Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary

by S. Sitarama Sastri | 1928 | 23,822 words

Summary: The Katha Upanishad is a collection of philosophical poems representing a conversation between the sage Naciketas and Yama (god of death). They discuss the nature of Atman, Brahman and Moksha (liberation). The book is made up of six sections (Valli).

This commentary by Shankara focuses on ‘Advaita Vedanta’, or non-dualism: one of the classical orthodox philosophies of Hinduism.

The title in IAST is: Kaṭha Upaniṣad, Śaṅkara Bhāṣya.
In Devanagari: कठ उपनिषद्, शङ्कर भाष्य or kaṭhopaniṣad (कठोपनिषद्) or Kāṭhaka-upaniṣad (काठक-उपनिषद्)

This English translation includes original Sanskrit text and the transliterated roman text in IAST format.

Source 1: motilalbanarsidass.com
Source 2: archive.org

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Title Page

Photograph of Annie Besant

Shri Shankara’s Introduction

Adyaya I, Valli I - The story of Vajasravasa

Adyaya I, Valli II - The pursuit of Knowledge and Yoga

Adyaya I, Valli III - The parable of the chariot

Adyaya II, Valli I - The nature of Atman and its importance

Adyaya II, Valli II - The soul after death

Adyaya II, Valli III - The theory of Karma and Rebirth