The Taittiriya Upanisad

by Swami Muni Narayana Prasad

The Upanisads capture the quintessence of Indian spiritual wisdom—unfolding deep-set, highly perceptive reflections on human existence and how it is related to cosmic mystery. Authored by enlightened seers, at different times, during 1500-200 B.C., the Upanisadic message inheres neither a promise of heaven, nor scare of hell. Rather, it is a magnificent vision that raises human consciousness to sublime heights.

The Taittiriya—appended to the Krsna (black) Yajur Veda—is one of best among the principal Upanisads. And, schematically, is offered in three chapters, entitled: (1) Siksa Valli, (2) Brahmananda Valli, and (3) Bhrgu Valli—which each Swami Muni Narayana Prasad treats singly, superbly revealing the invisible thread that goes through all of them.

With original Sanskrit text, its Roman transliteration and easy-to-understand English paraphrase, this stimulating, at once analytical commentary grows from Swami Muni Narayana Prasad’s prolonged reflections on the Taittiriya Upanisad, coupled with the insights he acknowledges to have gained from Nataraja Guru’s discourses on different Upanisadic themes, Narayana Guru’s mystico-philosophical poems, and numerous sessions of intellectual interaction with different groups of scholars.

About the Author:

Swami Muni Narayana Prasad is presently the Regulating Secretary of the Narayana Gurukula, a Guru-Disciple foundation founded by Nataraja Guru, the disciple-successor of Narayana Guru. He has spent three years in Fiji teaching Indian philosophy and has travelled round the world
giving classes. Became a disciple of Nataraja Guru in 1960 and was initiated as a renunciate in 1984. Has been editor of the philosophical magazine ‘The Gurukulam’ for twelve years and still continues to be one of its chief contributors. His published works in English include, Functional
Democracy - A Failure in India; Basic Lessons on India’s Wisdom; Karma and Reincarnation; Commentaries on the Katha, Kena, Prasna, Mundaka and Aitereya Upanisads. The book VedJnta Sütras of Narayana Guru is in the making.