The Classical Upanicads: A Guide [Paperback]

The Upanicads are rich and complex Sanskrit Hindu scriptures dating back to the 8th century BCE and are a staple of world religion courses across the globe. Where most survey textbooks present a cursory overview of these texts, Signe Cohen provides a nuanced but accessible exploration of the thirteen Classical Upanicads that will benefit both scholars, students, and general readers alike.The Upanicads are rich and complex Sanskrit Hindu scriptures dating back to the 8th century BCE and are a staple of world religion courses across the globe. In this volume, Signe Cohen guide readers through on the thirteen Classical Upanicads, those generally regarded as the oldest:Bhadrayaka,Chandogya,Taittiriya,Aitareya,Isa,Kena,Katha,Mundaka,Svetasvatara,Mandukya,Prasna,Kausitaki, andMaitri Upanisad. Where most survey textbooks present a cursory overview of these texts,The Classical Upanicads: A Guideprovides a nuanced but accessible exploration of the Upanicads that will benefit both scholars, students, and general readers alike.This volume explores the historical, geographical, and social context of the Classical Upanicads and discusses issues of dating, authorship, and transmission of the texts. Cohen also breaks down central ideas in the Upanicads, such asatman,brahman,karma, reincarnation,moksa, knowledge, and sacred sounds (mantras). The text also discusses the importance of the Upanicads for Hinduism and Indian culture, as well as the reception of the Upanicads in the West.Through exploring these works, their key characters and ideas, and their impact on Hinduism's core beliefs, Cohen provides the reader a thorough but approachable entry into these seminal texts.A Guide to Pronouncing Sanskrit1. Introduction2. The Historical Context of the Upanicads3. Dating and Authorship4. The Classical Upanilã