Twelve Essential Upanishads Vol. II: Chandogya Upanishad, Teachings from the High Chant

by Shukavak N Dasa (Translator)

Overview

Chandogya Upanishad is the second of the two major Upanishads. Its central theme is the correspondence between the cosmos and the fire ritual as it is fashioned around the High Chant. "Chāndogya" means the "singer of the chandas," chandas being the hymns of the Sama Veda, and gya means to sing.

When a treasure of gold lays hidden in the ground, people, who do not know, walk over it every day and never find it. Similarly, all beings move through this world and never see the world of brahma. This is because it is hidden by the unreal. Chandogya Upanishad 8.3.2

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781889756066
Publisher:	Sri Publications
Publication date:	04/08/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Shukavak Dasa holds a Ph.D. in South Asian Studies and a Master's degree in Sanskrit grammar from the University of Toronto. He regularly lectures on Hinduism and has played a key role in the development of Hindu temples across the United States and Canada. He has officiated thousands of Hindu weddings and performed a wide range of rituals in North America, Europe, and India. With deep knowledge of Sanskrit and the symbolic meaning behind Hindu rites, Shukavak is known for making complex traditions accessible and enlightening for diverse audiences-including both lifelong practitioners and those new to the faith. This translation was undertaken by a Westerner who is also a dedicated practitioner of Hinduism. With a nuanced understanding of the distinction between faith and belief, and drawing from his Western education and personal spiritual practice, the author approaches these sacred texts with both reverence and a desire to find meaning relevant to a Western context. His unique perspective bridges two worlds: rooted in Western thought, yet deeply engaged with Indian spiritual traditions. www.Shukavak.com

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Upanishads

--First Adhyāya--Om as the High Chant. The Gods and Demons Quarrel. The High Chant from the Perspective of the Heavens. The Power of Om. Om as the Sun and Breath. The Union of the Rig and the Sama. The Debate on The Foundation of Sama. Space as the Source of the Sama. The Story of the Poor Priest. The High Chant of Dogs. The Mystical Meaning of Certain Sounds of the Sama Chant.

--Second Adhyāya--Sama as All Good. The Sama Chant in the World. The Sama Chant in Rain. The Sama Chant in Water. The Sama Chant in the Seasons. The Sama Chant in Animals. The Sama Chant in the Bodily Organs. Seeing the Seven parts of the Sama in Speech. Seeing the Seven Parts of the Sama in the Sun. The Syllables of the Sama Chant. The Gāyatra Sama Chant. The Rathantara Sama Chant. The Vāmandevya Sama Chant. The Bṛhad Sama Chant. The Vairūpa Sama Chant. The Virāja Sama Chant. The Śakvarī Sama Chant. The Revatī Sama Chant. The Yajñāyajñīya Sama Chant. The Sama Chant Built on the Whole. The Ways of Chanting. The Three Pillars of Dharma. The Rewards of Sacrifice.

--Third Adhyāya--Honey of the Rig. Honey of the Yajur. Honey of the Sama. The Vedas as the Essence. The First Nectar. The Second Nectar. The Third Nectar. The Fourth Nectar. The Fifth Nectar 56Where the Sun Never Rises or Sets57Gāyatrī 59Five Pathways of the Heart61The Knowledge of Shandilya. The Treasure Chest. The Doctrine of 116. The Life of Man is a Sacrifice. Brahma in Both the Individual and the Universe. The Sun as Brahma.

--Fourth Adhyāya--Raikva, The Man with the Cart. Janashruti Speaks with Raikva. Teachings to Satyakama Jabala. The Bull Teaches. Fire Teaches. The Swan Teaches. A Water Bird Teaches. The Teacher Teaches. The Story of Upakosala. Teachings from the Householder's Fire. The Southern Fire Instructs. The Eastern Fire Instructs. The Fires Conclude. The Path to Brahma. The Two Paths Created during Sacrifice. Correcting Mistakes during a Sacrifice.

--Fifth Adhyāya--Breath: the Oldest and the Greatest. The Power of Breath. Instruction to Gautama Begins. The Heavens are Fire Rain is a Fire. The Earth is a Fire. A Man is a Fire. A Woman is a Fire. The Course of Man. Ways of Leaving the World. Dialogue on the Universal Ātmā Begins. The Sky as the Universal Ātmā. The Sun as the Universal Ātmā. The Wind as the Universal Ātmā. Space as the Universal Ātmā. Water as the Universal Ātmā. The Earth as the Universal Ātmā. The Ātmā is beyond Measure. The First Offering. The Second Offering. The Third Offering. The Fourth Offering. The Fifth Offering. The Importance of Knowledge.

--Sixth Adhyāya--Teachings to Shvetaketu Begins. The Creation of the World. The Three Divinities and Name and Form. The Three Elements: Fire, Water and Earth. The Composition of a Body. A Person is Made of Sixteen Parts. The Nature of Sleep. Teachings to Shvetaketu Continued.

--Seventh Adhyāya--Instructions to Narada. Name. Speech. Mind. Will. Thought. Deep Reflection. Discernment. Power. Food. Water. Heat. Space. Memory. Hope. Breath. Outspoken for the Truth. Discernment. Thinking. Faith. Resolve. Action. Happiness. Abundance and Scarcity. Abundance is all Around.

--Eighth Adhyāya--The City of Brahma. The Object of Desire. Conclusion.

Sanskrit Glossary

Index