The Science of Being

Shri Satchidanandendra Saraswathi Swamiji (1880 -1975 A.D.) the founder of Adhyatma Prakasha Karyalaya, Holenarasipur, Hassan Dist., Karnataka - 573 211 - a public charitable trust, wrote and published more than 200 books in Kannada, English and Sanskrit with a view to propagate Pristine Pure Advaita Vedanta as expounded by Shri Gaudapada, Shri Sankara Bhagavatpada and, Shri Sureshwara in their famous extant works based on the three canonical Vedantic texts viz., Ten Principal Upanishads, Bhagavadgita and Vedanta Sutras (Popularly known as Brahma Sutras). The revered Swamiji carried out research for over six decades with a profound sense of Dedication and missionary zeal so as to cleanse Advaita Vedanta of the dross and distortions that it has acquired in the post-Sankara era. Although Swamiji has authored nearly 20 odd books in English and over 25 books in Sanskrit, many of his masterpieces were written in Kannada. In order to provide the benefit of these gems, the Karyalaya has brought out several books in English which are faithful translations of the original texts in Kannada, for the guidance and benefit of ardent students of Advaita Vedanta. He was not just a rare and accomplished individual but a mighty and magnificent Institution.

H. H. Sri Satchidanandendra Saraswati Swamiji who attained Mahanirvano on 5th August 1975 delivered a series of lectures in Kannada at Chickmagalur on the occasion of Sankara Saptaha during the year 1970. He was kind enough, at the request of his earnest admirers, to put it down in writing in English for the benefit of the English-knowing public. This work was completed early in 1970 itself, but its publication was held up due to unavoidable circumstances.

The present work deals with the sixth chapter of the Chandogya Upanishad and presents, in a nutshell, the flue nature of the Science of Being. It is hoped that it will be a source of enlightenment to all seekers of Truth.

Our thanks are due to the donor who has made it possible to publish posthumously this valuable work of the Swamiji; and to Sri D. S. Krishnachar, M.Sc., of the Prabha Printing House, Bangalore - 4 for having printed it so well. We are grateful to Sri H.N. Narayana Rao, MA. B.T. Subject Inspector (Retd.), Sri D.B. Gangolli and Pandits KG. Subrayasharma and H.S. Lakshminarasimha Murthy of the Editorial Committee for carefully reading through the proofs but for whose efforts the work could not have seen the light of the day.

As in the case of all his works, the copyright of this work has been handed over to Adhyatma Prakasha Karyalaya, Holenarasipur.