The seekers of Truth were well-read and committed to the spiritual path in spite of their worldly involvements. They included all age-groups from teenage to ton age! Their commitment and intense longing for the Truth - that inspired me! The scheme of thought presentation had been to devote first few minutes for the recapitulation followed by the next topic in the Upanishad for loud thinking. I felt this as a necessity for every seeker to be reminded of the subjective approach during the study and avoid objectification of the Self. This will be evident when repetition will be observed by the reader every now and then. This is called as abhyasa in technical terms. I was extremely thrilled while editing the pages as if it was a new revelation to me! All the non-English words and names are in Italics for easy comprehension. The equivalent of the Sanskrit words in English is given initially when the word is first introduced. We have followed the commentary of Bhagawan Shankaracharya in letter and spirit to understand the secrets revealed in the text. Modern day examples were found suitable to indicate and emphasise the point made by the great Master. Although we have followed His commentary, the book is presented in the form of talks and not as a word to word meaning and commentary. Hence the title - Contemplation on Taittiriya Upanishad. The thought-wise mantras and translations are appended at the end of the book. The untiring labor and efforts put by Chaity Biswas and Savita Nagananda deserve Self-realization!

The Taittiriya-Upanisad is so called because of the recension (sakha) of the Krishna Yajurveda to which it is appended. It is the most popular and the best-known of all the Upanisads in this part of the country, where the majority of the Brahmins study the Taittiriya recension of the Yajurveda, and it is also one of the very few Upanisads which are still recited with the regulated accent and intonation which the solemnity of the subject therein treated naturally engenders. The Upanisad itself has been translated by several scholars including Prof. Max Muller; and the latest translation by Messrs. Mead and J.C. Chattopadhyaya, of the Blavatsky Lodge of the Theosophical Society, London, is the most 'soulful' of all, and at the same time the cheapest. A few words, therefore, are needed to explain the object of the present undertaking.Sankaracharya and Suresvaracharya are writers of highest authority belonging to what has been now-a days marked off as the Advaita school of the Vedanta. Every student of the Vedanta knows that the former has written commentaries on the classical Upanisads, on the Bhagavad-Gita, and on the Brahma sutras, besides a number of manuals and tracts treating of the Vedanta Philosophy, while among the works of the latter, which have but recently seen the light.

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Nowhere in the world do we get such a complete study of the human personality in all its exhaustive features as in the Taittiriya Upanisad. Apart from a clear description of the five sheaths, it gives a vivid picture of the exhaustive training imparted in the educational system of the period, with instructions and advice on, how to live Vedanta in life; Taittiriya Upanisad occupies an unrivalled place in the Divine Tradition of Hinduism. The Upanisad, declares a manifesto upon the 'Hindu way of Living'. These Commandments have a democratic Hindu touch which is the unique specialityof Hindu philosophy. "He who realises Brahman attains the Supreme Brahman - Truth, Knowledge and Infinite." In his commentary of this Upanishad, the journalist, the logician, the scholar and the master of English Literature - Swami Chinmayananda is at His best. Swami Chinmayananda, pioneered the art of conveying sublime knowledge intricately wrapped in Sanskrit scripture through the medium of English discourse and commentary. On realising the true purpose of life he worked tirelessly and with tremendous energy for more than four decades to spread the message of Vedanta. A great writer, leader, patriot and spiritual giant: He brought about a spiritual renaissance of the Vedantic heritage to the world. A powerful orator with his own brand of wit and humour; he paints vividly the wisdom of the ages in front of us. His commentary on the Bhagavad Geeta and Upanishads are considered one of the best ever for their clarity and crisp logic.

The Upanishads include some of the most beloved and illuminating stories from the vast literature of India's Vedic tradition. Adapted from the original text, this collection of tales tells the story of enlightenment. It talks about: a teacher and his student in a secluded forest ashram, a great seer meditating in a Himalayan retreat, and more.