UPANISHADS
The word “Upanishad”
consists of three words. “Upa” means
“near”, “ni” means “down” and “shad” means “be seated”. So, “Upanishad” means, “be seated at the feet of the Guru to receive the teaching.”
The
Upanishads constitute the Vedanta (Veda-Anta), the end of
the Vedas. The most ancient Upanishads
are, in fact part of the Vedas, and
are therefore considered as part of the Sruti.
The Upanishads constitute the
fundamentals, the essence of the Sanatana
Dharma philosophy. The main topic of the Upanishads is the Ultimate
Knowledge: the identity of the Brahman and the Jivatman, the explanation
of the origin of the Universe, the relation between the mind and matter, etc.
The main
theme of the Upanishads:
“The main theme of the
Upanishads is to surrender to God and receive liberation from the bondage of Maya (the cosmic power or the
material power) and enter into the eternal state of the Divine Bliss. The
Upanishads distinguish the celestial gods from the Divine forms of God.”
The Upanishads
may have been composed around 800 BC. There have been several later additions
during 563-483 BC, leading to 113 Upanishads
being available today; however, only ten to thirteen are generally accepted
as primary. The oldest and longest of the Upanishads are the Brihad-Aranyaka and the Chandogya from around seventh
century BC.
Brief
info on Major Upanishads:
Isha
Upanishad
·
Isha means "Lord" and marks the trend
toward monotheism in the Upanishads.
·
It emphasizes the identity of the
human soul with the divine soul
·
It
has 18 verses (mantras).
·
It
starts with the very first word Ishwar
which means the Divine Personality
of God
·
It
describes the philosophy of God and God realization which is the essence of the
Upanishadic philosophy
Katha
Upanishad
·
It
has six chapters in two sections, and is in the form of question and answer.
·
Nachiketa is questioning
and the god of justice, Yamraj is
answering.
·
It discusses death and the
permanence of the soul (Atman).
·
The
Kathopnishad says:
“Human
body is the only chance where a person could receive liberation from the
eternal bondage and the inflictions of maya. If you do not realize God before
death overtakes you, it would be the greatest disaster of your life and you
will be suffering for uncountable lifetimes by taking birth in various
species.”