The Upanishads (Penguin Classics) Valerie J. Roebuck and Roebuck, Valerie J.

Book Details

• Publisher: Penguin

• Author: Valerie J. Roebuck

• Language: English, Sanskrit

• ISBN: 9780140447491

• Binding: Paperback

• Pages: 592

• Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches

About the Book:

"The Upanishads: A New Translation" by Valerie J. Roebuck is a brilliant and insightful introduction to the core of living Hinduism. The Upanishads, the principal Sanskrit texts of Hinduism that lie at the heart of the Vedic traditions, are devoted to understanding the inner meaning of the religion. These texts expound the crucial doctrines of rebirth, the law of karma, and the means of conquering death and achieving detachment, equilibrium, and spiritual bliss.

This translation offers a faithful rendering of the thirteen principal Upanishads, emphasizing the perennial human quest for true knowledge, especially regarding the connection between the self and the transcendental Absolute. Roebuck approaches the Upanishads as part of the sruti tradition, which is "heard" rather than "remembered," highlighting the authentic intent of the original authors and excluding later commentaries or additions.

Roebuck’s work is marked by empathy and erudition, seeking to provide readers with an understanding of the profound teachings of the sages. The translation also underscores the literary devices—such as dialogue, riddles, paradoxes, and wordplay—used to express these timeless teachings. This edition, while accessible to modern readers, stays true to the beauty and variety of the original language, reaffirming the Upanishads as one of the most profound and influential works in world literature.