The Upanishads are late Vedic and post-Vedic Sanskrit books that record the evolution of the core Hindu religious principles as well as “the transition from the ancient ritual of the Veda into new religious ideas and institutions.”
The Upanishads portray an interconnected world in which the seeming diversity of the universe is based on a single, unifying principle, known as brahman, in any of its speech. In this regard, the Upanishads impart the knowledge that Brahman is a part of the atman, which means the immortal soul of the human being.
In this article, we will look into the meaning, history, facts, importance, and teachings of Upanishads. We will also discuss 13 major Upanishads as well.
What are Upanishads?
Upanishads are books on philosophy. It is made up of two words ie “Upa” and “shad”. The former means near and the latter means to sit. Thus, the meaning of Upanishad is sitting near the feet of the teacher. Upanishads serve as the foundation of Hindu Philosophy. Upanishads are associated with Vedas and more than 200 Upanishads have been discovered. In ancient India, Upanishads played an important role in the development of spiritual ideas. Upnishads focused on spiritual enlightenment.
Upanishads Meaning
The Upanishads are a collection of ancient Indian texts that form the concluding part of the Vedas, the oldest sacred scriptures of Hinduism. These texts are considered the culmination of Vedic thought and explore the nature of reality, the self (atman), and the ultimate reality (Brahman).
History of Upanishads
The Upanishads were written around 700-400 BCE. Upanishads are also known as Vedanta because Vedas end with Upanishads. It deals with consciousness, meditation, and philosophy. There are thirteen main Upanishads which are written in different styles by different writers. Upanishads are also known as India’s intellectual heritage. It contains the earliest discussion of terms like atman, sasra, brahman, yoga, and karma.
13 Major Upanishads
There are a total of 13 major Upanishads which are discussed below:
1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
It is one of the oldest Upanishads and forms a part of Yajur Veda. It explores concepts like ultimate truth, reality, and self. Brihadaranyaka Upanishads assert that the world is more than energy and matter. 3306 Gods are mentioned in Brihadaranyaka Upanishads.
2. Mandukya Upanishad
According to Mandukya Upanishads, consciousness is in 4 states ie wakeful, dream, deep sleep and state of ekatma. Mandukya Upanishad talks about the knowledge of Brahman as a mystery. This mystery can only be understood by the people with shaven heads and thus the name.
3. Katha Upanishad
Kathy Upanishads assets that Vedas aim to make a man liberated from the past and what has not happened. It also states that atman or self is the ultimate reality and atman is identical to Brahman. The purpose of life and death is just a means to an end. Kathy Upanishads is also known as the secret of death.
4. Prashna Upanishad
Prashant Upanishad is part of Atharva Veda. It talks about 6 seekers asking 6 questions to Sage Pippalada. The sage gave insights into spirituality.
5. Kausitaki Upanishad
Kausitaki Upanishads are contained inside Rigveda. The Kaushitaki Upanishad presents philosophical discussions and teachings, addressing aspects of meditation, the nature of Brahman and the path to realisation.
6. Maitri Upanishad
It is found inside Yajurveda and has 7 lessons. It also talks about the 6 limbs of yoga ie control of the breath (Prāṇāyama), contemplation (Tarka), meditation (Dhyāna), withdrawal of the senses (Pratyāhāra), concentration (Dhāraṇā), and absorption (Samādhi).
7. Kena Upanishad
Kena Upanishads tells about the importance of true knowledge. Kenya Upanishads are also known as Kenopanishads. Kena Upanishad questions what empowers the mind and senses guiding the seeker towards recognizing the ultimate source of power as Brahman.
8. Taittiriya Upanishad
It states that material men and material nature are caused by Brahman. It expresses the idea of pancha kosha which envelops a human being. It is divided into three sections i.e. Shiksha Valli, Ananda Valli and Bhrigu Valli. The Taittiriya Upanishad imparts teachings on ethical conduct, the nature of reality and the pursuit of knowledge.
9. Svetasvatara Upanishad
Dagee Shvetashvatara is considered the author of Svetasvatara Upanishads. It states that the material cause of the World is Maya. Svetasvatara Upanishads belong to Yajur Veda. This Upanishad praises the glory of the divine and describes the eternal aspects of the ultimate reality which is beyond the material world.
10. Aitareya Upanishad
Aitareya Upanishad is associated with Rigveda. It asserts that atman exists as consciousness. It was written by Mahidasa Aitareya. Through deep philosophical understandings, it guides seekers to recognize the divine within themselves.
11. Isha Upanishad
Isha Upanishad praises the study of Vidya. It also asserts that the one who knows Avidya will overcome death. The word “isa” means Lord of the Universe. The Isha Upanishad emphasises the unity of the individual soul (Atman) with the universal consciousness (Brahman). It stresses the importance of detachment and spiritual knowledge.
12. Chandogya Upanishad
Chandogya Upanishad is the most famous and often read Upanishad. Tattavamsi is a phrase taken from Chandogya Upanishad. A father tells his son the ultimate truth of Hinduism. This Upanishad contains various philosophical discussions including the famous analogy of the salt dissolved in water to illustrate the oneness of the individual soul with the Supreme Reality.
13. Mundaka Upanishad
Mundaka Upanishad states that understanding the self leads to true wisdom. Our national motto is written below the national emblem of India. It is divided into three sections i.e. the lower knowledge, the higher knowledge and the path of devotion. The Mundaka Upanishad clarifies the pursuit of knowledge and the means to attain liberation.
Spiritual enlightenment is the core concept of the Upanishads.
Facts About Upanishads
The facts about Upanishads are as follows:
- Upanishads are ancient texts written around 700-400 BCE.
- Upanishads are known as Vedanta because they are the concluding or ending part of Vedas. It means “end of Vedas”.
- There are a total of 13 Upanishads which are major but there are more than 200 discovered Upanishads .
- Upanishads consist of dialogues between guru/teacher and shishya/pupil.
- Upanishads are the foundation of meditation and yogic practice.
Importance of Upanishads
The importance of Upanishads are:
- Upanishads are considered one of the most important texts of Hinduism.
- Upanishads consider everything around us as an illusion.
- The Upanishads have influenced Indian philosophy and religion.
- Upanishads are necessary to understand Indian history and culture.
- Upanishads emphasize meditation, ethical principles, truth, no violence and compassion.
- Upanishads impart moral and ethical values.
- It also emphasize on interconnectedness of all living beings and foster sense of harmony.
Main Teachings of the Upanishads
The main teachings of Upanishads are:
- Upanishads talks about the nature of ultimate reality ie Brahman and the individual soul i.e. Atman.
- The Upanishads tell about interconnectedness and unity of all existence.
- The Upanishads advocate the goal of self-realisation through meditation and knowledge.
- The Upanishads also encourage going beyond the material world for spiritual enlightenment.
Difference between Vedas and Upanishads
Few differences between Vedas and Upanishads:
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Upanishads are written around 700-400 BCE.
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Vedas are composed around 1200-400 BCE.
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Upanishads focuses on spiritual enlightenment.
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Vedas focus on traditions and rituals.
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Upanishads are made up of two words i.e. “Upa” and “shad”. The former means near and the latter means to sit. It means sitting near the feet of the teacher.
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Vedas means knowledge in Sanskrit.
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There are more than 200 Upanishads. There are 13 well-known Upanishads i.e. Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Munda, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka.
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Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajur Veda and Atharvaveda are types of Vedas.
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Upanishads provide metaphysical and transcendental knowledge.
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Vedas provide worldly knowledge.
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Also Read: Difference between Vedas and Upanishads
Conclusion – What are Upanishads
Upanishads are an important Hindu religious texts. The word Upanishads means sitting down and paying attention to the teacher. Upanishads have dialogues between teacher and student. Upanishads explain the doctrines of religion. Upanishads form the basis of meditation and yogic practices. Upanishads are at the end of Vedas and thus known as Vedanta.
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FAQs on What are Upanishads
What are the 13 Upanishads?
The ten principal Upanishads are also known as Dashopanishad and they are Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Munda, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka. Old Upnishads are Shvetashvatara, Kaushitaki and Maitrayaniya
What is the concept of Upanishad?
The Upanishads are ancient Indian philosophical texts. Upnishads explore the nature of reality, consciousness and the self and they form the concluding part of the Vedas. The Upanishads seek to solve the ultimate truths of existence.
What is the difference between Vedas and Upanishads?
The Vedas are ancient sacred texts. It contains hymns, rituals and chants. It serves as the foundation of Hinduism. On the other hand, Upanishads are philosophical texts. It explores the deeper meanings and spiritual insights derived from the Vedas.
Is Bhagavad Gita an Upanishad?
No, the Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic The Mahabharata.
Do the Upanishads mention Krishna?
Atharvaveda mentions the Krishna. The Upanishad narrates how the god Rama took birth as Krishna.
Who wrote Upanishads?
The Shvetashvatara Upanishad, gives concluding credits to sage Shvetashvatara, that is why he is considered the author of Upanishads.
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