What does the term Upanishad mean?
The term means knowledge received by the student ‘sitting close to’ the teacher. Education involving the student ‘sitting close to’ the teacher means the most intimate student-teacher communion. The higher the knowledge sought, greater is this communion
What do the Upanishads contain?
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 the universe. While the former has universal validity,
What are the principal Upanishads and when were they composed?
The principal Upanishads are accepted by scholars to be those which Shankarayacharya (CE 788-820) chose to comment upon, they are ten in number and enumerated in the Indian tradition as follows: Isha, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiiya,
Why does the Katha Upanishad fascinate students of philosophy?
The Katha holds a special fascination for all students of the Upanishads for its happy blend of charming poetry, deep mysticism, and profound philosophy; it contains a more unified exposition of Vedanta than any other single Upanishad; its charm is heightened
Is it possible to give in a brief statement the central theme of all the Upanishads?
The Isha Upanishad embodies in its very opening verse the central theme of all the Upanishads, namely, the spiritual unity and solidarity of all existence. ॐ ईशा वास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् । (Om Isavasyamidam sarvam yatkinca jagatyam jagat;)
How does one experience zest and joy throughout in life? What do the Upanishads say in this regard?
There are any number of passages in the Upanishads where you will find this atmosphere of zest and joy and vigour. The outlook of the Upanishads is characterized by joy and cheer, by what William James called ‘healthy-mindedness’. God’s name itself is
How does a man get real enjoyment in this world?
The Isa Upanishad, in its first verse, takes us at once to the secret depths of Truth: ॐ ईशा वास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् । तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृध: कस्यस्विद्धनम् ।।१।। (Om Isavasyamidam sarvam yatkinca jagatyam jagat; Tena tyaktena bhunjithah
How do the Upanishads view the human body mind complex?
[In verses three to nine of the second chapter of the Katha Upanishad, chapter three], Yama proceeds to expound to Naciketa the nature of this heroic journey to the summit of character and vision through the field of life and action; in verses three and
Man just seeks pleasure, comfort and security. Is there a more glorious view of him?
The katha upanishad says, श्वोभावा मर्त्यस्य यदन्तकैतत् सर्वेंन्द्रियाणां जरयन्ति तेज: । अपि सर्वं जीवितमल्पमेव तवैव वाहास्तव नृत्यगीते ।।२६।। (Svobhava martyasya yadantakaitat sarvendriyanam jarayanti tejah; Api sarvam jīvitamalpameva tavaiva vahastava
What do the Upanishads declare about a samsari or a man immersed in worldliness?
The Isha Upanishad deems it necessary to utter a note of warning in its third verse, which reads: असुर्या नाम ते लोका अन्धेन तमसाऽऽवृता: । 3 ‘Into the worlds of the asuras, enveloped in blinding darkness, verily do they repair after death who are slayers
Does there exist any beautiful poetic illustration of the spiritual journey of man?
The Mundaka Upanishad paints this spiritual journey of man from helplessness to fulfilment in a passage of surpassing poetic and spiritual charm (III. 1. 1-3) द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परिषस्वजाते । तयोरन्य: पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्त्य नश्नन्नन्यो
What is the highest pinnacle of human wisdom?
The Isha Upanisad raises us to the highest pinnacle of human wisdom: यस्तु सर्वाणि भूतान्यात्मन्येवानुपश्यति । सर्वभूतेषु चात्मानं ततो न विजुगुप्सते ।।६।। (Yastu sarvani bhutanyatmanyevanupasyati; Sarvabhutesu catmanam tato na vijugupsate.) 6 'The wise
What is a healthy society?
A healthy society is one that brings the awareness of this divine nature to more and more of its young and old. There are two major problems plaguing modern civilization. One is the problem of old age, the other is the problem of leisure. Vedanta, with
Where is real peace?
(In the Katha Upanishad) Yama expounds in verse thirteen, this extraordinary Vedantic discipline for the realisation of the Atman: यच्छेद्वाङ्मनसी प्राज्ञस्तद्यच्छेज्ज्ञान आत्मनि । ज्ञानमात्मनि महति नियच्छेत्तद्यच्छेच्छान्त आत्मनि ।।१३।। (Yacchedvanmanasi
Can a good study of the scriptures reveal to me the supreme truth?
(In the Katha Upanishad) Yama speaks of the unique nature of this journey and its goal: नायमात्मा प्रवचनेन लभ्यो न मेधया न बहुना श्रुतेन । यमेवैष वृणुते तेन लभ्य- स्तस्यैष आत्मा विवृणुते तनूं स्वाम् ।।२३।। (Nayamatma pravacanena labhyo na medhaya na bahuna