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Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types – the [[Samhita]]s (mantras and benedictions), the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] (explanation of Mantras and rituals)<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref> the [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] (mystical texts which give philosophical interpretation of the rituals. These are intended for the Vanaprasthas or hermits, who prepare themselves for taking Sanyasa)<ref name=":0" />,  and the [[Upanishads]] (text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).

Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types – the [[Samhita]]s (mantras and benedictions), the [[Brahmana|Brahmanas]] (explanation of Mantras and rituals)<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 30-31</ref> the [[Aranyaka|Aranyakas]] (mystical texts which give philosophical interpretation of the rituals. These are intended for the Vanaprasthas or hermits, who prepare themselves for taking Sanyasa)<ref name=":0" />,  and the [[Upanishads]] (text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).

The Upanishads are the concluding segments, available at the end of the Vedas, hence they are referred to as the ''Vedanta''. 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.  

 

The Upanishads are the concluding segments, available at the end of the Vedas, hence they are referred to as the ''Vedanta''. 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 more than 200 Upanishads but there are 10 Principal or Mukhya Upanishads. Some traditions accept 12 Upanishads and some even consider 13.  

There are more than 200 Upanishads but there are 10 Principal or Mukhya Upanishads. Some traditions accept 12 Upanishads and some even consider 13.  

==  परिचय || Introduction ==

==  परिचय || Introduction ==

The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads.<ref name=":0222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref> The Samhitas are sometimes identified as कर्म खण्ड || ''karma-kanda'' (action/ritual-related section), while the Upanishads are identified as ज्ञान खण्ड || ''jnana-kanda'' (knowledge/spirituality-related section).<ref name=":0222" /> The Aranyakas and Brahmanas are variously classified, sometimes as the ceremonial ''karma-kanda'', other times (or parts of them) as the ''jnana-kanda''.

The Vedas have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas and the Upanishads.<ref name=":0222">A Bhattacharya (2006), Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology, <nowiki>ISBN 978-0595384556</nowiki>, pages 8-14</ref> The Samhitas are sometimes identified as कर्म खण्ड || ''karma-kanda'' (action/ritual-related section), while the Upanishads are identified as ज्ञान खण्ड || ''jnana-kanda'' (knowledge/spirituality-related section<ref name=":0222" />. The Aranyakas and Brahmanas are variously classified, sometimes as the ceremonial ''karma-kanda'', other times (or parts of them) as the ''jnana-kanda''.

Another opinion states: "The ''Samhitas'' and the ''Brahmanas'' form the ''Karma''-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They are apparently concerned with the ceremonial rites and rituals. The ''Aranyakas'' and the Upanishads form the Jnana-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They explicitly focus on the philosophy and spiritualism.<ref name=":1222"><nowiki>http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm</nowiki>, 6th Paragraph</ref>

Another opinion states: "The ''Samhitas'' and the ''Brahmanas'' form the ''Karma''-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They are apparently concerned with the ceremonial rites and rituals. The ''Aranyakas'' and the Upanishads form the Jnana-''Kanda'' segment of the Vedas. They explicitly focus on the philosophy and spiritualism.<ref name=":1222"><nowiki>http://indianscriptures.50webs.com/partveda.htm</nowiki>, 6th Paragraph</ref> Another learned author says: 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>

Another learned author says: 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>

Swami Sivananda says: The Upanishads are the most important portion of the Vedas. The Upanishads contain the essence or the knowledge portion of the Vedas. The Upanishads speak of the identity of the individual soul and the Supreme Soul. They reveal the most subtle and deep spiritual truths. The Upanishads are useful for the Sannyasins<ref name=":0" />.

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

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.  The concepts of Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and Ātman (Soul, Self) are central ideas in all the Upanishads, and "Know your Ātman" their thematic focus. The Upanishads are the foundation of Hindu philosophical thought and its diverse traditions.

satisfies the query aptly and convincingly.^[2]  The concepts of Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and Ātman (Soul, Self) are central ideas in all the Upanishads, and "Know your Ātman" their thematic focus. The Upanishads are the foundation of Hindu philosophical thought and its diverse traditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Upanishads are the concluding portions of the Vedas which discuss

The Upanishads are the concluding portions of the Vedas which discuss

salvation (''mokṣa'' or ''mukti'').^[3]

salvation (''mokṣa'' or ''mukti'').^[3]

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.^[4][5] The ''mukhya'' Upanishads are found mostly in the concluding part of

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.

unconnected to the Vedas.

Along with the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahmasutra, the ''mukhya'' Upanishads (known collectively as the ''Prasthanatrayi'')^[9] provide a foundation for the several later

schools of Vedanta, among them, two influential monistic schools of Hinduism.^{[note 1][note 2][note 3]}

 

also started to attract attention from a western audience. Arthur Schopenhauer was deeply impressed by the

Upanishads and called it "the production of the highest human

wisdom".^[7] The 19th-century transcendentalists noted the influence of the

Upanishads in western philosophy.^[13][8]

Some scholars consider the Upanishads as the extended portions of the ''Aranyakas'' or the ''Brahmanas''. For e.g., ''Brihdaranyaka'' Upanishad is considered to be the final chapter of the ''Shat''-''Patha'' ''Brahmana''.

== '''Etymology''' ==

== '''Etymology''' ==