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
vedanta
Writings related to the Vedanta school of Indian Philosophy. See also: Advaita Vedanta.
Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
[Translation] Seer and Seen The form is seen, the eye is seer; the mind is both seen and seer. The… Read More »Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
AUM!
The most sacred mystic syllable of the Vedas, is Aum. It is the first letter of the Sanscrit alphabet, and… Read More »AUM!
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?)
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
[Explanation of Incidents in the Life of Sankaracharya]
Article selections from “The Life of Sankaracharya, Philosopher and Mystic” by Kashinath Trimbak Telang | Notes by H.P.B. The question… Read More »[Explanation of Incidents in the Life of Sankaracharya]
Modernized Upanishad
Chapter First 1 The Master was asked by the pupil to tell at whose wish the mind of man, when… Read More »Modernized Upanishad
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
Visishthadwaita Philosophy [2]
Article selections from “Viśishtadvaita Philosophy,” by Govinda Charlu | Notes by H.P.B. Parabrahma being an All-pervading principle, itself being the All,… Read More »Visishthadwaita Philosophy [2]
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
Taittiriya Upanishad 1 (The Lotus of the Teaching)
I. [Translation] Om Bless us Mitra; bless us Varuna; bless us Aryaman; bless us Indra, Vrhaspati; bless us wide-stepping Vishnu.… Read More »Taittiriya Upanishad 1 (The Lotus of the Teaching)
Chandogya Upanishad 6:1-7 (First Principles 1)
[Translation] There lived once Shvetaketu, Aruni’s grandson; his father addressed him, saying: —Shvetaketu, go, learn the service of the Eternal;… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 6:1-7 (First Principles 1)
Chandogya Upanishad 1:8-2:21 (The Mysteries of Sound 2)
[Translation] Three, verily, were skilled in the up-singing Shilaka Shalavatya, Chaikitayana Dalbhya, Pravahana Jaivala. They said: In the up-singing, indeed,… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 1:8-2:21 (The Mysteries of Sound 2)
The Songs of the Master
I. In the Bhagavad Gita, first translated and best known of all the Sacred Books of the East, there is… Read More »The Songs of the Master
Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)
By whom impelled flies the forward-impelled Mind? By whom compelled does the First Life go forth? By whom impelled is… Read More »Kena Upanishad (By Whom?)
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”
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)
Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)
Introduction This charming little treatise bears in Sanskrit the title Tattva Bodha, which means “The Awakening to Reality,” or, to… Read More »Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)
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
Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
I. Atma, verily, Universal Self, alone was this in the beginning, nor was aught else with opening and closing eyes.… Read More »Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
“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”
Isis Unveiled and the Visishtadvaita
Sir,—“R. R.” attempts in the October number of our Magazine to prove that I have taught in Isis Unveiled substantially the doctrine… Read More »Isis Unveiled and the Visishtadvaita
Sankara, the Teacher
The Upanishads, Buddha, and Sankara: these are the three great lights of Indian wisdom. The Upanishads far away in the… Read More »Sankara, the Teacher
Chandogya Upanishad 6:8-16 (First Principles 2)
[Translation] Aruna’s son Uddalaka addressed his son Shvetaketu, saying: —Learn from me, dear, the reality about sleep. When a man… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 6:8-16 (First Principles 2)
From the Upanishads
Wilt thou not open thy heart to know What rainbows teach, and sunsets show? Verdict which accumulates From lengthening scroll… Read More »From the Upanishads
Chandogya Upanishad 2:22-24 (The Mysteries of Sound 3)
[Translation] I select and assign the different notes of the chant. The animal note is the up-singing of the Fire-lord.… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 2:22-24 (The Mysteries of Sound 3)
Self and Eternal
“As the web-wombed spider puts forth and draws to him, as trees come forth upon the earth, as from a… Read More »Self and Eternal
Songs of the Master
[I.] Introductory Before all things remember that the Bhagavad Gita is a textbook of the Mysteries. It has seven keys,… Read More »Songs of the Master
The Great Upanishads
“From every page of the Upanishads, deep, original, lofty thoughts step forth to meet us while a high and holy… Read More »The Great Upanishads
Shankara’s Thought
The glamour of India; the hot, luminous sky; palm trees, with their metallic glitter, fringing her sacred rivers; heavy-curtained mango… Read More »Shankara’s Thought
Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Spirit)
For the sake of those whose darkness has been worn away by purifications, who have attained to peace, whose passions… Read More »Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Spirit)
[On the Parabrahm of the Upanishads]
Selection from letter to the editor “Is Brahmoism True Hinduism” by “A Member of the Adi B. Samaj” | Note… Read More »[On the Parabrahm of the Upanishads]
Paingala Upanishad
[Paiṅgala Upanishad]1 Adhyāya I Om. Paiṅgala, having served under Yājñavalkya for twelve years, asked him to initiate him into the… Read More »Paingala Upanishad
Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
The power of vision in the eye sees form; the mind sees the power of vision in the eye; spiritual… Read More »Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Self)
This awakening to the Self is recorded for those whose inner darkness has been worn away by strong effort, who… Read More »Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Self)
Shankara, Teacher of India
A short time ago, an esteemed friend of mine who has devoted much study to Buddhism in writing of Indian… Read More »Shankara, Teacher of India
Will
Article Selections by L. A. Sanders | Note by H.P.B. It is with the greatest interest that I read the profound… Read More »Will
The Vedantasara
[Note: the following is a review of The Vedantasara in Sanskrit with the commentary of Nrishingha Saraswatee, and with English,… Read More »The Vedantasara
[Buddhism and Esoteric Brahmanism]
We acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of Mr. Lillie’s Buddha and Early Buddhism. The subject of the work being one… Read More »[Buddhism and Esoteric Brahmanism]
Prashna Upanishad (A Vedic Master)
Prashna Upanishad, “the Mystical Teaching of the Questions,” brief though it be, is a masterly summary of the Secret Wisdom.… Read More »Prashna Upanishad (A Vedic Master)
Karma: Works and Wisdom
Contents I. The Three Kinds of Karma II. Karma in the Upanishads III. Karma in the Bhagavad Gita IV. Krishna’s… Read More »Karma: Works and Wisdom
Muktika Upanishad
Adhyāya I Addressing with devotion and obedience Śrī-Rāma—the Lord Hari, at the end of His Samādhi, who being Himself changeless… Read More »Muktika Upanishad
Vedantism and Buddhism
In the review of the Vedantasara on page 318 of Vol. IV of the Theosophist, I find the reviewer asserting… Read More »Vedantism and Buddhism
The Dramatic Element in the Upanishads
A good many readers make the acquaintance of the Upanishads in the two volumes which Prof. Max Müller contributed to… Read More »The Dramatic Element in the Upanishads
Tattva Bodha (Shankara’s Catechism)
Introductory In the “Awakening to the Self” [Atma Bodha], and, still more, in the “Crest-Jewel of Wisdom”, Shankara the Teacher… Read More »Tattva Bodha (Shankara’s Catechism)
Taittiriya Upanishad 3 (The Lotus of the Sage Bhrgu)
III. [Translation] Invocation Om. May That guard us two—teacher and pupil; may That save us two; may we two do… Read More »Taittiriya Upanishad 3 (The Lotus of the Sage Bhrgu)
[The Bhagavad Gita a Book of Initiation]
Article Selection from “Bhagavad-Gita,” by Babu Nobin K. Bannerji | Note by H.P.B. . . . many a sound scholar… Read More »[The Bhagavad Gita a Book of Initiation]
Misconceptions: A Response to Various Criticisms
A France, why do you misunderstand us? European and American Journalists, why don’t you study genuine Theosophy before criticizing it?… Read More »Misconceptions: A Response to Various Criticisms