1 BLOCK-2 INTRODUCTION the Upanishads Are Hindu Scriptures

Home , Aitareya Upanishad, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Chandogya Upanishad, Isha Upanishad, Upasana

BLOCK-2 INTRODUCTION

The Upanishads are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings of Vedanta. They do not belong to any particular period of Sanskrit literature: the oldest, such as the Brhadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads, date to the late Brahmana period (around the middle of the first millennium BCE), while the latest were composed in the medieval and early modern period. The Upanishads have exerted an important influence on the rest of Indian Philosophy, and were collectively considered one of the 100 most influential books ever written by the British poet Martin Seymour-Smith. The philosopher and commentator Shankara is thought to have composed commentaries on eleven mukhya or principal Upanishads, those that are generally regarded as the oldest, spanning the late Vedic and Mauryan periods. The Muktika Upanishad (predates 1656) contains a list of 108 canonical Upanishads and lists itself as the final one. Although there are a wide variety of philosophical positions propounded in the Upanishads, commentators since Shankara have usually followed him in seeing Advaita as the dominant one.

Unit 1 is on “Introduction to the Upanishads.” In this unit, you will become familiar with the general tenor of the Upanishads. You are expected to recognize the differences between the Vedas and the Upanishads not only in content but also in spirit. Secondly, you should be able to notice various philosophical and primitive scientific issues which have found place in the Upanishads. In the end, you should be in a position to understand that philosophy is not merely an intellectual exercise in India, but it is also the guiding factor of human life.

Unit 2 highlights the teachings of “The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.” The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is generally recognized as the most important of the Upanishads. It forms the part of Shatapatha Brahmana. It illustrates all-embracing, absolute, self-luminous and blissful reality of Brahman recognized as Atman. According to Adi Sankara the Upanishad is the greatest; for it contains all the three ways of learning – Upadesa, Upapatti and Upasana. Upadesa, as it teaches the true nature of the mystic experience of the Brahman-Atman; Upapatti with logical explanation, and Upasana on how to understand the Supreme Being by meditation and self realization. The Upanishad is widely known for its philosophical statements.

Unit 3, “Chandogya,” explains the philosophical significance of the Chandogya Upanishad. Since this is one of the earliest Upanishads, a lot of discussion on liturgical aspects can be found. Of course, these may be irrelevant to philosophy. You will also understand how this Upanishad established the identity of Brahman and Atman, and how it teaches on cosmology and evolution of life. The work is the first ever attempt to indulge in quantitative analysis in addition to qualitative analysis.

Unit 4, “Aitareya & Isa,” discusses the teachings of these two Upanishads. Aitareya Upanishad is a Mukya Upanishad, belongs to Rg Veda. It has a short prose text with three parts with 33 verses. The main theme of the Upanishad is to lead the mind of the sacrificer away from the outer ceremonies to its inner meaning. Like Brihdaranyaka Upanishad, this Upanishad deals with the creation of the universe. It also deals with the creation of „Food,‟ which is understood not just as physical nourishment but representation of the sustaining and feeding force inherent in nature. Isavasya Upanishad is also known as Isa Upanishad. Isha Upanishad belongs to the earlier or

Vedic group of Indian Scriptures. The main problem discussed in it is the question of reconciling human life and activity with the monistic standpoint of the vedantic times. It neither supports extreme illusionism nor anti-pragmatism, but tries to reconcile the uncompromising extremes.

Unit 5, “Taittiriya,” belongs to the Taittiriya school of the Yajur Veda. It is divided into three sections called Vallis. The first is the Siksa Valli. Siksa is the first of the six Vedangas (limbs or auxiliaries of the Veda); it is the science of phonetics. The second is the Brahmananda Valli and the third is the Bhrgu Valli. The latter two deal with the knowledge of the Supreme Self, paramatma-jnana. The chief objective (prayojanam) of the Upanisad is liberation (moksa, mukti) from shackles of mundane existence. To achieve this objective or goal, a Brahman-oriented life is prescribed for the aspirants and students. Brahman, the Supreme Being, is Existence- Intelligence-Bliss (satyam-jnanam-anandam).

The above given 5 units will give you basic understanding of the Upanishads, which clearly set forth the prime Vedic doctrines like self-realization, yoga and meditation, karma and reincarnation, which were hidden or kept veiled under the symbols of the older mystery religion. The older Upanishads are usually affixed to a particular Veda, through a Brahmana or Aranyaka.