Get Your Free Audiobook
-
Essence of the Upanishads
- A Key to Indian Spirituality
- Narrated by: Paul Bazely
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Categories: Health & Wellness, Alternative & Complementary Medicine
Non-member price: $14.57
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Dhammapada
- By: Eknath Easwaran
- Narrated by: Paul Bazely
- Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dhammapada means "the path of dharma", the path of harmony and righteousness that anyone can follow to reach the highest good. This classic Buddhist scripture is a collection of vivid, practical verses gathered from direct disciples who wanted to preserve what they had heard from the Buddha himself. Easwaran's translation of this classic Buddhist text is the best-selling translation in the US.
-
-
Great book. Excellent Audible narration.
- By Richard Ballina on 27-09-2020
-
The Bhagavad Gita
- By: Eknath Easwaran
- Narrated by: Paul Bazely
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Bhagavad Gita, "The Song of the Lord", is the best known of all the Indian scriptures, and Easwaran's reliable and accessible version has consistently been the best-selling translation. Easwaran's introduction places the Gita in its historical setting and brings out the universality and timelessness of its teachings. Chapter introductions give clear explanations of key concepts in that chapter.
-
-
Listen without the commentary
- By Flip B on 09-04-2018
-
Passage Meditation - A Complete Spiritual Practice
- Train Your Mind and Find a Life That Fulfills
- By: Eknath Easwaran
- Narrated by: Paul Bazely
- Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Easwaran's classic manual is a unique source of practical spiritual support for new and experienced meditators and gives all the instruction needed to establish a vibrant meditation practice and keep it going. In passage meditation you focus attention on passages, or texts, drawn from all the world's sacred traditions. You choose the passages that appeal to you, so this universal method stays fresh and inspiring, prompting you to live out your highest ideals.
-
-
loved it!
- By Reeva on 04-07-2017
-
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- By: Sri Swami Satchidananda
- Narrated by: M.A. Jayashree, Indunil Peiris, Sam Rudra Swartz
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Yoga Sutras are a complete manual for the study and practice of Yoga. Through his translation and commentary on the classic text, Sri Swami Satchidananda shares his practical, down-to-earth advice on mastering the mind and achieving physical, mental, and emotional harmony in life through applying the ancient, yet timeless techniques of Raja Yoga.
-
The Rig Veda
- By: Anonymous
- Narrated by: Sagar Arya
- Length: 41 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
These 1028 poems, grouped as 10 ‘Circles’ (mandalas), have variously been called hymns, poems or songs by Sanskrit scholars. The Rik (so pronounced by the ancient Angirases clans, or Seer-Priest families) was an experiment with sound. The emphasis is always on sounding the words perfectly. The focus tends to be on the ideas rather than on the authors in Vedic literature, they are largely religious in nature, reflecting the world view and spiritual preoccupations of ancient India.
-
Mahabharata: The Greatest Spiritual Epic of All Time
- By: Krishna Dharma
- Narrated by: Sarvabhavana Das
- Length: 45 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Said to be the world's longest poem, Mahabharata was originally composed in 100,000 Sanskrit verses by the ancient Indian sage Vyasa. Revered as a sacred text within Hinduism, it contains the great spiritual teaching Bhagavad-gita. Krishna Dharma has condensed the epic into a fast paced novel that fully retains the majestic mood of the original. A powerful and moving tale, it recounts the history of the five heroic Pandava brothers, sons of the Emperor Pandu.
-
-
Truly the greatest spiritual epic ever told
- By Wayne on 06-09-2018
-
The Dhammapada
- By: Eknath Easwaran
- Narrated by: Paul Bazely
- Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dhammapada means "the path of dharma", the path of harmony and righteousness that anyone can follow to reach the highest good. This classic Buddhist scripture is a collection of vivid, practical verses gathered from direct disciples who wanted to preserve what they had heard from the Buddha himself. Easwaran's translation of this classic Buddhist text is the best-selling translation in the US.
-
-
Great book. Excellent Audible narration.
- By Richard Ballina on 27-09-2020
-
The Bhagavad Gita
- By: Eknath Easwaran
- Narrated by: Paul Bazely
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Bhagavad Gita, "The Song of the Lord", is the best known of all the Indian scriptures, and Easwaran's reliable and accessible version has consistently been the best-selling translation. Easwaran's introduction places the Gita in its historical setting and brings out the universality and timelessness of its teachings. Chapter introductions give clear explanations of key concepts in that chapter.
-
-
Listen without the commentary
- By Flip B on 09-04-2018
-
Passage Meditation - A Complete Spiritual Practice
- Train Your Mind and Find a Life That Fulfills
- By: Eknath Easwaran
- Narrated by: Paul Bazely
- Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Easwaran's classic manual is a unique source of practical spiritual support for new and experienced meditators and gives all the instruction needed to establish a vibrant meditation practice and keep it going. In passage meditation you focus attention on passages, or texts, drawn from all the world's sacred traditions. You choose the passages that appeal to you, so this universal method stays fresh and inspiring, prompting you to live out your highest ideals.
-
-
loved it!
- By Reeva on 04-07-2017
-
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- By: Sri Swami Satchidananda
- Narrated by: M.A. Jayashree, Indunil Peiris, Sam Rudra Swartz
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Yoga Sutras are a complete manual for the study and practice of Yoga. Through his translation and commentary on the classic text, Sri Swami Satchidananda shares his practical, down-to-earth advice on mastering the mind and achieving physical, mental, and emotional harmony in life through applying the ancient, yet timeless techniques of Raja Yoga.
-
The Rig Veda
- By: Anonymous
- Narrated by: Sagar Arya
- Length: 41 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
These 1028 poems, grouped as 10 ‘Circles’ (mandalas), have variously been called hymns, poems or songs by Sanskrit scholars. The Rik (so pronounced by the ancient Angirases clans, or Seer-Priest families) was an experiment with sound. The emphasis is always on sounding the words perfectly. The focus tends to be on the ideas rather than on the authors in Vedic literature, they are largely religious in nature, reflecting the world view and spiritual preoccupations of ancient India.
-
Mahabharata: The Greatest Spiritual Epic of All Time
- By: Krishna Dharma
- Narrated by: Sarvabhavana Das
- Length: 45 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Said to be the world's longest poem, Mahabharata was originally composed in 100,000 Sanskrit verses by the ancient Indian sage Vyasa. Revered as a sacred text within Hinduism, it contains the great spiritual teaching Bhagavad-gita. Krishna Dharma has condensed the epic into a fast paced novel that fully retains the majestic mood of the original. A powerful and moving tale, it recounts the history of the five heroic Pandava brothers, sons of the Emperor Pandu.
-
-
Truly the greatest spiritual epic ever told
- By Wayne on 06-09-2018
-
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
- Volume 1
- By: Swami Vivekananda
- Narrated by: Clay Lomakayu
- Length: 18 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What Hinduism needed, amidst the general disintegration of the modern era, was a rock where she could lie at anchor, an authoritative utterance in which she might recognize her self. And this was given to her in the words and writings of the Swami Vivekananda.
-
-
Aspiring Yogi's
- By J on 04-07-2019
-
Wisdom of the Ages the Upanishads - Sublime Teachings of the Vedas
- By: H.G. Jagannatha Dasa
- Narrated by: H.G. Jagannatha Dasa
- Length: 17 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Vedic scriptures, the Upanishads are a 5000-year-old esoteric, intriguing, mystical body of work which carries within it the seed of divine, transcendental knowledge. We live in a world wherein yoga now reigns supreme as the preferred, go-to method of modern spiritual realization, and this unique, exclusive, audio presentation by Bhakti Yogi H. G. Jagannatha Dasa paves the way for a clearer, more meaningful understanding of the powerful, enlightening yoga system.
-
The Mantram Handbook
- A Practical Guide to Choosing Your Mantram & Calming Your Mind
- By: Eknath Easwaran
- Narrated by: Paul Bazely
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The mantram, or mantra, is a short, powerful spiritual formula from the world’s great traditions, repeated silently in the mind, anytime, anywhere. Use it when you’re ill or anxious, tired, or restless, and the mantram will guide and comfort you like a true friend. The mantram can help you to steady the mind and focus your thoughts, replenish your energy and willpower, free your mind from anxiety, anger, or resentment, access your deepest resources of strength, patience, and love.
-
Love, Service, Devotion, and the Ultimate Surrender
- Ram Dass on the Bhagavad Gita
- By: Ram Dass
- Narrated by: Ram Dass
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Bhagavad Gita is a gem so precious in India's spiritual treasury that many regard it not as a volume of sacred verse, but as a living manifestation of the Divine. In the summer of 1974, inside a balmy Boulder, Colorado, warehouse that served as a main hall of a fledgling Naropa Institute, some say a minor miracle occured: The reawakening of the Gita's living presence, as it unfolded in a series of wisdom teachings led by Ram Dass.
-
-
Life changing
- By Carl Meyer on 15-09-2020
-
Autobiography of a Yogi
- By: Paramahansa Yogananda
- Narrated by: Ben Kingsley
- Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Autobiography of a Yogi first appeared in 1946, it was acclaimed as a landmark work in its field. The New York Times hailed it as "a rare account". Newsweek pronounced it "fascinating". The San Francisco Chronicle declared, "Yogananda presents a convincing case for yoga, and those who 'came to scoff' may remain 'to pray." Today it is still one of the most widely read and respected books ever published on the wisdom of the East.
-
-
Superb Insight Into Indian Life and Spirituality
- By meredith on 29-06-2015
-
Ramayana
- India's Immortal Tale of Adventure, Love and Wisdom
- By: Krishna Dharma, Valmiki Ramayana
- Narrated by: Krishna Dharma
- Length: 19 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ramayana must rank as one of the most loved and revered books of all time. A part of India's ancient Vedas, it is a beautiful story of romance and adventure. It recounts the history of Rama, said be an incarnation of the Godhead, and his divine consort Sita. Filled with magic and mysticism, it entrances the listener and stirs deeply moving emotions. At the same time its profound spiritual messages leave one feeling uplifted and enriched. This is a novelization of the classic. It contains all the essential narrative of the original Sanskrit poem.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Anonymous User on 18-09-2019
-
The Secret of the Yoga Sutra
- Samadhi Pada
- By: Pandit Rajmani Tigunait PhD
- Narrated by: D.C. Rao
- Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Yoga Sutra is the living source wisdom of the yoga tradition. Using it as a guide, we can unlock the hidden power of yoga, and experience the promise of yoga in our life. The Yoga Sutra is as fresh today as it was 2200 years ago when it was discovered by the sage Patanjali. It is the first practitioner-oriented commentary which is fully grounded in a living tradition. By applying its living wisdom in our practice, we can achieve the purpose of life: lasting fulfillment and ultimate freedom.
-
-
A treasure
- By Amazon Customer on 21-12-2019
-
Midnights with The Mystic
- A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss
- By: Cheryl Simone, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasude
- Narrated by: Cheryl Somone, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasude
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Constructed around a series of late night conversations around a camp fire between Cheryl Simone and Sadhguru Vasudev on an Island in the middle of a Western North Carolina lake near her mountain home, Midnights with the Mystic is the most thorough exposition of the teachings of India's most sought after mystic. Sadhguru challenges us to embrace the possibility that to each of us is available a higher realm of reality, an entre into the realm of freedom and bliss.
-
-
You must die to become alive .
- By pedro on 18-03-2017
-
Inner Engineering
- A Yogi's Guide to Joy
- By: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
- Narrated by: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The practice of what is commonly known as hatha yoga is but one of eight branches of the body of knowledge that is yoga. Yoga is a sophisticated system of self-empowerment that is capable of harnessing and activating inner energies in such a way that your body and mind function at their optimal capacity. It is a means to create inner situations exactly the way you want them, turning you into the architect of your own joy. A yogi lives life in this expansive state, and in this transformative book Sadhguru tells the story of his own awakening.
-
-
Best book ever, indeed the most value for money
- By Jonas on 02-04-2018
-
Being Ram Dass
- By: Ram Dass, Rameshwar Das
- Narrated by: Rameshwar Das
- Length: 18 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Harvard psychology professor Richard Alpert to psychedelic and spiritual icon, Ram Dass tells here, for the first time, the full arc of his remarkable life. Populated by a cast of luminaries, this intimate memoir chronicles Ram Dass’ life across nine decades of cultural and spiritual transformation that resonate with us to this day.
-
The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita
- Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda
- By: Swami Kriyananda
- Narrated by: Swami Kriyananda
- Length: 19 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rarely in a lifetime does a new spiritual classic appear that has the power to change people's lives and transform future generations. This is such a book. The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda shares the profound insights of Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, as remembered by one of his few remaining direct disciples, Swami Kriyananda.
-
-
Awesome
- By Anonymous User on 27-03-2018
-
Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master
- A Yogi's Autobiography
- By: Sri M.
- Narrated by: Gaurav Sajjanhar
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The author Sri "M" is an extraordinary individual. His uniqueness lies not only in the fact that at the young age of 19 and a half, he travelled to snow-clad Himalayas from Kerala, and there he met and lived for several years with a "real-time" yogi, Babaji, but also that he should undertake such an unusual and adventurous exploration, given his non-Hindu birth and antecedents. The metamorphosis of Mumtaz Ali Khan into Sri "M", a yogi with profound knowledge of the Upanishads and deep personal insights, is born of first-hand experiences with higher levels of consciousness....
-
-
Enlightening
- By Anonymous User on 17-12-2020
Publisher's Summary
The Katha Upanishad embraces the key ideas of Indian mysticism in a mythic story we can all relate to – the quest of a young hero, Nachiketa, who ventures into the land of death in search of immortality.
But the insights of the Katha are scattered, hard to understand. Easwaran presents them systematically, and practically, as a way to explore deeper and deeper levels of personality, and to answer the age-old question, “Who am I?”
Easwaran grew up in India, learned Sanskrit from a young age, and became a professor of English literature before coming to the West. His translation of The Upanishads is the best-selling edition in English.
For students of philosophy and of Indian spirituality, and readers of wisdom literature everywhere, Easwaran’s interpretation of this classic helps us in our own quest into the meaning of our lives.
More from the same
What listeners say about Essence of the Upanishads
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 13-03-2018
Excellent messages from the Upanishads
This is really a dissertation on the teachings of the Upanishads. It doesn't reproduce the Upanishads to any degree but passes on the messages beautifully.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- raz
- 13-02-2018
Beautiful book
Very deep beautiful book beautifully narrated full of spiritual insights very easy to understand but hard to apply
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Trevor
- 12-01-2020
A disappointing purchase
The story was full of obvious observationss, little stories and not representative of the Upanishads
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 06-12-2019
Brilliant from beginning to end.
So useful and so entertaining. A must have in your evolution. I’ve listened three times in succession and going in for the fourth.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Eric
- 26-03-2018
Not a Summary
The content of the book, writing style, and narrators performance are all 5 stars; it’s really profound and inspiring. However, it far from summarizes the Upanishads, but more just explores the general ideas. The only thing i disliked was how often the author talked about christian religious, citing jesus and other christian/Catholic spiritual people. I understand why the author did this, but would have preferred a less comparative approach and a stricter focus on the title content. I was hoping to learn about the Upanishads within the historical context and get an understanding of the content of the text, but this book does not provide either. Still, the ideas are so well communicated and impactful this book is easily 5 stars all around and I am grateful the author created it.
37 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- SamG
- 02-09-2017
So much wisdom.
Loved it, good narration. Will listen over and over. I have owned it for a couple of months and have listened to it twice already.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- nydr
- 18-04-2018
Profound & Timeless
Listened to this audio book after Easwaran’s other books (The Bhagavad Gita & Passage Meditation). Once again Paul Bazely’s narration is lively and brings out the meaning wonderfully. Highly recommend this book for those who have begun or trying embark on a journey of meditation.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- blueberryd
- 16-02-2018
WONDERFUL
Wonderful synthesis of one of the Upanishads. Bazely is THE best narrator on audible in my opinion! i’ve already recommended this audiobook to 2 people! Passage Meditation by same author and narrator is my next read.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- P N Pillai
- 12-11-2017
Simple Laws of Life
to know the explanation of life it's seemingly complex web of repeating thoughts and what death teaches and help us re-establish so we may learn
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- SEED7ROBI
- 06-08-2017
beautiful will listen to over and over
I can listen to meditating I can listen to sleeping I can listen to walking meditation I can listen to awake beautiful. ONENESS RESPECT.🙏
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 07-06-2018
Tansformative!!
Took me to a differnt world of realization. That which reveals - tranforms. Must read.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer
- 23-12-2017
It's all connected. We are all connected
An excellent, very clear, insightful and inspiring presentation of the core teachings of a global spiritual classic. Highly recommended!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Christopher Shankara
- 04-06-2017
One of the greatest scriptures ever given to man
Elucidated with broad knowledge. He brings the scripture alive for modern man with humor and eloquent use of language...a true devotee, a jnani. The voice of narration is excellent. Avail yourself!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- AMfrenzy
- 27-05-2019
Not many reference to Upnishada
Had very high hope after listening to Gita by same author and narrator. This book does not provide clear references to upnishada. Author focused too much on death related topics and painted by his own experience. I would not recommend this book if you are looking for a true essence of Upnishada. Specially, not interesting enough to listen for young minds.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 27-07-2017
Loved this book
This book is a great insight into Hindu culture. The first chapter had me hooked, I also enjoyed the voice of the narrator. The style that the book is written in makes it very easy to understand. I recommend this book and will listen to it again I am sure.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Dezza
- 21-08-2017
Commentry on the Upanishads rather than the story
Any additional comments?
I got this book wanting to listen to the Upanishads - It starts off with the story and gives interpretation which is useful, however the interpretation then seemed to take up the majority of sections rather than focusing on the story. This is where it was probably my mistake with the title 'Essence of...' as the book takes the essence of the teachings and explains them. I only listened to 6 chapters so cannot comment on the book as a whole but as I wanted to hear the original teachings I will seek another source and this book was not for me.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Tarun
- 16-04-2018
Only general commentary by the author
What disappointed you about Essence of the Upanishads?
i have read some interpretations and I also studied 12 years in a Vedic school. Howevever, this particular way of commentary on Upanishads felt derogatory to me. I did not get any knowledge of Upanishads from this book. But, I got to know a lot about the frustration of the author with the world that we live in.
This is definitely not a book to be read by someone who respects Upanishads and want to learn more about the oldest philosophy on this planet.
this can be taken as a good self-help book based on just the Author`s state of mind.
Regards,
Would you ever listen to anything by Eknath Easwaran again?
na
How did the narrator detract from the book?
don`t know
If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Essence of the Upanishads?
all the commentary which is 99% of the book.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Miss Kelly J Oram
- 22-03-2018
I love this book. I have listened 3 times now!
An excellent listen on every level. I have listened 3 t8mea now and each listen was like the first. I know it is one I will come back to time and again. So much wisdom so beautifully shared .
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Riya
- 26-12-2018
Essential view of enlightenment
Through the impenetrable verses of Kata upanishad Eknath Easwaran lays out the map to self realisation. Anecdotal, entertaining, challenging, inspiring narration of a journey every human being should know about and take upon. It sums up everything Eknath Easwaran as the guru of modern times would want to tell us. Last two chapters stores the literal translation of the original work whose compactness fails most humans unpack it there much needed commentary in the previous 26 chapters.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- prince srivastava
- 16-10-2020
calming
This audiobook narrates one of the famous mythological stories in india mentioned in upanishads and so wonderfully relates with our day to day life's struggle and advices us how to deal with them.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- okeydokiboy
- 11-05-2020
Brilliant from Start to Finish
I have many audio books this is in my top 5 list Easy listening, fits nicely with Buddhism principles
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Rosie Edmonds
- 16-08-2018
wonderfully portrayed
very easy to follow version of the upanishads, I am going to listen all over again
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mirrodin
- 30-07-2018
Powerful. Critical. Judgemental. Deep. Shallow.
The headline sums it up. You can't really go wrong with the Unpanishads but you can with someone else's reading of them. The author, which one I'm not sure, makes powerful and deep revelations and simultaneously misses deeper perceptions. Still an enjoyable listen.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 09-07-2018
There is no higher truth
This is the best experience of the higher truth of the world within. A perfect harmony of both the author and the reader.
16 Best Audiobooks by Aboriginal Authors
Across genres, there’s no shortage of brilliant titles from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers of Australia.



25 Best Celebrity Audiobooks
It’s always a pleasant surprise to pick up a familiar story and find an unexpected famous friend in the narrator’s booth.



Best Audiobooks of 2020
We've crunched the numbers, heard from our listeners and gotten expert opinions to round up the best listens of 2020.


