The Upanishads

A New Translation

By: Thomas Egenes, Vernon Katz

Narrated by: Tom Perkins

Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

The Upanishads are often considered the most important literature from ancient India. Yet many academic translators fail to capture the work's philosophical and spiritual subtlety, while others convey its poetry at the cost of literal meaning. This new translation by Vernon Katz and Thomas Egenes fills the need for an Upanishads that is clear, simple, and insightful - yet remains faithful to the original Sanskrit. As Western Sanskrit scholars who have spent their lives immersed in meditative practice, Katz and Egenes offer a unique perspective in penetrating the depths of Eastern wisdom and expressing these insights in modern yet poetic language. Their historical introduction is suited to newcomers and experienced listeners alike, providing the perfect entry to this unparalleled work.

©2015 Vernon Katz and Thomas Egenes (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This beautiful new translation of The Upanishads by Katz and Egenes takes us full circle, conveying to our modern times the work's authentic message of transcendence and unity." (David Lynch, author of Catching the Big Fish)

Really great collection of thought forms.

An important component to the Gestalt of esoterica and vedanta, perhaps not fully understood by itself.

Love the translation

The narrator has nice voice, but he has horribly pronunciation of the Sanskrit names and words. Since I know those pronunciations it is really extremely annoying to hear them pronounced wrong. He even pronounced the authors name wrong ( Egenes)
I’m certain Mr Egenes could find a good narrator who is capable of Sanskrit pronunciation.
As it is, I would not recommend this narration of Mr Egenes’ translation of the Upanishads.

If you are reading this you already have an idea

of what this book contains. It can be confusing at times, will be reading again.

From those who know...

Egenes and Katz are both true scholars in that they practice the techniqes described in their translations. The description of the fourth major state of consciousness is correct both in translation and in direct experience of that state. How then could the translation be wrong? They aren't mistaking a rope for a snake... This translation of these texts work for me because I too regularly experience that fourth state. I know these goys got it right.

A wonderful audio presentation of the Upanishads.

While this publication of the Upanishads is a little dated (you'll notice in the Introduction) it is the most beautifully presented audio version of an English translation of these texts that I have ever experienced. There are more current translations that incorporate recent interpretations of certain important words and phrases translated from the Sanskrit. This translation, I feel, really captures some of the poetic essence that theses verses were meant to convey in the ancient oral tradition. I listen to this like music. This is a wonderful introduction to late Vedic philosophy and tradition. If you've never read the Upanishads, this is an excellent place to start. Regardless, first time or 101st time, you're Atman will thank you.

Get Someone Who Doesn’t Slaughter Sanskrit

This is an exciting find on Audible. I can’t say much for the reader’s (Tom Perkins) pronunciation of Sanskrit words. I find it cloying and wonder why anyone would find it acceptable to pay for that level of ineptitude or laziness. But it has Egenes’ stamp of approval which earns high marks with me. I seriously can’t even understand some of his references though. 😕

TOP FLIGHT QUATUM SIPLITITY. (UNDANM! )

I AM IAM I AM I AM IAM IAM IAM IA IAM LOVE THE BODY THAT GIVES YOU WATER BUT LOVE THE WATER MORE.

Rest for the soul, dynamism for a full life

Tom Egenes is my Sanskrit professor. He is a living embodiment of "let these truths abide in us". The brilliance of his self-effulgent being shines throughout and Vernon's work - rest for the soul and dynamism for a full life.

Really easy

Really easy to understand and tied a lot of loose ends up for me. I will be returning to this one as I continue.

Read too quickly!! narrator needs to slow down

Read too quickly!! narrator needs to slow down.
needs to be read as sacred wisdom...bummer