What this book is about

 This new translation pf the Brihadarnyaka Upanishad by Jayaram V brings out the mystic symbolism and the hidden significance of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, and provides insight into the very fundamental concepts that are now an integral part of Hinduism and the Vedanta Philosophy. This edition includes introduction, original Sanskrit verses in transliterated Devanagari script, translation of each verse, explanatory notes, and bibliography. This edition forms part of the translation of the 16 major Upanishads by the same author.

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Table of Contents

Author's Note
Introduction
Chapter 1
The Symbolism of Horse Sacrifice
Creation and Separation of Worlds and Beings
Gods and Demons and the Superiority of Breath
Creation of Duality and Diversity
Seven Types of Food Created by Prajapati
Name, Form and Action, The Threefold Diversity
Chapter 2
The Right and Wrong Knowledge of Brahman
Breath and Other Deities in the Body
The Two Forms of Brahman
A Conversation Between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi
The Sweetness of God Inherent in Creation
The Line of Teachers and Students
Chapter 3
Yajnavalkya on Sacrificial Rites
Yajnavalkya on Senses and Sense Objects
Yajnavalkya on Where Horse Sacrificers Go
Yajnavalkya on the Unknowability of Self
Yajnavalkya on Renunciation and Liberation
Yajnavalkya on the Worlds and Their Support
Yajnavalkya on the Inner Controller
Yajnavalkya on Imperishable, Unseen Brahman
Yajnavalkya on Many Gods and One God
Chapter 4
Yajnavalkya on Partial Definitions of Brahman
Yajnavalkya on the Person in the Body
Yajnavalkya on the Light Within
The Fate of the Departing Souls
Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi
The Line of Teachers and Students
Chapter 5
Invocation to Brahman, the Full
Prajapati's Advice to Gods, Humans and Demons
Brahman as Hrdayam
The Heart
Brahman as the True
Brahman as Satyam
the Truth
Brahman as the Person in the Mind
Brahman as the Lightning
Speech Symbolized as the Cow
The Digestive Fire Within the Body
The Journey of Souls Upon Death
Death and Illness as Austerities
The Interconnection Between Food and Breath
Breath as Ukta, the Hymn of Praise
The Four Feet of Gayatri
Prayer to Pusan and Agni by a Dying Person
Chapter 6
Breath is Superior to the Organs of the Body
The Path of Gods and the Path of Ancestors
A Sacrifice for Greatness and Prosperity
Sexual Intercourse as a Sacrifice
The Line of Teachers and Students
Bibliography
Cover Page Symbolism.

About the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad means the Secret Teachings of the Great Forest Book. It is one of the largest and the oldest Upanishads found in the Vedas, with three divisions, 6 chapters, 47 sections and 427 verses, larger than the Bhagavadgita, with long passages, esoteric symbolism, and backed by a long lineage of ancient teachers. In the last few thousand years only a handful of people translated this Upanishad entirely. This is probably the most recent translation of the Upanishad in this century. In terms of its size and the work involved to translate it, it is larger than the Bhagavadgita, but smaller than the Chandogya Upanishad.

No translation of the Upanishads is complete without the translations of these two Upanishads. They contain within themselves much of what the Upanishads represent. If you are interested in Hinduism and want to know its early development, a critical study of this scripture is necessary and helpful. The Upanishad contains references to early Vedic practices, such as the horse sacrifice and procreation ceremonies, knowledge of Brahman and Self, nature of creation, constitution of the human personality, importance of food and breath, father-to-son transmission ceremony, nature of sleep, and afterlife. Whoever reads it is presented with the vision of the human body as an universe in itself, and the hidden presence of Brahman in the sweetness (honey) of life.

The Upanishad also brings to light the greatness of sage Yajnavalkya, Ajatasatru, Janaka and Pavahana Jaivali, undoubtedly the greatest seers of their times and some of the best teachers Hinduism has ever produced. A unique conversation between Yajnavalkya and his wife Maitreyi, presented twice with minor variations, stands in sharp contrast to the values we practice today in our relationships and our attitude towards life and the world in general. This translation, like every other translation I have done before, had been an exercise in contemplation and self-study of Hinduism. I have been benefited by the exercise and I intend to share my knowledge with others.