The first readable and accurate translation of twenty of the most authoritative Hindu documents pertaining to ascetic ideals and the ascetic way of life, this text opens to students a major source for the study of the Hindu ascetical institution and of the historical changes they underwent during a period of a thousand years or more.

• Note on the Translation


• INTRODUCTION


• 1: The Samnyasa Upanisads


• 2: Renunciation and Society: The Inner Conflict of Tradition


• 3: The Nature and Purpose of Renunciation


• 4: The Rite of Renunciation


• 5: The Classifications of Renouncers


• 6: The Behavior and Customs of Renouncers


• TRANSLATIONS


• 1: Aruni Upanisad


• 2-3: Laghu-Samnyasa Upanisad and Kundika Upanisad


• 4: Kathasruti Upanisad


• 5: Paramahamsa Upanisad


• 6: Jabala Upanisad


• 7: Brahma Upanisad


• 8: Asrama Upanisad


• 9: Maitreya Upanisad


• 10: Naradaparivrajaka Upanisad


• 11: Nirvana Upanisad


• 12: Bhiksuka Upanisad


• 13: Turiyatitavadhuta Upanisad


• 14: Brhat-Samnyasa Upanisad


• 15: Paramahamsaparivrajaka Upanisad


• 16: Parabrahma Upanisad


• 17: Brhad-Avadhuta Upanisad


• 18: Yajnavalkya Upanisad


• 19: Satyayaniya Upanisad


• 20: Laghu-Avadhuta Upanisad


• Notes


• Bibliography


• Index