The Thirteen Principal Upanishads

The Thirteen Principal Upanishads. Translated from the Sanskrit with an Outline of The Philosophy of the Upanishads and an Annotated Bibliography by Robert Ernest Hume. Second Edition, Revised. Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1995 (1931). Paperback, xvi + 588 pages. ISBN 0195637437. The serious student who is looking for a scholarly treatment of the Upanishads will probably find his needs more than satisfied by this edition. Hume, who was born and brought up in India, and who was able to consult with prominent native Pandits over knotty points when working on his translation, tells us that: "It has been the aim of the translator to prepare a rendering that represents, as faithfully as possible, the form and meaning of the Sanskrit. A literal equivalent, even though lacking in fluency or grace of expression, has been preferred throughout to a fine phrase which less exactly reproduces the original." But although as literal as he could make it, his translation on the whole reads quite nicely; it also incorporates a number of rather useful features. Among these are the captions he has placed at the head of each passage which help to guide us through the texts, and the transliterated Sanskrit of selected terms which he interspersed throughout and which will be appreciated even by those knowing little or no Sanskrit. Here is an example of his style (minus diacritics) from the Katha Upanishad (p.353): [Caption] The immortal Soul not to be sought through outward senses. [Translation] 1. The Self-existent (svayambhu) pierced the openings [of the senses] outward; Therefore one looks outward, not within himself (antaratman). A certain wise man, while seeking immortality, Introspectively beheld the Soul (Atman) face to face. 2. The childish go after outward pleasures; They walk into the net of widespread death. But the wise, knowing immortality, Seek not the stable among things which are unstable here. For a useful, accurate, scholarly and readable edition, I think the reader could do worse than to consider Hume's.