Svetasvatara Upanishad - Translated By Swami Lokeswarananda

This book is a simple and lucid translation of the Upanishad with explanation & introduction and follows Shankara's interpretation. It is based on Swami Lokeswaranandas weekly discourses. Svetasvatara Upanishad lays equal emphasis on Jnana Bhakti and other paths of spiritual life. It would seem to be an attempt of a great synthetic mind to reconcile the various conflicting views philosophical and religious which were current at the time of its composition. The Svetasvatara Upanishad is found in the Krishna Yajur Veda. Svetasvatara is the name of the sage who compiled this Upanishad. What is the message of this Upanishad? The Upanishad opens with some questions: What is the cause of this universe? Who created us? Where do we come from and where shall we go in the end? Who is controlling us? Why is it that we are sometimes happy and sometimes unhappy? The Upanishad says it is Brahman that is the cause of the universe. Brahman is also called Paramatman the Cosmic Self because it is the Self of all that exists. The individual selves (the jivatmas) appear separate from the Paramatman due to their separate names and forms.