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by Jayaram V
Collectively, the Upanishads are known as Vedanta (end of the
vedas). The
name has struck, because they constitute the concluding part
of the Vedas. The word 'upanishad' is derived from a combination
of three words, namely upa+ni+sad. 'Upa' means near, 'ni'
means down and 'sad' means to sit.
In ancient India the knowledge of the Upanishads was imparted
to students of highest merit only and that also after they spent
considerable time with their teachers and proved their sincerity
beyond doubt. Once the selection was done, the students were allowed
to approach their teachers and receive the secret doctrine from
them directly. Since the knowledge was imparted when the students
sat down near their teachers and listened to them, the word 'Upanishad',
became vogue.
The Upanishads played a very significant role in the evolution
of ancient Indian thought. Many schools of Hindu philosophy,
sectarian movements and even the later day religions like Buddhism
and Jainism derived richly from the vast body of knowledge contained
in the Upanishads. Even today if Hinduism is able to attract the
attention of many deep thinking minds of the world, not only in
India but else where, the credit goes mainly to the spiritual
and philosophical depth of the Upanishads. Even the Bhagavad gita
was recognized and categorized as an Upanishad in order to make
it more appealing and universally acceptable as a religious scripture
of par excellence.
It is difficult to determine the age of the Upanishads. Some
Upanishads, such as Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Taittiriya etc.,
are definitely much older, while some were composed as late as the
Mauryan period. The Upanishadic philosophy evolved over a period
of time, through the contribution of many seers and self-realized
souls, resulting in the complexity and variety of thought for which
they are well known today.
There is no definite opinion as to the number of the Upanishads.
The principal Upanishads are said to be 108, of which the classical
upanishads are said to be ten or twelve in number. The total number
of Upanishads may exceed 300.
The Upanishads do not contain coherent and homogenous philosophical
system, but many divergent ideas joined together loosely. They deal
with various subjects such as the nature of Brahman, the ideal human
conduct, the practice of yoga, the nature of Atman, creation of
the world, creation of man, the nature of reality, the nature of
true knowledge (vidya) and ignorance (avidya), the nature of consciousness,
the concept of karma, incarnation of soul and so on.
They also deviate from the Samhita portions of the Vedas in many
ways. Some Upanishads even declare the Samhitas of the vedas as
inferior knowledge and urge the students not to waste their time
in mere performance of rituals, but to seek refuge in the Higher
knowledge or the knowledge of Brahman only.
Truly, in the field of religion and philosophy the Upanishads
are the greatest contribution of India to the world heritage. It
is unfortunate that many people in the world, including many Hindus,
are largely ignorant of these sacred scriptures. There is no exaggeration
when we say that even a cursory study of the Upanishads is bound
to change our thinking and ways of living.
Suggested Further Reading
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