Although the Upanishads are the oldest outpourings of the mystical consciousness of humanity, they remain unequaled by any rival ancient or modern scriptures in profundity splendor and purity. They are historically the products of India and of a particular age and are ageless and universal.

This abridged edition of the monumental four volume work translated by Swami Nikhiilananda contains excerpts from the Katha, Isha, Kena, Mundaka, Shvetashvatara, Prashna, Mandukya, Aitareya, Brihadaranyaka, Taittiriya and Chandogya Upanishads. The translation is faithful and graceful and the exposition authentic instructive and attractive.

Included is a comprehensive glossary that addresses the Sanskrit terms contained in this volume, providing a variety of meaning for each word when appropriate.

By comparison, the Prabhavananda translation Upanishads: Breath of the Eternal offers the same scriptures but is more deeply edited with an emphasis on clear easy reading and few footnotes. Both editions are excellent but may appeal to different audiences.

Swami Nikhilananda (1895–1973), born Dinesh Chandra Das Gupta was a direct disciple of Sri Sarada Devi. In 1933, he founded the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York, a branch of Ramakrishna Mission, and remained its head until his death in 1973. An accomplished writer and thinker, Nikhilananda's greatest contribution was the translation of Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita from Bengali into English published under the title The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (1942).