Upanishads summary with explanations of each upnishad

Upnishad

1. SUMMARY
108 UPANISHADS

2. Index
S. No. Title Page No.
1.Introduction 1
2.AitareyaUpanishad 9
3.ChandogyaUpanishad 11
4.KenaUpanishad 14
5.Isa Upanishad 16
6.BrihadaranyakaUpanishad 18
7.Katha Upanishad 20
8.TaittriyaUpanishad 23
9.PrasnaUpanishad 25
10.MundakUpanishad 28
11.MandukyaUpanishad 30
12.SvetasvataraUpanishad 31
13.Kausitakibrahmana Upanishad 33
14.Kaivalya Upanishad 34
15.MaitrayaniyaUpanishad 35
[i]

3. S. No. Title Page No.
16.SubalaUpanishad 36
17.JabalaUpanishad 37
18.PaingalaUpanishad 38
19.VajrasucikaUpanishad 39
20.Kali SantaranaUpanishad 40
21.Krishna Upanishad 41
22.Gopala tapaniUpanishad 42
23.NaradaparivrajakaUpanishad 43
[ii]

4. INTRODUCTION
•NotlessimportantorvastthanthePuranasorItihasas,theUpanishadshaveagreater
wealthofphilosophicalteachingscomparedtothestoriesandareindividuallyshorter,
becausetheyareappendixestothefourVedicsamhitas("collections"ofhymns).
TogetherwiththeBhagavadgitaandtheVedantasutratheyconstitutethemost
fundamentaltextsonHinduism.
There are 108 main Upanishads,
classified as
(1) Mukya(10)
Most Important
(2) Sannyasa (19)
On renunciation
(4) Samanya(25)
Of universal value
(5) Vaishnava (14)
On Vishnu
(6) Shaiva (14)
On Shiva
(7) Shakta (9)
On Shakti or the Mother
Goddess
(3) Yoga (17) On Yoga
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5. Rig Veda SuklyaYajurVedaKrishna YajurVeda Sama Veda Atharva Veda
1. MukhyaUpanishad (10)
Aitareya Upanishad
(1)
Isavasya
Upanishad (4)
Katha Upanishad
(6)
Chandogya
Upanishad (2)
Prasna Upanishad
(8)
Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad (5)
TaittriyaUpanishad
(7)
KenaUpanishad (3)
Mundaka
Upanishad (9)
Mandukya
Upanishad (10)
2. Sannyasa Upanishad (19)
Yajnavalkya
Upanishad (16)
Teji Bindu
Upanishad (22)
Nirvana Upanishad
(11)
Parivrata (Narada
Parivrajaka)
Upanishad (27)
Satyayani
Upanishad (17)
Avadhuta
Upanishad (23)
Maitreyaor
Maitrayaniya
Upanishad (12)
Paramahamsa
Parivajaka
Upanishad (28)
Jabala (Yajur)
Upanishad (18)
Katha Rudra
Upanishad (24)
Sannyasa
Upanishad (13)
Para Brahma
Upanishad (29)
Paramahamsa
Upanishad (19)
Varaha Upanishad
(25)
Kundika Upanishad
(14)
Bhikshaka (or
Bhikshuka)
Upanishad (20)
Brahma Upanishad
(26)
Aruneya Upanishad
(15)
Turiyatita
Upanishad (21)
2

6. Rig Veda SuklyaYajurVedaKrishna YajurVeda Sama Veda Atharva Veda
3. Yoga Upanishad (17)
Nada Bindu
Upanishad (30)
Hamsa Upanishad
(33)
Amrita bindu
Upanishad (36)
Yoga Chudamani
Upanishad (31)
Sandilya Upanishad
(44)
Trishikaor Trishiki
Brahmana
Upanishad (34)
Amrita Nada
Upanishad (37)
Darshana
Upanishad (32)
Pashupata
Upanishad (45)
Mandala Brahmana
Upanishad (35)
Kshurika Upanishad
(38)
Mahavakya
Upanishad (46)
Dhyana bindu
Upanishad (39)
Brahma Vidya
Upanishad (40)
Yoga Tattva
Upanishad (41)
Yoga Sikha
Upanishad (42)
Yoga Kundali
Upanishad (43)
3

7. Rig Veda SuklyaYajurVedaKrishna YajurVeda Sama Veda Atharva Veda
4. SamanyaUpanishads (25)
Kausitaki Upanishad
(47)
Subala Upanishad
(54)
Svetasvatara
Upanishad (60)
Maitreyani or
Maitreyi Upanishad
(50)
Atma Upanishad
(70)
Atma bodha
Upanishad (48)
Mantrika or Chulika
Upanishad (55)
Garbha Upanishad
(61)
Vajra suci
Upanishad (51)
Surya Upanishad
(71)
Mugdala Upanishad
(49)
Niralamba
Upanishad (56)
Narayana
Upanishad (62)
Maha or Mahata
Upanishad (52)
Paingala Upanishad
(57)
Sarvasara
Upanishad (63)
Savitri Upanishad
(53)
Adhyatma
Upanishad (58)
Suka rahasya
Upanishad (64)
Muktika Upanishad
(59)
Skanda (Tripada
vibhuti) Upanishad
(65)
Sariraka Upanishad
(66)
Ekakshara
Upanishad (67)
Akshi
Upanishad(68)
Pranagni hotra
Upanishad (69)
4

8. Rig Veda SuklyaYajurVedaKrishna YajurVeda Sama Veda Atharva Veda
5. Vaishnava Upanishads (14)
Vasudeva Upanishad
(72)
Kali santarana
Upanishad (76)
Nrisimha tapani
Upanishad (77)
Avyakta Upanishad
(73)
Mahanarayana
Upanishad (78)
Advaya taraka
Upanishad (74)
Rama rahasya
Upanishad (79)
Tarasara Upanishad
(75)
Rama tapani
Upanishad (80)
Gopala tapani
Upanishad (81)
Krishna Upanishad
(82)
Hayagriva
Upanishad (83)
Dattatreya
Upanishad (84)
Garuda Upanishad
(85)
5

9. Rig Veda SuklyaYajurVedaKrishna YajurVeda Sama Veda Atharva Veda
6. Shaiva Upanishads (14)
Akshamalika
Upanishad (86)
Pancha brahma
Upanishad (89)
Jabala (Sama)
Upanishad (87)
Atharva sira
Upanishad (94)
Kaivalya Upanishad
(90)
Rudraksha jabala
Upanishad (88)
Atharva sikha
Upanishad (95)
Kalagni rudra
Upanishad (91)
Brihajjabala
Upanishad (96)
Dakshinamurti
Upanishad (92)
SarabhaUpanishad
(97)
Rudra hridaya
Upanishad (93)
Bhasma(or Bhasma
jabala) Upanishad
(98)
Ganapati Upanishad
(99)
7. Shakta Upanishads (9)
Tripura sundari
Upanishad (100)
Sarasvati rahasya
Upanishad (103)
Sita Upanishad
(104)
Saubhagyalakshmi
Upanishad (101)
Annapurna
Upanishad (105)
Bahuricha
Upanishad (102)
Tripura tapani
Upanishad (106)
Devi Upanishad
(107)
Bhavana Upanishad
(108)
6

10. Other less famous Upanishads are listed here in alphabetical order:
AchamanaUpanishad
(109)
Chakra Upanishad (121)
HerambaUpanishad
(133)
Krishna uttaratapani
Upanishad (145)
Advaita Achamana
Upanishad (110)
ChakshuUpanishad
(122)
KalaghniUpanishad
(134)
LangulaUpanishad
(146)
AranyaUpanishad (111)
ChaturvedaUpanishad
(123)
KalikaUpanishad (135)
LaghujabalaUpanishad
(147)
AruniUpanishad (112)ChitiUpanishad (124)
Kalimedhaadikshita
Upanishad (136)
LingaUpanishad (148)
ArsheyaUpanishad
(113)
DasaslokiUpanishad
(125)
KamalakaUpanishad
(137)
Mahachakra varana
Upanishad (149)
Ashrama Upanishad
(114)
DvayaUpanishad (126)
Kama raja kilitoddhara
Upanishad (138)
Mahavajyavivaraha
Upanishad (150)
AtmapujaUpanishad
(115)
Gayatri Upanishad (127)
KathasrutiUpanishad
(139)
Mantra Upanishad (151)
Baskalamantra
Upanishad (116)
Gayatri rahasya
Upanishad (128)
KanthasrutiUpanishad
(140)
MathamnayaUpanishad
(152)
BatukaUpanishad (117)
Gopichandana
Upanishad (129)
KathasikaUpanishad
(141)
Mrityulangala
Upanishad (153)
BilvaUpanishad (118)
GorakshaUpanishad
(130)
Kathakasiksha
Upanishad (142)
Naradaparivrajaka
Upanishad (154)
Brahma bindu
Upanishad (119)
GuhyakaliUpanishad
(131)
KatyayaniUpanishad
(143)
NilarudraUpanishad
(155)
Brahma jijnasa
Upanishad (120)
Guhyashodanyasa
Upanishad (132)
KaulaUpanishad (144)NiruktaUpanishad (156)
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11. ParayanaUpanishad (157)SatachakraUpanishad (170)SvetamritikaUpanishad (183)
PanchabrahmaUpanishad (158)
Srikrishna purushottama
siddhanta Upanishad (171)
Tripadvibhutimahanarayana
Upanishad (184)
ParabrahmaUpanishad (159) Shiva Upanishad (172) TulasiUpanishad (185)
ParamaUpanishad (160) SodhaUpanishad (173) TuriyaUpanishad (186)
PitambaraUpanishad (161)SrividyamnayaUpanishad (174)UrdhvapundraUpanishad (187)
PindaUpanishad (162) SrividyatarakaUpanishad (175)VanadurgaUpanishad (188)
PranavaUpanishad (163) SyamaUpanishad (176) Vastusutra Upanishad (189)
Rama Upanishad (164) SiddhantaUpanishad (177) VisramaUpanishad (190)
Rama Krishna Upanishad (165)SiddhantasaraUpanishad (178)VriddhajabalaUpanishad (191)
Rudra Upanishad (166)SiddhantasikhaUpanishad (179)YajnopavitaUpanishad (192)
SadanandaUpanishad (167)SumukhiUpanishad (180) YogarajaUpanishad (193)
SaunakaUpanishad (168)SuvarnadharmaUpanishad (181)
ShaktayanaUpanishad (169)SvasamedhyaUpanishad (182)
•SomealsomentionaRadhikaUpanishad,aChaitanyopanishadandevenone
Allahopanishad(thatissupposedtospeakaboutAllah),butthesearenotinthe
traditionallists.Bhagavadgita,too,issometimesconsideredoneoftheUpanishads
becauseofitsrichphilosophicalcontent;inthisperspectiveitiscalledGitopanishad.
Duetoobviousspacelimitationswewilljustgiveasummaryofthemostimportant
andfamousUpanishadsandquotesomeoftheirpassages. 8

12. 1. AitareyaUpanishad
•ItispartoftheAitareyaAranyakaintheRigVedaandisconstitutedby3chapters
(beginningwithchapter4ofthesecondAranyaka),anditexplainstheinneror
symbolicmeaningofthesacrificeritualsdescribedinthepreviouschaptersofthe
Aranyaka.Particularlyfamousisthemahavakya("greataphorism")prajnanam
brahma(3.3),"Brahmanisperfectknowledge",consideredtheessenceoftheRig
Veda.
Hereareotherextracts:
•"Om!Maymywordsbeinaccordancewithmythoughts,andmaymythoughtsfollow
mywords.OResplendent,revealyourselftome.Mayboth(thoughtsandwords)bring
theVeda(knowledge)tome,andmaywhatIhaveheardremain(inmymemory).Iwill
joindayandnightinthisstudy,andIwillsaywhatistrue,verballyandmentally.May
theBrahmanprotectme,mayitprotecthewhospeaks."(invocation)
•"InthebeginningtherewasonlyBrahman.TheBrahmanthought,'Iwillcreatethe
worlds',andcreatedambhas(the"higher"orthesubtlewaters,alsoknownasthe
oceanKarana"ofthecauses"),marici(thespace),mara("whatismortal",orthe
worldsthataresubjecttothecyclicdestruction)andapah(the"lower"waters,orthe
grossmaterialelementofwater,thatiscommontothebodiesofallspeciesoflife)."
(1.1.1.2)
9

13. •Fromthewatersofthecausalocean,theBrahmancreatedanegg-theViratPurusha
oruniversalform(alsocalledbrahmanda,"theeggofBrahman").Theeggopenedin
themiddlelikeamouth,andSoundemerged,thenfromSoundFireemergedandso
on,onebyonefromthecausalelementsthematerialelementsmanifested,including
themindandthevariouscomponentsoftheuniverse.TheDevas(thearchetypesof
thepowersthatconstitutetheuniverse)chosethehumanformtoexpresstheir
activities,andthisfirstprimevalformoftheuniversalBrahmanwascalledIndra.Ina
similarwaythehumanbeingsareborn-aswefindintheexplanationbyVamadeva
Rishiinhymn4.28ofRigveda("InthewombofmymotherIcontemplatedallthe
generationsoftheseGods.Surroundedbyahundredironfortresses,Isoaredquickly
intothesky,asaFalcon,leavingthedemonsbehind,andwhilesurpassingthewinds
mystrengthincreased...").
•ThisBrahmanmanifestedintheuniversetakestheformofPrajapati("theLordofthe
creatures"),oftheVisvedeva("alltheDevasoftheuniverse"),ofthehumanbeings
andalllivingbeings,asconsciousandsentientbeings.Thereforetheconscious
omnipresentSpiritisthebeginning,themiddleandtheendofalllife;throughthis
awarenesswecanattainimmortality.
10

14. 2. ChandogyaUpanishad
•ItisthelongestoftheUpanishads,andconsistsof8chaptersattachedtothefirstpart
oftheChandogyaBrahmanaintheSamaVeda,describingritualsacrifices.Itcontains
(6.8.7)themahavakyaconsideredtheessenceofSamaVeda:tattvamasi,"youare
That(Brahman)".
•ItalsonarratesthefamousstoryofSatyakamaJabala,aboysonofamaidservant,who
wasrecognizedasbrahmanaduetothesenseoftruthfulnesshehaddemonstrated.
OtherUpanishadscontaintheteachingsofSatyakamaJabala,buthere(4.4.1)wefind
thestoryofhowheenteredthegurukulaofHaridrumataGautama.Withinthetextwe
alsofindmanyexplanationsonVedicsymbolism,especiallyinregardtothefire
sacrificeandthemantrasinrelationtothelifeenergyinthehumanbodyandinthe
senses,andinrelationtotheSun.
•"Ifsomeoneoffersthesacrificetothefirewithoutknowingthese(things),itisasifhe
wasremovingtheblazingembersandpouringtheclarifiedbutterintotheashes...If
someoneknowsthese(things)eventheactofofferingone'sfoodleftoverstoa
chandalabecomesanofferingtoVaisvanaraAtman(thesacredfireoftheSelf)."
(5.24.1,4)
11

15. •"OnemustmeditateonthesyllableOm,thatgivesorigintotheUdgita(thesongsof
theSamaVeda).Theessenceofallbodiesistheearth,theessenceofearthiswater,
theessenceofwaterisvegetation,theessenceofvegetationisthehumanbeing,the
essenceofthehumanbeingisspeech,theessenceofwordismantra(rik),the
essenceofrikisSama."(1.1.1)
•Thenthetextillustratesmeditationonsoundandpranaandtheiridentitywiththe
Sun,thatissvaraandpratyasvara("comingandgoing",i.e.cyclic)andstatesthatthe
realizationofthePranavaOmkara,itssubtlemanifestation,awardsimmortality.
•Thenitexplainsthesymbolicmeaningofsyllablesinvedicdefinitions,thepowerof
pranaandsound,andthesubtleelementknownasakasha("etericspace")that
supportsboth.
•The4thchapterrepeatstheexplanationofcreationstartingfromBrahman(Being),
thatfromOnewantedtobecomemany.Thushecreatedfire,thenfromfirewaterwas
createdandfromwaterthenutritioussubstances,andthenthese3divineessences
manifestedallthebodiesofthebeings,whenBrahmanenteredintothem,intheform
ofJivaAtman.
•Whatisredisfire(passion),whatiswhiteiswater(goodnessorpurification)andwhat
isblackisfood(earth,ignorance),bothinfireandinthesunandinthequalitiesof
materialnatureingeneral.
12

16. •ThetextalsoofferstheconversationbetweenSvetaketuandhisfatherUddalakaAruni,
richwithteachingsandpracticalexamplestounderstandthenatureofBrahman-
Atman.Wealsofindthemysticetymologyofthewordsatyam,"truthfulness"or
"truth":saindicateswhatiseternal,tiindicateswhatistemporary,andayamisthe
connectionbetweenthetwo.
•Thenthe8thchapterteachesthanonlybrahmacharya("behavingasBrahman")
enablesonetorealizeBrahman,andthatthedifferencebetweenDevasandAsurasis
thatAsurasidentifywiththematerialbodyandconsideritthetrueself.
13

17. 3. KenaUpanishad
•Ittakesitsnamefromthefirstwordinthefirstverse,keneshitam,"bywhomitis
desired",withreferencetotheactivityofawareness.Thetextisshortanddividedinto
4parts,ofwhich2areinverse(describingthenirgunaBrahman,orBrahman"without
attributes")and2inprose(describingthesagunaBrahman,orBrahman"with
attributes").
Herearesomeextracts:
•"Bywhomisdirected(bydesireorwill)themovementofthemind(towardstheobject
ofcontemplation)?Whodirectsthelifeforcethatprecedeseachaction(towards
duty)?Bywhomtheactofspeakingisdesired,whenapersonisexpressinghimself?
Whoistheresplendentbeingthatdirects(theactivitiesof)eyesandears?This
(Atman/Brahman)istheear'sear,themind'smind,thewordofspeech,life'slife,and
theeye'seye,thereforethosewhoareintelligentabandon(theidentificationwiththe
grossbody)andthusbecomeimmortal...Whatmandoesnotcomprehendbythe
mind,butbywhichthemindispervaded,knowthatthisisBrahman,andnotwhat
peopleworshipasanobject."(1.1,2,6)
•"Idonotthink,'IknowBrahmanwell'.Ithink,'It'snotthatIdonotknowit-Iknowit
andIdonotknowitatthesametime.'Onewhounderstandthis(statement)knows
(Brahman)...Itisreallyknownwhenitisknowninternallyineachofthestatesof
awareness,becauseinthiswayoneattainsimmortality."(2.2,4)
14

18. •"IndeeditwasBrahmanwhoobtainedvictoryfortheDevas,andinthatvictoryof
Brahman,theDevasrejoiced...Andheasked,'Whoareyou?'andheanswered,'Iam
knownastheFire,asJataveda.'"(3.1,4).
•Themanifestation"withattributes"ofBrahmanisthereforeinitiallyperceivedasFire
(Agni,fromwhomKnowledgeisborn),andasIndra(themasculineactiveprinciple
calledPurusha).Meditation(dhyana),austerity(pratyahara),rituals(yajnaand
sadhana)areitsfeet,knowledge(veda)isinallitslimbsandtruthfulness(satyam)is
itsabode.
15

19. 4. Isa Upanishad
•AlsoknownasIsavasyaUpanishadfromthefirstwordinthetext:isavasyamidam
sarvam,"allthisbelongstoGod".
•Thepreliminaryinvocationisveryfamousandisoftenchantedorsunginbhajans:om
purnamadahpurnamidam,purnatpurnamudacyate,purnasyapurnamadayah,
purnamevavasishyate,"Fromthis(Brahman)whoiseternallycomplete(initself),all
complete(things)emanate,andevenafterthat,whatwascompleteremains
complete."
•Thetextiscomposedby18versesonly,eachofthemIatruemasterpiecedeservingto
bequotedinfull.
Herearesomeextracts:
•"Onewhoproperlyperformshisduties(karmani)canwishtoliveforhundredsof
years,becausehealwaysremainsfreefromtheconsequencesofactions.Thedarkand
dulldimensionsarecalledasuricandconstitutethedestinationforthosewhokillthe
Atman.Although(theAtman)isimmovable,itisfasterthanthemindandcannotbe
graspedbythesenses,yetitsustainsallactivities.Itmovesanddoesnotmove,itis
veryfarandverynear,itisinsideeverythingandoutsideeverything.Onewhoseesall
beingsintheSelfandtheSelfinallbeingsisfreefromhatred,duetothisrealization.“
(1-7)
16

20. •"ThefaceofTruthishiddenbyagoldendisc;Iprayyou,oLord,removeitsothatIwill
beabletocontemplateyou.MaymylifeenergymergewiththeimmortalAir,andthis
bodybeturnedtoashes.OLord,remembereverythingthatIhavedone(inthis
lifetime)."(15-16)
17

21. 5. BrihadAranyakaUpanishad
•ItbeginswiththeexplanationofthemeaningoftheVedicsacrifice,andstatesthatVac
(thecreativeword,theLogos)istheoriginoftheuniverse.ThenitexplainsDharma
(theethicallaw),thefourvarnas(socialcategories)andthenatureofprana(life
energy).ThesecondadhyayacontinuesbyspeakingofthenatureofBrahmanand
Atman,thethirdspeaksoftheprocessofdeathandthedestinationofthelivingbeing
afterdeath,andthenatureofAntaryami(theSupremeSoulineverybeing'sheart).
Here(1.3.28)wefindthefamousverseasatomasadgamaya,tamasomajyotir
gamaya,mrityormaamritamgamaya,"fromwhatistemporaryleadmetowhatis
eternal,fromthedarknessleadmetothelight,fromdeathleadmetoeternallife."
Thisquoteconstitutestherefrain(adhyaroha)ofthestutiscalledPavamana.
•Atverse1.4.10wefindthefamousmahavakyaconsideredtheessenceoftheYajur
Veda:ahambrahmasmi,"IamBrahman".
•Nextthetextdefinesthefoodproducedbymeditationandsacrificesascomposedof7
parts:2aredestinedtotheDevas(throughtheritualsofthefullmoonandtheblack
moon),1isdestinedtotheanimals(throughtheirmother'smilk),and3aredestined
tooneself(themind,sensesandlifeenergy).TheDevasareSpeech,thePitrisarethe
MindandthehumanbeingsaretheLifeEnergy;SpeechistheMother,theMindisthe
Father,andtheLifeEnergyistheSon.Tothese,thereisacorrespondenceofEarth,
FireandSun;theMoon,theWaterandFood.
18

22. •Follow(2.1.1-2.3.6)theconversationbetweenGargya(Balaki)andAjatasatru(the
kingofVaranasi),theconversationbetweenYajnavalkyaandMaitreyi(2.4.1-2.6.3,
4.5.1-),theconversationbetweenJanaka(kingofVideha)andvariousbrahmanas,
suchasYajnavalkyaandGargi(3.1.2-4.4.25).
•Wealsofindthedescriptionofthethreestatesofawareness,andtheexplanationof
reincarnationandthesymbolismofGayatrimantra.Followstheconversationbetween
SvetaketuandkingPravahana(6.2.1-6.2.16).Thereisalsoalistofthe10grainsused
forfireoblations:rice,barley,sesame,wheat,beans,lentils,whitelentils,favabeans,
anuandpriyangu;theseseedsarecrushed,soakedinyogurt,andmixedwithhoney
andclarifiedbutter.Therearesuggestedritualstohaveasonofwhitecomplexion
(andexpertinoneVedaonly)orofgoldencomplexion(andexpertintwoVedas)orof
blackcomplexion(andexpertinthreeVedas),oradaughterexpertinallscriptures,as
wellastheritualstobeobservedatbirth.
19

23. 6. Katha Upanishad
•Itconsistsin2partsdividedintosections(respectivelyof29,25,17,15,15,18verses)
foratotalof119verses,andcontainsthekathaor"conversation"betweenYamaraja
andtheyoungbrahmanaNachiketa,sonofAuddalakiArunialsoknownasVajasravasa.
•Nachiketa'sfatherwasperformingtheVisvajitsacrifice,thatconsistsindistributingin
charityeverythingthatwepossess;theboyaskedhisfathertowhomhewoulddonate
him,andirritated,hisfathertoldhimhewasdonatinghimtoYamaraja,theLordof
Death.NachiketatookthisstatementveryseriouslyandleftforYamaloka,wherehe
discussedwithYamarajaaboutmanyimportantteachings,andthenhereturnedhome
withYamaraja'sblessings.
•TheopeninginvocationofthisUpanishadisafamousmantrachantedtopropitiate
harmonyamongpeople:omsahanavavatusahanaubhunaktu,sahaviryam
karavavahai,tejasvinavadhitamastu,mavidvishavahai,"May(Brahman)protectus
together,mayweobtainstrengthtogether,maywhatwestudygiveusstrength,may
weremainfreefromhostility."Herearesomeextractsfromthetext:
•"ONachiketa,becauseIknowwelltheFirethattakestothesky,Iwillspeakaboutitto
you,andyou(please)understand,bycarefullyfollowingmywords.ThatFirebywhich
oneattainsheaven,andthatsustainstheword,itestablishedinahiddenplace
(nihitamguhayan)...Thefoolsliveinthemidstofignorancebutconsiderthemselves
intelligentandenlightened,andtheykeepgoingaroundandaround,following
complicatedpaths,justlikeblindleadingtheblind."(1.1.14,2.5)
20

24. •"Ofthis(Atman)manyneverhear,manydonotunderstanditevenwhentheyhear
aboutit,butwonderfularethosewhospeakandwhohearaboutit,andwonderfulis
onewhoknowsitthroughtheguidanceofarealizedsoul...TheSelfthatisnotborn
anddoesnotdie,doesnothaveanoriginanddoesnotgiveorigin,itisunborn,
eternal,freefromdecay,andextremelyancient.Itisnottouchedevenbythedeathof
thebody."(1.2.7,18)
•"Onewhohasnotceasedtoperformnegativeactions,whohasnotcontrolledthe
senses,whodoesnotconcentratethemind,whohasnotbecomefreefromanxiety,
cannotachievetheknowledgeoftheSelf."(1.2.24)
•"KnowthattheSelfisthemasterofthechariot,andthebodyisthechariot.Knowthat
theintelligenceisthechariotdriver,andthemindisthebridle."(1.3.3)"Awaken,rise
andlearnbyapproachingthebest(teachers).Thewisedescribethispathasdifficultto
walkon,assharpasarazor'sblade."(1.3.14)"HeseesBrahman,whounderstandsthat
Aditi,wherealltheDevasreside,wasbornasHiranyagarbha,manifestedbythe
contactwiththeelementsandresidinginthesecretplacewithintheheart...The
Purushathatlivesintheheartisonethumbtall.KnowingthatheistheLordofthe
pastandthefuture,onedoesnotfeartolosethisawarenessanymore."(2.1.7,12)
•"Fireburnsforthefearofthis(Purusha),andsotheSunshines,andIndra,Vayuand
Mrityu(death)performtheirduties."(2.3.3)
21

25. •"Whenthefivesensesofperceptionandthemindattainpeace,andintellectstops:
thatisthehigheststate...Whenallthedesiresthatwereclingingtotheheartfalloff,a
mortalbecomesimmortalandattainsBrahman.Whenalltheknotsintheheartare
dissolvedeveninthisverylifetime,amortalbecomesimmortal:thisistheessenceof
theteachingsofalltheUpanishads."(2.3.10,14-15)
22

26. 7. TaittiryaUpanishad
•AfteraninvocationtoMitra,Varuna,Aryaman,Indra,BrihaspatiandVishnu
Trivikrama,thefirstverseaddressesVayuasthedirectmanifestationofBrahman,
DharmaandSatya,askingforhisprotection.Infact,VayuorAiristhefocusofthe
teachingsinthistext,thatdealsaboutsoundandpronunciation,andtheletters
composingthemantras.Theverses4.1-3ofSikshavalli("sectiononinstructions")
containaritualprayertoreceivealltherequiredblessingsforateacher'sprogress.
Thenthereisabriefdescriptionofthelevelsofexistence,ofthecompositionofthe
bodyandthedailyduties.
•Thesecondchapter,entitledBrahmanandavalli("sectionofspiritualhappiness")
brieflyspeaksaboutthemanifestationofthematerialelements,theimportanceof
respectingfoodandthejoythatcomesfromspiritualrealization.Hereisanextract:
"Knowledge(vijnana)isthefundamentalingredientofsacrifice(yajna)andthe
performanceofone'sduties(karmani).ItisinknowledgethattheDevasmeditateon
Brahman;byknowingitwithoutmisunderstandingsallthenegativereactionsare
destroyedandonefullyenjoysallgoodthings.TheSelf(Atman)ispartoftheAncient
andremainsinitthroughknowledgeevenwhenitincarnatesinabody.TheinnerSelf
isconstitutedbypurehappiness(ananda)."(2.5.1)
23

27. •"Togiveanideaofsuchhappiness,letusconsiderayoungman,intheprimeofhis
strength,kind,learned,expert,healthyandenergetic,whohasplentyofwealth:this
couldbetheunitofmeasureofhumanhappiness.Bymultiplyingit100timeswe
obtaintheunityofmeasureofaGandharvaofthelowerrank,whichmultipliedby100
givesthemeasureofaGandharvaofhigherrank.Thismeasure,whenmultiplied100
times,givesthehappinessofaPitar(residentofPitriloka),andthismultipliedby100
givesthehappinessofonewhoisbornontheheavenlyplanets.ADevaofthelower
rankenjoysahappiness100timesgreater,buteventhismustbemultipliedby100to
getthehappinessofaDevaofthehigherrank.Indraenjoyshappiness100times
greaterthantheDevas',butBrihaspati'shappinessis100timesgreaterthanIndra's,
thehappinessoftheViratis100timesgreaterthanBrihaspati's,and100timesgreater
thanthisisthehappinessofHiranyagarbhaandafolloweroftheVedaswhoisfree
fromdesires...Thewindblowsforthefearofthis(Purusha)andforfearofhimtheSun
rises,andIndra,VayuandMrityu(death)rushtotheirwork."(2.8.1-5)
•TheBrighuvallicontainstheconversationbetweenBrighuRishiandhisfatherVaruna
onBrahman,thatisrealizedthroughfood,prana,eyesight,hearing,themindandthe
speech.Onewhowishestoachieveprosperityshouldneverdisrespectfood,water
andfire,oronewhoasksforhelp."(3.8.1,3.10.1)
24

28. 8. PrasnaUpanishad
•Itiscomposedby6chapters,eachcontainingonequestion(prasna)askedfrom
PippaladaRishibyoneofhisdisciplesSukesha,Satyakama,Gargya,Kousalya,Bhargava
andKabandhi.ThesesonsofillustriousfamiliesapproachedtheRishitoobtain
knowledge,andinobservanceofthetraditiontheybroughtfirewoodforthefire
sacrificethatwouldofficializetheiracceptanceintheteacher'sschool.
•TheRishiaskedthemtoliveinhisashramaforoneyearbeforeaskingquestions,and
whenthetimecame,Kabandhiaskedthefirstquestion:"Whencecomethosewho
takebirth?"
•"ThePrajapati("Lordofthecreatures")createdacouple-AnnaandPrana(foodand
lifeenergy)thataretheMoonandtheSun,thetwohalvesoftheyearandthemonth,
nightandday.Foodhastwodimensions:thesubtleandthegross.Knowingallthis,
onecangivebirthtoworthychildren."
•ThesecondquestionwasaskedbyBhargava:"HowmanyaretheDeitiesthatsustain
theexistenceofacreature,andwhichoneisthemostimportant?"
•"Space,air,fire,water,earth,speech,mind,eyesightandhearing,butthemost
importantistheprana,thelifeenergy,thatincarnatesthemanifestationofallthe
Devas."
25

29. •ThethirdquestionwasaskedbyKousalya:"Fromwherethispranaisoriginated,howit
entersthebodyandhowitresideswithinit,howitleavesit,andhowitsustainsthe
physicalelements?“
•"PranacomesfromtheAtman,justlikeashadowisgeneratedbytherealobjectthat
projectsit.Likeakinginstructinghisofficers,theAtmandirectsthesecondary
manifestationsoftheprana-Apana,Prana,Samana,VyanaandUdana.Onewho
knowsthepranabecomesimmortal."
•ThefourthquestionwasaskedbyGargya:"Whichorganssleepandwhichremain
awake?Whoperceivesthedreams?"
•"Thefivepranasarethefiresofthesacrificeandtheofficiants.Justlikethesunraysat
sunsetmergeintothesundiscandagainareemanatedatsunrise,alltheformsof
awarenessarecontainedwithinthemind;thereforewhenthesensesareinert,wesay
thatapersonissleeping.ActuallyitisthePurushawhoisestablishedinthesupreme
andimmutableSelf.Onewhobecomesawareofitachievesomniscience."
•ThefifthquestionwasaskedbySatyakama:"Whatisobtainedbymeditatingonthe
pranavaOmkara?"
26

30. •"TrascendencemanifestedinthepranavaOmkaraisBrahmanitself.Onewho
meditatesonOmasonesyllableonlyobtainsafurtherhumanbirth.Themantrasof
theRigVedagrantavirtuousrebirth,themantrasoftheYajurgrantbirthontheMoon
level,whileonewhomeditatesonOmasPurushaattainstheleveloftheSun.The
mantrasoftheSamaleadtothelevelofBrahma(Hiiranyagarbha)."
•ThesixthandlastquestionwasaskedbySukesha:"Whereisthe16-limbedPurusha?"
•"Withinthehumanbodyitself.The16componentsofthePurushaareprana,faith,
space,air,fire,water,earth,organs,mind,food,strength,self-control,mantras,rituals,
worldsandnamesoftheworlds."
27

31. 9. MundakaUpanishad
•Ithas6chaptersandcontainstheteachingsofAngiraRishitoSaunaka,regardingthe
twotypesofknowledge-thelowertypeaboutthematerialuniverse,andthehigher
knowledgeaboutthetranscendentalBrahman,thatcannotbedescribedorperceived
bythesenses,themindorintellect.
•"Likeaspiderexpandsandwithdrawsitsweb,likeearthmakestheplantsgrow,and
likethebodygrowshair,similarlytheImperishableproducestheuniversefromitself.
KnowledgeexpandsBrahman,andfromitthefoodoriginates(mahattattva),from
foodthelifeprana(hiranyagarbha)originates,andfromthisthecosmicmind,then
fromthisthe5elements,thewords,andtheimmortalitythatresidesinprescribed
duties."(1.1.7-8)
•"Firedestroysthe7existencesofonewhoperformstheAgnihotrawithouttheproper
knowledgeandvision,withoutthecorrectrituals,withoutausterity,withoutoffering
homagetothosewhoshouldberespected,withouthonoringtheguestsandwithout
worshipingtheDeity.Ontheotherhand,whentheritualisperformedproperly,the7
tonguesoffire-Kali,Karali,Manojava,Sulohita,Sudhumravarna,Sphulinginiand
Visvaruci-risetotheSunandnourishit."(1.2.3-5)
28

32. •"Whatisresplendentandsubtlerthanthesubtle,thatsustainsalltheworldsandthe
creatures,theunchangeableBrahman,thelivingforce,isthespeechandthemind.It
mustbepenetratedbythearrowofthesoulsharpenedbymeditation:sotakethe
bowthatisOm,andbyfocusingyourattention,becomeOnewiththetarget."
(2.2.2-4)
•"ThesupremeandresplendentcoveringisBrahman,spotlessandfreefromduality,
pure,thelightorlights,anditisknownbythosewhoknowtheAtman.Inthat,thereis
nosun,moon,starsorlightning.Everythingradiatesofitslight."(2.2.10)
•"Twobirdshavealwaysbeencompanionsandhavesimilarnames,andliveonthe
sametree.Oneeatsthefruitsandenjoystheirmanytastes,andtheothersimply
watches.Onthattree,theindividualsoulremainsentangledandlamentshis
helplessness,butwhenheturnshiseyestowardstheotherbird,theLord,heis
liberatedfromsufferingsbyhisglory."(3.1.1)
29

33. 10. MandukyaUpanishad
•Theshortestofall,consistsofonly12versesexplainingthepassageofthelivingbeing
throughthestatesofwakefulness(Vaisvanara),dream(Taijasa),deepsleep(Prajna)
andintranscendentalconsciousness(Turiya)inwhichitispossibletorealizetheSelf.
HerewefindthemahavakyaconsideredastheessenceoftheAtharvaVeda:ayam
atmabrahma,"AtmaneBrahmanarethesame".
•ThetextofthisUpanishadisoftenaccompaniedbytheelaborationbyGaudapada
entitledMandukyakarika.
30

34. 11. SvetasvataraUpanishad
•Itcontains6shortchapterswithphilosophicalexplanationsonAtman,Brahman,
Paramatma,andPrakriti.Thetextbeginswiththequestions:"Whatisthecause(of
theexistenceoftheuniverse)?WhatisBrahman?Fromwherearewecoming(before
birth)?Whydowelive?Whatisourfinaldestination?"Herearesomeextracts:
•"Likeoilinsesameseeds,likebutterinyogurt,likewaterinsubterraneansprings,like
fireinwood-theSelfisperceivedintheSelf,throughtruthfulness,austerityand
meditation..."(1.15-16)
•"Strivingtocontrolone'ssenses,regulatingtheactivitiesofthebody,onemustexhale
fromthenostrilswhenthebodyfunctionsslowdown...Onemustfocustheattention,
livinginacaveorinsomeotherpureplacewherethegroundislevelandfreefrom
pebblesandtheviewispleasing,wherethereisnowind,dust,fire,humidityor
distractingnoises.Inthepracticeofyoga,beforethemanifestationofBrahmanthere
willbetheappearanceofformssimilartosnow,smoke,sun,wind,fire,glow-worms,
lightning,crystalandmoon."(2.9-11)
•"Youarewoman,youareman,youaretheboyandthegirl,youaretheoldmanwho
slowlywalksleaningonthestaff.Yourfaceisinalldirections."(4.3)
31

35. •"Knowingwhatistheoriginandthedissolutionoftheuniverse,thesourceofall
virtuesthatdestroysallfaults,themasterofallqualities,theimmortalsupportofthe
universe-situatedinourself,transcendentandseparatefromthetreeofthe
samsara,fromtimeandspace-wewanttorealizehim,thetranscendentalLordofthe
universe,worthyofworship,thesupremeLordofallLords,theGodoftheDevas,and
therulerofallrulers...AlthoughheisOne,hefulfillsthedesiresofmany."(6.6-7,13)
•Heretoo(4.6,7)wefindthemetaphorofthetwobirdsonthesametree,andthe
measureoftheindividualsoulasasmallfractionofthetipofahair(5.8),foundinGita
andinotherUpanishads.
32

36. 12. Kausitaki, or KausitakiBrahmana Upanishad
•TheconversationbetweenthekingChitraGargyayani,theRishiKausitakiandhisson
Svetaketuisaboutreincarnation,theattainmentoftheheavenlyplanetsand
Brahman.TheteachingsofKausitakiareasfollows(2.1):pranaisBrahman,andin
ordertorealizeit,onemustleavethementalplatformofaspirations.Thenwefindthe
explanationofthe5facesofSomaRudra(thebrahmana,theking,thefalcon,fireand
time),ameditationfortheprotectionofone'swifeandchildren,andtheritualto
leaveone'sfamily.
•ThethirdchapterspeaksaboutkingPratardanawhoobtainedaboonfromIndra,the
killerofthe3-headedTvasti,whodeliveredtheArunmukhaasceticstothewolves,
whokilledPrahlada'speopleinthesky,thePaulomasintheatmosphereandthe
Kalakanjasonearth.ThefourthchapternarratestheconversationbetweenGargya
BalakiandAjatasatruofKashiregardingBrahmanandtheeffectofmeditationonits
variousaspects.
33

37. 13. Kaivalya Upanishad
•Itconsistsof26verseswiththeconversationbetweenAsvalayanaRishiandBrahma-
abouttheknowledgeofBrahmanandhowtoattainitthroughfaith,devotion,
meditation,theknowledgeofVedanta("thepurposeofknowledge")and
renunciation.
•"HeisBrahma,Shiva,Indra,theunchangeable,supremeandradiant,Vishnu,prana,
time,fireandthemoon.Heiseverythingthatwasandwillbe,theEternal.Onewho
knowshimtranscendsdeath.Thereisnootherwaytoattainliberation.Seeingthe
Atmaninallbeings,andallbeingsintheAtman,oneattainstheSupremeBrahman:
thisistheonlyway."(8-10)
34

38. 14. Maitri, Maitrayanior MaitrayaniyaUpanishad
•Itconsistsof7shortprapathaka(prosesections);itbeginswiththeconversation
betweenkingBrihadratha(whohadretiredintotheforest)andSakayanaRishi,that
illustratestheteachingsofMaitreya.Thetextspeaksofthetemporarynatureofthe
body,ofthe5pranas,ofrebirthandthe3gunas.
35

39. 15. SubalaUpanishad
•Dividedinto10"lessons":1.creation,maintenanceanddissolutionoftheuniverse,2.
the"fourthprinciple",i.e.Transcendence,theDaharalotusthatiswithintheheartof
thehumanbeing,andthecomponentsofthebody,3.Narayanacontainsalluniversal
manifestations,4.ThenatureofParamatma,5.theAtmaninthebody,6.Thepath
upwards(totheheavenlyplanets),7.samadhi,8.thematerialelements,9.howthe
elementsareconsumedatthetimeofdeath,10.theknowledgeofBrahman.
36

40. 16. JabalaUpanishad
•Itconsistsof14shortprosesectionsonrenunciation,reportingtheconversations
betweenYajnavalkyaandBrihaspati(onthebrahmarandhraasAvimuktaKurushetra),
AtriRishi(onAvimuktaShivaresidingintheajnachakraVara-nasi),hisbrahmachari
disciples(theSatarudriyahymn),Janaka(onsannyasaandfiresacrifice)andagainAtri
Rishi(itisthelevelofawarenessandnotthesacredthread,todetermineifoneisa
brahmana,thereforeasannyasidoesnotwearitanymore;onemayleavehisbodyin
abattle,byfastingtodeath,bydrowning,byenteringthefire,orbywalkinguntil
completeexhaustion).
37

41. 17. PaingalaUpanishad
•ThetextconsistsinaconversationbetweenYajnavalkyaandhisdisciplePaingalaon
theOnewithoutseconds,fromwhomthecreationoftheuniversemanifested.It
explainshowBrahmanincarnatesasJivaAtman,speaksaboutthe5coverings(kosha)
ofAtman(annamaya,pranamaya,manomaya,jnanamayaandanandamaya),ofthe5
statesofawareness(wakefulness,dream,deepsleep,unconsciousnessanddeath),the
mahavakyas(tattvamasi,so'ham,ahambrahmasmi),ofthemetaphorofthechariot
representingthebody,ofthelaststageofsannyasa,ofthebenefitsaccruedfromthe
studyoftheUpanishads,andonthemeditationonVishnu'somnipresence.
38

42. 18. VajrasucikaUpanishad
•Thetitle("diamondneedle")referstopiercingignorance,especiallyaboutthefoolish
prejudiceonhowtoidentifyabrahmana.Thepositionofbrahmanaisnotduetothe
materialbody,thatismadeofthesameelementsinallhumanbeings,orthecolorof
theskin,orthefamilyoforigin-Rishyasringawasbornfromafemaledeer,Kausika
fromareed,Jambukafromajackal,Valmikifromananthill,Vyasafromagirlofa
fishermentribe,VasisthafromtheApsaraUrvasiandAgastyafromapot.
•Notevenlearningorcharityareaguaranteeforthequalificationofabrahmana:only
thedirectrealizationofBrahman,demonstratedbyovercomingmaterialidentification
andattachments,bytruthfulnessandotherdivinequalities.
39

43. 19. Kali santaranaUpanishad
•ThisveryshorttextreportsNarada'squestiontoBrahma:"Howcanoneovercomethe
ageofKali?"andhisanswer:"SimplybychantingthenameofNarayana:HareKrishna
HareKrishnaKrishnaKrishnaHareHare,HareRama,HareRama,RamaRama,Hare
Hare.Therecitationofthese16namescandestroyalltheinauspiciouseffectsofKali
yuga:thereisnobettermethodinalltheVedas.Theyarelikethesunthatshines
brightlyafterthecloudshavedissolved.Therearenopreciserulestopracticethis
method.Anyonewhochantsthesenames,inapureorimpurestate,becomes
immersedintheconsciousnessoftheBrahmanandispurifiedfromallfaultyor
impureaction,transcendingalltemporarydutiesandattainingliberation."
40

44. 20. Krishna Upanishad
•ThisveryshortprosetextnarrateshowtheRishiswhometRamawishedtheycould
takebirthasgopisduringtheavataraofKrishnainGokula.Allthedefects(suchas
greed,angeretc)appearedasAsuras,whiletheUpanishadsandtheothervedictexts
appearedasgopis(cowherdgirls),andthedivinequalitiesappearedascompanionsof
theLord,bothmovableandimmovable.
41

45. 21. Gopala tapaniUpanishad
•Inthefirstchapter(consistingof54verses)BrahmaspeaksaboutKrishna,whoisalso
calledGovindaandGopijanavallabha,andexplainsthemantraSvaha,theKama
GayatriandtheAnangaGayatri.HedescribesKrishnaasacowherdboywithablack
complexionsimilartoamonsooncloud,whodressedinlightningyellowclothesandis
decoratedbyagarlandofforestflowers.Heisstandingonaredlotusflowerundera
desiretree,surroundedbycowherdgirlsandboys,andsurabhicows.Brahmaalso
explainshowtheKamaGayatriistheoriginofcreation,andoffershisprayersto
Krishna.
•Inthesecondchapter(118verses)wefindtheconversationbetweenKrishnaandthe
gopisledbyGandharvi(Radha)andthegopis'visittotheashramaofDurvasaRishi,
andtheensuingconversation.ThetextendswithahomagetoalltheDevas.
42

46. 22. NaradaparivrajakaUpanishad
•TheconversationbetweenNaradaandSaunakaatNaimisharanyadealswiththe40
samskaras,4ashramas,10dharmicvirtuesandespeciallywiththerigidrulesof
sannyasa.
•Forexample,asannyasicanneverinsultanyone(withattitudesorwordsoractions)
butmusttolerateallinsults,hecannottelllies,hecanonlypossessveryfewpersonal
items(aloincloth,ashawlobtainedbystitchingsomeragstogether,acontainerfor
waterandastaffthatsymbolizeshisstate)andnothingelse.Hemustalwaysstay
alone(hecannotliveinacity,avillage,anashramaorevenwithonecompanion),he
musttravelalonewithoutattractingattention,andhemustcompletelyrejectthe
identificationwiththebodyandthecareandpleasuresofthebody-whichhemust
considerasacorpse.
•Thisincludestheprohibitionofusingoilsandointments,ofshavingandcuttingand
combinghair,aswellastheprohibitionofusingornaments,niceclothingetc.Hemust
notconversewithanyone,mustbeinsensitivetophysicalattraction,mustalwayskeep
hiseyesdowncast,notlookingfurtherthan4meters(16cubits)infrontofhimself.
Besides,hemustonlyeatwhathereceivesincharitybybeggingalmsonceaday,after
lunchtime,fromahouseofwell-behavedpeople.
43

47. •Hemusteatwhilestandingorwalking,withoutattentionforthetasteofwhathe
consumes.Hemustavoidallentertainment(dance,theateretc),gambling,the
companyofwomenorofpeopleheusedtoknowinthepast,attractivefoods,love
andhatred,intoxicatingsubstances,discussionsaboutwomen,longjourneys,frequent
fasting,pilgrimages,giftsofallkinds(exceptthefoodthatisstrictlynecessary)and
attachmenttoacademicscholarship.Hestopswearingthesacredthreadandcutsoff
hissikha(thetuftofhaironthebackofthehead,thatischaracteristicofbrahmanas),
hecannothaveafollowingofdisciples,hecannotattendceremoniesorfunctionsof
anykind,orbelongtoanyorganizationorphilosophical/religiousschool.
•Hemustavoidhonorsandinvitations,becausetheseconsumethebenefitsofhis
austerities.Hemustnotsleeponabed,wearwhiteclothes,sleepduringthedayor
travelinacoach.Hemustneveranswerthosewhoaskabouthisname,familyor
home,birthplace,age,orthevowsheobserves.Hecannotpracticemedicineor
distributeblessings,correctthebehaviorofotherpeople,inviteothers,askforgifts,or
visitavillageformorethanoneday(exceptduringtherainyseason),travelbynightor
atmiddayoratdusk,swimacrossariver,climbonatree(topickthefruits),or
purchaseorsellanything.
•ThosewhowanttoengageinthestudyofTranscendencemayestablishthemselvesin
someisolatedplace,preferablynotaccessibletothegeneralpeople,andliveundera
treeorinsomeabandonedhouse,andsubsistonfruits,roots,leavesandwater.
44