Words fail me in my attempt to describe the book, perhaps it is best I describe the emotions I experienced, as I read this book.

The book captured my breath and concentration and I was unable to think of anything else till I finished the book. I took quite some time over a few days to finish it, simply because each page makes you think. There are books that hit you hard with the force of their ideas, and then there is this book... which gently caresses your mind as a wave would caress the shore, as our eyelashes caress our cheek when we blink. The book and its delivery is so gentle and calm, that my mind was immediately transported into the vivid imagery that EE creates, of a guru in a remote hut and his simple lifestyle and his disciples. EE strikes a chord when he points out the massive gamble that these disciples take, in deciding to pursue nothing but the Truth and sacrifice all else in its path. His writing gentle and kind, and one feels like a young boy in front of an affectionate father, the father doesnt seem to teach, but just seems to speak calmly, and one feels like listening.
EE brings out the Upanishads for what they really are, an incredible advancement into the inquiry of Truth, using the principles of concentration and meditation, and the medium of story telling to pass down the wisdom of the ancients. I could not resist my tears as I read with joy of the tales of Yajnavalka, nor could I feel but astonished at the clarity of thought and the level of the discussion between Yama and Nachiketa.

I could go on, but there is little to say except that one should read this book. For those in search of additional readings, there is a book called "The Vedas", which is an english collection of the discourses of the Head of the Kancheepuram Shankaracharya school. It's a tough read, to be read with pencil and paper, and perhaps committing to memory some of the terms... but it is the Definitive primer into the Vedas and India's true heritage.

The Upanishads are a remarkable collection of mystical literature that represent a turning point in Indian thought. Eswaran tranlates the most famous of them into strikingly simple and resonant language. "Freed from sin, as a snake sheds its sin, They see the Supreme Lord, who lives in all." "As the sun, who is the eye of the world, Cannot be tainted by the defects in our eyes. . . So the one self, dwelling in all, cannot be tainted by the evils of the world." "The tree of Eternity has its roots above and its branches on earth below. Its pure root is Brahman the immortal From whom all the worlds draw their life. . . "

Each of the main Upanishads is given a short and helpful introduction, then followed by a few pages of notes. The text as a whole is again bracketed by eloquent essays by Easwaran and Michael Nagler, who make helpful comparisons to Augustine, Pascal, Gandhi, the Rig Veda, the Gita, and Einstein, building bridges to readers of various traditions and interests. All in all, Easwaran has gone the extra mile to help his readers comprehends the message of the Upanishads, as he understands it.

It may be that clarity is sometimes achieved at the cost of strict accuracy. Eswaran admits "simplifying" the text in certain ways -- cutting what he thinks repetitive, using "Lord of Love" dozens of times to translate a term that in a note toward the end he admits means "God-self-energy." I lost a little confidence in the translation after reading that. Also, he translates "atman" as "Self," a term some people seem to think is not quite right. So while I enjoyed this version, I plan to compare it to others for scholarly purposes.

Nagler made a few comments both on the Upanishads and on Christianity that made me question his clarity of vision a bit. His claim that, aside from Augustine, "the shapers of early Christianity" believed there was "no high task of self-sacrifice left for people to perform," seemed an odd thing to say of a religion whose primary texts are full of advice like, "Take up your cross and follow me," and "Make your life a living sacrifice," and whose early followers have been blamed for being too eager for martyrdom.

Given the fact that some experience the "I am that" state yet reject it as an illusion, should we believe what the mystics experienced as true? What social, psychological, and moral affect did the "inward turn" that this text represents have on Indian society? One feels a bit crass or, well, unenlightened, to pose doubtful such questions in the face of such beautiful poetry. But I think they are also worth posing. Anyone who would like to consider these questions from the point of view of a knowledgable and fair-minded Christian, read The Crown of Hinduism, by F. N. Farquhar, or the more critical (and passionate) books by Indian social reformer, Vishal Mangalwadi, such as Truth and Social Justice or The World of Gurus.

author, Jesus and the Religions of Man

After reading the Dhammapada translation from the same author, it was not a surprise to find a similar high-quality translation of the Upanishads - the philosophical part in the Vedas of Hinduist religion. Some points to highlight in Easwaran's work: Poetic but precise wording, great introduction and commentaries, easy-to-read without creating a scholar-only work, impeccable introduction to the Historical context of the work and it's importance in Hinduism.

Mr Easwaran's work convinced me to buy all Three books that form a Trilogy: The Dhammapada, The Upanishads and The Bhagavad Gita. Without a doubt, especially considering the price, this Trilogy is a steal.

This is one of the most interesting, yet simple books on practical idealism. Anyone who is interested in spirituality or philosophy will find a treasure in this book by a great guru.

The impact the tiny book has on me seems to grow as time passes by. I can't believe that what I have always been searching for can be so simple. Eknath Easwaran gets his message through so clearly with vivid anecdotes. I find myself nodding as I am reading through the lines. Once in a while, I take for granted the lessons that I have already learned. The handy book serves as a constant reminder. It never fails.

This book helps us to understand that the simple things are important. It is choc full of short passages that send BIG messages!

This book is about self-discipline of the mind (the need and how-to). Lust, obssessions, greed, etc. are common weakness that we need to overcome. There are times which we also lose control of our temper, etc. This book discusses such issues, too and it aims to help us improve our character.

It uses words of wisdom from famous religious "personalities" such as Christ, Buddha, Krishna, etc. which make a lot of sense but it does not preach any religion (that's the good thing about it).

It also includes at the last chapter, the author's "Eight-Point Program"---a meditation and day-to-day living program that anyone of any religion can adopt.

Almost for anyone... but for the person who STRONGLY DISBELIEVE in existence in any god, he/she may feel uncomfortable about certain parts of the book.

This is an extraordinarily clear exploration of the fundamental spritual truths that cross all religious and philosophical boundaries.

The writing is simple and conversational, but in its simplicity it leads one step-by-step through layers of insight.

I re-read this book frequently, and make sure that everyone I care about has a copy. Everyone who reads it agrees with me as to its depth.

Among the very many books I have read that attempt to bridge the gap(s) between Eastern and Western religions, this is the only one that does it seamlessly.

If you have any interest in a non-cultist perspective on meditation and Buddhism, this is it.

Justin P. Healy

I've read this book three times and am planning to read it again. It's a wonderful book that helps me focus on what's important in life and how I can make choices to live authentically and deliberately. Reading this book helped me to make the decision to quit smoking and live a more healthy lifestyle. I would recommend this book to anyone who's asking the question "What's it all about?".

Late Mr. Eknath Eswaran,adherent of spirituality from childhood, has wonderfully written about the a teenager's curiosity about life after death. The book gives numerous examples from modern day life. Drawing from his expertise in the English language literature, the author makes the subject very familiar to the present day readers. He has quoted from Shakespeare to Aldous Huxley and Mahatma Gandhi and shown the thought concesus common to all great philosophers. Though the contents originate from one of the most ancient of the Hindu scriptures, every contemporary human being will identify with the life's problems of the modern times given in the book and will be helped plenty in finding many solutions.There seems to be a little more stress given on the self sacrifice than other modalities of spirituality like sense control, breath control and meditation but overall the book is very readable, language beautiful and when I read it I regretted the book was over.

One of the best books on Hinduism I have ever read. The book is about the conversations between a teenager, Nichiketa, and Yama - the God of Death : how Yama tempts the teenager with all the wordly riches just to test his sincerity and after being satisfied, unfolds the mystery of life and death to him.

Courage has to do with "big heartedness." I have read about many courageous people but few as courageous as this man. If you are a seeking a role model, a template for bringing meaning to life, then read this book. It made me realize the essence of non-violent living, gave me a clearer picture of Gandhi, helped me to see how little wisdom is exhibited in our leaders today.....and offered a hope for a new way of being. A way for bringing deep meaning to life. This is an important book and an important man. I intend to use it as a text in the class I teach at WPI.

This is an awesome book. I read it before 9/11/2000. I have always been interested in non-violence, and revere Gandhi and MLK Jr. We need the message of this book now, more than ever. This is "must reading" for Americans, westerners and Christians. Islam means peace. Here is a man who put his life on the line to LIVE his faith. Like Gandhi, his teacher, he suffered persecution and imprisonment for his efforts to bring a peaceful interpretation of Islam to Afghanistan and Pakistan. He is a saint who should be revered by all the people of the book.

This book really demonstrates how you can incorporate non-violence into every aspect of your daily life. This brought me to a new sense of understanding about the world, its people and our conflicts, and how petty or large ones can be avoided and not escalated.

Particularly relevant is how Khan came from the Pathans, or tribe with a reputation of violence which covers much of Afghanistan, and so much in the news today. Khan however raised history's first "non-violent army" of 100,000 men form the ruthless Pathan tradition, and who through non-violent means courageously stood up unarmed against injustice.

Read this book, it is truly outstanding, and preferably after having read "Gandhi The Man" by the same author - Eknath Easwaran.

John Chamberlain

It is profoundly liberating to learn that a simple word or combination of words is the key to healing one's self and one's relationship with others. I work in numerical algorithms and I am constantly reminded of how the most enduring algorithms are often the simplest. This book changed my life, I sincerely hope it does yours too.

I read an older version of this book, published in first in October 1977 and the sixth printing in May 1988, when I purchased it. Unfortunately, they discontinued this book; God knows why. Because it is an excellent book. I tried to purchase many copies of it later on; when I was told they stopped printing it. That is a shame, because, it is one of the best books I have read. Like many of Eswaran's books, this one is a true mind-turner. It is an excellent hand book to control our will and find peace within ourself. Eswaran has brought out simple ways by which we can do this, thru examples. It is one of the best.

Easwaran is fantastic in his simple explanations of complex spiritual truths. In the Mantram handbook he effectively de-mystifies what might seem like an occult subject to many beginners. Mantras are very useful tools to take us higher along the spiritual path, this book is an excellent starting point.

Sri Easwaran shed his body in October, 1999. His lessons will live with us forever. He told us that his greatest tribute as a teacher would be for all of us to continue learning and practicing his 8-point program. This book is just one of the fabulous guides to a life filled with meaning. Get it-read it-DO IT.

For those following Easwaran's 8-point program outlined in his book, "Meditation," this collection of essays sheds wonderful new insights into the spiritual journey. For those not following it, this may well inspire you to. Easwaran has a gentle way of taking you by the hand and leading you through all that lays ahead once you begin the journey inward. And, while he doesn't hesitate to tell you that this is the heardest thing you'll ever do, he's so darn reassuring that you actually believe you can get there. These essays are filled with personal ancedotes and stories from the life of a man who has obviously arrived where we're all trying to go, and yet, still manages to sound as down to earth as any of us. As with all Easwaran's books, highly recommended.

I read this book many years ago and it had a profound effect on me. I read many of Easwaran's books and every one had several "Eureka" moments that re-connected me with the "real" issues in life. My sister is facing a life-threatening illness and I really wanted to send this book to her. I am so sorry it is out of print. My mantra has helped me through many a difficult time in my life.

This is a book to read, to re-read, and to return to periodically on your journey. Easwaran wants each reader to feel comfortable with his or her mantram, and so he offers many possible mantra of Hindu, Christian, and other origins. He writes of using the mantram to ward off depression and overreactions to events in our lives. To illustrate his point, he refers to his hero, Mohandas Gandhi, who uttered his mantram steadily through the trials of his life and even at the moment of death. A realist, Sri Easwaran does not expect each reader to become a Gandhi; but he does convince us that using the mantram helps bring peace of mind. Easwaran also discusses the mantram as part of his eight-point program for spiritual discipline. I find Easwaran's style beautifully readable; his thoughts simple, affirmative, and applicable to my life. I doubt I'll ever reach Easwaran's level of equanimity, but this book convinces me that I can approach it.

In A More Ardent Fire: From Everyday Love To Love Of God, Eknath Easwaran presents love between individuals as a training ground for developing a unified love that will lead to the changeless reality beyond time or death. Easwaran draws inspiration from the lives of lovers of God from many religions to show that it is by deepening and strengthening our capacity to love people around us that we travel the most direct route to a love of God. A More Ardent Fire is enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone seeking spiritual growth, improved personal relationships, and a closer connection with God.

If you've read Sri Easwaran in the past or are a student of his work, you're already well aquainted with the content and style of "A More Ardent Fire." In this, his last book, he uses the 20 verses of the 12th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita as jumping-off points to expand upon his method of meditation and the allied disiplines. But mainly, and most importantly, this is a book about learning how to put others first. As Easwaran says in the intro, "Love is a skill that every one of us can learn - not merely for personal enrichment, but so that deepening and strengthening our relationships becomes a sure, swift path toward making God a reality in our daily lives."

Easwarn may well be the most practical spiritual teacher to ever put pen to paper. His methods will appeal to and can be practised by people from all traditions as well as those from none. For better or worse, I have read countless books on spirituality(Buddhism, Vedanta, Esoteric Christianity, etc.) and the more I read and study the more I am amazed at how comprehensive Easwaran's program really is. Though I no longer follow his method of passage meditation - having been called or led as it were to a simpler approach - I still draw heavily from this and his other works for inspiration. One can do no better for sheer practicality and applicability of the material. Other's may be more well-known or flambouyant, but Sri Easwaran was a truly unique spiritual giant and we are all lucky to have access to his wisdom.

Hesitantly I would add, that while I've gained much from Easwaran's and other commentaries, I've come to believe that it's far more important to let scripture speak directly to your own heart. Find translations you enjoy and open yourself to them. Let them hit you where you are. The Gita itself says it is far better to follow one's owm dharma, calling, Ideal, than to follow another's. Or as the Buddha put it: Be a light onto yourself.

This book is one of the most well written books I have read in a while. It covers the entire life of Lord Krishna in one place while also covering all relevant aspects of the War (the precursors leading upto the war, the conduct of the war and the aftermath of the war). The information contained in the book is nothing new, (people familiar with the great epic of Mahabharata already know the plot, the principal characters, etc.). Yet, when I was reading it, as I finished each chapter, I could not wait to read the next chapter (knowing very well what would happen next). That is how powerfully this book is written.
However I give it 4 and not 5 stars because, the final few chapters are more abstract (indeed as can be expected of any profound discourse material, as the chapters contain) and do not maintain the same tempo or grip as the earlier chapters do.
Familiarity with (at least) the principal names and characters of the Mahabharata is highly recommended before reading this book.

It irks me to have to give any book about lord Krishna just 4 stars. Especially when written with such skill and poetry by a saintly and wonderful devotee. I am forced to drop a star simply because the author has fallen into the Diety is utimately formless trap. Yet again another aspirant who hasn't yet grasped the unbecomming nature of absolute reality. (Ie does not change, devolve or evolve). God in the supernal realms did not become form, nor were the eternal realms constructed or created.

Nevermind I am sure that the Author Devi Vanamali will achieve the highest spiritual heights, her devotion to the wonderful primal Lord Krishna is clear and unmistakable. There can be no fault in such a person, they are already liberated.

This is an excellent book and I recommend it to others. It's written in a very emotional way, which reflects the love the author has for Bhagavan Krishna. It also has a good glossary in the back for those who are unfamiliar with specific terms.
I'm a strong devotee of Bhagavan Krishna and I adhere to His words in the Bhagavad Gita. I wanted to find out about His life and this book has given me an excellent background.