Book Review - Chandogya Upanishad By Naveen Goyal



The Chandogya Upanishad is a collection of stories of wisdom that aim to awaken the seeker to the ultimate truth - that which we search for outwards, is within us, that we are both the seeker and the sought. 

The author has presented these stories in a beautiful and poetic way that is both mesmerizing and enthralling. There is a certain rhythm to the narrative which has been clearly written at leisure and deserves to be read so. 

The book begins with a description of what an Upanishad really means, and then proceeds to share its wisdom through timeless stories that strike the right chord and linger in the deep recesses of our memory. 

The book talks in detail about the various Vidyas or sciences mentioned in the Upanishad - Madhu Vidya (The Honey Doctrine), Sandilya Vidya, Dahara Vidya and more such theories which have been presented in a clear, concise and poetic manner. I was left in awe and wonder at the simple yet immensely beautiful explanations of these sciences. 

Then there are stories, breath-taking stories of timeless wisdom that will be relevant in every age, featuring unforgettable characters such as Satyakama Jabala, the boy who stood by truth, the brilliant scholar Shvetaketu whose pride is humbled by a single question, the wisest of kings, Pravahana who is credited with imparting knowledge to Guru Aruni and his son Shvetaketu and more such awe-inspiring stories that will stay with you forever. 

I have to specially mention the story of Shvetaketu by whose humbling and curiosity, the world got the ultimate wisdom of Tat Tvam Asi - Thou Art That. This story has been presented in a most wonderful way in several parts and kept me engrossed, wanting to know more. 

I have read the author's book on Yajurveda and found it to be an excellent treatise, and I had high expectations from this book. The expectations were not met, they were surpassed! I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a must-read for every seeker who wants the answer to the ultimate mystery of all times - Who Am I?, and the answer will come roaring back - Tat Tvam Asi. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gains And Pains Of (Not) Writing!

Image
  I sit in front of the laptop and stare at the screen in frustration and despair. I have been fighting a creative block since many days. The experts say that there is no use fighting it, and that it is best to relax and step back whenever one is facing a creative block. I feel restless if I don’t attempt to write. I feel frustrated when I attempt and fail. Oh, the turmoil! In moments of sheer desperation, negativity rises to the surface and whispers, ‘All this struggle, and for what exactly? What do you gain by writing? Money? Followers? Subscribers? Fame? Recognition? Is it worth it – to struggle mentally, to write page after page, blog after blog, book after book, only to get single-digit views and readership?’ I can’t deny that I have succumbed to such negativity time and again. I have questioned my existence as a writer. I have wondered whether I can be called a writer, whether I justify the term. Here is a candid truth – the process of writing has given me more mome...
Read more

The Things You Can't Let Go

Image
  I switch on my laptop and tap my fingers on the table impatiently. Every day, the laptop takes longer to get started. By the time it starts, it usually happens that I lose train of my thoughts, and I postpone my writing for another day. It gets frustrating, to be honest. With a heavy heart I finally accept that the time has come to start using the new laptop that my husband bought. I switch on the new one and before I can take a breath, the screen lights up asking for a password. It doesn’t wait for a second after I have entered the last letter of the password. Within minutes, the screen is ready, offering me a whole world of possibilities. My gaze falls upon my old laptop, and I gulp down the lump in my throat. Isn’t it funny how we get attached to everyday objects around us? For me, my old laptop isn’t just an object – it is the canvas of my life. On this laptop, I have spent countless hours writing and dreaming. I have spent hours planning for family vacations. During th...
Read more

Book Review - Beneath The Disposable Plates by Jigyansa Mohanty

Image
Beneath The Disposable Plates by Jigyansa Mohanty Available in Kindle edition True to its sub-title, this book is indeed 'a potluck journey in a foreign land'.  Having had to shift base several times, Jigyansa finds companionship and solace in the delightful ritual of potluck which bonds people over mutual love for food, recipes, family and more.  The author's journey begins from Pune to New Orleans where she encounters her first international tryst with potluck. Fighting jet lag and meeting strangers in a foreign land over a potluck dinner, Jigyansa finds the warmth of new friendship.  Thereafter, the author has shared her trysts with potluck in New Jersey, Saginaw and Indianapolis where she finds a community of her own.  I liked the author's breezy description of potluck and her acute observation about the behavior of people. Some of her candid musings really hit home. It is not easy to fit in, it is not easy to stand out either in a foreign land! Under such trying...
Read more