Prasthanathraya Volume-IV Chandogya Upanishad (The

Only Edition with Shankaracharya's Commentary

Description
Back of the Book
This work is significant in being the product of a single-minded pursuit and undivided
devotion and incompleting it with success the author has immortalized himself. The

peculiar characteristic of this hole-hearted dedication is that it hasnt got the least trace
of any commercial intent, nor is the strenuous effort motivated by any personal gain.
In this esoteric work the author interprets to us the actual text of Sankara Bhashya on
the worlds most ancient and lofty attestation of the science of the self, which combines
the eternal rules that govern the phenomenal universe and the intangible cosmos, too
rational to be rejected by infidels, too experiential to be ignored by scientists, too
rebelliously truthful to be bound by priestly rituals. This book, which is the valuable
product of a life-long study and research, can well claim the merit of offering unerring
guidance to any sincere student of Indian philosophy.
Publishers Note
When Nalanda University was ransacked, two surviving monks managed to salvage the
most precious manuscripts from the pillaged library. While ferrying this priceless cargo,
water started entering the boat. The two exchanged glances and the story goes that
without a word the elder monk jumped into the river, sacrificing his life for knowledge.
May I take the liberty to say that this 5th volume in the Prasthanathraya series,
conceived by an exegete nonpareil- the late Vidyabhooshanam, Vidyavachaspati V
Panoli, like the earlier volumes would qualify for inclusion in such a category of
invaluable works. Of unique significance is the the fact that it is for the first time in
publishing history that exegeses of the major 10 Upanishads, Bhagvat Gita and
Brahmasuthra Bhashyam, collectively known as Prasthanathrayam is being brought
out as a single volume.
Every generation had lived under the delusion that they were passing through the most
turbulent period in history. With us the delusion has turned reality. We can claim the
dubious distinction of being the first species on vasundhara, to have contrived to bring
about its won doom and that of amazing biodiversity. This is in contrast to the five
mass extinctions recorded in the last six hundred million years, precipitated by natural
causes. As we labour under the shadow of imminent catastrophe, the mind more than
ever seeks solace in ancient texts of wisdom.
Perhaps, more than even in the empirical sciences, the rigour and ligic of brutal enquiry
is manifest in the Upanishads. For it is a craving after the truth that will set us free

from delusions. Our land has been singularly blessed in numbers by such women and
men obsessed with this search after the essence of existence. The last such sage, Sri
Ramana Maharshi, spent a whole saintly lifetime exploring a single question: naan
yaar? (Who am I?) The realization that the cessation of our life would register as much
in the panoply of creation as an infants burp in a raging thunderstorm, should lead us
to be less egoistic and more caring.
Even otherwise, as we ponder the existential insignificance of our days, running like a
vanishing shadow in the last rays of a setting sun, it is the life of the spirit that sustains
us. A knowledge beyond the compass of science, which cannot conceive of anything
greater than the lengthiest time lapse of 2*10:17 seconds (time taken by a ray of light
to traverse the conjectured radius of our universe, known as cosmic chronon) or
anything shorter than the atomic chronon of 10:-23 seconds, beyond which it is
impossible to calculate a process with anything less. Thought it is assumed that there is
a corresponding upper bound and lower bound mental chronon, the spiritual guidance
of texts such as these shatter such professed limits of consciousness. The teachings of
the Gita straddle the entire gamut of human experience captured between these two
extremes. Similarly, the esoteric knowledge of the Brahmasuthra Bhashyam enables
souls to navigate over the ocean of knowledge.
The house of Mathrubhumi has always been committed to serving the cause of the
society that sustains us. Even while disseminating information, the core competency of
our organization, we have always been alive to fostering the values of compassion and
humanity, catholic values common to religions. In a society increasingly rent by the
inequality predicament, thus it becomes more relevant to propagate words that will
usher us into the light of compassion and understanding.
It is a great honour on behalf of the Mathrubhumi to offer this work to the reading
public. Indeed it is a honour doubled, for one of the greatest consolations in my life has
been my knowing intimately the late master Panoli, who himself sat at the feet of the
revered teacher, Sahitya Kesari Pandit P. Gopalan Nair of kollengode. The work on this
master book of knowledge was started by Vidyavachaspathi V. Panoli, who
unfortunately passed away before the could finish this noble task. The greatest tribute
paid to the revered Sri. Panoli is that of the former Judge of the Supreme Court, Sri.

V.R. Krishna lyer, who in his foreword to the second volume of Upanishads in
Sankaras commentaries in his own words Not many have the vision nor the passion,
nor indeed the erudition needed for the great undertaking. Vachaspati, by his
performance, is challengingly seeking to prove his competence. It was left to Dr. M.R.
Rajesh to complete the unfinished portion, whose contribution also I am pleased to
acknowledge.
Authors Preface to the Final Version
Gods ways are mysterious. When he himself is a mystery of mysteries, how can his
ways be different?
The longest pilgrimage of life has come to its final stage. There were before me
insuperable difficulties that seemed to scatter on dust what little I have done. But the
eternal deity removed all of them in mysterious and miraculous ways.
I have only prayers to offer together with my souls devotion to that eternal deity who
make my path smooth.
I must also offer prayers to my departed master, Sahityakesari Pandit P. Gopalan Nair
(Kollengode) at whose feet I had laid my soul in devotion and whose living touch I feel
on all my limbs even today, twenty six years after his leaving the mortal coils.
It was nothing but a blissful experience to go into the inmost recesses of the
Upanishads with the commentaries of Sri Sankaracharya on them. The Acharyas
sententious style of writing, his tersely aphoristic expressions and his intrepid
arguments- all this and all these make his writings a wonder for all time, not only in the
sphere of Advaita Vedanta, but also in the vast field of the worlds literature, for such is
the rare gift of the right word he possessed together with the acutest intellect.
This longest pilgrimage went on for a space of eight and a half years during which the
scripts on the ten major Upanishads beginning with Isavasya and ending with
Brihadaranytha, including the Karika of Sri Gaudapadacharya on the Mandukya
Upanishad, could be brought into a complete shape. The work took another three and a
half years for printing. Undivided attention had to be bestowed again on it continually
during this period for making corrections and alterations. It goes without saying that a

work which runs into 3400 pages in four volumes, and which necessitates the use of
five different types in Sanskrit and English demands ones constant watch. Thus this
tittle work took in all twelve years for assuming its final shape.
Let me with all modesty point out that this work is not a mere translation of Sankara
Bhashya, as could be seen from the facts given below. The Hindu, Madras, while
reviewing my earlier work, Gita in Sankaras own words, made the following remarks:
This is an interesting book which goes beyond what a purely loyal, textual translation
could do towards assisting in the understanding of the Gita. Indeed the author has
provided a full measure of his capabilities in this field.
The same observation is true of Upanishads in Sankaras Own Words also, for the
method of writing is identical in both the cases. Further, the introductory and
explanatory notes and the footnotes provided in Upanishads in Sankaras own words
are much more exhaustive than those in the Gita. Thus the whole scope, sole aim, goes
beyond a mere textual translation.
If I am asked what moment in life was felt to be most sacred and serene, elevating and
inspiring I must point to the occasion when the first volume of this work was released
by Justice Sri V.R. Krishna lyer on 14.8.1991, for it marked the accomplishment of the
humble little task to which His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and himself had set me.
As already pointed out in the preface to the first volume, this pilgrimage would not have
become possible, if an exalted personage like Justice Krishna Lyer was not there in the
fore front to give the impetus. Besides, he blessed this venture with a very valuable
and exhaustive foreword in which he breathed the breath of inspiration and said, An
epic, exceeding 3000 pages, where Adi Shankara is walking into a twenty-first century
library, is not a mean achievement. This vision was prophetic, for the Government of
India has since then purchased the copies of all the published volumes for use in
hundred University libraries in India. Moreover, he was too good to refuse me,
whenever I approached him for his advice or intervention in matters connected with
this work. I firmly believe that it is owing to the accumulated virtue to my past lives
that I could win his approbation. By this act of kindliness, Justice Sri V.R. Krishna lyer
has made me his eternal slave and I shall ever be proud to lay claim to it. I express my
gratitude to him with all my hearts devotion.

The role of His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in this venture is definitely significant.
Undoubtedly, his utterance of benediction, coupled with the personal magnetism of
Justice Sri V.R. Krishna lyer, had led to this works creation. Since I have given a
detailed account of all this in the preface to the first volume, I dont add anything
further here. The Maharishi is one of the Maha Purushas I have seen in this life and it
has been my rare privilege to have got myself introduced to him by Justice lyer. I
express my gratitude to His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi from the innermost depth
of my heart.
The part played by Sri M.P. Veerendrakumar, Chairman & managing director, The
Mathrubhumi printing & publishing Co. Ltd. Is equally significant. The book,
Upanishads in Sankaras Own Words has become a reality to-day. It has found a place
in almost all the University libraries in India. When I pause to reflect how this has
become possible, I am constrained to bend my knee before the unsullied virtues,
indomitable courage and strong will of Sri Veerendrakumar who took the bold initiative
to publish this work, for it was well-nigh impossible to imagine that a person other than
himself or an institution, or a society would readily come forward to publish this work
which runs into volumes and the yield of which could not be predicted then. This I
speak from firm conviction, for all my earlier pursuits to find out a publisher for this
work had virtually failed. It is here that Sri Veerendrakumar proved himself to be a man
among men by coming foreward to publish it, disregarding all the impending risks.
This cyclonic Jain has a Hindu brain, although he hugs to his breast the purest tenets of
his own cult. Of all the systems of thought, Advaita-Vedanta has filled his very being
with its irresistible charm, and once he went so far as to say:
Sankaras message is unique. In the whole world there is none to excel it, for every
word has been written to the rigorously logical effect, and no approach to God can be
more rational than that of his. My thoughts reach God more fully when I base them on
the unerring guidelines provided by the Acharya in his commentaries. The more I try to
follow closely the thoughts of the Acharya in his commentaries. The more I try to follow
closely the thoughts of the Acharya, the more I dwell in them, more and more has this
conviction come to me.

Even a staunch follower of Hinduism who is supposed to have studied the Indian
philosophy in the traditional way cannot be seen to possess such a fiery conviction as
stated above, as far as the sane and sacred teachings of the great Acharya are
concerned. Much less to speak of the ordinary religionists. Sri Veerendrakumar has, by
publishing this work, served the cause of Hinduism in a better and effective way than
what the so called religionists who claim themselves to be the saviours of Hinduism
could do. And by that act of nobility coupled with the boldness of spirit and sincerity of
purpose, he made me his captive and no ransom will be sufficient to redeem the debt.
May the omniscient Lord and the Rishis of yore shower their grace on him? I express
my gratitude to him from the inmost shrine of my heart.
I shall be failing in my duty if I do not acknowledge my indebtedness to Sri P.V.
Chandran, Managing editor, The Mathrubhumi Printing & publishing Co. He who, apart
from being the managing editor of the Mathrubhumi, is acclaimed and accepted as a
successful and commanding business man with very wide repute, has always been a
silent but strong supporter of all genuine causes of religion, faith and culture, as
evidenced by his own statement (in the publishers note dated 1.3/93, Vol. III) which
runs as follows:
It is not with a view to make gain that we have undertaken to publication of this work.
Our only aim consists in popularizing the time-honoured spiritual teachings of this
ancient land.
The support extended by him to the publication of this work is very valuable. I thank Sri
P.V. Chandran from the depth of my heart.
I also thank Dr. C.K. Ramachandran, M.R.C.P. (London), Calicut, with all gratefulness
for the genuine interest ha has taken in this work from beginning to end, with an
adoration surging up from his inborn passion for the ancient lore.
My sincere thanks are also due to Sri P.M. Shasheendran, Manager- Production, The
Mathrubhumi Printing & publishing Co., for the care and attention he has bestowed at
all levels on the production of these volumes, laying stress on elegance and excellence.
Contents

Publishers Note

vii

Publishers Note to First Edition

ix

Blessings- Sri Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Sringeri

Extract from the foreword of Justice Shri V R Krishna Iyer

xiv

Opinions on Upanishads in Sankaras Own Words

xv

Authors Preface

xviii

At the Lotus feet of Shri Sankara

xxiii

The Chhandogya Upanishad

Adhyaya Two

128

Adhyaya Three

221

Adhyaya Four

331

Adhyaya Five

421

Adhyaya Six

551

Adhyaya Seven

688

Adhyaya Eight

781

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