WHAT ARE UPANISHADS
The Upanishads are part of our ancient Vedic scriptures, in its simplest form the Vedas are divided into four-part
- Rig Veda
- Yajur Veda
- Samaveda
- Atharva Veda
- Each Veda comprises several components, which are as follows:
- Samhita: A collection of hymns and sacred formulas.
- Brahmana: A liturgical prose explanation.
- Two supplementary sections to the Brahmana:
- Aranyaka: Also known as the “Book of the Wilderness,” it contains mysterious teachings for initiated individuals in secluded places.
- Upanishad: Focuses on speculative discussions about the metaphysical connection between humanity and the universe.
- The Upanishads are the concluding segments of the Vedas and are collectively referred to as Vedanta, signifying “the conclusion of the Vedas.”
Literally, Upanishads consist of two words, Upa meaning “by”, and nishad meaning “sitting down”.
To elaborate - sitting down near the guru(teacher), typically at times at a lower level than that of the teacher or sitting at the feet of your teacher.
HOW MANY UPANISHADS ARE THERE?
The exact number of Upanishads can vary depending on different sources and categorizations. However, there are more than 200 known Upanishads. The principal Upanishads, which are considered the most important and widely studied, number around 108. These are sometimes referred to as the “Mukhya Upanishads.” The number and selection of Upanishads may differ between various schools of Hindu philosophy and scholars, but these texts collectively explore metaphysical and philosophical aspects of Hindu thought.
So, in principle, there are 108 Upanishads which are largely referred to.
Why do you want to read or learn about Upanishads
The principal reason to learn about them can be your desire to:
- Gain more wisdom in life! Ethical and moral guidance
- Intellectual Interest/Awareness/Study/Attain more knowledge in the subject, you recently read or heard about it and are interested in knowing more.
- Gain more wisdom in life! Ethical and moral guidance
- Enrich your spiritual life and understanding of your life, understand the concept of Self(Atman, Brahm)!
Whatever the reason for you – the primary motive should not be to gain more wisdom and understanding of Brahm and especially not to use the knowledge instead understand and instill the principles in your life. So inner happiness, a detached mindset, and mindfulness will be the end result of attaining the knowledge of the Upanishads.
The Upanishads provide profound insights into the nature of reality, the self (Atman), and the ultimate truth (Brahman). They offer spiritual guidance and help individuals on their quest for self-realization and a deeper understanding of the spiritual dimension of life.
WHERE DO I BEGIN?
The Upanishads are expansive, akin to an ocean awaiting exploration. At the outset, it may appear daunting, particularly for novices who might feel ensnared by the constant unveiling of new concepts with every line they read.
To start with read the principal and main Upanishad – I would recommend starting with Isa Upanishad which is one of the shortest Upanishads to begin your journey to the Vedanta philosophy.
WHY ISHA UPANISHAD
Isha as the word suggests means God, so Isha Upanishad is all about the Supreme and to discover who the Supreme is.
Isha Upanishad contains 18 verses and Mahabharat also lasted for 18 days
The Isha Upanishad, also known as the “Isha Upanishad” or “Isha Vasya Upanishad,” is one of the shortest Upanishads but contains profound spiritual and philosophical teachings. The primary message of the Isa Upanishad can be summarized as follows:
- Oneness of the Divine:
The Upanishad emphasizes the oneness and omnipresence of the Divine (Brahman). It teaches that everything in the universe, including the material world and the spiritual realm, is pervaded by the Divine. It encourages individuals to recognize this divine presence in all aspects of life. - Detachment and Non-Attachment:
The Upanishad advocates the idea of detachment from the material world while still fulfilling one’s worldly duties. It suggests that one should perform their actions with a sense of duty and without attachment to the fruits of those actions. - Pursuit of Knowledge and Wisdom:
The Isa Upanishad underscores the importance of knowledge and wisdom as a means to attain spiritual realization. It encourages seekers to seek wisdom and understanding to transcend the cycle of birth and death (samsara). - Ethical Living:
The Upanishad highlights the significance of leading a life based on dharma (righteousness) and ethical principles. It suggests that a life lived in accordance with dharma is essential for spiritual growth. - Recognition of the Self:
The Upanishad stresses the importance of recognizing the true nature of the Self (Atman) as identical to the ultimate reality (Brahman). Self-realization is seen as the key to liberation (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth.
In essence, the Isa Upanishad teaches that by recognizing the divine presence in all beings, living a life of ethical conduct, seeking knowledge and wisdom, and realizing the true nature of the Self, one can attain spiritual enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth. It is a text that blends spirituality with ethical living and has been influential in the philosophical and spiritual traditions of Hinduism.
UPANISHADS START WITH A SHANTI PATH OR MANTRA – (शान्ति पाठ)
All Upanishads have a Shanti Path at the beginning and at the end of the Upanishad, and many Shanti Paths are common in different Upanishads, i.e. 2 or more Upanishads can have the same Shanti Path
They are usually invoked in the beginning and used to set a context between the disciple and his Guru.
These mantras always culminate with three occurrences of the word Shanti – meaning peace.
To ponder – Why there are 3 occurrences of the word Shanti?
A few words on Shruti and Smriti before we close.
The Vedas and Upanishads are holy texts that have been passed down by centuries from the guru to their Shishyas or disciples by reciting the same. In essence, these are the Shrutis, a knowledge that is grasped through oral transmission. The ancient sages and their disciples would chant and learn this wisdom together, passing it down through the generations without the aid of textbooks, YouTube, or the internet.
Smriti is something that is recorded in text format and remembered. It is not passed down verbally.
This holds a particular significance; when you listen to the Upanishads or mantras, they resonate within you, creating a unique and profound connection. It’s a heightened experience, one that defies scientific explanation, yet I hold a personal belief in its ineffable power.
Smriti mantras draw inspiration from Shruti, although they hold a lower level of significance when compared to Shruti. Shruti texts are regarded as timeless and absolute truths that are beyond questioning.
As in my case also I understood and got hold of Isha Upanishad from listening to it – that does not deny the fact that I did not read it – I read and heard and hearing it was like absorbing the Upanishad in the inner self. Trust me, it will be easier to absorb the complex concepts and deep insights of Upanishad and understand Brahm when you hear it over and over again with patience and perseverance. Make a ritual of listening to it and ensure you enjoy the course of your listening.
Just one thought before I close – if you are embarking on your spiritual journey ensure you have a Guru, a mentor with whom you can discuss and debate, and above all, you need to trust him, trust all his actions, and believe in him, he need not be a Guru in an ashram, but any person who you entrust to have the knowledge to purify your thought process – there will be many questions pounding your mind and the only way to overcome it will be via discussions.
Salutations! Hari Om! Peace, Peace, Peace
Subhash Chatterji's World 