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Line 1: − Upanishads (Samskrit : उपनिषद) are the concluding segments, available at the end of each of the Vedas sometimes as part of Aranyakas, hence they are also referred to as the ''Vedanta''. They do not forbid the rituals or rites prescribed in the Karmakanda but expound that only through Jnana one can attain moksha.<ref name=":42222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref> + + + − The word ''Vedanta'' is a compound word made up of two Sanskrit words: ‘''Veda’'' and ‘''Anta’''. The word ‘''anta’'' means an end. ''The Vedanta'' essentially refers to the philosophy pronounced in the Upanishads, the final parts of the Vedas.+ − There are approximately 200 Upanishads but 10 are termed Principal or Dasha mukhya Upanishads which have received attention from Shri AdiShankaracharya in form of bhasyas. The rest of them aid in explaining bhakti or jnana concepts and many are without bhashyas. Some scholars accept 12 Upanishads and some even consider 13.<ref name=":22">Malladi, Sri. Suryanarayana Sastry (1982) ''Samskruta Vangmaya Charitra, Volume 1 Vaidika Vangmayam'' Hyderabad : Andhra Sarasvata Parishad</ref> + + + + + + − == परिचयः || Introduction ==+ − The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads. The subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into Karma-Kanda, Upasana-Kanda and Jnana-Kanda. The Karma-Kanda or Ritualistic section deals with various sacrifices and rituals. The Upasana-Kanda or Worship section deals with various kinds of worship or meditation. The Jnana-Kanda or Knowledge-Section deals with the highest knowledge of Nirguna Brahman. The Samhitas and the Brahmanas constitute Karma-Kanda; the Aranyakas constitute Upasana-Kanda; and the Upanishads constitute Jnana-Kanda<ref>Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref><ref name=":02">Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji, (2000) ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part19/chap6.htm Hindu Dharma (Collection of Swamiji's Speeches between 1907 to 1994)]''Mumbai : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref>+ + + + − According to Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, these are four different modes of expressing the same truths, each as a cross check against others so that misrepresentations are avoided, a method used and valid even today.<ref name=":2222">Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore, Page 75 (Glossary)</ref>+ − Most of the Upanishads are in forms of dialogues between a master and a disciple. In Upanishads, a seeker raises a topic and the enlightened guru satisfies the query aptly and convincingly<ref><nowiki>http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm</nowiki>, 6th Paragraph</ref>. The concepts of Brahman (Supreme Being, Ultimate Reality) and Ātman (Soul, Self) are the central ideas in all the Upanishads, and "Know your Ātman" their thematic focus<ref>Mahadevan, T. M. P (1956), Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, ed., History of Philosophy Eastern and Western, George Allen & Unwin Ltd</ref>. + + + − The Upanishads are the concluding portions of the Vedas which discuss philosophical issues. They speak about the identity of the Supreme Being, the Brahman, the individual Atman, their mutual relationship, the Universe (jagat) and man’s place in it. In short they deal with Jiva, Jagat and Jagadishwara and ultimately the path to m''okṣa'' or ''mukti''<ref>http://www.esamskriti.com/e/Spirituality/Upanishads-Commentary/Vedas-And-Upanishads~-A-Structural-Profile-3.aspx</ref>. Chronology and dating of Upanishads is not attempted in this article.+ − + − + − The term ''Upaniṣad'' (उ = at, pa = foot, nishat =sitting down) translates to "sitting at the foot/feet of", referring to the student sitting down near the teacher while receiving esoteric knowledge. + − + − Shri Adi Shankara explains in his commentary on the Kaṭha and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad that the word means ''Ātmavidyā'', that is, "knowledge of the Self", or ''Brahmavidyā'' "knowledge of Brahma". The word appears in the verses of many Upanishads, such as the fourth verse of the 13th volume in first chapter of the Chandogya Upanishad. + − + − == Dasha Mukhya Upanishads ==+ − More than 200 Upanishads are known, of which the first dozen or so are the oldest and most important and are referred to as the principal or main (''mukhya'') Upanishads.+ − + − The 10 Mukhya Upanishad on which Adi Sankara commented are:+ − + − + − # Kena Upanishad (Saama Veda)+ − # Katha Upanishad (Yajur Veda)+ − # Taittiriya Upanishad (Yajur Veda)+ − # Isha Upanishad (Yajur Veda)+ − + − + − + − + − Many Upanishads are the final or exclusive portions of the ''Aranyakas'' or the ''Brahmanas''. For e.g., ''Brihdaranyaka'' Upanishad is considered to be the final chapter of the ''Shat''-''Patha'' ''Brahmana''. + − + − Some scholars list ten as principal, while most consider twelve or thirteen as principal ''mukhya'' Upanishads.+ − + − + − + − + − The authorship of most Upanishads is uncertain and unknown. The various philosophical theories in the early Upanishads have been attributed to famous seers such as Yajnavalkya, Uddalaka Aruni, Shvetaketu, Shandilya, Aitareya, Balaki, Pippalada and Sanatkumara.<sup>[10][17]</sup> Women, such as Maitreyi and Gargi participated in the dialogues and are also credited in the early Upanishads.<sup>[11]</sup>+ − + − There are exceptions to the anonymous tradition of the Upanishads and+ − other Vedic literature. The Shvetashvatara Upanishad, for example, includes+ − closing credits to sage ''Shvetashvatara'', and he is considered the author+ − + − Upanishads, were interpolated<sup>[13]</sup> and expanded over time, because of the differences within manuscripts+ − of the same Upanishad discovered in different parts of South Asia, differences+ − in non-Sanskrit version of the texts that have survived, and differences within+ − each text in terms of the meter,<sup>[14]</sup> the style, the grammar and the structure.<sup>[15][16]</sup> The texts as they exist now is believed to be the work of many authors.<sup>[17]</sup>+ − + − === '''Geography''' ===+ − The general area of the composition of the early Upanishads was northern+ − India, the region bounded on the west by the upper Indus valley, on the east by+ − lower Ganges region, on the north by the Himalayan foothills, and on the south+ − by the Vindhya mountain range.<sup>[6]</sup> There is+ − confidence about the early Upanishads being the product of the geographical+ − center of ancient Brahmanism, comprising the regions of Kuru-Panchala and Kosala-Videha together with the areas immediately to the south and west of these.<sup>[30]</sup> This region covers modern Bihar, Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, eastern Rajasthan and northern Madhya Pradesh.<sup>[6]</sup>+ − + − While significant attempts have been made recently to identify the exact+ − locations of the individual Upanishads, the results are tentative. Witzel+ − identifies the center of activity in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad as the area+ − + − + − The Chandogya Upanishad was probably composed in a more Western than an+ − Eastern location in Indian subcontinent, possibly somewhere in the western+ − region of the Kuru-Panchala country.<sup>[32]</sup> Compared to the Principal Upanishads, the new+ − Upanishads recorded in the Muktikā belong to an entirely different region,+ − probably southern India, and are considerably relatively recent.<sup>[33]</sup> In fourth chapter of the Kaushitaki Upanishad,+ − a location named Kashi (modern Varanasi) is mentioned.<sup>[6]</sup>+ − + − '''Classification'''+ − + − '''Muktika canon: major and minor+ − Upanishads'''+ − + − There are more than 200 known ''Upanishads'', one of which, ''Muktikā'' Upanishad, predates 1656 CE<sup>[34]</sup> and contains a list of 108 canonical+ − Upanishads,<sup>[35]</sup> including itself as the last. The earliest ones+ − such as the Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads date to the early centuries+ − of the 1st millennium BCE,<sup>[36]</sup> and the latest to around the mid 2nd-millennium+ − CE during a period of Islamic invasions and political instability.<sup>[4][6][19]</sup> Various scholars include the earliest 10, 11,+ − 12 or 13 ''Upanishads'' as Mukhya (major) or Principal Upanishads, all composed in the+ − 1st-milliennium BCE.<sup>[4]</sup> The+ − remainder 95 to 98 are called "minor Upanishads", and were likely composed+ − between the last centuries of the 1st-millennium BCE and about mid+ − 2nd-millennium CE.<sup>[38][39]</sup> These are further divided into Upanishads+ − associated with Shaktism (goddess Shakti), Sannyasa (renunciation, monastic life), Shaivism (god Shiva), Vaishnavism (god Vishnu), Yoga, and ''Sāmānya'' (general, sometimes referred to as Samanya-Vedanta).<sup>[20][38]</sup>+ − + − Some of the Upanishads are categorized as "sectarian" since+ − they present their ideas through a particular god or goddess of a specific+ − Hindu tradition such as Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti, or a combination of these such+ − as the Skanda Upanishad. These traditions sought to+ − link their texts as Vedic, by asserting their texts to be an Upanishad, thereby+ − a ''Śruti''.<sup>[41]</sup> Most of these sectarian Upanishads, for example+ − the Rudrahridaya Upanishad and the Mahanarayana Upanishad, assert that all the Hindu+ − gods and goddesses are the same, all an aspect and manifestation of Brahman, the Vedic concept for metaphysical ultimate reality before and after+ − the creation of the Universe.<sup>[21][22]</sup>+ − + − '''Mukhya Upanishads'''+ − + − ''Main article: Mukhya Upanishads''+ − + − The ''Mukhya Upanishads'' can be grouped into periods. Of the early+ − periods are the ''Brihadaranyaka'' and the ''Chandogya'', the oldest.<sup>[23][note 4]</sup>+ − + − The Aitareya, Kauṣītaki and Taittirīya Upanishads may date to as early+ − as the mid 1st millennium BCE, while the remnant date from between roughly the+ − 4th to 1st centuries BCE, roughly contemporary with the earliest portions of+ − the Sanskrit epics. It is alleged that the ''Aitareya,+ − Taittiriya, Kausitaki, Mundaka, Prasna'', and ''Katha Upanishads'' show+ − Buddha's influence, and must have been composed after the 5th century BCE, but+ − it could just as easily have been the other way around. It is also alleged that+ − in the first two centuries A.D., they were followed by the ''Kena, Mandukya''+ − and ''Isa Upanishads'', but other scholars date these earlier.<sup>[46]</sup> Not much is known about the authors except for+ − those, like Yajnavalkayva and Uddalaka, mentioned in the texts.<sup>[47]</sup> A few women discussants, such as Gargi and − Maitreyi, the wife of Yajnavalkayva,<sup>[48]</sup> also feature occasionally. − − Each of the principal ''Upanishads'' can be associated with one of − the schools of exegesis of the four Vedas (''shakhas'').<sup>[49]</sup> Many Shakhas are said to have existed, of which − only a few remain. The new ''Upanishads'' often have little relation to the − Vedic corpus and have not been cited or commented upon by any great Vedanta − philosopher: their language differs from that of the classic ''Upanishads'', − being less subtle and more formalized. As a result, they are not difficult to − comprehend for the modern reader.<sup>[50]</sup> − {| class="MsoNormalTable" − | colspan="4" | − Veda-Shakha-Upanishad association − |- − | − '''Veda''' − | − '''Recension''' − | − '''Shakha''' − | − '''Principal Upanishad''' − |- − | − Rig − Veda − | − Only − one recension − | − Shakala − | − Aitareya − |- − | rowspan="3" | − Sama − Veda − | rowspan="3" | − Only − one recension − | − Kauthuma − | − Chāndogya − |- − | − Jaiminiya − | − Kena − |- − | − Ranayaniya − | − |- − | rowspan="7" | − Yajur − Veda − | rowspan="5" | − Krishna − Yajur Veda − | − Katha − | − Kaṭha − |- − | − Taittiriya − | − Taittirīya and Śvetāśvatara<sup>[51]</sup> − |- − | − Maitrayani − | − Maitrāyaṇi − |- − | − Hiranyakeshi − (Kapishthala) − | − |- − | − Kathaka − | − |- − | rowspan="2" | − Shukla − Yajur Veda − | − Vajasaneyi − Madhyandina − | − Isha and Bṛhadāraṇyaka − |- − | − Kanva Shakha − | − |- − | rowspan="2" | − Atharva − | rowspan="2" | − Two − recension − | − Shaunaka − | − Māṇḍūkya and Muṇḍaka − |- − | − Paippalada − | − Prashna Upanishad − The Kauśītāki and Maitrāyaṇi Upanishads are sometimes added to the list of+ − + + + + + − + − There is no fixed list of the ''Upanishads'' as newer ones, beyond+ − + − composed.<sup>[52]</sup> In 1908, for example, four previously unknown+ − Upanishads were discovered in newly found manuscripts, and these were named ''Bashkala'',+ − ''Chhagaleya'', ''Arsheya'' and ''Saunaka'', by Friedrich Schrader,<sup>[53]</sup> who attributed them to the first prose period+ − + − and ''Saunaka'', were incomplete and inconsistent, likely poorly maintained+ − or corrupted.<sup>[54]</sup>+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − Ancient Upanishads have long enjoyed a revered position in Hindu+ − traditions, and authors of numerous sectarian texts have tried to benefit from − this reputation by naming their texts as Upanishads.<sup>[55]</sup> These "new Upanishads" number in the − hundreds, cover diverse range of topics from physiology<sup>[24]</sup> to renunciation<sup>[25]</sup> to sectarian theories.<sup>[55]</sup> They were composed between the last centuries − of the 1st millennium BCE through the early modern era (~1600 CE).<sup>[55][25]</sup> While over two dozen of the minor Upanishads are dated to pre-3rd − century CE,<sup>[28][29]</sup> many of these new texts under the title of − "Upanishads" originated in the first half of the 2nd millennium CE,<sup>[55]</sup> they are not Vedic texts, and some do not deal − with themes found in the Vedic Upanishads.<sup>[58]</sup> − The main Shakta Upanishads, for example, mostly discuss doctrinal and interpretative+ − differences between the two principal sects of a major Tantric form of Shaktism called Shri Vidya upasana. The many extant lists of authentic ''Shakta Upaniṣads'' vary,+ − reflecting the sect of their compilers, so that they yield no evidence of their+ − "location" in Tantric tradition, impeding correct interpretation. The+ − Tantra content of these texts also weaken its identity as an Upaniṣad for+ − non-Tantrikas. Sectarian texts such as these do not enjoy status as shruti and thus the authority of the new Upanishads as scripture is not+ − accepted in Hinduism.<sup>[59]</sup> − − '''Association with Vedas''' − − All Upanishads are associated with one of the four Vedas—Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda (there are two primary versions or ''Samhitas'' of the Yajurveda: Shukla Yajurveda, Krishna Yajurveda), and Atharvaveda.<sup>[60]</sup> During the modern era, the ancient Upanishads − that were embedded texts in the Vedas, were detached from the Brahmana and Aranyaka layers of Vedic text, compiled into separate texts and these were then − gathered into anthologies of Upanishads.<sup>[55]</sup> These lists associated each Upanishad with one − of the four Vedas, many such lists exist, and these lists are inconsistent − across India in terms of which Upanishads are included and how the newer − Upanishads are assigned to the ancient Vedas. In south India, the collected − list based on Muktika Upanishad,<sup>[note 5]</sup> and published in Telugu language, became the most common by − the 19th-century and this is a list of 108 Upanishads.<sup>[55][26]</sup> In north India, a list of 52 Upanishads has been most common.<sup>[55]</sup> − − The Muktikā Upanishad's list of 108 Upanishads groups the first 13 as ''mukhya'',<sup>[27][note 6]</sup> 21 as Sāmānya Vedānta, 20 as Sannyāsa,<sup>[28]</sup> 14 as Vaishnava, 12 as Shaiva, 8 as Shakta, and 20 as Yoga.<sup>[29]</sup> The 108 Upanishads as recorded in the Muktikā are shown in the table − below.<sup>[60]</sup> The mukhya Upanishads are the most important − and highlighted. − {| class="MsoNormalTable" − | colspan="9" | − Veda-Upanishad association − |- − | − '''Veda''' − | − '''Number<sup>[60]</sup>''' − | − '''Mukhya<sup>[27]</sup>''' − | − '''Sāmānya''' − | − '''Sannyāsa<sup>[28]</sup>''' − | − '''Śākta<sup>[30]</sup>''' − | − '''Vaiṣṇava<sup>[31]</sup>''' − | − '''Śaiva<sup>[32]</sup>''' − | − '''Yoga<sup>[29]</sup>''' − |- − | − Ṛigveda − | − 10 − | − Aitareya, Kauśītāki − | − Ātmabodha, Mudgala − | − Nirvāṇa − | − Tripura, Saubhāgya-lakshmi, Bahvṛca − | − - − | − Akṣamālika − | − Nādabindu − |- − | − Samaveda − | − 16 − | − Chāndogya, Kena − | − Vajrasūchi, Maha, Sāvitrī − | − Āruṇi, Maitreya, Brhat-Sannyāsa, Kuṇḍika (Laghu-Sannyāsa) − | − - − | − Vāsudeva, Avyakta − | − Rudrākṣa, Jābāli − | − Yogachūḍāmaṇi, Darśana − |- − | − Krishna − Yajurveda − | − 32 − | − Taittiriya, Katha, Śvetāśvatara, Maitrāyaṇi<sup>[note 7]</sup> − | − Sarvasāra, Śukarahasya, Skanda, Garbha, Śārīraka, Ekākṣara, Akṣi − | − Brahma, (Laghu, Brhad) Avadhūta, Kaṭhasruti − | − Sarasvatī-rahasya − | − Nārāyaṇa, Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa − | − Kaivalya, Kālāgnirudra, Dakṣiṇāmūrti, Rudrahṛdaya, Pañcabrahma − | − Amṛtabindu, Tejobindu, Amṛtanāda, Kṣurika, Dhyānabindu, Brahmavidyā, Yogatattva, Yogaśikhā, Yogakuṇḍalini, Varāha − |- − | − Shukla − Yajurveda − | − 19 − | − Bṛhadāraṇyaka, Īśa − | − Subala, Mantrika, Niralamba, Paingala, Adhyatma, Muktika − | − Jābāla, Paramahaṃsa, Bhikṣuka, Turīyātītavadhuta, Yājñavalkya, Śāṭyāyaniya − | − - − | − Tārasāra − | − - − | − Advayatāraka, Haṃsa, Triśikhi, Maṇḍalabrāhmaṇa − |- − | − Atharvaveda − | − 31 − | − Muṇḍaka, Māṇḍūkya, Praśna − | − Ātmā, Sūrya, Prāṇāgnihotra<sup>[33]</sup> − | − Āśrama, − Nārada-parivrājaka, Paramahaṃsa parivrājaka, Parabrahma − | − Sītā, Devī, Tripurātapini, Bhāvana − | − Nṛsiṃhatāpanī, Mahānārāyaṇa (Tripād vibhuti), Rāmarahasya, Rāmatāpaṇi, Gopālatāpani, Kṛṣṇa, Hayagrīva, Dattātreya, Gāruḍa − | − Atharvasiras,<sup>[34]</sup> Atharvaśikha, Bṛhajjābāla, Śarabha, Bhasma, Gaṇapati − | − Śāṇḍilya, Pāśupata, Mahāvākya − |- − | − Total − Upanishads − | − 108 − | − 13<sup>[note 6]</sup> − | − 21 − | − 19 − | − 8 − | − 14 − | − 13 − | − 20 − '''Philosophy''' − ''Main article: Vedanta''+ + + + + + + + − + − While some Upanishads have been deemed 'monistic', others, including the Katha Upanishad, are dualistic.<sup>[74]</sup> The Maitri is one of the Upanishads that+ − inclines more toward dualism, thus grounding classical Samkhya and Yoga schools of Hinduism, in contrast to the non-dualistic Upanishads at the − foundation of its Vedanta school.<sup>[75]</sup> They contain a plurality of ideas.<sup>[76][note 8]</sup> − The Upanishads include sections on philosophical theories that have been+ − at the foundation of Indian traditions. For example, the Chandogya Upanishad includes one of the earliest − known declaration of Ahimsa (non-violence) as an ethical precept.<sup>[39][40]</sup> Discussion of other ethical premises such as Damah (temperance, self-restraint), Satya (truthfulness), Dāna (charity), Ārjava (non-hypocrisy), Daya (compassion) and others are found in the oldest Upanishads and many − later Upanishads.<sup>[41][42]</sup> Similarly, − the Karma doctrine is presented in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, which is the oldest − Upanishad.<sup>[43]</sup> − + + − While the hymns of the Vedas emphasize rituals and the Brahmanas serve+ − − inherently opposed to ritual.<sup>[86]</sup> The older Upanishads launch attacks of − increasing intensity on the ritual. Anyone who worships a divinity other than − − parodies those who indulge in the acts of sacrifice by comparing them with a − procession of dogs chanting ''Om! Let's eat. Om! Let's drink''.<sup>[86]</sup> − The Kaushitaki Upanishad asserts that "external+ − rituals such as Agnihotram offered in the morning and in the evening, must be replaced with inner − Agnihotram, the ritual of introspection", and that "not rituals, but − knowledge should be one's pursuit".<sup>[44]</sup> The Mundaka Upanishad declares how man has been − called upon, promised benefits for, scared unto and misled into performing − sacrifices, oblations and pious works.<sup>[45]</sup> Mundaka thereafter asserts this is foolish and frail, by those who − encourage it and those who follow it, because it makes no difference to man's − current life and after-life, it is like blind men leading the blind, it is a − mark of conceit and vain knowledge, ignorant inertia like that of children, a − futile useless practice.<sup>[45][46]</sup> The Maitri Upanishad states,<sup>[47]</sup> − + − Maitrayana-Brahmana, is to lead up in the end to a knowledge of Brahman, to+ − prepare a man for meditation. Therefore, let such man, after he has laid those+ − fires,<sup>[91]</sup> meditate on the Self, to become complete and − perfect. − ''— Maitri+ − Upanishad<sup>[92][93]</sup>''+ − + − On occasions, the Upanishads extend the task of the Aranyakas by making the+ − ritual allegorical and giving it a philosophical meaning. For example, the+ − Brihadaranyaka interprets the practice of horse-sacrifice or ''ashvamedha'' allegorically. It states that+ − + − goes on to say that spiritual autonomy can only be achieved by renouncing the+ − universe which is conceived in the image of a horse.<sup>[86]</sup>+ + + + + + + + + + − In similar fashion, Vedic gods such as the ''Agni'', ''Aditya'', ''Indra'',+ − ''Rudra'', ''Visnu'', ''Brahma'' and others become equated in the+ − Upanishads to the supreme, immortal and incorporeal Brahman-Atman of the − Upanishads, god becomes synonymous with Self, and is declared to be everywhere, − inmost being of each human being and within every living creature.<sup>[48][49][50]</sup> The one reality or ''ekam − sat'' of the Vedas becomes the ''ekam eva advitiyam'' or "the one and − only and sans a second" in the Upanishads.<sup>[86]</sup> Brahman-Atman and Self-realization develops, in − the Upanishad, as the means to moksha (liberation, freedom in this life or after-life).<sup>[50][51][52]</sup> − '''Brahman and Atman'''+ − ''Main articles: Ātman (Hinduism) and Brahman''+ + − Two concepts that are of paramount importance in the Upanishads are ''Brahman'' and ''Atman''.<sup>[101]</sup> The Brahman is the ultimate reality and the+ − Atman is individual self (soul).<sup>[53][54]</sup> Brahman is the material, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists.<sup>[55][56][57]</sup> It is the pervasive, genderless, infinite, eternal truth and bliss − which does not change, yet is the cause of all changes.<sup>[53][58]</sup> Brahman is "the infinite source, fabric, − core and destiny of all existence, both manifested and unmanifested, the − formless infinite substratum and from which the universe has grown". − Brahman in Hinduism, states Paul Deussen, as the "creative principle which lies − realized in the whole world".<sup>[59]</sup> − The word ''Atman'' means the inner self, the soul, the immortal+ − spirit in an individual, and all living beings including animals and trees.<sup>[60][54]</sup> Ātman is a central idea in all the Upanishads, and "Know your Ātman" their thematic focus.<sup>[61]</sup> These texts state that the inmost core of every person is not the body, − nor the mind, nor the ego, but ''Atman'' – "Soul" or − "Self".<sup>[62]</sup> Atman is the spiritual − essence in all creatures, their real innermost essential being.<sup>[63][64]</sup> It is eternal, it is ageless. Atman is that − which one is at the deepest level of one's existence. − + − express two distinct, somewhat divergent themes. Some state that Brahman − (Highest Reality, Universal Principle, Being-Consciousness-Bliss) is identical − with ''Atman'', while others state ''Atman'' is part of Brahman but not − identical.<sup>[65][66]</sup> This ancient debate flowered into various dual, − non-dual theories in Hinduism. The Brahmasutra by Badarayana (~ 100 BCE) synthesized and unified these somewhat − conflicting theories, stating that Atman and Brahman are different in some − respects particularly during the state of ignorance, but at the deepest level − and in the state of Self-realization, Atman and Brahman are identical, − non-different.<sup>[65]</sup> − The idea put forth by the Upanishadic seers that Atman and Brahman are+ − One and the same is one of the greatest contributions made to the thought of − − + + − + − Two different types of the non-dual Brahman-Atman are presented in the Upanishads,+ − according to Mahadevan.<sup>[120]</sup> The one in which the non-dual Brahman-Atman is − the all inclusive ground of the universe and another in which empirical, − changing universe is a form of ''Maya'', often translated as − "illusion". − The Upanishads describe the universe, and the human experience, as an+ − interplay of Purusha (the eternal, unchanging principles, consciousness) and Prakṛti (the temporary, changing material world, nature).<sup>[67]</sup> The former manifests itself as Ātman (Soul, Self), and the latter as Māyā. The Upanishads refer to the knowledge of ''Atman'' as "true+ − knowledge" (''Vidya''), and the knowledge of ''Maya'' as "not − true knowledge" (''Avidya'', Nescience, lack of awareness, lack of true − knowledge).<sup>[68]</sup> − Hendrick Vroom explains, "the term ''Maya'' [in the Upanishads]+ − has been translated as 'illusion,' but then it does not concern normal − illusion. Here 'illusion' does not mean that the world is not real and simply a − figment of the human imagination. ''Maya'' means that the world is not as it − seems; the world that one experiences is misleading as far as its true nature − is concerned."<sup>[69]</sup> According to Wendy Doniger, "to say that the universe is an illusion − (māyā) is not to say that it is unreal; it is to say, instead, that it is not − what it seems to be, that it is something constantly being made. Māyā not only − deceives people about the things they think they know; more basically, it − limits their knowledge."<sup>[70]</sup> − + − co-exists with Brahman which is the hidden true reality.<sup>[71][72]</sup> ''Maya'', or "illusion", is an − important idea in the Upanishads, because the texts assert that in the human − pursuit of blissful and liberating Self-knowledge, it is ''Maya'' which − obscures, confuses and distracts an individual.<sup>[73][74]</sup> − '''Schools of Vedanta'''+ + − + − The Upanishads form one of the three main sources for all schools of+ − Vedanta, together with the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahmasutras.<sup>[129]</sup> Due to the wide variety of philosophical − teachings contained in the Upanishads, various interpretations could be − grounded on the Upanishads. The schools of Vedānta seek to answer questions − about the relation between atman and Brahman, and the relation between Brahman and the world.<sup>[130]</sup> The schools of Vedanta are named after the − relation they see between atman and Brahman:<sup>[131]</sup> − * According to Advaita Vedanta, there is no difference.<sup>[131]</sup> − * According to Vishishtadvaita the jīvātman is a part of Brahman, and hence is similar, but not identical. − * According to Dvaita, all individual souls (jīvātmans) and matter as eternal and mutually separate entities. − Other schools of Vedanta include Nimbarka's ''Dvaitadvaita'', − Vallabha's ''Suddhadvaita'' and Chaitanya's ''Acintya Bhedabheda''.<sup>[132]</sup> The philosopher Adi Sankara has provided commentaries on 11 mukhya Upanishads.<sup>[133]</sup> − + − Advaita literally means non-duality, and it is a monistic system of thought.<sup>[134]</sup> It deals with the non-dual nature of Brahman and Atman. Advaita is considered the most influential sub-school of the ''Vedanta''+ − school of Hindu philosophy.<sup>[134]</sup> Gaudapada was the first person to expound the − basic principles of the Advaita philosophy in a commentary on the conflicting − statements of the Upanishads.<sup>[135]</sup> Gaudapada's Advaita ideas were further − developed by Shankara.<sup>[136][137]</sup> King states that Gaudapada's main work, − Māṇḍukya Kārikā, is infused with philosophical terminology of Buddhism, and − uses Buddhist arguments and analogies.<sup>[138]</sup> King also suggests that there are clear − differences between Shankara's writings and the ''Brahmasutra'',<sup>[136][137]</sup> and many ideas of Shankara are at odds with − those in the Upanishads.<sup>[139]</sup> Radhakrishnan, on the other hand, suggests that − Shankara's views of Advaita were straightforward developments of the Upanishads − and the ''Brahmasutra'',<sup>[140]</sup> and many ideas of Shankara derive from the − Upanishads.<sup>[75]</sup> − Shankara in his discussions of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy referred+ − to the early Upanishads to explain the key difference between Hinduism and+ − Buddhism, stating that Hinduism asserts "Atman (Soul, Self) exists", − while Buddhism asserts that there is "no Soul, no Self".<sup>[76][77][78]</sup> − The Upanishads contain four sentences, the Mahāvākyas (Great Sayings), which were used by Shankara to establish the identity+ − of Atman and Brahman as scriptural truth: − * "Prajñānam brahma" - "Consciousness is Brahman" (Aitareya Upanishad)<sup>[145]</sup> − * "Aham brahmāsmi" - "I am Brahman" (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)<sup>[146]</sup> − * "Tat tvam asi" - "That Thou art" (Chandogya Upanishad)<sup>[147]</sup> − * "Ayamātmā brahma" - "This Atman is Brahman" (Mandukya Upanishad)<sup>[148]</sup> − Although there are a wide variety of philosophical positions propounded − in the Upanishads, commentators since Adi Shankara have usually followed him in seeing idealist monism as the dominant force.<sup>[149][note 9]</sup> − + − The Dvaita school was founded by Madhvacharya.<sup>[150]</sup> Dvaita is regarded as the best philosophic+ − exposition of theism.<sup>[151]</sup> Madhva, much like Adi Shankara claims for − Advaita, states that his theistic Dvaita Vedanta is grounded in the Upanishads.<sup>[79]</sup> − + + − The third school of Vedanta is the Vishishtadvaita, which was founded by+ − Ramanuja. Ramanuja strenuously refuted Shankara's works.<sup>[153]</sup> Visistadvaita is a synthetic philosophy+ − bridging the monistic Advaita and theistic Dvaita systems of Vedanta.<sup>[151]</sup> Ramanuja, just as Madhva claims for Dvaita+ − sub-school, states that Vishishtadvaita is grounded in the Upanishads.<sup>[79]</sup>+ + + + + + + + + − '''References'''+ − 1. + − 1 2 A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and+ − Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14+ − + − 2. + − 1 2 3 4 <nowiki>http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm</nowiki>, 6th Paragraph+ − + − 3. + − ↑ <nowiki>http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Vedas-and-Upanishads~-A-Structural-Profile-3.aspx</nowiki>+ − + − 4. + − 1 2 3 4 Stephen Phillips (2009), Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and+ − Philosophy, Columbia University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0231144858</nowiki>, pages 25-29 and Chapter 1+ − + − 5. + − ↑ E Easwaran (2007), The Upanishads, <nowiki>ISBN 978-1586380212</nowiki>, pages 298-299+ − + − 6. + − 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Patrick Olivelle (2014), The Early Upanishads, Oxford University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0195124354</nowiki>, page 12-14+ − + − 7. + − 1 2 King & Ācārya 1995, p. 52.+ − + − 8. + − ↑ Ranade 1926, p. 12.+ − + − 9. + − ↑ Ranade 1926, p. 205.+ − + − 17. ↑ Mahadevan 1956, pp. 59-60.+ − + − 34. ↑ Tripathy 2010, p. 84.+ − + − 40. ↑ ''Ayyangar, T. R. Srinivasa (1941). The Samanya-Vedanta Upanisads. Jain''+ − Publishing (Reprint 2007). <nowiki>ISBN 978-0895819833</nowiki>. OCLC 27193914.'' '' − − 43. ↑ ''Ayyangar, TRS (1953). Saiva Upanisads. Jain Publishing Co. (Reprint'' − 2007). pp. 194–196. <nowiki>ISBN 978-0895819819</nowiki>.'' '' − − 47. ↑ Mahadevan 1956, p. 56. − − 48. ↑ Ranade 1926, p. 61. − − 49. ↑ Joshi 1994, pp. 90–92. − − 51. ↑ Lal 1992, p. 4090. − − 53. ↑ Singh 2002, pp. 3–4. − − 54. 1 2 Schrader & Adyar Library 1908, p. v. − − 55. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Olivelle 1998, pp. xxxii-xxxiii. − − 56. ↑ Paul Deussen (1966), The Philosophy of the Upanishads, Dover, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0486216164</nowiki>, pages 283-296; for an − example, see Garbha Upanishad − − 57. 1 2 Patrick Olivelle (1992), The Samnyasa Upanisads, Oxford University − Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0195070453</nowiki>, pages 1-12, 98-100; for an − example, see Bhikshuka Upanishad − − 58. ↑ Varghese 2008, p. 101. − − 59. ↑ Brooks 1990, pp. 13–14. − − 60. 1 2 3 4 Parmeshwaranand 2000, pp. 404–406. − − 61. ↑ Paul Deussen (2010 Reprint), Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 2, − Motilal Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120814691</nowiki>, pages 566-568 − − 62. 1 2 Peter Heehs (2002), Indian Religions, New York University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0814736500</nowiki>, pages 60-88 − − 63. ↑ Robert C Neville (2000), Ultimate Realities, SUNY Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0791447765</nowiki>, page 319 − − 64. 1 2 Stephen Phillips (2009), Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and − Philosophy, Columbia University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0231144858</nowiki>, pages 28-29 − − 65. ↑ Olivelle 1998, p. xxiii. − − 66. 1 2 Patrick Olivelle (1992), The Samnyasa − Upanisads, Oxford University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0195070453</nowiki>, pages x-xi, 5 − − 67. 1 2 The Yoga Upanishads TR Srinivasa Ayyangar (Translator), − SS Sastri (Editor), Adyar Library − − 68. ↑ AM Sastri, The Śākta Upaniṣads, with the commentary of Śrī − Upaniṣad-Brahma-Yogin, Adyar Library, OCLC 7475481 − − 69. ↑ AM Sastri, The Vaishnava-upanishads: with the commentary of Sri − Upanishad-brahma-yogin, Adyar Library, OCLC 83901261 − − 70. ↑ AM Sastri, The Śaiva-Upanishads with the commentary of Sri − Upanishad-Brahma-Yogin, Adyar Library, OCLC 863321204 − − 71. ↑ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal − Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120814684</nowiki>, pages 217-219 − − 72. ↑ Prāṇāgnihotra is missing in some anthologies, included by Paul Deussen − (2010 Reprint), Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 2, Motilal Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120814691</nowiki>, page 567 − − 73. ↑ Atharvasiras is missing in some anthologies, included by Paul Deussen − (2010 Reprint), Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 2, Motilal Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120814691</nowiki>, page 568 − − 74. ↑ Glucklich 2008, p. 70. − − 75. ↑ Fields 2001, p. 26. − − 76. 1 2 Olivelle 1998, p. 4. − − 77. ↑ S Radhakrishnan, The Principal Upanishads George Allen & Co., 1951, − pages 17-19, Reprinted as <nowiki>ISBN 978-8172231248</nowiki> − − 78. ↑ ''Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli, The Principal Upanishads, Indus / − Harper Collins India; 5th edition (1994), <nowiki>ISBN 978-8172231248</nowiki>'' − − 79. ↑ S Radhakrishnan, The Principal Upanishads George Allen & Co., 1951, − pages 19-20, Reprinted as <nowiki>ISBN 978-8172231248</nowiki> − − 80. ↑ S Radhakrishnan, The Principal Upanishads George Allen & Co., 1951, − page 24, Reprinted as <nowiki>ISBN 978-8172231248</nowiki> − − 81. ↑ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal − Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120814684</nowiki>, pages 114-115 with preface − and footnotes; − Robert Hume, Chandogya Upanishad 3.17, The Thirteen Principal − Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 212-213 − − 82. ↑ Henk Bodewitz (1999), Hindu Ahimsa, in Violence Denied − (Editors: Jan E. M. Houben, et al), Brill, <nowiki>ISBN 978-9004113442</nowiki>, page 40 − − 83. ↑ PV Kane, Samanya Dharma, History of Dharmasastra, − Vol. 2, Part 1, page 5 − − 84. ↑ ''Chatterjea, Tara. Knowledge and Freedom in Indian Philosophy. Oxford: − Lexington Books. p. 148.'' − − 85. ↑ Tull, Herman W. The Vedic Origins of Karma: Cosmos as Man in Ancient − Indian Myth and Ritual. SUNY Series in Hindu Studies. P. 28 − − 86. 1 2 3 4 Mahadevan 1956, p. 57. − − 87. ↑ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, − Motilal Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120814684</nowiki>, pages 30-42; − − 88. 1 2 Max Muller (1962), Manduka Upanishad, in The Upanishads - Part II, − Oxford University Press, Reprinted as <nowiki>ISBN 978-0486209937</nowiki>, pages 30-33 − − 89. ↑ Eduard Roer, Mundaka Upanishad Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, − No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal, pages 153-154 − − 90. ↑ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal − Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120814684</nowiki>, pages 331-333 − − 91. ↑ "laid those fires" is a phrase in Vedic literature that − implies yajna and related ancient religious rituals; see Maitri Upanishad - Sanskrit Text with English Translation EB Cowell (Translator), Cambridge University, Bibliotheca Indica, First − Prapathaka − − 92. ↑ Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Maitrayana-Brahmana Upanishad, Oxford University Press, − pages 287-288 − − 93. ↑ ''Hume, Robert Ernest (1921), The Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford − University Press, pp. 412–414'' − − 94. ↑ ''Hume, Robert Ernest (1921), The Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford − University Press, pp. 428–429'' − − 95. ↑ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal − Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120814684</nowiki>, pages 350-351 − − 96. 1 2 Paul Deussen, ''The − Philosophy of Upanishads'' at Google Books, University of Kiel, T&T Clark, pages − 342-355, 396-412 − − 97. ↑ RC Mishra (2013), Moksha and the Hindu Worldview, Psychology & − Developing Societies, Vol. 25, No. 1, pages 21-42 − − 98. ↑ Mark B. Woodhouse (1978), Consciousness and − Brahman-Atman, The Monist, Vol. 61, No. 1, Conceptions of the Self: East & West − (JANUARY, 1978), pages 109-124 − − 99. 1 2 3 Jayatilleke 1963, p. 32. − − 100. ↑ Jayatilleke 1963, pp. 36-39. − − 101. ↑ Mahadevan 1956, p. 59. − − 102. 1 2 James Lochtefeld, ''Brahman'', The Illustrated Encyclopedia of − Hinduism, Vol. 1: A–M, Rosen Publishing. <nowiki>ISBN 978-0823931798</nowiki>, page 122 − − 103. 1 2 '''[a]''' Richard King (1995), Early Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism, State − University of New York Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0791425138</nowiki>, page 64, '''Quote:''' − − innermost essence and support of the universe. (...) Thus we can see in the − Upanishads, a tendency towards a convergence of microcosm and macrocosm, − culminating in the equating of Atman with Brahman". − '''[b]''' Chad Meister (2010), The Oxford Handbook of Religious Diversity, − Oxford University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0195340136</nowiki>, page 63; '''Quote''': − "Even though Buddhism explicitly rejected the Hindu ideas of Atman − (soul) and Brahman, Hinduism treats Sakyamuni Buddha as one of the ten − avatars of Vishnu."'''[c]''' David Lorenzen (2004), The Hindu World (Editors: Sushil Mittal and − Gene Thursby), Routledge, <nowiki>ISBN 0-415215277</nowiki>, pages 208-209, '''Quote''': − "Advaita and nirguni movements, on the other hand, stress an interior − mysticism in which the devotee seeks to discover the identity of individual − soul (atman) with the universal ground of being (brahman) or to find god within − himself". − − 104. ↑ PT Raju (2006), Idealistic Thought of India, Routledge, <nowiki>ISBN 978-1406732627</nowiki>, page 426 and Conclusion − chapter part XII − − 105. ↑ Mariasusai Dhavamony (2002), Hindu-Christian Dialogue: Theological − Soundings and Perspectives, Rodopi Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-9042015104</nowiki>, pages 43-44 − − 106. ↑ For dualism school of Hinduism, see: Francis X. Clooney (2010), Hindu − God, Christian God: How Reason Helps Break Down the Boundaries between − Religions, Oxford University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0199738724</nowiki>, pages 51-58, 111-115; − For monist school of Hinduism, see: B Martinez-Bedard (2006), Types of Causes − in Aristotle and Sankara, Thesis - Department of Religious Studies (Advisors: − Kathryn McClymond and Sandra Dwyer), Georgia State University, pages 18-35 − − 107. ↑ Jeffrey Brodd (2009), World Religions: A Voyage of Discovery, Saint − Mary's Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0884899976</nowiki>, pages 43-47 − − 108. ↑ Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal − Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120814684</nowiki>, page 91 − − 109. ↑ '''[a]''' Atman, Oxford Dictionaries, Oxford University Press (2012), '''Quote''': − "1. real self of the individual; 2. a person's soul"; − '''[b]''' John Bowker (2000), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World − Religions, Oxford University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0192800947</nowiki>, See entry for Atman; − − Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0198610250</nowiki>, See entry for Atman (self). − − 110. ↑ PT Raju (1985), Structural Depths of Indian Thought, State University of − New York Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0887061394</nowiki>, pages 35-36 − − 111. ↑ Soul is synonymous with Self in translations of ancient texts of Hindu − philosophy − − 112. ↑ Alice Bailey (1973), The Soul and Its Mechanism, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0853301158</nowiki>, pages 82-83 − − 113. ↑ Eknath Easwaran (2007), The Upanishads, Nilgiri Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-1586380212</nowiki>, pages 38-39, 318-320 − − 114. 1 2 John Koller (2012), Shankara, in Routledge Companion to Philosophy of − Religion, (Editors: Chad Meister, Paul Copan), Routledge, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0415782944</nowiki>, pages 99-102 − − 115. ↑ Paul Deussen, ''The − Philosophy of the Upanishads'' at Google Books, Dover Publications, pages 86-111, 182-212 − − 116. ↑ Lanman 1897, p. 790. − − 117. ↑ Brown 1922, p. 266. − − 118. ↑ Slater 1897, p. 32. − − 119. ↑ Varghese 2008, p. 132. − − 120. ↑ Mahadevan 1956, p. 62. − − 121. ↑ Paul Deussen, ''The Philosophy of the Upanishads'', p. 161, at − Google Books, pages 161, 240-254 − − 122. ↑ Ben-Ami Scharfstein (1998), A Comparative History of World Philosophy: − From the Upanishads to Kant, State University of New York Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0791436844</nowiki>, page 376 − − 123. ↑ H.M. Vroom (1996), No Other Gods, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0802840974</nowiki>, page 57 − − 124. ↑ Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty (1986), Dreams, Illusion, and Other Realities, − University of Chicago Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0226618555</nowiki>, page 119 − − 125. ↑ Archibald Edward Gough (2001), The Philosophy of the Upanishads and − Ancient Indian Metaphysics, Routledge, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0415245227</nowiki>, pages 47-48 − − 126. ↑ Teun Goudriaan (2008), Maya: Divine And Human, Motilal Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120823891</nowiki>, pages 1-17 − − 127. ↑ KN Aiyar (Translator, 1914), Sarvasara Upanishad, in Thirty Minor − Upanishads, page 17, OCLC 6347863 − − 128. ↑ Adi Shankara, ''Commentary − on Taittiriya Upanishad'' at Google Books, SS Sastri (Translator), Harvard University − Archives, pages 191-198 − − 129. ↑ Radhakrishnan 1956, p. 272. − − 130. ↑ Raju 1992, p. 176-177. − − 131. 1 2 Raju 1992, p. 177. − − 132. ↑ Ranade 1926, pp. 179–182. − − 133. ↑ Mahadevan 1956, p. 63. − − 134. 1 2 Encyclopædia Britannica. − − 135. ↑ Radhakrishnan 1956, p. 273. − − 136. 1 2 King 1999, p. 221. − − 137. 1 2 Nakamura 2004, p. 31. − − 138. ↑ King 1999, p. 219. − − 139. 1 2 Collins 2000, p. 195. − − 140. ↑ Radhakrishnan 1956, p. 284. − − 141. ↑ John Koller (2012), Shankara in Routledge Companion to Philosophy of − Religion (Editors: Chad Meister, Paul Copan), Routledge, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0415782944</nowiki>, pages 99-108 − − 142. ↑ Edward Roer (Translator), ''Shankara's Introduction'', p. 3, at Google Books to ''Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad'' at pages − − not exist. There are four sects among the followers of Buddha: 1. Madhyamicas − who maintain all is void; 2. Yogacharas, who assert except sensation and − intelligence all else is void; 3. Sautranticas, who affirm actual existence of − external objects no less than of internal sensations; 4. Vaibhashikas, who agree − with later (Sautranticas) except that they contend for immediate apprehension − of exterior objects through images or forms represented to the intellect." − 143. ↑ Edward Roer (Translator), ''Shankara's Introduction'', p. 3, at Google Books to ''Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad'' at page 3, OCLC 19373677 − − 144. ↑ KN Jayatilleke (2010), Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120806191</nowiki>, pages 246-249, from note 385 − onwards; − Steven Collins (1994), Religion and Practical Reason (Editors: Frank Reynolds, − David Tracy), State Univ of New York Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0791422175</nowiki>, page 64; Quote: − "Central to Buddhist soteriology is the doctrine of not-self (Pali: − anattā, Sanskrit: anātman, the opposed doctrine of ātman is central to Brahmanical thought). Put very briefly, this is the − [Buddhist] doctrine that human beings have no soul, no self, no unchanging − essence."; − Edward Roer (Translator), ''Shankara's Introduction'', p. 2, at Google Books, pages 2-4 − Katie Javanaud (2013), Is The Buddhist 'No-Self' Doctrine Compatible With Pursuing Nirvana?, Philosophy Now; − John C. Plott et al (2000), Global History of Philosophy: The Axial Age, Volume − 1, Motilal Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-8120801585</nowiki>, page 63, Quote: "The − Buddhist schools reject any Ātman concept. As we have already observed, this is − the basic and ineradicable distinction between Hinduism and Buddhism". − − 145. ↑ Panikkar 2001, p. 669. − − 146. ↑ Panikkar 2001, pp. 725–727. − − 147. ↑ Panikkar 2001, pp. 747–750. − − 148. ↑ Panikkar 2001, pp. 697–701. − − 149. 1 2 Olivelle 1998. − − 150. ↑ Raghavendrachar 1956, p. 322. − − 151. 1 2 Chari 1956, p. 305. − − 152. 1 2 Stafford Betty (2010), Dvaita, Advaita, and Viśiṣṭādvaita: Contrasting − Views of Mokṣa, Asian Philosophy, Vol. 20, No. 2, pages 215-224, doi:10.1080/09552367.2010.484955 − − 153. ↑ Klostermaier 2007, pp. 361–363. − − 154. 1 2 Chousalkar, pp. 130-134. − − 155. 1 2 Wadia 1956, p. 64-65. − − 156. ↑ Collins 2000, pp. 197–198. − − 157. ↑ Urwick 1920. − − 158. ↑ Keith 2007, pp. 602-603. − − 159. 1 2 WD Strappini, ''The Upanishads'', p. 258, at Google Books, The Month and Catholic Review, Vol. 23, Issue − 42 − − 160. ↑ RC Mishra (2013), Moksha and the Hindu Worldview, Psychology & − Developing Societies, Vol. 25, No. 1, pages 21-42; Chousalkar, Ashok (1986), − Social and Political Implications of Concepts Of Justice And Dharma, pages − 130-134 − − 161. 1 2 Sharma 1985, p. 20. − − 162. 1 2 Müller 1900, p. lvii. − − 163. ↑ Muller 1899, p. 204. − − 164. 1 2 Deussen, Bedekar & Palsule (tr.) 1997, − pp. 558-59. − − 165. ↑ Müller 1900, p. lviii. − − 166. ↑ Deussen, Bedekar & Palsule (tr.) 1997, − pp. 558-559. − − 167. ↑ Deussen, Bedekar & Palsule (tr.) 1997, − pp. 915-916. − − 168. ↑ See Henry Thomas Colebrooke (1858), ''Essays on the religion and philosophy of the Hindus''. London: Williams and Norgate. In this volume, see chapter 1 (pp. − 1–69), ''On the Vedas, or Sacred Writings of the Hindus'', reprinted from − Colebrooke's ''Asiatic Researches'', Calcutta: 1805, Vol 8, pp. 369–476. A − translation of the Aitareya Upanishad appears in − pages 26–30 of this chapter. − − 169. ↑ ''Rammohun Roy and the Making of Victorian Britain,By Lynn Zastoupil. Retrieved 1 June 2014.'' − − 170. ↑ ''"The Upanishads, Part 1, by Max Müller".'' − − 171. ↑ ''Paramananda, Swami (1919). The Upanishads (PDF). The Pennsylvania State University. p. 7. Retrieved 1 June 2014.'' − − 172. ↑ Sadhale 1987. − − 173. ↑ ''Hume, Robert Ernest (1921), The Thirteen − Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press'' − − 174. ↑ Deussen, Bedekar & Palsule (tr.) 1997. − − 175. ↑ ''Radhakrishnan, Sarvapalli (1953), The Principal Upanishads, New Delhi: − HarperCollins Publishers (1994 Reprint), <nowiki>ISBN 81-7223-124-5</nowiki>'' − − 176. ↑ Olivelle 1992. − − 177. ↑ Schopenhauer & Payne 2000, p. 395. − − 178. ↑ Schopenhauer & Payne 2000, p. 397. − − 179. 1 2 Singh 1999, p. 456-461. − − 180. ↑ Versluis 1993, pp. 69, 76, 95. 106–110. − − 181. ↑ Eliot 1963. − − 182. ↑ Schrödinger 1992, p. 129. − − 183. ↑ Easwaran 2007, p. 9. − − 184. ↑ Juan Mascaró, The Upanishads, Penguin Classics, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0140441635</nowiki>, page 7, 146, cover − − 185. 1 2 Paul Deussen, The Philosophy of the Upanishads University − of Kiel, T&T Clark, pages 150-179 − − − * ''Brodd, Jefferey (2003), World Religions, Winona, MN: Saint Mary's Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-88489-725-5</nowiki>'' − * ''Brooks, Douglas Renfrew (1990), The Secret of the Three Cities: An Introduction to Hindu Shakta Tantrism, The University of Chicago Press'' − * ''Brown, Rev. 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Milford, Oxford university press, <nowiki>ISBN 81-208-2086-X</nowiki>'' − * ''Fields, Gregory P (2001), Religious Therapeutics: Body and Health in Yoga, Āyurveda, and Tantra, SUNY Press, <nowiki>ISBN 0-7914-4916-5</nowiki>'' − * ''Flood, Gavin D. (1996), An Introduction to Hinduism, Cambridge University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0521438780</nowiki>'' − * ''Glucklich, Ariel (2008), The Strides of Vishnu: Hindu Culture in Historical Perspective, Oxford University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 0-19-531405-0</nowiki>'' − * ''Heehs, Peter (2002), Indian religions: a historical reader of spiritual expression and experience, NYU Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-8147-3650-0</nowiki>'' − * ''Holdrege, Barbara A. (1995), Veda and Torah, Albany: SUNY Press, <nowiki>ISBN 0-7914-1639-9</nowiki>'' − * ''Jayatilleke, K.N. (1963), Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge (PDF) (1st ed.), London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.'' − * ''Joshi, Kireet (1994), The Veda and Indian culture: an introductory essay, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-208-0889-8</nowiki>'' − * ''Kalupahana (1975), Causality: The Central Philosophy of Buddhism, The University Press of Hawaii, <nowiki>ISBN 0-8248-0298-5</nowiki>'' − * ''Coningham (2013), "The earliest Buddhist shrine: excavating the birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini (Nepal)", Antiquity, '''87''' (338): 1104–1123'' − * ''Keith, Arthur Berriedale (2007). The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-208-0644-3</nowiki>.'' − * ''King, Richard (1999), Indian philosophy: an introduction to Hindu and Buddhist thought, Edinburgh University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 0-87840-756-1</nowiki>'' − * ''King, Richard; Ācārya, Gauḍapāda (1995), Early Advaita Vedānta and Buddhism: the Mahāyāna context of the Gauḍapādīya-kārikā, SUNY Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-7914-2513-8</nowiki>'' − * ''Klostermaier, Klaus K. (2007), A survey of Hinduism, SUNY Press, <nowiki>ISBN 0-585-04507-0</nowiki>'' − * ''Lanman, Charles R (1897), The Outlook, Volume 56, Outlook Co.'' − * ''Lal, Mohan (1992), Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: sasay to zorgot, Sahitya Akademi, <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-260-1221-3</nowiki>'' − * ''Müller, Friedrich Max (1900), The Upanishads Sacred books of the East The Upanishads, Friedrich Max Müller, Oxford University Press'' − * ''Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (2004), A practical Sanskrit dictionary with transliteration, accentuation, and etymological analysis throughout, Motilal Banarsidass, <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-208-2000-5</nowiki>'' − * ''Mahadevan, T. M. 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Indic Religions to the Thirteenth Century, Cambridge University Press'' − * ''Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli (1956), Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, ed., History of Philosophy Eastern and Western, George Allen & Unwin Ltd'' − * ''Raghavendrachar, Vidvan H. N (1956), Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, ed., History of Philosophy Eastern and Western'' − * ''Ranade, R. D. (1926), A constructive survey of Upanishadic philosophy, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan'' − * ''Rinehart, Robin (2004), Robin Rinehart, ed., Contemporary Hinduism: ritual, culture, and practice, ABC-CLIO, <nowiki>ISBN 978-1-57607-905-8</nowiki>'' − * ''Sadhale, S. Gajanan Shambhu (1987), Sri Garibdass Oriental Series (44), Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications'' − * ''Schayer, Stanislaw (1925), Die Bedeutung des Wortes Upanisad, '''3''', Rocznik Orientalistyczny'' − * ''Schopenhauer, Arthur; Payne, E. F.J (2000), E. F. J. Payne, ed., Parerga and paralipomena: short philosophical essays, Volume 2 of Parerga and Paralipomena, E. F. J. Payne, Oxford University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-19-924221-4</nowiki>'' − * ''Schrödinger, Erwin (1992), What is life?, Cambridge University Press, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0-521-42708-1</nowiki>'' − * ''Schrader, Friedrich Otto; Adyar Library (1908), A descriptive catalogue of the Sanskrit manuscripts in the Adyar Library, Oriental Pub. Co'' − * ''Sen, Sris Chandra (1937), "Vedic literature and Upanishads", The Mystic Philosophy of the Upanishads, General Printers & Publishers'' − * ''Sharma, B. N. Krishnamurti (2000), A history of the Dvaita school of Vedānta and its literature: from the earliest beginnings to our own times, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-208-1575-9</nowiki>'' − * ''Sharma, Shubhra (1985), Life in the Upanishads, Abhinav Publications, <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-7017-202-4</nowiki>'' − * ''Singh, N.K (2002), Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, Anmol Publications PVT. LTD, <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-7488-168-7</nowiki>'' − * ''Singh, Nagendra Kr (2000), Ambedkar on religion, Anmol Publications, <nowiki>ISBN 978-81-261-0503-8</nowiki>'' − * ''Slater, Thomas Ebenezer (1897), Studies in the Upanishads ATLA monograph preservation program, Christian Literature Society for India'' − * ''Smith, Huston (1995), The Illustrated World’s Religions: A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions, New York: Labyrinth Publishing, <nowiki>ISBN 0-06-067453-9</nowiki>'' − * ''Sri Aurbindo Kapali Sastr Institute of Vedic Culture, SAKSIVC: Vedic Literature: Upanishads: 108 Upanishads:, www.vedah.com, retrieved 10 August 2010'' − * ''Tripathy, Preeti (2010), Indian religions: tradition, history and culture, Axis Publications, <nowiki>ISBN 978-93-80376-17-2</nowiki>'' − * ''Urwick, Edward Johns (1920), The message of Plato: a re-interpretati'' − * ''Raju, P. T. (1992), The Philosophical Traditions of India, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited'' − − * − {| class="MsoNormalTable" − | − |- − | − |- − | − − * Isha − * Kena − * Katha − * Prashna − * Mundaka − * Mandukya − * Taittiriya − * Aitareya − * Chandogya − * Brihadaranyaka − * Brahma − * Kaivalya − * Jabala − * Shvetashvatara − * Hamsa − * Aruneya − * Garbha − * Narayana − * Paramahamsa − * Amritabindu − * Amritanada − * Atharvashiras − * Atharvashikha − * Maitrayaniya − * Kaushitaki − * Brihajjabala − * Nrisimha Tapaniya − * Kalagni Rudra − * Maitreya − * Subala − * Kshurika − * Mantrika − * Sarvasara − * Niralamba − * Shukarahasya − * Vajrasuchi − * Tejobindu − * Nadabindu − * Dhyanabindu − * Brahmavidya − * Yogatattva − * Atmabodha − * Naradaparivrajaka − * Trishikhi-brahmana − * Sita − * Yogachudamani − * Nirvana − * Mandala-brahmana − * Dakshinamurti − * Sharabha − * Skanda − * Mahanarayana − * Advayataraka − * Rama Rahasya − * Ramatapaniya − * Vasudeva − * Mudgala − * Shandilya − * Paingala − * Bhikshuka − * Maha − * Sariraka − * Yogashikha − * Turiyatita − * Sannyasa − * Paramahamsaparivrajaka − * Akshamalika − * Avyakta − * Ekakshara − * Annapurna − * Surya − * Akshi − * Adhyatma − * Kundika − * Savitri − * Atma − * Pashupatabrahma − * Parabrahma − * Avadhuta − * Tripuratapini − * Devi − * Tripura − * Kathashruti − * Bhavana − * Rudrahridaya − * Yoga-Kundalini − * Bhasma − * Rudraksha − * Ganapati − * Darshana − * Tarasara − * Mahavakya − * Pancabrahma − * Pranagnihotra − * Gopala-Tapani − * Krishna − * Yajnavalkya − * Varaha − * Shatyayaniya − * Hayagriva − * Dattatreya − * Garuda − * Kali-Santarana − * Jabali − * Saubhagyalakshmi − * Sarasvati-rahasya − * Bahvricha − * Muktikā + + + − + − + − − − [[Category:Vedanta]]
→Brahman Represented by Pranava (Omkara)
Upanishads (Samskrit : उपनिषद्) are the concluding segments, available as a part of [[Aranyaka (आरण्यकम्)|Aranyakas]].<ref name=":42222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref><ref name=":4">Upadhyaya, Baldev. (1958) ''[https://archive.org/stream/VaidikSahityaBaldevUpadhyaya1958/Vaidik%20Sahitya%20Baldev%20Upadhyaya%201958#page/n263/mode/2up Vaidik Sahitya]''.</ref> Since they expound the various adhyatmik and dharmika siddhantas and tattvas that leads a sadhaka to the highest purpose of Moksha and because they are present at the end of the Vedas, they are also referred to as the Vedanta (वेदान्तः) . They do not forbid the rituals or rites prescribed in the Karmakanda but expound that only through Jnana one can attain moksha.<ref name=":42222" /><blockquote>वेदान्तो नामोपनिषत्प्रमाणं तदनुसारीणि। शारीरकसूत्राणि च । vedānto nāmopaniṣatpramāṇaṁ tadanusārīṇi। śārīrakasūtrāṇi ca ।<ref>Prof. K. Sundararama Aiyar (1911) ''Vedantasara of Sadananda with Balabodhini Commentary of Apadeva.'' Srirangam : Sri Vani Vilas Press</ref></blockquote>Sadananda Yogindra, in his Vedantasara says that''"Vedanta has the Upanishads for its evidence and includes the Sharira Sutras (Vedanta Sutras or Brahma Sutras) and other works which corroborate it".'' <ref>Sastri, M. N. Dutt (1909) ''[https://archive.org/details/VedantasaraOfSadanandaDuttM.N./page/n4 Vedanta-sara. A Prose English translation and Explanatory notes and Comments.]'' Calcutta : Elysium Press.</ref>
==परिचयः ॥ Introduction==
The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads. The subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into Karma-Kanda, Upasana-Kanda and Jnana-Kanda. The Karma-Kanda or Ritualistic section deals with various sacrifices and rituals. The Upasana-Kanda or Worship section deals with various kinds of worship or meditation. The Jnana-Kanda or Knowledge-Section deals with the highest knowledge of Nirguna Brahman. The Samhitas and the Brahmanas constitute Karma-Kanda; the Aranyakas constitute Upasana-Kanda; and the Upanishads constitute Jnana-Kanda<ref>Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref><ref name=":02">Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji, (2000) ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part19/chap6.htm Hindu Dharma (Collection of Swamiji's Speeches between 1907 to 1994)]''Mumbai : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref>The Upanishads along with the Bhagavadgita and Brahmasutras constitute the Prasthana Trayi (प्रस्थानत्रयी) and both the Gita and Brahmasutras are based again on the Upanishads. They are also the foundational sources for all Darshana shastras and including the Jain and Buddhist philosophies.
According to Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, these are four different modes of expressing the same truths, each as a cross check against others so that misrepresentations are avoided, a method used and valid even today.<ref name=":2222">Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore, Page 75 (Glossary)</ref>
Most of the Upanishads are in forms of dialogues between a master and a disciple. In Upanishads, a seeker raises a topic and the enlightened guru satisfies the query aptly and convincingly<ref><nowiki>http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm</nowiki>, 6th Paragraph</ref>. Chronology and dating of Upanishads is not attempted in this article.
==व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology==
There are different versions about the meaning of Upanishad as given by many scholars. The term ''Upaniṣad'' term consists of उप (upa) and नि (ni) उपसर्ग-s (Upasargas or Prefixes) and सद् धातुः (Sad dhatu) followed by किव्प् प्रत्ययः (Kvip pratyaya as Suffix) used in the sense of विशरणगत्यवसादनेषु । ''viśaraṇagatyavasādaneṣu'' Shri Adi Shankaracharya explains in his commentary on Taittiriyopanishad about the meanings of Sad (सद्) dhatu thus <ref name=":42222" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1">Sharma, Ram Murthy. (1987 2nd edition) ''[https://archive.org/details/VaidikSahityaKaItihasRamMurthySharma/page/n143 Vaidik Sahitya ka Itihas]'' Delhi : Eastern Book Linkers</ref>
*विशरणम् (नाशनम्) to destroy : They destroy the seeds of Avidya causing samsara in a Mumukshu (a sadhaka who wants to attain Moksha), hence this Vidya is called Upanishads.<blockquote>अविद्यादेः संसारबीजस्य विशरणाद् विनाशनादित्यनेन अर्थयोगेन विद्या उपनिषदुच्यते । avidyādeḥ saṁsārabījasya viśaraṇād vināśanādityanena arthayogena vidyā upaniṣaducyate ।</blockquote>
*गतिः (प्रपणम् वा विद्यर्थकम्) to obtain or to know : That vidya which leads to or make the sadhaka obtain Brahma, is called Upanishad.<blockquote>परं ब्रह्म वा गमयतोति ब्रह्म गमयितृत्वेन योगाद् विद्योपनिषद् । paraṁ brahma vā gamayatoti brahma gamayitr̥tvena yogād vidyopaniṣad ।</blockquote>
*अवसादनम् (शिथिलर्थकम्) to loosen or to dissolve : Through which cycles of birth, aging etc painful process are loosened or dissolved (that is bondages of samsara are dissolved allowing the sadhaka to attain the Brahma).<blockquote>गर्भवासजन्मजराद्युपद्रववृन्दस्य लोकान्तरेपौनपुन्येन प्रवृत्तस्य अवसादपितृत्वेन उपनिषदित्युच्यते । garbhavāsajanmajarādyupadravavr̥ndasya lokāntarepaunapunyena pravr̥ttasya avasādapitr̥tvena upaniṣadityucyate ।</blockquote>He also defines the primary meaning of Upanishad as Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या । Knowledge of Brahma) and secondary meaning as ब्रह्मविद्याप्रतिपादकग्रन्थः (Brahmavidya pratipadaka granth । texts which teach Brahmavidya). Shankaracharya's commentaries of the Kaṭha and Brhadaranyaka Upanishad also support this explanation.
An alternative explanation of the word Upanishad is "to sit near" derived as follows <ref name=":42222" /><ref name=":4" />
*नि (ni) उपसर्ग (Upasarga or Prefix) in front of सद् धातुः (Sad dhatu) also means 'to sit'.
*उप (upa) Upasarga is used to mean 'nearness or close to'.
*उपनिषद् term thus means "to sit near".
Thus Upanishad came to mean as ' to sit near the Guru (preceptor) to obtain the 'secret knowledge' or Brahmavidya (as per Shabdakalpadhruma : उपनिषद्यते प्राप्यते ब्रह्म-विद्या अनया इति)
Generally, Upanishads are synonymous with Rahasya (रहस्यम्) or secrecy. Upanishads themselves mention statements such as <blockquote>मोक्षलक्षणमित्येतत्परं रहस्यम् इत्येवं । ''mokṣalakṣaṇamityetatparaṁ rahasyam ityevaṁ ।'' (Mait. Upan. 6.20)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Maitrayani Upanishad] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>सैषा शांभवी विद्या कादि-विद्येति वा हादिविद्येति वा सादिविद्येति वा रहस्यम् । ''saiṣā śāṁbhavī vidyā kādi-vidyeti vā hādividyeti vā sādividyeti vā rahasyam ।'' (Bahvrchopanishad<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E2%80%8C-%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7-%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A6 Bahvrichopanishad] </ref>)</blockquote>when discussing some important siddhantas. Probably such usages are given to prevent and caution against giving this knowledge to the undeserving.<ref name=":1" />
In the mukhya upanishads, there are many instances of रहस्यम् meaning secret or hidden knowledge especially in Atharvaveda upanishads. Kaushitaki Upanishad for example, contains detailed siddhantas of मनोज्ञानम् and तत्वज्ञानम् (Psychology and metaphysics). Apart from them they also contain मृतकज्ञानम् (siddhantas around death, travel of Atman etc), बालमृत्यु निवारणम् (preventing untimely childhood deaths) शत्रुविनाशार्थ रहस्यम् (secrets about the destruction of enemies) etc. Chandogya Upanishads gives the secrets about the origin of worlds, Jiva, Jagat, Om and their hidden meanings.<ref name=":1" />
==Classification of Upanishads==
More than 200 Upanishads are known, of which, the first dozen or so are the oldest (प्राचीनम्) most important and are referred to as the principal or main (''mukhya'') Upanishads. The rest of them aid in explaining bhakti or jnana concepts and many are without bhashyas. Some scholars accept 12 Upanishads and some even consider 13 to be the principal Upanishads and some others accept 108 Upanishads given by Muktikopanishad.<ref name=":22">Malladi, Sri. Suryanarayana Sastry (1982) ''Samskruta Vangmaya Charitra, Volume 1 Vaidika Vangmayam'' Hyderabad : Andhra Sarasvata Parishad</ref>
There is no fixed list of the ''Upanishads'' as newer ones, beyond the Muktika Upanishad list of 108 Upanishads, have continued to be composed and discovered. A collection of Upanishads, namely Upanishad Samgrahah by Pt. J. K. Shastri contains 188 upanishads. <ref>Borthakur, Madhusnita. (2016) Ph. D Thesis ''Title : The Brhadaranyaka Upanisad : A Study'' at Gauhati University</ref>Pracheena Upanishads have long been revered in Sanatana Dharma traditions, and many sampradayas have interpreted the concepts of Upanishads to evolve their sampradaya. These "new Upanishads" number in the hundreds, cover diverse range of topics from physiology to renunciation.
===Basis for Classification===
== Etymology ==
Many modern and western indology thinkers have put forth their contemplations on the classification of Upanishads and it is based on the following factors
#the presence or absence of Shankaracharya's bhasyas (Ten for which bhashyas are available are Dasopanishads and the rest describing devatas. Vaishnava, Shaiva, Shakta, Saurya etc)<ref name=":4" />
#the ancientness of Upanishad based on association with Aranyakas and Brahmanas<ref name=":42222" />
#the ancientness and modernness of the Upanishads based on description of deities and other aspects ( Given by Shri Chintamani Vinayak on Page 256 of Reference <ref name=":4" />)
#the shanti patha given in each of the Upanishads<ref name=":22" />
#the ancientness and modernness of the Upanishads having prose or metrical compositions (mostly given by Western Indologists like Dr. Daison)<ref name=":42222" />
===दशोपनिषदः ॥ Dasopanishads===
Muktikopanishad lists the following ten as principal Upanishads which have received attention from Shri Adi Shankaracharya in form of his bhasyas and are considered ancient (प्राचीनम्).<ref name=":4" /><blockquote>ईश-केन-कठ-प्रश्न-मुण्ड-माण्डूक्य-तित्तिरः । ऐतरेयं च छान्दोग्यं बृहदारण्यकं तथा ॥ ''īśa-kēna-kaṭha-praśna-muṇḍa-māṇḍūkya-tittiraḥ । ēētarēyaṁ ca chāndōgyaṁ br̥hadāraṇyakaṁ tathā ॥''</blockquote>The 10 Mukhya Upanishad on which Adi Shankaracharya commented are:
#ईशावाश्योपनिषद् ॥ Ishavasya Upanishad (Shukla Yajur Veda)
# Aitareya Upanishad (Rig Veda)
#केनोपनिषद् ॥ Kena Upanishad (Sama Veda)
# Chhandogya Upanishad (Saama Veda)
#कठोपनिषद् ॥ Katha Upanishad (Yajur Veda)
#प्रश्नोपनिषद् ॥ Prashna Upanishad (Atharva Veda)
#मुण्डकोपनिषद् ॥ Mundaka Upanishad (Atharva Veda)
#माण्डूक्योपनिषद् ॥ Mandukya Upanishad (Atharva Veda)
#तैत्तियोपनिषद् ॥ Taittiriya Upanishad (Yajur Veda)
# Brhadaranyaka Upansihad (Yajur Veda)
#ऐतरेयोपनिषद् ॥ Aitareya Upanishad (Rig Veda)
# Parshna Upanishad (Atharva Veda)
#छान्दोग्योपनिषद्॥ Chhandogya Upanishad (Sama Veda)
# Mundaka Upanishad (Atharva Veda)
#बृहदारण्यकोपनिषद् Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (Yajur Veda)
# Mandukya Upanishad (Atharva Veda)
Apart from these ten, कौषीतकि (Kaushitaki) श्वेताश्वतर (Shvetasvatara) and मैत्रायणीय (Maitrayaniya) Upanishads are regarded as ancient since the first two of these three found a mention by Shankaracharya in his Brahmasutra bhashyas along with dashopanishad bhashyas. However, there are no available commentaries on these given by him.
===Upanishads as Part of Aranyakas===
Many Upanishads are the final or exclusive portions of the Aranyakas or the Brahmanas. But these refer mainly to the dasha upanishads. It may be seen from the table below that some Upanishads not classified in dashopanishads are from Aranyakas. (Ex: Mahanarayaneeya Upanishad, Maitrayaniya Upanishad) while the Atharvana veda associated Upanishads do not have corresponding Brahmanas or Aranyakas as they are unavailable.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Upanishads as part of Aranyakas and Brahmanas
== '''Development''' ==
! colspan="2" |Veda
!What part of Brahmana or Aranyaka constitutes Upanishad
=== '''Authorship''' ===
!Name of Upanishad
!Name Comes from
!Contents
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |RigVeda
|4th to 6th Adhyayas of 2nd Prapathaka of 2nd Aranyaka of Aitareya Aranyaka (Page 250 of Reference <ref name=":4" />)
of the Upanishad.<sup>[12]</sup> Scholars believe that early
|ऐतरेयोपनिषद् ॥ Aitareya Upanishad
|Mahidasa Aitareya composed this Upanishad
|Consists of 3 Adhyayas
|-
|3rd to 6th Adhyayas of Shankhyayana Aranyaka (Page 251 of Reference <ref name=":4" />)
|कौषीतकि उपनिषद् ॥ Kaushitaki Upanishad
|Given by Kaushitaki Rshi
|Consists of 4 Adhyayas
|-
! rowspan="6" |Yajurveda
! rowspan="4" |Krishna
|7th to 9th Prapathakas of Taittiriya Aranyaka (Page 251 of Reference <ref name=":4" />)
|तैत्तियोपनिषद् ॥ Taittiriya Upanishad
|From source Taittiriya Aranyaka
|Consists of 3 Vallis or chapters : Shikshavalli, Brahmavalli (Anandavalli) and Bhruguvalli<ref name=":03" />
|-
|10th Prapathaka of Taittiriya Aranyaka (also considered as Khila khanda) (Page 251 of Reference <ref name=":4" />)
of Videha, whose king, Janaka, features prominently in the Upanishad.<sup>[31]</sup>
|नारायणीयोपनिषद् ॥ Narayanopanishad
महानारायणीय उपनिषद् ॥ Mahanarayaniya Upanishad
|From the description of Narayana as Supreme Brahman.
|Consists of collection of passages including both prose and mantras (totaling to 150 divided into two adhyayas).<ref name=":03" />
|-
|Kathasamhita or Kathavalli (Page 54 of Reference <ref name=":42222" />)
|कठोपनिषद् ॥ Kathopanishad or काठकोपनिषद् ॥ Kathakopanishad
|Comes from the source Katha samhita
|2 Adhyayas with 3 vallis each (total 6 vallis) contains 119 mantras.<ref name=":023222">Kodandaramacharyulu. K. (2011) Kathopanishat - Samajikaamsamulu (Pages 78 to 92) from Upanishat Sudha Lahari, Hyderabad: Sahiti Samskritika Samstha</ref>
|-
|Maitrayaniya Aranyaka (Page 251 of Reference <ref name=":4" />)
|मैत्रायणीय Maitrayaniya Upanishad
|Comes from the source Maitrayaniya Aranyaka
|Contains 7 Prapathakas<ref>Maitrayani Upanishad Introduction on [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/upanishads/maitrayani-upanishad/ Vedic Heritage Portal]</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" |Shukla
|Last 6 Adhyayas of Shatapatha Brahmana (Page 56 of Reference <ref name=":42222" />)
|Brhadaranyakopanishad
|
|Contains 6 Adhyayas
|-
|40th Adhyaya of माध्यन्दिन-शतपथ-ब्राह्मणम् ॥ Madhyandina Shatapatabrahmana
|ईशावाश्योपनिषद् ॥ Ishavasya Upanishad
|The first word of the first mantra ॐ ईशा वास्यमिदँ सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् ।
|Contains 18 mantras<ref name=":03">N. S. Ananta Rangacharya (2003) ''Principal Upanishads (Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandookya, Taittiriya, Mahanarayana, Svetasvatara) Volume 1.'' Bangalore : Sri Rama Printers</ref>
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Samaveda
|10th Anuvaka of 4th Adhyaya of जैमिनीय ॥ Jaiminiya (Talavakara तलवकार) Brahmana (Page 253 of Reference <ref name=":4" />)
|केनोपनिषद् ॥ Kena Upanishad or Talavakaropanishad
|The first word of the first mantra ॐ केनेषितं पतति प्रेषितं मनः
|Contains 4 Khandas with 32 mantras in all.<ref name=":03" />
|-
|Last 10 Adhyayas of Chandogyabrahmana of Kauthuma Shakha (Page 55 of Reference <ref name=":42222" />)
|छान्दोग्योपनिषद्॥ Chhandogya Upanishad
|
|Contains 8 Prapathakas or Adhyayas each having varying number of Kandas and mantras (totaling to 154 Khandas).<ref name=":03" /><ref>Chandogya Upanishad Introduction on [http://vedicheritage.gov.in/upanishads/chandogyopanishad/ Vedic Heritage Portal] </ref>
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="3" |Adharvaveda
|Associated with Pippalada brahmana (Page 54 of Reference <ref name=":42222" />)
|प्रश्नोपनिषद् ॥ Prashna Upanishad
|Comes from the Prashna or question and answer format seen in this upanishad.
|Mostly in prose it has six Prashnas (sections)with 16, 13, 12, 11, 7 and 8 passages respectively.<ref name=":03" />
|-
|Associated with Shaunaka samhita (Page 54 of Reference <ref name=":42222" />)
|मुण्डकोपनिषद् ॥ Mundaka Upanishad
|
|3 Mundakas (chapters) each containing 2 Khandas with 64 mantras in all.
|-
|Associated with Atharvaveda (Page 55 of Reference <ref name=":42222" />)
|माण्डूक्योपनिषद् ॥ Mandukya Upanishad
|Composed by the son of Mandukya maharshi.<ref name=":03" />
|Contains 12 mantras only
|}
|}
===Deity and Samkhya Based Classification===
the mukhya Upanishads.
Pt. Shri. Chintamani Vinayak Vaidya has assigned the ancientness (प्राचीनता) or modernness (अर्वाचीनता) of Upanishads using the two factors<ref name=":4" />
#Siddhanta of Anatmarupa Brahma (a supreme power beyond and above deities)
#Vishnu or Shiva deities are accepted as paradevata (supreme deity) and are praised
#Principles of Samkhya Siddhanta (Prakriti, Purusha, Gunas-Satva, Rajas and Tamas)
It is proved beyond doubt that the ancient upanishads have described a Supreme Anatmarupa Brahma, above the vaidika deities, who has created regulated and maintained order of the creation. They are thus very ancient and include Aitareya, Isha, Taittiriya, Brhadaranyaka, Chandogya, Prashna, Mundaka and Mandukya Upanishads.
'''New Upanishads'''
Only in the more recent upanishads one can see the older ones in praise of Vishnu as the Supreme Being followed by the more recent one's in praise of Shiva. In this group is classified Kathopanishad where Vishnu is the Supreme Being. Krishna Yajurveda Upanishads are famous for their Shiva and Rudra stutis (Rudra Prashna is a famous stuti) and in this way Shevetashvatara Upanishad which accepts Shiva as paradevata is more recent compared to Kathopanishad. In this series, Maitrayaniya Upanishad which accepts all the Trimurti's (Brahma Vishnu and Shiva) is more recent than the above two mentioned Upanishads.
Katha Upanishad (which has no principles of Samkhya) is ancient as against Shvetashvatara (which expounds principles of Samkhya and its preceptor Kapila Maharshi), further more recent is Maitrayaniya Upanishad where samkhya philosophy along with the description of the gunas is given in detail.<ref name=":4" />
the Muktika anthology of 108 Upanishads, have continued to be discovered and
===Shanti Patha Based Classification===
Some upanishads are not related to any veda, while some are definitely associated with one or the other veda. Based on the Shanti patha that is given in the beginning of the Upanishads the following classification is proposed.(Page 288-289 of Reference <ref name=":22" />)
{| class="wikitable"
|+108 Upanishads Classified Based on Shanti Patha of Each Veda
of the Upanishads.<sup>[54]</sup> The text of three, the ''Chhagaleya, Arsheya''
!Veda
!Shanti patha
!Upanishads
|-
|Rigveda
|वाङ् मे मनसि प्रतिष्ठिता मनो मे वाचि प्रतिष्ठितमाविरावीर्म एधि ॥ vāṅ mē manasi pratiṣṭhitā manō mē vāci pratiṣṭhitamāvirāvīrma ēdhi ॥
|Aitareya, Kaushitaki, Atmaprabodha, Nadabindu, Nirvana, Mudgala, Akshamalika, Tripura, Saubhagya, Bahvrucha Upanishads (10)
|-
|Krishna Yajurveda
|ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सहवीर्यं करवावहै । oṁ saha nāvavatu । saha nau bhunaktu । sahavīryaṁ karavāvahai ।
|Kathavalli (commonly referred to as Kathopanishad), Taittiriya, Narayana, Brahma, Kaivalya, Shvetasvatara, Garbha, Amrtabindu, Amrtanada, Kalagnirudra, Kshurika, Sarvasara, Shukarahasya, Tejobindu, Dhyanabindu, Brahmavidya, Yogatattva, Dakshinamurty, Katha (different from Kathavalli), Skanda, Shareeraka, Varaha, Yogashikha, Ekakshara, Akshi, Avadhuta, Rudrahrdaya, Yogakundalini, Panchabrahma, Kalisantarana, Pranagnihotra, Sarasvatirahasya Upanishads (32)
|-
|Shukla Yajurveda
|ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते । oṁ pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidaṁ pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyatē ।
|Ishavasya, Brhadaranya, Jabala, Subaala, Hamsa, Paramahamsa, Mantrikaniralamba, Tarasara, Trishikhi, Brahmanamandala, Brahmana, Advayataraka, Paingala, Bhikshuka, Turiyateeta, Adhyatma, Muktika, Shatyayani, Yajnavalkya Upanishads (19)
|-
|Samaveda
|ॐ आप्यायन्तु ममाङ्गानि वाक्प्राणश्चक्षुः
श्रोत्रमथो बलमिन्द्रियाणि च सर्वाणि । oṁ āpyāyantu mamāṅgāni vākprāṇaścakṣuḥ
śrōtramathō balamindriyāṇi ca sarvāṇi ।...
|Kena, Chandogya, Aaruni, Maitrayani, Maitreyi, Vajrasuchi, Yoga, Chudamani, Vasudeva, Sanyasa, Avyakta, Savitri, Rudrakshajabala, Darshanajabali, Kundika, Mahopanishad Upanishads (16)
|-
|Atharvaveda
|ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवाः भद्रं पष्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः । oṁ bhadraṁ karṇēbhiḥ śr̥ṇuyāma dēvāḥ bhadraṁ paṣyēmākṣabhiryajatrāḥ ।
|Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Brhadjabala, Nrsimhatapini, Narada parivrajaka, Sitaa, Sharabha, Mahanarayana, Ramarahasya, Ramatapini, Shandilya, Paramahamsa parivrajaka, Annapurna, Surya, Atma, Parambrahma, Pashupata, Tripuratapini, Devi, Bhavana, Bhasmajabala, Ganapati, Mahavakya, Gopalatapini, Krishna, Hayagriva, Garuda, Dattatreya, Atharvashikha, Atharvashiro Upanishads (31)
|}
|}
=== Content Based Classification ===
Based on their content Upanishads can be divided into six categories.<ref name=":42222" />
#Vedanta siddhanta
#Yoga siddhanta
#Samkhya siddhanta
#Vaishnava siddhanta
#Shaiva siddhanta
#Shakta siddhanta
The Upanishadic age was characterized by a pluralism of worldviews.
== Authorship ==
The authorship of most Upanishads is uncertain and unknown. The various philosophical theories in the early Upanishads have been attributed to famous seers such as Yajnavalkya, Uddalaka Aruni, Shvetaketu, Shandilya, Aitareya, Balaki, Pippalada and Sanatkumara.<ref name=":0">Mahadevan, T. M. P (1956), Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, ed., History of Philosophy Eastern and Western, George Allen & Unwin Ltd</ref> Women, such as Maitreyi and Gargi participated in the dialogues and are also credited in the early Upanishads. Prasnopanishad is based on Prashna (questions) and Uttara (answer) format between gurus and shishyas, as such a number of rshis are mentioned in this Upanishad.
There are exceptions to the anonymous tradition of the Upanishads and other Vedic literature. The Shvetashvatara Upanishad, for example, includes credits to the seer Shvetashvatara in 6.21, and he is considered the author of the Upanishad.<ref name=":222">Swami Gambhirananda (2009 Fourth Edition) ''Svetasvara Upanishad With the Commentary of Sankaracharya.'' Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama (See Introduction)</ref>
'''Development of thought'''
== Interpretations ==
Upanishads not only speak about evolution and manifestation of the world, as 'srshti', but also about its dissolution which make them a welcome support towards a better understanding of ancient discoveries. Inquiries into origin of the worldly things have been widely discussed. However, in such matters as above, one finds that Upanishads abound in statements that are apparently contradictory in their nature.
Some describe the world to be real while others call it a illusion. One calls the Atman as essentially different from Brahman, while other texts describe the essential identity of the two. Some call Brahman the goal and the Atman the seeker, another draws an eternal verity of both. In between these extreme positions, there are varieties of other views. Yet all the divergent conceptions are based on the Upanishads. One must bear in mind that such views and perspectives have been traditionally existing from time immemorial in Bharatavarsha and the founders of these schools of thought are outstanding spokesmen of those systems. So is the case of the rshis and maharshis associated with the shad darshanas; they simply were their best expounders or codifiers.<ref name=":04">Swami Madhavananda author of A Bird's-Eye View of the Upanishads (1958) ''The Cultural Heritage of India, Volume 1 : The Early Phases (Prehistoric, Vedic and Upanishadic, Jaina and Buddhist).'' Calcutta : The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. (Pages 345-365)</ref>
as a liturgical manual for those Vedic rituals, the spirit of the Upanishads is
the Self is called a domestic animal of the gods in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. The Chāndogya Upanishad
Although everyone of these six systems of thought claims to derive its authority from the Upanishads, it is the Vedanta that bases itself wholly on them. In the Upanishads, the highest truths are given out as and when they were glimpsed by the rshis, hence may lack the systematic arrangement which can be expected of leisurely deliberation.<ref name=":04" />
The performance of all the sacrifices, described in the
The task of introducing order into Upanishad thoughts taken up by Badarayana, in the sutra format (Brahmasutras), failed to convey the exact meanings as intended by him. As a consequence the Brahmasutras also suffered the same fate as Upanishads with commentators interpreting them as per their predilections and training.
==विषयविभागम् ॥ Contents==
The main subject of Upanishads is the discussion about Paramatmatattva. There are two kinds of Vidyas : Para (पराविद्या) and Apara (अपराविद्या). Of these Paravidya is supreme and is called Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या). Upanishads present the detailed discussion about Paravidya. Aparavidya is primarily related to Karmas, hence called Karmavidya (कर्मविद्या). The fruits of Karmavidya are perishable while the results of Brahmavidya are indestructable. Aparavidya may not lead one to Moksha (may lead to svarga and other worlds) but Paravidya always gives Moksha.<ref name=":42222" />
=== मौलिकसिद्धान्ताः ॥ Core Siddhantas ===
The central concepts found in the Upanishads involve the following aspects that are the fundamental and unique values of Sanatana Dharma which have been guiding the Chitta (Manas) of people of Bharatavarsha from ages. None of these concepts have ever been mentioned or used in any kind of ancient literatures in any other part of the world.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":22" /><ref name=":022">''Sanatana Dharma : An Advanced Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics''. (1903) Benares : The Board of Trustees, Central Hindu College</ref>
The opposition to the ritual is not explicit in the oldest Upanishads.
'''Unmanifested'''
*ब्रह्मन् ॥ [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]], Paramatma (परमात्मा), That (तत्), Purusha (पुरुषः) Nirguna Brahman (निर्गुणब्रह्मन्) (Supreme Being, Ultimate Reality)
'''Manifested'''
*आत्मा ॥ [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atman]], जीवात्मा ॥ Jivatma, Ishvara (ईश्वरः), Sat (सत्), Saguna Brahman (सर्गुणब्रह्मन्), the Subject (Self)
the over-lordship of the earth may be acquired by sacrificing a horse. It then
*प्रकृतिः ॥ Prkriti, Asat (असत्), Not Self, The Object (Material Cause)
*मनः ॥ Manas (Prajna, Chitta, Samkalpa)
*कर्म ॥ Karma (Action) of Past, Present and Future
*माया ॥ Maya (Illusion), Shakti, Power, the Will, of Ishvara.
*जीवः ॥ Jiva (Embodiment of Atman in an [[Upadhi (उपाधिः)|Upadhi]]), The Many, arising from Mulaprkriti.
*सर्गः ॥ Sarga (Origin) of Srshti (सृष्टिः)<ref name=":022" />
*ज्ञानम् ॥ Jnana (Knowledge)
*अविद्या ॥ Avidya (Ignorance)
*मोक्षम् ॥ Moksha (The Paramapurushartha)
The Upanishads speak about the identity of the Supreme Being, the Brahman, the individual Atman, their mutual relationship, the Universe (jagat) and man’s place in it. In short they deal with Jiva, Jagat, Jnana and Jagadishwara and ultimately the path to Brahman called as ''mokṣa'' or ''mukti.''<ref>http://www.esamskriti.com/e/Spirituality/Upanishads-Commentary/Vedas-And-Upanishads~-A-Structural-Profile-3.aspx</ref>
==== Brahman and Atman ====
Brahman and Atman are two concepts that are unique to Bharatiya Jnana siddhantas which are highly developed in the Upanishads. From the root cause Prkriti the world came into being. Paramatma is Nitya, Puratana, Shasvata (Eternal) devoid of the cycles of birth and death. The Sharira or body is subjected to death and birth but Atma residing in it continues to exist. Just like butter is evenly distributed in milk so also Paramatma is all-pervading in the world. Just like the sparks arise out of fire so also the beings take shape from the Paramatma. Such aspects which are explained in Upanishads have been widely discussed and elucidated in the Darshana shastras.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />
===== ब्रह्मन् ॥ Brahman =====
The word [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]] is used to represent the all pervading, ultimate reality without a second. While this is a principle of universal acceptance for all sects of Vedantins, there is a variation in these schools as to relationship between Brahman and Jivatma.
The Unity which never appears but which IS, is implied in the very existence of universes and systems, worlds and individuals. IT (tat) is not only recognised now in all religions, but also in all philosophy and in all science as a fundamental necessity. Endless disputes and controversies have surrounded IT, many names describe IT and many have left it unnamed, but none have denied IT (except the Charvakas and other atheists). The idea put forth by the Upanishadic seers that Atman and Brahman are One and the same, is one of the greatest contributions made to the thought process of the mankind. <ref name=":022" />
===== Nirguna Representation of Brahman =====
One which is described as without a second, is Infinite, Absolute, eternal is called as तत् । THAT, without attributes, gunas, beyond name and form, and cannot be explained by any similies or worldly descriptions is the Nirguna Brahman.
Chandogya Upanishad expounds the Nirguna Brahmatattva through the Mahavakyas such as<blockquote>एकमेवाद्वितीयम्। ''ekamevādvitīyam।'' One only, without a second. (Chand. Upan. 6.2.1)<ref name=":3">Chandogya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC Adhyaya 6])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्म । ''sarvaṁ khalvidaṁ brahma ।'' All this is verily Brahman. (Chand. Upan. 3.14.1)<ref>Chandogya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>Shevatasvatara Upanishad says <blockquote>यदाऽतमस्तन्न दिवा न रात्रिर्न सन्नचासच्छिव एव केवलः ।... ॥ १८ ॥ ''yadā'tamastanna divā na rātrirna sannacāsacchiva eva kevalaḥ ।... ॥ 18 ॥'' (Shvet. Upan. 4.18)<ref name=":5">Shvetashvatara Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote>When there was mere tamas, and neither day nor the night, neither the universe (having a form) or without a form, there existed that pure auspicious principle alone signifying the One Principle.<ref name=":03" />
These common and well known examples amply illustrate the concept of Nirguna or formless Brahman.
''Atman'' is the predominantly discussed topic in the Upanishads, but they
'''Brahman Represented by Pranava''' '''(Omkara)'''
That this Nirguna Brahman is also referred by Omkara or Pranavanada is also well illustrated in the Upanishads. Kathopanishad states that<blockquote>सर्वे वेदा यत्पदमामनन्ति तपाँसि सर्वाणि च यद्वदन्ति । यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पदँ संग्रहेण ब्रवीम्योमित्येतत् ॥ १५ ॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.2.15)</blockquote><blockquote>sarvē vēdā yatpadamāmananti tapām̐si sarvāṇi ca yadvadanti . yadicchantō brahmacaryaṁ caranti tattē padam̐ saṁgrahēṇa bravīmyōmityētat .. 15 ..</blockquote><blockquote>एतद्ध्येवाक्षरं ब्रह्म एतद्ध्येवाक्षरं परम् । एतद्ध्येवाक्षरं ज्ञात्वा यो यदिच्छति तस्य तत् ॥ १६ ॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.2.16)<ref>Kathopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80 Adhyaya 1 Valli 2])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>ētaddhyēvākṣaraṁ brahma ētaddhyēvākṣaraṁ param . ētaddhyēvākṣaraṁ jñātvā yō yadicchati tasya tat .. 16 ..</blockquote>Meaning : That which all the Vedas declare, that which all austerities utter, That desiring which they lead the life of Brahmacharya, That Word I tell thee briefly : it is Aum. That word is even Brahman; that Word is even the Supreme.<ref name=":022" />
the world.<sup>[116][117][118][119]</sup>
'''Illusion'''
===== आत्मन् ॥ Atman, The Saguna Representation of Brahman =====
The next important concept is that of Saguna Brahman, also Supreme like the Nirguna Brahman, except that here there are a few limiting adjuncts (name, form etc), called variously as Atman, Jivatma, Inner Self, Self, Consciousness etc. The Individual Self, Atman, is the internal ruler, the that immortal part of a visible entity, which includes all living beings including humans, animals and trees. The discussion about Brahman being gross and subtle is raised by Satyakama as explained in the Prashnopanishad. <blockquote>एतद्वै सत्यकाम परं चापरं च ब्रह्म यदोङ्कारः । ''etadvai satyakāma paraṁ cāparaṁ ca brahma yadoṅkāraḥ ।'' (Pras. Upan. 5.2)<ref>Prashnopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%83 Prashna 5])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Verily, O Satyakama, this Omkara is the Supreme and the lower Brahman.<ref name=":022" />
''Main article: Maya (illusion)''
Brhdaranyaka Upanishad also says the following about the existence of two forms of Brahman - the Sat and Asat forms.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>द्वे वाव ब्रह्मणो रूपे मूर्तं चैवामूर्तं च मर्त्यं चामृतं च स्थितं च यच्च सच्च त्यच्च ॥ १ ॥ ''dve vāva brahmaṇo rūpe mūrtaṁ caivāmūrtaṁ ca martyaṁ cāmr̥taṁ ca sthitaṁ ca yacca sacca tyacca ॥ 1 ॥'' (Brhd. Upan. 2.3.1)<ref>Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_2p Adhyaya 2])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : There are two states of Brahman, मूर्तं । gross (with form, body and organs) and अमूर्तं । subtle (formless), mortal (मर्त्यं) and immortal (अमृतं), finite and infinite, existent and beyond (existence).<ref>Swami Madhavananda, (1950). ''[https://archive.org/details/Brihadaranyaka.Upanishad.Shankara.Bhashya.by.Swami.Madhavananda/page/n356 The Brhdaranyaka Upanishad with the commentary of Sankaracharya.]'' Mayavati: Avaita Ashrama</ref>
This second, lower, gross, mortal, finite, existent Brahman is not "another" but is Brahman conditioned - therefore limited, manifesting and is thus Saguna with Attributes. The subtle formless Brahman has already been described as Nirguna Brahman.<blockquote>यो दिवि तिष्ठन्दिवोऽन्तरो यं द्यौर्न वेद यस्य द्यौः शरीरं यो दिवमन्तरो यमयत्य् एष त आत्माऽन्तर्याम्यमृतः ॥ ८ ॥ ''yo divi tiṣṭhandivo'ntaro yaṁ dyaurna veda yasya dyauḥ śarīraṁ yo divamantaro yamayaty eṣa ta ātmā'ntaryāmyamr̥taḥ ॥ 8 ॥'' (Brhd. Upan. 3.7.8)<ref>Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_3p Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>The Vedanta Darshana extensively debates the concept of Plurality (the Manyness, [[Bahupurushavada (बहुपुरुषवादः)|Bahupurushas]]) based on the various explanations of Saguna Brahman according to that particular school of thought.
===== Unity of Atman and Brahman =====
''Atman'' is the predominantly discussed topic in the Upanishads, but one finds two distinct versions. Some state that Brahman (Highest Reality, Universal Principle, Being-Consciousness-Bliss) is identical with ''Atman (Advaita siddhanta)'', while others state ''Atman'' is part of Brahman but not identical (Visishtadvaita and Dvaita siddhantas of Vedanta). This ancient debate flowered into various dual, non-dual theories in Hinduism. More about these aspects are discussed under the heading [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]].
That Brahman and Atman are one and the same was proposed in Chandogya Upanishads mahavakyas. One of them being the following<blockquote>स य एषोऽणिमैतदात्म्यमिदँ सर्वं तत्सत्यँ स आत्मा '''तत्त्वमसि''' श्वेतकेतो | ''sa ya eṣo'ṇimaitadātmyamidam̐ sarvaṁ tatsatyam̐ sa ātmā tattvamasi śvetaketo |'' (Chand. Upan. 6.8.7)</blockquote>That which is this subtle essense, all this has got That as the Self, That is Truth, That is Self. You are That O! Svetaketu.<ref>Swami Gambhirananda. (1983) ''Chandogya Upanishad With the Commentary of Sri Sankaracharya.'' Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama</ref>
In the Upanishads, Māyā is the perceived changing reality and it
In the Mandukya Upanishad another mahavakya stresses this point<blockquote>सर्वं ह्येतद् ब्रह्मा'''यमात्मा ब्रह्म''' सोऽयमात्मा चतुष्पात् ॥ २ ॥ ''sarvaṁ hyetad brahmāyamātmā brahma so'yamātmā catuṣpāt ॥ 2 ॥'' (Mand. Upan. 2)<ref>Mandukya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D 12 Mantras])</ref></blockquote>All this is surely Brahman. This Self is Brahman. The Self, such as It is, is possessed of four quarters.<ref>Swami Gambhirananda (1989 Second Edition) ''[https://archive.org/details/EightUpanishadsWithSankarabhashyamSwamiGambhiranandaVol11966/page/n183 Eight Upanishads, Volume 2 (Aitareya, Mundaka, Mandukya, Prashna)]'' Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama</ref>
==== मनस् ॥ Manas ====
Manas (not equivalent to Mind but used in that sense) is also called as Prajna, Chitta, Samkalpa which is engaged in a Vrtti (वृत्तिः) or states of existence (Yoga Darshana describes 6 such states). The thinking nature of man has been understood as the very essence of human beings since ancient times in India. Serious searches for unravelling the mystery of Manas and its impacts on life proved decisive in deepening the philosophical thoughts of human race making definite impacts upon the socio-cultural standards of life. Studies of Manas have contributed much in the fields of arts and science. It is a matter of fact that all philosophical thoughts and knowledge systems in India spring out explicitly or implicitly from the Vedas. The Upanishads being an integral part of Vedas represent the philosophical zenith of the Vedic thoughts and in depth discussions on Manas contribute to their uniqueness.
''Main article: Vedanta''
Aitareya Upanishad describes the origin of cosmic mind along with the origin of universe in a sequential manner. <blockquote>हृदयं निरभिद्यत हृदयान्मनो मनसश्चन्द्रमा । ''hr̥dayaṁ nirabhidyata hr̥dayānmano manasaścandramā ।'' (Aite. Upan. 1.1.4)<ref>Aitareya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D All Adhyayas] )</ref></blockquote>A heart parted open and from it came the mind. from the internal organ, mind, came the Moon.
Thought becomes the power that triggers the process of creation driven by the supposition of a cosmic mind or cosmic intelligent behind creation. While Brhadaranyaka says एतत्सर्वं मन एव | ''etatsarvaṁ mana eva |''" (Brhd. Upan. 1.5.3)<ref>Brhadaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_1a Adhyaya 1])</ref> All this is the Mind itself", Ishavasya Upanishad refers to Manas in अनेजदेकं मनसो जवीयो । ''anejadekaṁ manaso javīyo ।'' (Aite. Upan. 4) <ref>Isavasyopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D All Mantras])</ref> the context of Atman being faster than the mind. Here the speed is described as a property of mind. Brhdaranyaka further says that सर्वेषा सङ्कल्पानां मन एकायनम् एव meaning Manas is the common ground for all imaginations and deliberations (Brhd. Upan. 4.5.12<ref>Brhadaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_4p Adhyaya 4])</ref><ref name=":2">Swami Madhavananda, (1950). ''[https://archive.org/details/Brihadaranyaka.Upanishad.Shankara.Bhashya.by.Swami.Madhavananda/page/n807 The Brhdaranyaka Upanishad with the commentary of Sankaracharya.]'' Mayavati: Avaita Ashrama</ref>).
'''Advaita Vedanta'''
That Manas is not consciousness but is a subtle form of matter like the body is expounded in the Chandogya Upanishad. Further it says that Anna consumed is sorted in three ways post digestion. The grossest part becomes faeces; the middle component becomes flesh; the subtle ingredient becomes the mind. (Chan. Upan. 6.5.1)<ref name=":6">N. S. Ananta Rangacharya (2003) ''Principal Upanishads (Chandogya Upanishad) Volume 2.'' Bangalore : Sri Rama Printers</ref>
The rituals of the Vedas, purify the Manas, discipline his Kama pravrtti and helps a Jiva to ascend in the path of attaining Brahmajnana.<ref name=":022" />
==== माया ॥ Maya ====
[[Maya (माया)|Maya]] (not always meaning Illusion) is another most important concept touched upon in the Upanishads. The Supreme being or Paramatma, by his power of Maya projects the Universe and Jivatma (manifested Brahman) gets entangled in this Maya as long as He does not realize that His real nature is that of Paramatma. The siddhanta about Maya is mentioned as follows in the Upanishads.
Chandogya Upanishad explains the plurality feature as follows <blockquote>तदैक्षत बहु स्यां प्रजायेयेति तत्तेजोऽसृजत । तत्तेज ऐक्षत बहु स्यां प्रजायेयेति तदपोऽसृजत । ''tadaikṣata bahu syāṁ prajāyeyeti tattejo'sr̥jata । tatteja aikṣata bahu syāṁ prajāyeyeti tadapo'sr̥jata ।'' (Chan. Upan. 6.2.3)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>That 'Sat' deliberated, 'may I become many; May I be born'. Then 'It' created Tejas (fire). The Fire deliberated 'may I become many; May I be born'. That created "Ap" or water.<ref name=":6" />
'''Dvaita'''
Shvetasvatara Upanishad says<blockquote>क्षरं प्रधानममृताक्षरं हरः क्षरात्मानावीशते देव एकः । तस्याभिध्यानाद्योजनात्तत्त्वभावाद्भूयश्चान्ते विश्वमायानिवृत्तिः ॥ १० ॥ (Shvet. Upan. 1.10)</blockquote><blockquote>''kṣaraṁ pradhānamamr̥tākṣaraṁ haraḥ kṣarātmānāvīśate deva ekaḥ । tasyābhidhyānādyojanāttattvabhāvādbhūyaścānte viśvamāyānivr̥ttiḥ ॥ 10 ॥''</blockquote>Matter (Pradhana) is the kshara or perishable. The jivatman is akshara or imperishable on account of being immortal. He, the only Supreme being, rules over both matter and Atman. By meditating on Him (अभिध्यानात्), being in "yoga" with Him (योजनात्), by the knowledge of identity with Him (तत्त्वभावाद्), one attains, in the end, freedom from the Maya of the world.<ref name=":03" /><ref>Sarma, D. S. (1961) ''[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.487423/page/n265 The Upanishads, An Anthology.]'' Bombay : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref><ref>Swami Tyagisananda (1949) ''Svetasvataropanisad.'' Madras : Sri Ramakrishna Math</ref><blockquote>छन्दांसि यज्ञाः क्रतवो व्रतानि भूतं भव्यं यच्च वेदा वदन्ति । अस्मान्मायी सृजते विश्वमेतत्तस्मिंश्चान्यो मायया सन्निरुद्धः ॥ ९ ॥ (Shvet. Upan. 4.9)</blockquote><blockquote>''chandāṁsi yajñāḥ kratavo vratāni bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ yacca vedā vadanti । asmānmāyī sr̥jate viśvametattasmiṁścānyo māyayā sanniruddhaḥ ॥ 9 ॥''</blockquote>The shrutis (chandansi), the yajnas and kratus, the vratas (vows), the past, the future and all that the Vedas declare, have been produced from the imperishable Brahman. Brahman projects the universe through the power of Its maya. Again, in that universe Brahman as the jivatma gets entangled through the delusion of maya.<ref name=":03" /><blockquote>मायां तु प्रकृतिं विद्यान्मायिनं च महेश्वरम् । तस्यावयवभूतैस्तु व्याप्तं सर्वमिदं जगत् ॥ १० ॥ (Shvet. Upan. 4.10)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>''māyāṁ tu prakr̥tiṁ vidyānmāyinaṁ ca maheśvaram । tasyāvayavabhūtaistu vyāptaṁ sarvamidaṁ jagat ॥ 10 ॥''</blockquote>Know that the prakriti or nature is maya and that Supreme Being (Mahesvara) is the mayin (the maker of Maya). The whole universe is filled with jivatmans which are parts of His being.<ref name=":03" />
Brhdaranyaka Upanishad says<blockquote>इदं वै तन्मधु दध्यङ्ङाथर्वणोऽश्विभ्यामुवाच । तदेतदृषिः पश्यन्नवोचत् । रूपरूपं प्रतिरूपो बभूव तदस्य रूपं प्रतिचक्षणाय । इन्द्रो मायाभिः पुरुरूप ईयते युक्ता ह्यस्य हरयः शता दशेतिय् अयं वै हरयो ऽयं वै दश च सहस्रणि बहूनि चानन्तानि च । तदेतद्ब्रह्मापूर्वमनपरमनन्तरमबाह्यम् अयमात्मा ब्रह्म सर्वानुभूरित्यनुशासनम् ॥ १९ ॥ (Brhd. Upan. 2.5.19)<ref>Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_2p Adhyaya 2])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''idaṁ vai tanmadhu dadhyaṅṅātharvaṇo'śvibhyāmuvāca । tadetadr̥ṣiḥ paśyannavocat । rūparūpaṁ pratirūpo babhūva tadasya rūpaṁ praticakṣaṇāya । indro māyābhiḥ pururūpa īyate yuktā hyasya harayaḥ śatā daśetiy ayaṁ vai harayo 'yaṁ vai daśa ca sahasraṇi bahūni cānantāni ca । tadetadbrahmāpūrvamanaparamanantaramabāhyam ayamātmā brahma sarvānubhūrityanuśāsanam ॥ 19 ॥''</blockquote>Darshanas particularly the Vedanta darshana of Sri Adi Shankaracharya highlights this Maya as the cause of bondage to samsara and that Brahman alone is real and all else is unreal.<ref name=":022" />
'''Vishishtadvaita'''
==== सर्गः ॥ Sarga ====
Upanishads abound with the srsti siddhantas (theories of origin of universe) which have ramified and flowered when it came to the darshana shastras. The one classic concept of origin (synonymous with procession from or production of, the evolving of, the sending forth) of the Universe, the Srsti siddhanta proposes that Ishvara evolves all beings out of Himself. Mundakopanishad proclaims <blockquote>यथोर्णनाभिः सृजते गृह्णते च यथा पृथिव्यामोषधयः संभवन्ति । यथा सतः पुरुषात् केशलोमानि तथाऽक्षरात् संभवतीह विश्वम् ॥ ७ ॥ (Mund. Upan. 1.1.7)<ref>Mundaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D All Mundakas])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''yathorṇanābhiḥ sr̥jate gr̥hṇate ca yathā pr̥thivyāmoṣadhayaḥ saṁbhavanti । yathā sataḥ puruṣāt keśalomāni tathā'kṣarāt saṁbhavatīha viśvam ॥ 7 ॥''</blockquote>
===उपनिषद्वैशिष्ट्यम् ॥ Vaishishtya ===
Although all Upanishads proclaim that the goal of human life, embroiled in the flow of samsara, is to attain Jnana that leads to Moksha, the ultimate paramapurushartha, each of the upanishads have their own special features about their siddhantas as follows <ref name=":22" />
#Aitareya upanishad establishes the characteristics of Brahma
#Brhadaranyaka gives the paths to higher worlds
#Katha discusses the doubts about post death path of a Jiva.
#Shvetasvatara says Jagat and Paramatma are Maya.
#Mundakopanishad stressed the fact that the whole Universe is nothing but Parabrahma
#Ishavasya defines that a Jnani is one who sees Self and Paramatma pervading the world.
#Taittiriyopanishad proclaims that Brahmajnana leads to Moksha.
#Chandogyopanishad gives the outline of how janmas (births) happen and paths to reach Brahmaloka.
#Prashnopanishad logically answers the questions regarding the nature of Atma.
#Mandukya upanishad proclaims Atman to be Brahman
The Upanishads include sections on certain siddhantas that have been the very foundation of [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]]. For example, the Chandogya Upanishad includes one of the earliest known declaration of Ahimsa (non-violence) as an ethical precept. Discussion of other ethical premises such as Damah (temperance, self-restraint), Satya (truthfulness), Dāna (charity), Ārjava (non-hypocrisy), Daya (compassion) and others are found in the oldest Upanishads and many later Upanishads. Similarly, the Karma doctrine is presented in the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, which is the oldest Upanishad.
=== Mahavakyas ===
The Upanishads contain several ''mahā-vākyas'' or "Great Sayings" on the the most unique concept of Brahman which is one of the knowledge treasures belonging to Bharatavarsha.
{| class="wikitable"
!Text
!Upanishad
!Translation
|-
|'''अहं ब्रह्म अस्मि ॥''' ''aham brahmāsmi''
|Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10
|"I am Brahman"
|-
|'''अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म ॥''' ''ayam ātmā brahma''
|Mandukya Upanishad 1.2
|The Atma is Brahman
|-
|'''सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं ब्रह्मा ॥'''
|
|
|-
|'''सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्म ॥''' ''sarvam khalvidam brahma''
|Chandogya Upanishad 3.14.1
|"All this is Brahman"
|-
|'''एकमेवाद्वितीयम् ॥''' ''ekam evadvitiyam''
|Chandogya Upanishad 6.2.1
|"That [Brahman] is one, without a second"
|-
|'''तत्त्वमसि ॥''' ''tat tvam asi''
|Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 et seq.
|"Thou art that" ("You are Brahman")
|-
|'''प्रज्ञानं ब्रह्म ॥''' ''prajnānam brahma''
|Aitareya Upanishad 3.3.7
|"Knowledge is Brahman"
"Atman as the innermost essence or soul of man, and Brahman as the
'''[c]''' WJ Johnson (2009), A Dictionary of Hinduism, Oxford University
3-4; Quote - "(...) Lokayatikas and Bauddhas who assert that the soul does
'''Sources'''
|}
|}
=== Prasthana Trayi ===
The Upanishads form one of the three main sources for all schools of Vedanta, together with the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahmasutras. Vedanta seeks to answer questions about the relation between Atman and Brahman, and the relation between Brahman and the world.
Major schools of Vedanta include the Advaita, Visishtadvaita, Dvaita with the others such as Nimbarka's ''Dvaitadvaita'', Vallabha's ''Suddhadvaita'' and Chaitanya's ''Acintya Bhedabheda'' schools all of which are named based on their theory of the relationship of brahman and atman.
==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Vedanta]]
[[Category:Upanishads]]
[[Category:Upanishads|*]]
[[Category:Hindu texts]]
[[Category:Vedas]]
[[Category:Vedas]]