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.

This Upanishad is contained in the Rig Veda and forms a part of the Aitareya Aranyaka. With Sanskrit verses and its English rendering, followed by an authentic translation of Sri Shankaracharya’s commentary, this Upanishad distinctly expounds the goal of human life to be the realization of the identity of the individual soul and the Supreme Soul. This it does by the method of adhyaropa and apavada, that is, assumption of names and forms and their negation. Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, India.