UPNISHADS are not systematic treatises on philosophy; they are the concluding portions of the Vedas- celled Vedanta. end of vedas. It also means' to sit close by devotedly. They are regarded as teaching the highest truth. Upanishads are the Vedantic knowledge of Vedas ''Upa'' means near, 'Nishad' to sit. Upanishad, assuming the form of a beloved master, sits close to its disciple and reveals the secrets of the real life enabling him to realize his oneness with he supreme soul. They are called Vedantas-the aim and completion of the Vedas, because they are the end of the Vedas.
Though there are many Upanishads, we find 108 are important and are named. They represent two main traditions- a cosmic - nisprapanca, and - cosmic - saprapance. It also makes distinction between para - higher and apara - lower kinds of knowledge. The two terms 'Brahman' and 'Atman' are used as synonyms in Upanishands. The soul is called jiv- to live.
The Upanishads are of later period. They must have been composed or compiled between 3000BC to 600BC. They contain phiosophical speculations about the conception of Brahman and the Vedas. After gaining expeience in life performing his duties - karma as directed by the earlier parts of the Vedas, called 'karma kanda' a man attanis the knowledge of eternal life and bliss 'Jnana; hence Upanishad is called 'Jnana kanda' of the Vedas.
Each veda has one or more Upanishads at its end. Though the number of Upanishads is said to be more than 108, the major Upanishads are stated as 10, belonging to each veda. They are: Rg veda one - Aitreya; Yajur veda-4 -Isavasya, Brihadaranyaka, Kata and Thaithriya; Sama veda 2- Kena and Chandogya; Atharva veda 3- Prasana, Mundaka and Mandukya Upanishads.
Aitareya-Upanisad-Belongs to the Rig-Veda. Divided into 3 chapters. It deals with the self as the sole primary reality and describes the process of creation. It also teaches that through real knowledge, one gets away from the process of transmigration and attains immortality. The sage Vamadeva is cited as an instance of one who has thus attained immortality.
The Isavasya - upanisad, or the Isa-upanisad as it is briefly called, which belongs to the Vajasaneyi School of the Yajur veda, consists of 18 stanzas. It deals with the problem of the material causality of the world and of man's relation there to, the nature of the highest truth and the difference between reality and unreality and between knowledge and ignorance. The Upanishad derives its name from the opening word of the text, Isavasyam or Isa. This is one of the most beautiful Upanisads. It has appealed to thinkers more strongly than any other Upanishads. It is beautiful both in thought and in expression.
Brhadarananyaka- Upanishad Belongs to Vaijasaneyi school of the Yajur-veda. Long text.It Contains highest teaching about Brahman. Maitreyi, and Gargi are great woman scholars who got immortality through knowledge.
The Katha-upanisad is a fairly long text in six parts called Vallis, divided into two chapters, each chapter consisting of three vallis. Here, Death discourses to a young boy called Naciketas upon the problem of 'after death.' The picture of this young boy facing Death and compelling him to reveal the secret adds a human touch to what may otherwise be a dry philosophical discourse. And the situation then is full of pathos. Those who are familiar with the Bhagavad-gita will note that many passages in the Gita are reminiscent of the text of the Upanishad. The Upanishad belongs to the Thaittriya School of the Yajur-Veda.
Taittiriya-Upanishad-Belongs, as is clear from the name, to the Taittiriya school of the Yajur-veda. It is divided into three sections called Vallis. The first section deals with some mystic problems connected with the text and the study of the veda. The second deals with the blisss of Brahman and the third deals with the story of Bhrgu.
The Kena -Upanishad belonging to the Sama-veda is a small text in four sections dealing essentially with the nature of Brahman as the efficient cause, and the Knowledge thereof. The central point is that Brahman is not what can come within the scope of our ordinary knowledge. The Upanishad derives its name from the first word in the text, namely, kena (by whom).
Chandogya-Upanishad-Belonged to Same-Veda. It is a very long text. It begins with the identification of the music of the Sama-veda with the highest reality. ''That thou art''- famous statement from this Upanishad.
The Prasna-Upanishad which belongs to the Atharva Veda contains six sections in the form of six questions put to a rsi by six disciples seeking knowledge of Brahman and the rsi's answers to the questions. Because it contains of questions, the Upanishad is called Prasna (question) Upanishad. The ultimate cause of this world, the Supreme Being, the nature and power of the sound Om and the relation of the Supreme to the constituents of the world; these are the subjects dealt with in this Upanishad.
Mundaka-Upanishad- Belongs to Atharva -Veda, consists of three parts called Mundakas, each sub-divided into two sections. at Draws a clear line between higher knowledge of the supreme Brahman and the lower knowledge of the phenomenal world.
Mandukaya-Upanishad- Belontgs to Atharva-Veda. It consists of 12 passages. here the supreme Brahman is identified with the sound Om, and the whole universe is represented as a manifestation of his Om. The sound OM consists of three elements A,U, and M and they are identified with Vaisvanara, Taijasa, and Prajna, the presiding sentiment of the three avasthas.
Other important major Upanishads
1. Svetasvatara-upanishad-yajurveda, 2. Kausitaki- from Rig veda,
2. Samanyavedanta-Upanishads -24Minor Upanisads deal with Brahman being supreme relity
3. Yoga-Upanisads- 20 Upanishads deal with yoga as an auxilary path to knowledge
4. Samnyasa-Upanisads -17 Upanishads in which Samnyasa as an antecedent step for the realisation of Brahman forms the main subject matter.
5. Vaisnava-Upanisads- 14 minor upanisads dealing with Visnu and his manifold forms.
6. Saiva-Upanishads- 14 Upanisads which eulogise Rudra, identify him with the supreme Brahman, and make him the source and support of all things.
7. Sakta-Upanishads- Sakti forms they are of eight minor Upanishads.
Vedangas-the word 'Vedanda' meand the limb of the Vedas. There are Six vedangas. Siksa-refers to the text dealing with instruction on phonetics. Vyakarna- refers to grammar. Chandas- metrics, Nirukta-etymology of vocabulary-vedic words. words. Jytisa and Jytira sastra -astronomy and astrology. Kalpa- know how of rituals.
Upangas- the Upangas comprise a body of literature that is ancillary to the Vedas. They are four in number. Mimamsa- refers to an analysis of the Vedic mantras, Nyaya- logic, Dharma sastra- smrti. Manu smrti, and Puranas, Itihasas, and Bhagavad Gita.
Upavedas - they are four in number. Ayurveda deals with medicine, Dhanurveda deals with armaments and warfare. Gandharva veda deals with performing arts, Artha veda deals with state-craft.
Vedic mathematics- Vedic knowledge approaches the discipline of Mathematics in its own characteristic way. Ganita-Sutras constitute powerful systems. It is very compact. It has 16 sutras and 13 up-sutras. They are self-unfolding.
''The Gita addresses the fundamental quest of a human being for freedom from the sense of limitation and sorrow. This message of Bhagavad Gita, the essence of all Vedas, therefore is a timeless message for all humanity.''
