Upanishads: The Philosophical Gems of Hinduism
As you know, the oldest scriptures of India and the most important are the Vedas. All Orthodox Hindus recognize in them the origin of their faith and its highest written authority. These are four in number – Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. Each of these is divided into 2 Parts : Work and Knowledge. The first is mainly made of hymns, instructions regarding rites and ceremonies and rules of conduct. The second is concerned with knowledge of God, the highest aspect of religious truth, and is called – Upanishads.
The Upanishad has literal meaning as ‘Sitting near devotedly’ and its another meaning is ‘Secret teaching’ (teachings for only those who are spiritually ready to receive and profit by it). Even Adi Shankaracharya in 7th Century has interpreted it as Knowledge of God, the knowledge of Brahman, the knowledge that destroys the bonds of ignorance and leads to the supreme goal of freedom.
The existence of total number of Upanishads is not accurately known. Who wrote them no one knows, nor with any accurancy, when they were written.
Of the 108 extant Upanishads, 16 were recognized by Shankara as authentic and authoritative. The ten of these have been regarded as the Principal Upanishads – Katha, Isha, Kena, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka. The Kaivalaya and the Svestasvtara, both among Shankara’s 16.
Here’s a brief overview of each of the 10 principal Upanishads:
Isa Upanishad:
The Isa Upanishad is a short but profound text that addresses various aspects of life, including ethics, spirituality, and the relationship between the individual soul (Atman) and the universal consciousness (Brahman). It emphasizes the idea of seeing the divine in all things.
Kena Upanishad:
The Kena Upanishad explores the nature of Brahman, the ultimate reality, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the source of one’s own consciousness. It uses a story about the gods to convey profound truths about the nature of the self.
Katha Upanishad:
The Katha Upanishad contains a dialogue between the young seeker Nachiketa and the god of death, Yama. It explores themes of life, death, and the nature of the Self. The Upanishad uses the metaphor of a chariot to convey the relationship between the body, mind, and soul.
Prashna Upanishad:
The Prashna Upanishad consists of six questions posed by six students to the sage Pippalada. Each question explores various aspects of spiritual knowledge, meditation, and the nature of the ultimate reality. The Upanishad provides insights into the path of self-discovery.
Mundaka Upanishad:
The Mundaka Upanishad discusses the two kinds of knowledge: the higher knowledge that leads to liberation and the lower knowledge that pertains to worldly affairs. It explores the nature of Brahman and the importance of a qualified teacher in the pursuit of spiritual wisdom.
Mandukya Upanishad:
The Mandukya Upanishad is focused on the significance of the sacred syllable “AUM” (or “OM”) as a representation of the ultimate reality. It elaborates on the three states of consciousness—waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—and the transcendent fourth state, Turiya.
Taittiriya Upanishad:
The Taittiriya Upanishad is part of the Taittiriya Aranyaka of the Yajur Veda. It consists of three chapters, or Vallis, and covers various aspects of spiritual knowledge, meditation, and the nature of the Self. The Upanishad includes the well-known “Mahānārāyaṇa Upanishad.”
Aitareya Upanishad:
The Aitareya Upanishad is part of the Rig Veda and is known for its cosmogonical teachings. It explores the creation of the universe and the nature of the individual soul (Atman). The Upanishad provides profound insights into the relationship between the individual and the cosmic reality.
Chandogya Upanishad:
The Chandogya Upanishad is part of the Sama Veda and consists of eight chapters. It covers a wide range of philosophical topics, including meditation, the significance of sound, and the nature of Brahman. It includes the famous dialogue between Uddalaka Aruni and his son Svetaketu.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, part of the Yajur Veda, is one of the longest and most comprehensive Upanishads. It explores profound philosophical concepts, including the nature of reality, the self, and the relationship between the individual soul and Brahman. It contains important teachings on the identity of Atman and Brahman.
| Upanishad | Concept or Teaching related to Yoga | Relevant Text |
|---|---|---|
| Isa Upanishad | Seeing the divine in all things; recognizing the unity of the individual soul (Atman) and the universal consciousness (Brahman). | “The Self is everywhere, without a body, without a shape, whole, pure, wise, all-knowing, far shining, self-depending, all-transcending.” (Isa Upanishad 1.8) |
| Kena Upanishad | Exploring the nature of Brahman (ultimate reality) and understanding the source of one’s own consciousness. | “That which cannot be expressed by speech, but by which speech is expressed—That alone know as Brahman and not that which people here adore.” (Kena Upanishad 1.5) |
| Katha Upanishad | Emphasizing self-discipline and control over the mind and senses; exploring the nature of the Self (Atman). | “The unmanifested, the firmament, the indestructible, the support of all—realize that and transcend death.” (Katha Upanishad 2.6.15) |
| Mundaka Upanishad | Distinguishing between higher and lower knowledge; emphasizing the importance of a qualified teacher. | “This is that by knowing which all this becomes known.” (Mundaka Upanishad 1.1.3) |
| Mandukya Upanishad | Focusing on the significance of the sacred syllable “AUM” (OM) and exploring the four states of consciousness. | “AUM, the word, is all this. A clear explanation of it is as follows: All that is past, present, and future is, indeed, AUM.” (Mandukya Upanishad 1.8) |
| Taittiriya Upanishad | Covering various aspects of spiritual knowledge, meditation, and the nature of the Self. | “The Self, indeed, is below. The Self, indeed, is above. The Self, indeed, is to the west. The Self, indeed, is to the south.” (Taittiriya Upanishad 2.2.1) |
| Chandogya Upanishad | Covering a wide range of philosophical topics, including the significance of sound and the nature of Brahman. | “In the beginning, my dear, this world was just Being, one only, without a second.” (Chandogya Upanishad 6.2.1) |
| Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Exploring the nature of reality, the self, and the relationship between the individual soul and Brahman. | “You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed.” (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5) |
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