The Wisdom of the Hindu Mystics The principal texts selected and translated from the original Sanskrit, Upanishad means "sitting near devotedly", which conjures images of the contemplating student listening with rapt attention to the teachings of a spiritual master. These are widely considered to be philosophical.

The Upanishads reflect pure Vedanta, the highest aspect of spiritual truth. There are no personal Gods, no Christ, Rama, Krishna, or Ramakrishna. The teachings are very ancient, back from before the written word. The Rishis whose insight they embody remain wholly in the background, impersonal as the truth they stood for, their individual lives lost forever, with even their names lost in the dark backward and abysm of time.

The twelve major Upanishads are listed in mostly traditional order: Katha, Isha, Kena, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitaeya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka, Swetasvatara, Kaivalya.

From the preface: "Our aim in this translation has not been to achieve a literal translation but rather...to convey the teachings in clear and simple English."