Kathopaniñad is a unique Upaniñad which starts with a kathä (a story) of a young boy who is ready to face the Lord of Death in his quest for Truth to know what lies beyond death. He asks the very pertinent and philosophical question, ‘Is there or is there not, and if it is what is it?’ In short, this teaching is an extravaganza of spiritual knowledge and meditation that guides a student step by step to the glorious state of immortality, peace and bliss.

This Upanishad forms a part of the Brahmana belonging to the Katha Shakha of the Krishna Yajur Veda. It stands in a class by itself. It combines charming poetry, elevating mysticism, and profound philosophy. The subject of the mystery of death is introduced through the medium of an interesting anecdote; and the teaching of the Upanishad is presented in the form of a dialogue between a mere boy, Nachiketa, and Yama, the King of Death. With the text of the Upanishad in Devanagari, a lucid and faithful translation of the text and commentary, relevant notes, reference to quotations, and index to texts, this Upanishad is a must for all students of Vedanta. Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math.

An excellent introduction to the study of Vedanta for beginners, equally refreshing for advanced students.

A book about the relationship between life and death, and the how and why of organizing one's life in a way that leads to expansion and growth, and that is helpful in preparing for the transition we call death.

Upanisads are the philosophical portion of the Vedas. Its poetic diction, systematic development of thought, at once clear, concise and scientific in arrangement of highly philosophical ideas make Kaivalya Upanisad one of the most striking minor Upanisads. The great commentator Närayana calls the Kaivalya Upanisad as the Brahma Satarudriya i.e. the Satarudriya which glorifies the unconditioned Brahman as opposed to the personal God, Lord Siva of the original Satarudriya. True to the Upanisadika style, where story form is considered as the most apt devise to make the subject easily intelligible to the readers, in this Upanisad Asvaläyana, the great teacher of Rig Veda is a disciple and Lord Brahmä, the Creator himself is the teacher, which makes this as the most valuable amongst the 'minor' Upanisads.

The whole world runs away from death, because death snatches everything, but the one who accepts it and willingly faces it, receives something from death itself. Ironically, knowledge of death gives you the gift of life. Katopanishad tells the story of young Nachiketa who goes to face the lord of death and the extraordinary dialogue that ensues between them. Upanishad means sitting close to the Master. Gurudev takes us through this beautiful story integrating its profoundness with real-life situations, turning abstract philosophy into existential reality.