The Song of Life

The Gospels are the perfect flower of Palestine. The Upanishads are the chiefest treasure of most ancient India. The heart of the Galilean message is hidden in the Parables of the Kingdom. The deepest secret of Mother India is embodied in those dramatic fragments and still perfect dramas which are the strongest part of the Upanishads. Of these Mystery plays there are many: The contest of Brahma and the Devas, king Death and Nachiketas, the Disciples of Pippalada, Bhrigu and Varuna, the Father of Shvetaketu, Uddalaka and the King, the Answers of Yajnavalkya, Indra and the Demon, and, greatest of all, the Dialogue of Janaka and the Sage, translated here. A modern paraphrase of the Teaching goes before it, yet, in all understanding of the Mystery, the Soul must be its own light.