1 / 9

Understanding the Upaniṣads: Connection Between Early Vedas and Hindu Philosophy

The Upaniṣads serve as a crucial link between the early Vedic texts and later Hindu philosophy, particularly Vedānta. While the early Vedas focus on ritual practices (karman), the Upaniṣads emphasize the significance of the spiritual actor (kartṛ). They retain the recognition of gods and rituals but often interpret them allegorically or philosophically. The term "Upaniṣad" means "to sit down near," suggesting teachings meant for the qualified. Traditionally, there are 108 Upaniṣads, many of which are key to understanding the microcosm and macrocosm connection, notably between the Ātman and Brahman.

cleta
Download Presentation

Understanding the Upaniṣads: Connection Between Early Vedas and Hindu Philosophy

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Upaniads Introduction

  2. Upaniads: Introduction

  3. The Actor • If the early Veda is primarily concerned with the ritual (karman-), the Upanisads (or later Veda emphasizes the actor (kart-) • Nonetheless, the Upaniads belong to the same cultural milieu as the early Vedas, so carry forth ideas in the earlier texts

  4. What is Accepted in the Early Veda • The gods are still recognized • Ritual actions are still accepted: • Sometimes disparagingly (MU I.ii,7-10) • Sometimes giving the ritual a more allegorical or philosophical meaning such as those in the rayakas (BU: on the Avamedha) • Sometimes in a more accommodating mode (v 2.6-7)

  5. The Upaniads as Link between Vedism and Hinduism • The Upaniads connect the Veda with later Hinduism: • As the last or final word of the one (Veda) • As the prime source for the other (especially of the later Vednta philosophy)

  6. Meaning and Number • Upanisads: • Literal sense: upa- (‘near’); ni (‘down’); *sad (‘sit’): > ‘sit down near’; teachings that should be reserved for those qualified to hear the teachings • Expanded: “Secret” Teachings (based upon the etymology given above) • Based upon Context: “Connections” (the teachings are primarily concerned with establishing connections between the micro- and macro-cosm, and especially between tman and Brahman.

  7. Vednta • Upaniads are also called Vednta ‘end of the Veda’ • ‘End’ > ‘final portion of the Veda’ • ‘End’ > (metaphorically) as the final teaching (> perhaps implying the highest or most advanced teaching)

  8. Number of Upaniads • There are traditionally 108 (Muktika U I. 30-39) • Some accounts estimate over 200 • Eight or Nine are true Vedic Upaniads • The rest are late or sectarian in nature

  9. Early Upaniads • Bhad-rayaka-upaniad, Chndogya Upaniad, Aitareya Upaniad, Kausitaki Upaniad, Taittiriya Upaniad, Kena Upaniad, Katha Upaniad, Isa Upaniad • Others are also included such as Prasna, Muaka, Mukya, Maitrayaniya and Svetasvatara Upaniads. • The Mahnaryana Upaniad may also be included

More Related