Īśāvāsyopaniṣad

Summary

Book Review Isavasyopanisad - Y.S.Shastri I$avasyopanisad with 51 Sanskrit Commentaries, Part 1-11, Critically edited by Prof. Dr. Yajneshwar S. Shastri and Dr. Sunanda Y. Shastri, published by Sriyogi publications, pp.728+533, 2013, Ahmedabad Price : Rs.4000/- The present work under Review is a monumental work on the I$avasyopanigad with 51 Sanskrit Commentaries belonging to different Schools of Vedantic thought and tradition. It is critically edited with exhaustive introduction in English, English translation of the original text of I$avasyopanisad and philosophical analysis of each verse by internationally renowned scholars of Sanskrit and Philosophy Acharya Prof.Dr.Yajneshwar S. Shastri and Dr. Sunanda Y. Shastri. Out of these 51 commentaries 20 commentaries belong to Advaitic tradition, six belong to Visistadvaita, 12 to Dvaita School, 1 Nimbarka, 2 Raruananda, 4 Vailabh, 1 Chaitanya, 2 ડૉ Swaminarayana School of Neo-Viistadvaita, 1 Arya Sainaj, 1 Bhagavadacharya and 1 Samajavada [Socialistic]. These 51 commentaries are published for the first time with critical edition in two comprehensive parts. The first part contains an exhaustive introduction in English [pp.176] and 26 six Sanskrit Commentaries. Second part contains remaining 25 Sanskrit Commentaries. Traditionally, I§avasyopanisad heads the list of ten ptincipal Upanisads because of its importance and greatness. Though the shortest of all Upanisads, it occupies a unique place in the history of Indian spiritual and philosophical literature. It is one of the earliest Upanisadic text which form the final and fortieth chapter of the Sukla - Yajurveda - Samhita. Therefore it 15 also known as Vajasaneya - Samhitopanisad or Mantropanisad. It contains only 18 Mantras or verses, which are pregnant with profound meaning. This important Vedantic text is termed as the foundation of Vedantic Philosophy. Bhagavad-Gita is considered થડ an expansion of the thoughts containec is this great Upanisad. Vol. XXXVII, 2014 Isavasyopanisad 215 The first line of this Upanisad proclaims the spiritual unity of थी existence by stating that entire universe is pervaded by Divine Consciousness, the Supreme Brahman, or the God. Thus, the whole world belongs to the Supreme Brahman. It teaches to share with others and enjoy the life and be contented with what one has. Over utilization of the resources of the world -would result in depriving others from their legitimate requirements. A person who utilizes the resources beyond his basic needs is considered a thief. This Upanisad reconciles between path of action and knowledge [ડયાળ and Karma], action and renunciation - the path of pravrti and nivrtti,