\ The Ten Major Upanishads   Texts written by some Rishis are called Upanishads. Basically there are 10 Upanishads. These are Eesh, Ken, Katth, Prashna, Mundak, Maandookya, Teitireeya, Eitareya, Chhaandogya and Brihadaarnnyak. According to some scholars there are 108 Upanishads, although the above ten are the most famous. The Upanishad summaries are presented here.   Eesh Upanishad - In its very first verse this Upanishad emphasizes on spiritual oneness and unity of the world that form the centre of focus of all other Upanishads. It highlights several processes of enlightenment and gives proof of the Supreme.   Ken Upanishad - It highlights true knowledge and it introduces the reader to the supreme soul which is present in each human being and in every particle in this universe. It does this by trying to free one of one's limitations.   Katth Upanishad - This text is specially attractive because of its beautiful verses, deep philosophy and explanation of amazing experiences. In comparison with the other Upanishads this one contains a deeper insight into the Vedas. Being in the form of a dialogue between Yama (the Guru) and Nachiketa (the disciple) this text is very interesting to read.   Prashnopnishad - As the name suggests it contains some very vital questions. In its six chapters, six different disciples ask questions related to the different aspects of spiritualism and their Guru Piplaad answers the question with great Yogic wisdom.   Mundak Upanishad - This Upanishad divides all knowledge into two categories - Paraa or the supreme and Aparaa or the base. It includes in the latter category all the knowledge of the sciences, art, literature, politics, economy and all the rest that has been gained by the mankind over the ages and even the knowledge contained in Vedas and other holy texts. It declares that only that knowledge is Paraa or supreme through which the Supreme Element can be realised. The Upanishad seeks true joy through the realisation of absolute unity in the diversity of this world.   Maandookya Upanishad - It contains only twelve verses and yet through them it presents amazing facts. It studies the three states of awakening, dream and Sushupti (trance i.e. when one is neither fully awake nor asleep) and tries to analyse all the experiences of human life. It states that the highest state is that of Tureeya (deep Samadhi) in which one becomes linked to Brahm. It states through a verse - Ayam Aatmaa Brahm i.e. the soul is Brahm. Thus this text introduces one to the infinite potential of the human soul. Teitireeya Upanishad - This Upanishad declares Brahmvid Aapnoti Param i.e. only a seeker of the supreme is able to realise the Supreme Element. It describes the four bodies that hide the Brahm. It advises freedom from limitation of the mind and senses for having divine experiences. It also gives a scientific definition of the Supreme, from which everything has appeared, through whose powers one lives on and into which one merges after death. Eitareya Upanishad - It probes into the soul element and tries to explain Brahm in spiritual terms. It does this through the verse Pragyaanam Brahm Brahm Pragyaaswaroopam. Chhaandogya Upanishad - It introduces the reader to great spiritual seekers like Satyakaam, Shvetketu and Naarad and also to some of the most enlightened Gurus like Aarunni, Sanatkumar and Prajaapati. Through wise dialogues between Gurus and disciples this Upanishad reveals the true form of the Supreme. Through a simple verse like Tat Tvam Asi i.e. you are He, this text reveals and emphasizes upon the divine nature of a human. It states that the best remedy for all human ailments and problems is the divine knowledge through which Tarati Shorbha Aatmavit i.e. a person becomes free of all sorrows. Brihadaarnnyak Upanishad - As its name suggests it is the longest of all Upanishads. It is like a huge jungle of spiritual knowledge and inspiration. There are four central figures in this text, two men and two women - Janak a king, Yagyavalkya a realised Rishi, Meitrayi the highly spiritual wife of Yagyavalkya and Gargi an eloquent orator and a realised person who is foremost in asking spiritual question of sage Yagyavalkya. The interesting conversation between these people proves very effective in revealing the divine nature of a human and his link with the Supreme, the Brahm. \   Need of our times: Upanishads The world is progressing at an ever accelerating rate and man is becoming more and more confused, unable as he is to understand his true worth in life. He finds himself in a situation where his past has slipped out of his hands, where the present is full of uncertainties, and the future looms large like a huge question mark. It is a strange situation in which we find ourselves and we are not sure what waits ahead for us - a bright day full of hope and contentment or a dark night full of sorrows and tension. All around we find a false glare of materialism and there exists a profound darkness within, which has not been experienced in any other time of history. Modernisation has led to utter darkness within and today man is struggling to find a ray of light that could show him the right path. Today every human heart cries out for truth and the true essence of human life. The circumstances prevailing today point to the fact that the entire modern world is looking for spiritual respite. Hence the following Vedic prayer automatically springs to the mind. Asato Maa Sadgamay, Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamay, Mrityormaa Amritam Gamay. meaning   Take me from Falsehood to ultimate Truth, Take me from darkness to light, Take me from mortality to immortality.   ^ Back to the top ^   Buddha says    Yoga Links  Mantras On Meditation Attend Buddhist Practice The Vedic Hindi Sanskrit Alphabet To the previous page - Upanishads Part 1   Vedic Links-I   and II   What is Darshan?   Sanskrit Zodiac-I  and II   yhvh@groups.msn.com CTRL N for a new window or Backspace to return to YHVH Search - http://atomicshakespeare.com/word/upanishads.html  What's New   main links   photos   messages   home