Sri Aurobindo’s writings on the Upanishads present his translations and philosophical commentaries on the foundational texts of Vedanta. His interpretations emphasise the Upanishads as records of spiritual experience and realisation rather than merely philosophical treatises.

Volume 17: Isha Upanishad

This volume is devoted entirely to the Isha Upanishad, one of the shortest and most significant Upanishads. It is divided into two parts:

Part One contains Sri Aurobindo’s final translation and analysis, the only work in this volume published during his lifetime. This definitive interpretation presents the Isha Upanishad’s teaching on the relation between the Divine and the world, action and renunciation, and the unity of existence.

Part Two contains ten incomplete commentaries from manuscripts dating from around 1900 to 1914, showing the development of his interpretation over time. These include: “All that is world in the Universe”, “The Ishavasyopanishad with a commentary in English”, “The Karmayogin: A Commentary on the Isha Upanishad”, “Ish and Jagat”, “The Secret of the Isha”, “Chapters for a Work on the Isha Upanishad”, “The Upanishad in Aphorism”, and three drafts of The Life Divine as an Upanishadic commentary.

Volume 18: Kena and Other Upanishads

This volume covers translations and commentaries on all other Upanishads:

Part One contains works published during Sri Aurobindo’s lifetime: Kena Upanishad, Katha Upanishad, Mundaka Upanishad, and Readings in the Taittiriya Upanishad.

Part Two contains translations and commentaries from manuscripts: “On Translating the Upanishads”, complete translations of the Prashna, Mandukya, Aitareya, and Taittiriya Upanishads (circa 1900–1902), and incomplete translations and commentaries on the Shvetashvatara, Chhandogya, Brihad Aranyaka, Kaivalya, and Nila Rudra Upanishads (circa 1902–1912).

Part Three contains incomplete and fragmentary writings on the Upanishads and Vedanta philosophy in general.

Key Themes

  • The Upanishadic Method: Direct spiritual experience as the basis of knowledge
  • Brahman and Atman: The identity of the ultimate reality and the individual self
  • Renunciation and Enjoyment: The Isha Upanishad’s teaching on possession and renunciation
  • The Gates of Knowledge: The Katha Upanishad’s dialogue between Nachiketas and Yama
  • The Parable of the Self: The Mundaka Upanishad’s distinction between higher and lower knowledge
  • The Panchakosha: The Taittiriya Upanishad’s five sheaths of the self

Source Summary

CWSA Volume 17 presents the complete Isha Upanishad material, including multiple draft commentaries that trace the evolution of Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation. CWSA Volume 18 collects his work on all other Upanishads, ranging from early translations (1900–1902) to mature commentaries (1912–1914), along with general writings on Vedanta philosophy.

See Also