Bhagavad Gita (The Book of Devotion)
Antecedent Words The Bhagavad-Gita is an episode of the Mahabharata, which is said to have been written by Vyasa. Who this Vyasa is and… Read More »Bhagavad Gita (The Book of Devotion)
vedanta
Writings related to the Vedanta school of Indian Philosophy. See also: Advaita Vedanta.
Notes on the Bhagavad Gita
Contents Introduction Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 [Introduction] (Notes of a lecture, delivered at the Convention of… Read More »Notes on the Bhagavad Gita
Qualifications for Chelaship
The power of the Adepts over forces of nature, not generally recognized, has been enlarged upon on various occasions, but… Read More »Qualifications for Chelaship
Bhagavad Gita (Songs of the Master)
General Introduction The Bhagavad Gita is one of the noblest scriptures of India, one of the deepest scriptures of the… Read More »Bhagavad Gita (Songs of the Master)
The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 1-7]
Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 [Chapter I] If the title… Read More »The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 1-7]
The Doctrine of the Bhagavad Gita
Contents The Doctrine of the Bhagavad-Gita Kshetra and Kshetrajna Mulaprakriti, Daiviprakriti and Ishwara Worship Me with All Bhavas Glossary The… Read More »The Doctrine of the Bhagavad Gita
Sri Sankaracharya’s Date and Doctrine
8. Sankaracharya’s date is variously given by Orientalists, but always after Christ. Barth, for instance, places him about 788 A.D.… Read More »Sri Sankaracharya’s Date and Doctrine
The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 8-18]
[Note: the following was meant by Mr. Crosbie to be a continuation of the Notes on Chapters 1-7 by W.… Read More »The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 8-18]
Mandukya Upanishad (The Measures of the Eternal)
Om: this syllable, this imperishable, is the All. Its expansion is what has been, what is, what shall be. All,… Read More »Mandukya Upanishad (The Measures of the Eternal)
Chhandogya Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-6 [Introduction] The Powers of the Logos The great Upanishads were compiled as Instructions for disciples preparing… Read More »Chhandogya Upanishad
Vivekachudamani (Crest-Jewel of Wisdom)
First Steps on the Path Prologue (Verses 1–15) I bow before Govinda, the objectless object of final success in the… Read More »Vivekachudamani (Crest-Jewel of Wisdom)
Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)
Introductory Note An apology is scarcely needed for undertaking a translation of Sankara Acharya’s celebrated Synopsis of Vedantism entitled “Atmanatma… Read More »Atmanatmaviveka (Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit)
The Upanishads and the Brahmans
“Thinking sacrifices and offerings are best, these fools know not the better way.” —Mundaka Upanishad. It has always been accepted… Read More »The Upanishads and the Brahmans
Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom)
[Translation] Invocation To Him I make obeisance, who is the end of all wisdom, the goal of all attainment, the… Read More »Vivekachudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom)
The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism
The only fault I have to find with Mr. Sinnett’s book is that he too often says that: “this knowledge… Read More »The Bhagavad Gita and Esoteric Buddhism
Chandogya Upanishad 3:12-16 (Heart, Will, Life)
[Translation] The divine Song, verily, is all their being, whatsoever there is; and the Word is the divine Song. The… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 3:12-16 (Heart, Will, Life)
Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
Part I, Sections 1-3 [Introduction] Building the Cosmos Like the Chhandogya Upanishad, the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad consists of a series… Read More »Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad
Aitareya Upanishad (Father, Mother and Son)
[Translation] Self was here verily in the beginning; nothing else opposing at all. He beheld, saying: Let me now put… Read More »Aitareya Upanishad (Father, Mother and Son)
Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)
Seeking for favour, verily, Vajashravasa made a sacrifice of all his possessions. He had a son, named Nachiketas. Him, being… Read More »Katha Upanishad (In the House of Death)
The Message of India
“In the highest golden veil is the stainless, partless Eternal, the pure, the Light of lights, whom the Self-knowers know.… Read More »The Message of India
The Fourfold Self’s Three Vestures
Introduction The doctrine of the fourfold Self and its three vestures is outlined in Prashna Upanishad, clearly stated in Mandukya… Read More »The Fourfold Self’s Three Vestures
The Theosophy of the Upanishads
PDF Version [Note: Though published anonymously, analysis of the content, phrasing, subject matter and philosophical approach convinces us that Charles… Read More »The Theosophy of the Upanishads
AUM!
The most sacred mystic syllable of the Vedas, is Aum. It is the first letter of the Sanscrit alphabet, and… Read More »AUM!
What is the Udgitha?
JAMESTOWN April 16th, 1886 DEAR BROTHER:—Will you kindly explain, through THE PATH, what is to be understood by the Udgitha,… Read More »What is the Udgitha?
Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)
[Translation] By whom commanded does the mind go forth? By whom compelled does the first life go forth? By whom… Read More »Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)
Sankaracharya
Sankaracharya (from Saṅkara, a personal name + ācarya teacher) was an Indian reformer and teacher of Vedanta, who founded what… Read More »Sankaracharya
The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation
Many Scriptures have been inspired by the Great Initiation; with these are to be counted the Prometheus Bound of Æschylus… Read More »The Katha Upanishad and the Great Initiation
Anugita
Mahabharata, Book 14: Aswamedha Parva Section XVI Janamejaya said, “When the high-souled Kesava and Arjuna after slaying their enemies repaired… Read More »Anugita
Schopenhauer and Shankara
It is a somewhat humiliating thing to think of, that in spite of all the good intentions and praiseworthy endeavours… Read More »Schopenhauer and Shankara
Faith and Works In the Upanishads and the New Testament
I. There is a passage of singular charm and vivacity, which one may call, I think, the keystone of the… Read More »Faith and Works In the Upanishads and the New Testament
Taittiriya Upanishad (Instructions for Disciples)
The Taittiriya Upanishad is made up, for the most part, of Instructions for younger disciples, who are learning the first… Read More »Taittiriya Upanishad (Instructions for Disciples)
Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)
[Translation] That sun is honey for the bright powers; the heaven is the curved support of it; the mid-world is… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 3:1-11 (Honey for the Gods)
Mundaka Upanishad (The Two Wisdoms)
I. [Translation] The Evolver first of the bright ones came into being, the maker of the whole, the guardian of… Read More »Mundaka Upanishad (The Two Wisdoms)
The Vedanta Philosophy
The keynote of the Indian Renaissance of today, is the great and increasing attention paid to the Vedanta Philosophy; and… Read More »The Vedanta Philosophy
Deussen’s Upanishads
For a long time there has been no event in the study of Oriental religions and philosophies equal in importance… Read More »Deussen’s Upanishads
The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”
The pamphlet of Mr. C. C. Massey, an F.T.S., of the London Lodge of the Theosophical Society, is a valuable… Read More »The Metaphysical Basis of “Esoteric Buddhism”
Chandogya Upanishad 1:1-7 (The Mysteries of Sound 1)
Note: It will be advisable to study the Commentary that follows, before reading this translation. [Translation] OM: let a man… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 1:1-7 (The Mysteries of Sound 1)
Occultism in the Upanishads
“The true desires are overlaid with false; though true, there is a false covering-up of them. For if any one… Read More »Occultism in the Upanishads
The Vedanta in Daily Life
Every land has something to contribute to our life. In many cases we may recognize our indebtedness. Thus from Rome… Read More »The Vedanta in Daily Life
Studies in the Upanishads
[I.] Many American theosophists are asking, “What are the Upanishads?” They are a portion of the ancient Aryan literature which… Read More »Studies in the Upanishads
The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]
The interesting story published under the above title has already attracted considerable attention. It is instructive in more ways than… Read More »The Idyll of the White Lotus [An Explanation]
Does Consciousness Evolve? The Answer of the Vedanta
To the question, Does Consciousness Evolve? the Vedanta answers, yes, and no. Personal consciousness evolves, from childhood to maturity, from… Read More »Does Consciousness Evolve? The Answer of the Vedanta
Parabrahm, Defined by Vedantins
Letter by Ramji Mall Pandit | Reply by H.P.B. I beg to call the attention of those who are interested… Read More »Parabrahm, Defined by Vedantins
“A Personal and Impersonal God”
A letter signed by H. X. has appeared in the December issue of the Theosophists under the heading abovementioned containing… Read More »“A Personal and Impersonal God”
The Symbolism of the Upanishads
I. Students of the Oriental Theosophy, which finds its highest expression in the Ten Upanishads, are met at the outset… Read More »The Symbolism of the Upanishads
Prakriti and Purusha
The editorial at the head of the article that precedes will explain to the learned Hermit of Almora and the… Read More »Prakriti and Purusha
The Vedanta Philosophy
I. Two things seem to me to distinguish our philosophy in the West from the philosophy of India, especially in… Read More »The Vedanta Philosophy