BLOCK-3 INTRODUCTION
The word Upanishad literally means “sitting down near” and implies studying with a spiritual
teacher. The six Upanishads presented are drawn from the principal Upanishads. These
Upanishads are not to be seen as uniform books – each text is connected to the Veda in which it
occurs. The Upanishadic teaching is often presented in the context of a particular Vedic hymn or
ritual. In the Vedanta traditions, the Upanishads are referred to as the sruti prasthana, i.e.,
revealed scripture, from which knowledge of Brahman is obtained. The triad in Mundaka 1 refers
to the first three Vedas, while the triad in Shvetashvatara 1 seems to refer to three aspects of
God. The present block consists of five units.
Unit 1 is on “Katha Upanishad.” which is one of the most beautiful Upanishads that answers the
basic questions of end of human life. “What happens when one dies? Is everything gone with
death? Is there anything left over to survive after one dies? What remains after all living? What
is the meaning of dharma and adharma, knowledge and ignorance, life and death?” The answer
ultimately remains in the understanding of the Supreme. All these questions are elaborated along
with possible answers and many other related topics are dealt with in a very simple, practical and
easy way in the Katha Upanishad. This unit introduces to the students the ancient teachings on
mystery of life and the ultimate cause of the world.
Unit 2 highlights the teachings of “The Mundaka Upanishad,” which has evolved from the
Atharva Veda. The term „Mundaka‟ means „shaven head.‟ The teaching of the Upanishad shaves
(liberates) a student from ignorance. The Upanishad has three chapters, each being divided into
two sections. Mundaka Upanishad contains about sixty verses. The first chapter deals with the
greatness of the teaching and the tradition of the teaching in the first section. And the second
section elaborates on the apara vidya, lower knowledge of the ritual, mundane and secular
activities. The second chapter is concerned about establishing Brahman as the cause of the
universe. The third chapter speaks of ways and means of attaining the self knowledge and the
benefit of such knowledge for liberation.
Unit 3, “Mandukya,” explains the philosophical significance of the Mandukya Upanishad.
Consciousness present in the human beings is one and the same in all circumstances. The
differences in the state of consciousness are experienced in various contexts. The self is the
experiencer in all states. This unit introduces the students to the analysis of four modes of
consciousness: waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep, and illumined consciousness. The reflective
analysis of the mystical syllable „AUM,‟ which stands as a symbol of religious and philosophical
tradition of India, is very remarkable in this Upanishad.
Unit 4, “Prasna & Kena,” discusses the teachings of these two Upanishads. Prasna Upanishad
has evolved from the atharva veda. It is also a mystical Upanishad . The mantras of Mun ̣d ̣aka
Upanishad have been elaborately dealt in Prasna Upanishad. As the name Prasna implies, this
Upanishad is an Upanishad of questions. Each chapter is logically connected to the next. Each of
the six chapters comprises question asked by a group of six inquiring students on various aspects
of reality. Kenopanishad is the second Upanishad of Sama Veda. The Upanishad opens with
multiple questions. By understanding and practice one can attain transcendent state in which the
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knowledge of the Absolute results in immediate liberation. This is possible if one is able to
withdraw the mind from worldly object and mediate on the ultimate „Truth‟ of the universe. The
knowledge of Brahman leads to the pathway of liberation by which a soul acquires higher
wisdom resulting in identifying oneself with the Supreme.
Unit 5, “Shvetashvatara Upanishad,” is held in a very high rank among the Upanishads. It
belongs to the Krishna (Black) Yajur Veda. It expounds the philosophy of Advaita with emphasis
on Advaita Bhakti. It is one of the twelve Upanishads chosen by Vidyaranya in his
Sarvopanishad-arthanabhuitiprakasa. Sankara found it worthy to single it out for a special
commentary. In his commentary on Brahma sutras, Sankara calls it the “Mantra Upanishad” of
the Vedic Shvetashvatara school. This Upanishad has 113 verses in six chapters.
The above given 5 units on the “Upanishads -2” further speak of Brahman and Atman, and at
times assert the identity of both. Brahman is the ultimate, both transcendent and immanent, the
absolute infinite existence, the sum total of all that ever is, was, or shall be. The mystical nature
and intense philosophical bent of the Upanishads has led to their explication in numerous
manners, giving birth to three main schools of Vedanta and several other philosophical
speculations.