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Synopsis Kathopanishad is one of the most important of the ten major Upanishads that are usually commented upon by noted scholars as constituting the cream of Upanishadic philosophy. All schools of Vedantic philosophy Advaita, Dvaita, and Visishthadvaita have chosen these ten with a particular attention given to the Katha. Shri Adishankara has commented upon the Kathopanishad in an advaitic manner, propounding its ultimate truth to be the unqualified non-dual Brahman. Such an explanation, however, does not teach any practice or sadhana that leads to this experience only, but an intellectual understanding. Yet this Upanishad narrates an unprecedented event: a Brahmin boy goes to the realm of Lord Yama, the God of death, and seeks instruction from him about what happens to human beings after death. The story reflects certain yoga experiences, the travel of the youth to the realm of the God of death and his eventual return to his father on earth. All this involves a yogic miracle which has not been focused on by any commentary so far. It reflects certain yogic practices for facing death and moving beyond its grip.

The author Dr. Sivananda Murty targets this particular event, analyzing the yogic feat of a person leaving his body without death and coming back into it three days later. Dr. Sivananda Murty clearly explains the yogic practices involved in the process, perhaps for the first time. This interpretation therefore has a unique place among the commentaries on the Upanishad. Yoga is a great science of sciences and has its own unrivaled place among all philosophies as it leads one to a direct experience of the ultimate truth. Dr. Sivananda Murty explains the secret Yoga of the Kathopanishad, not merely its philosophy. As the Katha is also traditionally regarded as a Yoga Shastra, his views help us understand why this might be the case. The original Telugu and English commentaries are the author's own. A Hindi translation has also appeared in recent years.