressão.
Reviewed in Spain on June 23, 2023
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Para livro de bolso a baixo preço, cumpre a função. Alguma falhas ded impressão e letra ligeiramente pequena. Pelo preço é obrigatório
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M. C. Morison
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb commentary
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2021
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The date of origin of the Upanishads is unclear as they were initially oral teachings. This excellent translation gives them in their simple glory. The beauty and excellence of this edition is the commentary by Juan Mascaro, one who had penetrated the mystery of Brahman and these teachings. It is from his commentary that the deeper aspects of the timeless wisdom emerges.
For a further metaphysical treatment look for the book by Rene Guenon.
3 people found this helpful
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Rajan Bakshi
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
Reviewed in India on January 13, 2018
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Very good
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Chinmay
5.0 out of 5 stars Meant for spiritually advanced seekers
Reviewed in Germany on February 9, 2018
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Upanishads are mystical and paradoxical. But that's how the truth could be comprehended. It is not meant for beginners or the uninitiated. I recommend one to get oneself acquainted with the history and different schools of thought in Indian philosophy before venturing into the Upanishads, although the Upanishads precede systematic schools of philosophy. But one must learn to understand the limits of the human mind to appreciate the message in the Upanishads.

Essay by the author Juan Mascaro at the beginning of the book (around 50 pages) is a treat to read. Translations are sometimes esoteric and difficult to grasp but I would ascribe it to the nature of the content itself and not a reflection of the quality of translation. The author has done justice to this spiritual treasure of humankind.
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