Namaste, Welcome to SAM-VAD (Together In Conversation), Today I would like to share excerpts from this monumental work by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (India’s 2nd President), this classic book was first published in 1953.
Also as we begin today ‘let us remember this about ‘Attention’. Our life experience would ultimately amount to whatever we had paid attention to. Attention: is important and most of the times we are so indifferent to it. It is as fundamental as food; and we go blundering about, seeking ways to assuage the craving, instead of learning how to provide ourselves with what we need, sensibly and calmly. We feed the hunger blindly. Once the mechanism is brought to our attention and we begin to study it, it is as if a veil has been stripped off ordinary life, and we become freer in our action and choices.
It still remains in print and you can buy your book from the link below or from any bookstore near you or on-line portal accessible to you:
Excerpts:
Brahmanas:
The elements of the ritualistic cult found in the Vedas are developed in the Brahmanas into an elaborate system of ceremonies. Many of the Brahmana texts are devoted to the exposition of the mystic significance of the various elements of the ritual.
Aranyakas:
The Aranyakas do not give us rules for the performance of sacrifices and explanations of ceremonies, but provide us with the mystic teaching of the sacrificial religion. They are meant for the study of those who are engaged in the vow of forest life, the Vanaprastha.
Kaushitaki-Brahmana Upanishad:
Kaushitaki-Brahmana Upanishad is also called Kaushitaki Upanishad. It is a part of the Aranyaka which is also included in the Brahmana literature of the Rig Veda. Adi Shankaracharya referes to it in several places, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutra.
Maitri Upanishad:
The Maitri or Maitrayaniya Upanishad belongs to the Maitrayaniya shakha or branch of the Black Yajur Veda. Maitri is the principal teacher and Maitrayana is the name of the shakha to which the Upanishad belongs. The whole Upanishad is later in date than the classical Upanishads.
Subala Upanishad:
This Upanishad belongs to the Shukla Yajur Veda and is in the form of a dialogue between the sage Subala and Brahma, the creator God. It discusses the nature of the universe and the character of the Absolute.
Jabala Upanishad:
The Jabala Upanishad belongs to the Atharva Veda and discusses a few important questions regarding renunciation.
Paingala Upanishad:
This Upanishad belongs to the Shukla Yajur Veda and is in the form of a dialogue between Yajnavalkya and his pupil Paingala. Some of the important questions such as meditation on the Supreme, the nature of release are discussed in it.
Kaivalya Upanishad:
The Upanishad belongs to the Atharva Veda and is called Kaivalya Upanishad as its study and practice lead to the state of Kaivalya or aloneoness.
Vajrashucika Upanishad:
This Upanishad belongs to the Sama Veda and describes the true character of Brahmana and incidentally offers comments of the nature of the Supreme Reality. It points in the direction where caste distinction based on birth is undermined.
The Principal Upanishads – Dr. S. Radhkrishnan
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