The Samhita and the Brahmanas represent mainly the Karma-Kanda or the ritual portion, while the Upanishads chiefly represent the Jnana-Kanda or the knowledge portion. Nature of UpanishadsThe Vedas are generally considered to have two portions viz., Karma-Kanda (portion dealing with action or rituals) and Jnana-Kanda (portion dealing with knowledge). If the Samhita is likened to a tree, the Brahmanas are its flowers and the Aranyakas are its fruit yet not ripened, the Upanishads are the ripe fruits. The Upanishads come towards the end of the Aranyakas. Kerala School of Astronomy and MathematicsNow, we discuss to the concluding part of the Veda namely ‘the Upanishads. The translation both masterly and.
As Upanishads contain difficult discussions of ultimate philosophical problems, they were taught to the pupils at about the end of their course. Chronologically they came at the end of the Vedic period. Literally, Vedanta means the end of Veda, Vedasya antah, the conclusion ( Anta) as well as the goal ( Anta) of the Vedas. They are at present, the most popular and extensively read Vedic texts.The Upanishads are often called ‘ Vedanta‘.
This no doubt refers to the pupil’s sitting down near his teacher at the time of instruction. Thus, this word means ‘sitting near by devotedly’. The prefix Upa denotes nearness and Ni totality. Meaning of the word ‘Upanishad’The word ‘Upanishad’ has been derived from the root Sad (to sit), to which are added two prefixes: Upa and Ni.
There is only one instance of a Samhita containing Upanishad – the Vajasaneyi Samhita comprises the Ishavasya Upanishad forming the 40th Book.In later times, the Upanishads obtained a more independent position but still they professed to belong more particularly to one or the other of the four Vedas.It is difficult to ascertain the exact number that should be regarded as authentic Upanishads. Traditionally, the old Upanishads had their place in the Brahmanas and Aranyakas. Number of the UpanishadsThere is a good deal of speculation concerning the number of Upanishads. Through another definition, the word primarily signifies knowledge, yet by implication it also refers to the book that contains that knowledge. We find in Upanishads, that due to secrecy and mystery of the teachings, a teacher refuses to impart instruction to a pupil who has not proved his worthiness to receive the instruction. Upanishads are frequently spoken of as Rahasya (secret) or Guhya (mystery) also.
19 Upanishads from the Shukla-Yajurveda Division of the UpanishadsAccording to the Muktikopanishad 108 Upanishads are divided according to four Vedas are as follows: However, among these Upanishads, ten Upanishads, the names of which have been mentioned in the Muktikopanishad, are considered the most important Upanishads from the point of view of Vedantic Philosophy.Ten Principal Upanishads known as ‘Dashopanishad’ are :Isha, Kena, Katha , Prashna , Munda , Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka.Besides, Shvetashvatara, Kaushitaki and Maitrayaniya Upanishads are often listed in old Upanishads. The AllahUpanishad, for instance was composed in the sixteenth century, at the time of emperor Akbar.Different estimates of their number have been given by scholars and they have been put by some scholars at as many as 200.One hundred and eight Upanishads are enumerated in the Muktikopanishad and a popular edition contains them.
Already in the hymns of the Rigveda, we notice here and there a shift of emphasis from the innumerable gods to the one Infinite as in the famous passage. The essential theme of the Upanshads is the nature of the world and God. What is this world? Who am I? What becomes of me after death? – Such questions are asked and answered in these Upanishads. They represent the knowledge of Brahman ( Brahma-Vidya). They constitute the last phase of the Vedic revelation.
The principal contents of the Upanishads are philosophical speculations. Besides, Brahman and His creation, are also discussed in these texts. These treatises mark the culmination of the earlier line of investigation into the nature of ultimate reality.In the Upanishads, we get an intelligible body of verified and verifiable spiritual insights mixed with a mass of myths and legends and cosmological speculations relating to the nature and origin of universe. The doctrine of true knowledge and salvation are major subjects of the Upanishadic philosophy. This becomes more pronounced in the Upanishads and is very well illustrated here.
So Vedanta Philosophy is directly related to the Upanishads. They contain the highest authority on which the various systems of philosophy in India rest. Importance of the Upanishads(1) The Upanishads occupy a unique place in the development of Indian philosophical thought. Although the subject-matter of most of the Upanishads is almost the same, yet each Upanishad has its own unique idea or ideas and its own method of enquiry.
The story of Satyakama Jabala, who though unable to give his father’s name, was yet initiated into spiritual life, shows this fact. Even kings approached to them for the attainment of knowledge. Any one having knowledge may be Guru or Acarya. They give importance to ‘Knowledge’ alone. Certain verses from the Vedas, such as the Gayatri, form the subject of meditation here.(3) Brahmavidya or the knowledge of Brahman, the Supreme Reality is the great kingdom of the principal Upanishads. ‘The Upanishads generally mention the Vedas and their study with respect.
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