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Introduction-3-Names
Names of Upanishad
See also
Alphabetical List of Upanishad
Upanishad are found in the concluding sections of Ved and are
classified as Vedaant or the end of the Ved. There are five Ved with Yajur Ved having
two versions. Each of these five books has several Shaakhaa (Branches). Each Shaakhaa
has a Karm Khand dealing with the actions to be performed and is made up of Mantra and
Braahman. The later deals with Upaasanaa or meditation and has Aranyak inside them for
the benefit of those who have resorted to the quiet habitat of the forest to pursue
their spiritual Quest. The Upanishad are found mostly in the Aranyak section of the
Ved. The five Ved have 1180 Shaakhaa and thus there should be 1180 Upanishad. But what
we have now with us is a collection of 108 Upanishad. The list of these 108 Upanishad
is given in the Muktikopanishad.
“The
breakdown of the 108 Upanishads according to the five Ved are as follows:
1. Rig Ved: 10
2. Saam Ved: 16
3. Atharv Ved: 31
4. Krishn Yajur Ved: 32
5. Shukla Yajur Ved: 19
The 10 Upanishads belonging to the Rig Ved are :
(1) Aitareya, (2) Kaushitakee, (3) Naad Bindu, (4) Aatmbodh, (5). Nirvaan,
(6) Mudgal, (7) Aksh Maalaa, (8) Tripur, (9) Saubhaagya Lakshmee and (10) Bahvracha.
The 16 associated with the Saam Ved are:
(1) Ken, (2) Chhaandogya,
(3) Arunikaa, (4) Maitrayanee, (5) Maitreyee, (6) Vajrashuchi, (7) Yog Choodaamani,
(8) Vasudev, (9) Mahat, (10) Sanyaas, (11) Avyakt, (12) Kundik, (13) Saavitree,
(14) Rudraaksh Jaabaal, (15) Jaabaal Darshan and (16) Jaabaali.
The 19 Upanishads belonging to Shukla Yajur Ved are:
(1) Eeshaavaasya, (2) Brahadaaranyak, (3) Jaabaal, (4) Hans, (5) Param
Hans, (6) Subal, (7) Maantrik, (8) Niralamb, (9) Trishikhi Braahman, (10)
Mandal Braahman, (11) Adwaya Taarak (12) Paingal, (13) Bhikshuk, (14)
Turiyateet, (15) Adhyaatm, (16) Yaagyavalkya, (17) Satyaayani, (18)
Taaraasar, and (19) Muktik.
The 32 Upanishads belonging to the Krishna Yajur Ved are:
(1) Kath, (2) Taittireeya, (3) Brahm,
(4) Kaivalya, (5) Shwetaashwatar, (6) Garbh, (7) Naaraayan, (8)
Amrit-bindu, (9) Amritaanad,
(10) Kaalaagni Rudra, (11) Kshurika, (12) Sarvasaar,
(13) Sukh Rahasya, (14) Tejo Bindu, (15) Dhyaan Bindu, (16) Brahm-vidyaa,
(17) Yog-tattwa, (18) Dakshinmoorti, (19) Skand, (20) Shaareerak, (21) Yog-shikhaa,
(22) Ekaakshar, (23) Akshi, (24) Avadhoot, (25) Kath Rudra, (26) Rudra-hridaya,
(27) Yog Kundalinee, (28) Panch-Brahm, (29) Praanaagnihotra, (30) Varaah,
(31) Kali-santaaranand, (32) Saraswatee Rahasya.
The 31 Upanishads belonging to the Atharva Ved are :
(1) Prashn, (2)
Mundak, (3) Maandookya, (4) Atharv-shiraa,
(5) Atharv Shikhaa, (6) Brahajjaabaal, (7) Narasinh Taapinee, (8) Naarad
Parivraajak, (9) Seetaa, (10) Sharabh, (11) Tripad Vibhooti Mahaanaaraayan,
(12) Raam Rahasya, (13) Raam Taapinee, (14) Shaandilya, (15) Paramahans-parivraajak,
(16) Annapoornaa, (17) Soorya, (18) Aatmaa, (19) Pashupat Brahm, (20) Parbrahm,
(21) Tripur Taapinee, (22) Devee, (23) Bhaavanaa, (24) Bhasm Jaabaal, (25) Ganapati,
(26) Mahaavaakya, (27) Gopaal Taapinee, (28) Krishn, (29) Hayagreev, (30) Dattaatreya
and (31) Garud.”
Major Upanishad
The ten major Upanishads which contain great philosophical discussions and knowledge are:
1. Eashaavaasya Upanishad
It is one of the great but brief Upanishad. It gives the summary of Indian
philosophy very succinctly. It reviews the whole life and comes out with explanations.
2. Ken Upanishad
Kenopanishad derives its name from the first word Ken, meaning ‘by whom’.
It belongs to the Talavakar Braahman of Saam Ved and is therefore also
referred to as Talavakar Upanishad. In short it says that “The One Power
that illumines everything and every one is indivisible. It is the Ear
behind the ears, Mind behind the mind, Speech behind speech, Vital Life
behind life. The ears cannot hear it; it is what makes the ears hear. The
eyes cannot see it; it is what makes the eyes see. You cannot speak about
it; it is what makes you speak. The mind cannot imagine it; it is what
makes the mind think. It is different from what all we know; yet it is not
known either. Those who feel they know Him, know Him not. Those who know
that anything amenable to the senses is not Brahman, they know it best.
When it is known as the innermost witness of all cognitions, whether
sensation, perception or thought, then it is known. One who knows thus
reaches immortality”.
3. Kathopanishad
“The Kath Upanishad is divided into six Vallee. Vallee literally means a
creeper. A Vallee, like a creeper, is attached to the Shaakhaa or Branches
of the Ved. This Upanishad is also divided into two Adhyaaya (chapters) of
three Vallee each. “This is one of the most beautiful Upanishad in which
the eternal truths are given in the form of a narrative. The narrative is
taken from Taittireeya Braahman (3-11-8) with some variation. The same
story is told in the Taittireeya Braahman, only with this difference that
in the Braahman, freedom from death and birth is obtained by a peculiar
performance of a sacrifice, while in the Upanishad it is obtained by knowledge only.”
4. Aitareya Upanishad
The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the oldest of the Upanishads. It belongs
to the Aitareya Aaranyak of the Rig Ved. It is divided into three chapters
and contains only 33 verses. The Upanishad deals with the process of creation.
5. Brihadaaranyak Upanishad
“Brihadaaranyak Upanishad means the "great forest-book". This Upanishad
is one of the oldest of all the Upanishad. It consists of three sections or
Kaand: the Madhu Kaand, the Yaagyavalkya or the Muni Kaand and the Khilaa Kaand.
Here the Braahman is portrayed as universal and undifferentiated consciousness.
The doctrine of the indescribability of the absolute and the doctrine of 'Neti,
Neti' are explained. This Upanishad concludes by stating the three virtues that
one should practice ie self-restraint, giving, and compassion.”
6. Prashn Upanishad
“In Sanskrit, Prashn means question. This book consists of six questions
and their answers, hence the name. It is in the form of question-answers.
Except first and last questions, all other questions are actually a group
of smaller sub-questions. As narrated in the beginning of this Upanishad,
Six pupils interested in knowing divinity or Braahman come to the sage
Pippalaad and ask questions of great spiritual importance. Pippalaad asks
them to take up penance of one year. Upon completion of penance, they
again come to the sage and ask questions, then the sage answers their
questions.”
7. Maandookya Upanishad
“For the very reason that it explains the esoteric meaning of the
fundamental syllable Aum of Hindu spiritual tradition, the Upanishad has
been extolled greatly. The Muktikopanishad which talks about all other
Upanishads, says that if a person cannot afford to study all the hundred
and more Upanishads, it will be enough to read just the Maandookya Upanishad.
According to Dr S Radhakrishnan in this Upanishad we find the fundamental
approach to the attainment of reality by the road of introversion and ascent
from the sensible and changing, through the mind which dreams, through the
soul which thinks, to the divine within but above the soul.”
8. Taittireeya Upanishad
“The Taittireeya Upanishad belongs to the Taittireeya school of the Yajur Ved.
It is divided into three sections called Vallee. The first is the Shikshaa
Vallee. Shikshaa is the first of the six Vedaang (limbs or auxiliaries of
the Ved); it is the science of phonetics and pronunciation. The second is
the Brahmaanand Valle and the third is the Bhrigu Vallee. These two deal
with the knowledge of the Supreme Self, Paramaatmaa Gyaan.”
9. Chhandogya Upanishad
“Along with Brihadaaranyak Upanishad the Chhaandogya Upanishad is an
ancient source of principal fundamentals for Vedanta philosophy.
Considering number of references made to this Upanishad in Brahm sutras,
it indicates special importance of this Upanishad in Vedaant philosophy.
Important spiritual practices like Dahar Vidyaa, Shaandilya Vidyaa, etc
are its specialty.”
10. Mundak Upanishad
“This Upanishad begins with an Invocation, praying that eye may see
auspicious things, the ear may hear auspicious sounds, and that life may
be spent in the contemplation of the Lord. The teaching of this Upanishad
is referred to as Brahm Vidyaa, either because it describes first the
message of Hiranyagarbh, the casual Brahm, or because the message relates
the glory of Braahman. This Upanishad speaks of Brahm Vidyaa as the mystery
which only those with shaven heads and those who go through a rite of having
Fire on the shaven head can understand. So, it is called Mundak, or shaven
Head. Apart from this, this Upanishad is honored as the crest of all, since
it expounds the very essence of Brahm Gyaan. It is assigned to the Fourth Ved -
the Atharv Ved.”
(The write up
about the ten major Upanishads has been taken from various web sites. My
indebtedness to those great souls who have written them is greatly acknowledged.)
Remaining 98 Upanishad
The
other 98 Upanishads are again classified according to their content as follows.
(1) General (of common interest), (2) Shaiv (Dealing with Lord Shiv), (3)
Shaakt (dealing with the Divine mother Shakti), Vaishnav (dealing with
Lord Vishnu), Sanyaas (dealing with renunciation) and Yog (dealing with
Yaugik practices) Upanishad. Though classification is made, still there is
some overlapping in the subjects dealt with. Short notes on each of these
Upanishad category wise are given below:
(1) General Upanishad (27)
(1) Shwetashwatar Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by a sage called Shwetaashwatar. More emphasis is
given in teaching of Saankhya Yog and the philosophy of illusion (Maayaa).
(2) Garbh Upanishad
This Upanishad is by sage Pippalaad and deals with the growth of fetus in
the womb. It also gives the number of different parts of the body like bones,
nerves, flesh etc.
(3) Maitrayanee Upanishad
This Upanishad tells us about the penance of a king called Brahadrath. The
King asks the sage Shakanya about the feeling of desire in this meaningless
world. Sage Shakanya relates him, what has been told to him by sage Maitreya.
He teaches him the great science of Brahm Vidyaa. And tells him finally that
mind and illusion are responsible for this contradiction.
(4) Kaushitakee Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by sage Chitra to sage Uddaalak and his son
Shwetketu. It deals about the science of soul. The temporary nature of
rituals and good deeds and permanent nature of doing everything without
desire is emphasized. It also tells the need for a father to give up all
his personality and knowledge to his son and enter Sanyaas.
(5) Subal Upanishad
This is the teaching of Sage Angiraa to sage Raikwa. It tries to answer
the question of the time and method of creation of the world. It also
tries to find out the properties of the soul of beings and has several
aspects of philosophy.
(6) Maantrik Upanishad
Deals about the properties of Braahman. Tells that whatever is produced
vanishes and then is reproduced. Concludes that the one who knows it well
is the Braahman.
(7) Sarvaasar Upanishad
Defines and explains several words like Kath, Bandh, Annamaya etc, which
occur constantly in Upanishadik philosophy.
(8) Nirlamb Upanishad
It is an independent text of Hindu philosophy. It tries to investigate
what is Brahm and concludes that the Sanyaasee by following proper methods
has a better chance of attaining salvation.
(9) Shuk Rahasya Upanishad
This Upanishad is supposed to be taught to sage Shuk so that he would
understand the philosophy of salvation. The explanations of words and
ideas are extensive.
(10) Vajrashuchikaa Upanishad
This Upanishad investigates and tries to answer the question, “Who is a
Braahman? It says that caste does not come by birth.
(11) Aatm Prabodh Upanishad
Tells us about meditation on Pranav and the great Vaishnav Mantra ”Om
Naaraayanaaya Namah”. Defines and tells about the identities of an evolved
soul.
(12) Skand Upanishad
Takes a conciliatory stand between Shaiv and Vaishnav. Tells that both are same.
(13) Mudgal Upanishad
This Upanishad aims at explaining the Mantra of the great Purush Sookt.
(14) Paingal Upanishad
This is taught by sage Yagyaavalkya to sage Paingal. It gives an explanation
of the term ‘Kaivalya’. It also attempts to explain the Mahaa Vaakya of Ved
like ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ as well the duties of Gyaanee.
(15) Mahat Upanishad
Tells about the initial creation of the universe starting From Lord Naaraayan
till Lord Brahmaa. After this there is discussion between sage Shuk and the
King Janak regarding the creation of the Sansaar. This is followed by discussion
of several aspects of philosophy between Sage Nidaagh and his Guru Sage Ribhu.
It tells that Shaastra are burden for a Gyaanee, Gyaan is a burden to those who
are attached and so on.
(16) Shaareerik Upanishad
Tells us about the different aspects of the human body, including states of knowledge.
(17) Aksha-maalikaa Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by Guha to Lord Brahma. It tells us in detail about
how to choose the Maalaa (rosary) for use in meditation.
(18) Ekaakshar Upanishad
This is an Upanishad which deals with the letter "Aum". This is more of a prayer towards "Aum".
(19) Soorya Upanishad
Tells us about Soorya Angiraa Mantra and Gaayatree which is a prayer to
the Sun. Tells also about the Ashtaakshar to worship Lord Surya.
(20) Akshi Upanishad
Contains the prayer of sage Sankriti to Lord Soorya which contains the
Chaakshushmatee Mantra. This is followed by teaching of Brahm Vidyaa by Soorya.
(21) Adhyaatm Upanishad
This is initially taught by Sadaashiv to sage Apaantaraatam. Tells that
there is nothing but Aatmaa and the feeling of existence of others is only illusion.
(22) Saavitree Upanishad
Tells us who is Saavitree and the difference between Savitaa and Saavitree.
Also gives the Saavitre Mantra.
(23) Aatm Upanishad
Deals with various aspects of Aatmaa and how a Brahm Gyaanee does not see
any other thing except Aatmaa.
(24) Kath Rudra Upanishad.
This is teaching of Brahma Vidyaa by Lord Brahma himself to the Devas. The
treatment is philosophical.
(25) Panch-Brahm Upanishad
Details the five stages by which Par-Brahm was evolved.
(26) Praan Agnihotra Upanishad
This Upanishad deals with the Shareer Yagya or the sacrifice to the body.
Tells what all Mantras are to be chanted before taking food. The usual
Mantra that a Braahman chants while taking food are contained in this
Upanishad.
(27) Muktik Upanishad
This Upanishad is the Teaching of Lord Raam to Hanumaan. It tells about
Ved, Vedaang and also Kaivalya and also summarizes the Hindu Vedaant. The
list of 108 Upanishad is given in this Upanishad.
(2) Shaiv Upanishad (13)
(1) Kaivalya Upanishad
In this Upanishad Brahmaa teaches the knowledge of Braahma to sage
Ashwaalayan. Though Aadi Shankar wrote commentaries only for ten
Upanishads, he considered this also as an important Upanishad. It deals
with the state where the person is himself. The path shown is through
meditation and devotion. Keeping the person as the plank and considering
AUM as the stick which rotates on the plank and gives out the light of
fire.
(2) Atharv-shir Upanishad
It emphasizes about the greatness of the holy letter “Aum”. It also tells
that the form of lord Rudra is the form of Pranav.
(3) Atharv-shikhaa Upanishad
This is taught by Sage Adarv to great sages like Pippalaad, Angiraa and
Sanat Kumaar. It emphasizes on the need and benefits on the meditation
of the Pranav.
(4) Brihajjaabaal Upanishad
This Upanishad is told by Kaalaagni Rudra to sage Bhushundi. It deals in
detail about the method of preparation of holy ash (Vibhooti) and method
of wearing it.
(5) Kaalaagni Rudra Upanishad
It tells in detail about the method of wearing holy ash (Vibhooti) along
with Mantra for wearing the same. This is taught by Kaalaagni Rudra to the
great sage Sanat Kumaar.
(6) Dakshinmoorti Upanishad
Dakshinmoorty is the teacher form of Shiv. He teaches without talking.
This Upanishad gives the Dakshinmoorti Mantra and the method of practicing it.
(7) Sharabh Upanishad
Sharabh is the animal, man and bird form of Lord Shiv. It is believed that
he took this form to control the anger of Vishnu when he took the form of
Narasinh. This Upanishad tells about Lord Sharabh.
(8) Pashupat Brahmopanishad
Tells us lord Shiv’s aspect of Pashupati (the Lord of all living things).
Tells how that the entire universe is really one and there is no differentiation.
(9) Rudra Hridaya Upanishad
Shuk asks his father which God exists in all Devtaa and in which God all
Devtaa exist. The answer is this Upanishad. He tells that it is Rudra.
(10) Bhasm Jaabaal Upanishad
Tells about how Vibhooti has to be prepared and also the daily duties of a
Braahman. This is the teaching Lord Shiv to Jaabaal Bhushund.
(11) Rudraaksh Jaabaal Upanishad
This is the teaching of Kaalaagni Rudra to sage Bhushund and deals
exclusively about Rudraaksh.
(12) Ganapati Upanishad
Starts with a prayer to Lord Ganapati and gives the Ganapati Mantra. Tells
how to worship Ganapati.
(13) Jaabaali Upanishad
Sage Jaabaali tells sage Pippalaad about Lord Pashupati. The need and
method of wearing Vibhooti (Holy ash) is given in detail.
(3) Shaakt Upanishad (9)
(1) Seetaa Upanishad
Brahmaa tells the Devtaa about who is Seetaa. He tells them that she is the
Aadhaar Shakti (the basis which is the foundation) in the feminine form.
Tells also about her different forms.
(2) Tripur Taapinee Upanishad
Tells about the Shataaksharee Mantra for meditating on Tripur, the Goddess
Paarvatee. Several great Mantra like Gaayatree, and Panchaadash Aksharee
are a part of this. Tells about Shree Vidyaa Upaasanaa.
(3) Annapoornaa Upanishad
Sage Rupu tells sage Nidaagh about Devee Annapoornaa. He also teaches him
the Annapoornaa Mantra. This is followed by teaching of philosophical
aspects like Maayaa, Yog and Mukti.
(4) Devee Upanishad
The Devee tells the Devtaa in this Upanishad who she is, about Panchdash
Aksharee and Nava Aksharee Mantra to worship her.
(5) Tripur Upanishad
Tells about Shree Chakra and the worship of the Devee through the right and left methods.
(6) Bhaavanaa Upanishad
Tells one important aspect of Shree Vidyaa Upaasanaa.
(7) Saubhagya Lakshmee Upanishad
Bhagavaan Naaraayan tells about the Shakti from whom every God originated
and teaches the Dev, the worship of Saubhaagya Lakshmee.
(8) Saraswatee Rahasya Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by Sage Asvalayan to other sages. He teaches
them the ten Saraswatee Mantra and methods of worshipping her.
(9) Bahuvrachaa Upanishad
Talks in detail about the existence of Shakti from whom all gods and
knowledge originated. Gives hints of worship of Shree Vidyaa.
(4) Vaishnav Upanishads (14)
(1) Naaraayan Upanishad
Describes the principle of Tripath Naaraayana. It also introduces the
Naaraayan Ashtaakshar Mantra and describes the benefits of chanting it.
(2) Narasinh Taapinee Upanishad
It has two parts. In the Poorv part, it tells in detail about the
greatness of Lord Naraimha. It also has the great king of Mantras called
Narasinh Mantra and tells in detail how to meditate on it. In the Uttar
part it tells also about the greatness of Pranav and the Narasinh Raja
Mantra. It gives detailed method of meditating on Lord Narasinh.
(3) Tripad Vibhooti Mahaa-naaraayan Upanishad
Brahmaa did Tap for 1000 years to know from Lord Vishnu about Brahm. This
is what Lord Vishnu told him. Also clears his doubts such as Braahman
having a form and not having a form etc. Also gives the shapes of several
Yantra.
(4) Raam Rahasya Upanishad
Tells that Lord Raam is Brahm Taarak and expounds various Mantras for
worshipping him. Also gives Yantra for worshipping Lord Raam.
(5) Raam Taapinee Upanishad
There are two parts, the Poorv Taapinee and the second Uttar Taapinee.
Tells about the greatness of the word “Raam”. Tells about the Raam Yantra,
which is similar to the Shree Chakra. Tells also the belief that ‘Lord
Shiv tells the Taarak Mantra in the ears of all people dying in Varanasi’
and the method of worship of Raam.
(6) Vaasudev Upanishad
Tells about what is Oordhwa Pundra (the sign worn by Vaishnavites) and the
rules for wearing it.
(7) Avyakt Upanishad
Deals about the creation of clearly defined things from that unclear past.
Tells how Prajaapati came from Avayakt and went on to create the world.
Gives a Mantra to worship Lord Vishnu.
(8) Taaraasar Upanishad
Tells about holiness of Kurukshetra, Taarak Mantra and Pranav. Tells method
of worship of Lord Naaraayan.
(9) Gopaal Taapinee Upanishad
Sages approach Lord Brahmaa to know the procedure to worship Krishn. What
he tells them is contained in this Upanishad. The Upaasanaa Mantra of
Govind is given.
(10) Krishn Upanishad
The sages when they meet Raam, they wanted to embrace Him. He made them to be
born as Gopee and He took the Avataar of Krishn, so that they can embrace
him. This book tells as to who were born as what in Krishnaavataar.
(11) Hayagreev Upanishad
Brahmaa Jee tells Naarad that whoever meditates and worships Lord Hayagreev
gets to know the Brahma =Vidyaa. The Mantra for worship of Lord Hayagreev is
also given.
(12) Dattaatreya Upanishad
Tells the method of meditation and worship of Dattaatreya. The Dattaatreya Mantra is given.
(12) Garud Upanishad
The method of meditation and worship of Garud, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu is given.
(13) Kali Santaaran Upanishad
Tells about how the evils of Kali age is to be crossed. The 16-letter
prayer on Raam would help one in doing this.
(5) Sanyaas Upanishad (16)
(1) Brahmo Upanishad
Tells us about how the great sage of wisdom comes out of all mundane
things and lives a life where there is no need for rituals and no
differences exist. The Mantra for changing Yagyopaveet occurs in this Upanishad.
(2) Jaabaal Upanishad
This is compiled by Sage Jaabaal. This gives more emphasis on meditation
and the chanting of Rudra. The greatness of concentrating between the
centers of eyes is stressed here.
(3) Aarunya Upanishad
This Upanishad deals about the teaching of Prajaapati to sage Aaruni. It
gives in detail the rules of life to be followed by a Brahmchaaree and a Sanyaasee.
(4) Paramhans Upanishad
It deals about the discussion between Sage Naarad and God on who is a
Paramhans (Sanyaasee at an advanced stage) and methods to identify him.
(5) Maitreyee Upanishad
It is the teaching of Lord Parameshwar to sage Maitrey. To a large extent,
what is given in Maitrayani Upanishad is repeated here. In addition God
tells to him in detail about his formless form.
(6) Nirvaan Upanishad
Details about the Sanyaas Maarg involving Nirvaan (nudity). Tells about
how the people follow it.
(7) Naarad Parivraajak Upanishad
This is the teaching of Naarad to the Souunaka Sages. It tells about the
methods to attain salvation, the rules to be followed by a Sanyaasee, and
the time when a person should enter Sanyaas. It also talks about Karm Sanyaas.
(8) Bhikshuk Upanishad
It defines the different types of Sanyaasee like Kuttesak, Bahoodhak, Hans and Param Hans.
(9) Turiyateeya Upanishad
It is taught by Lord Naaraayan to Lord Brahmaa and tells us abut the rules
of the life of an Avadhoot.
(10) Sanyaas Upanishad
Tells who can take Sanyaas and what is the procedure.
(11) Param Hans Parivraajak Upanishad
This is taught by Lord Naaraayan to Lord Brahmaa. It deals mainly about the procedure of taking Sanyaas.
(12) Kundik Upanishad
Tells what al things a Sanyaasee should possess. And how he should behave.
(13) Parabrahm Upanishad
Tells what is Yagyopaveet as well as Shikhaa, for the Sanyaasee as well as
people of the world. Gives clearly the total length of the Upa-veet. For
the Sanyaasee it is the Pranav which acts as Yagyopaveet and Shikhaa.
(14) Avadhoot Upanishad
Dattaatreya teaches sage Sankriti as to who is Avadhoot and how he should behave.
(15) Yaagyavalkya Upanishad
The Upanishad tells when to assume Sanyaas and also the properties of a Sanyaasee.
(16) Saatyaayanee Upanishad
Mind becomes the reason for attachment and salvation. Tells that a real
Braahman should search for Brahm. Also tells that one taking Sanyaas gives
redemption for three generation of manes.
(6) Yog Upanishad (19)
(1) Shwetaashwatar Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by a sage called Shwetaashwatar. More emphasis
is given in teaching Saankhya Yog and the philosophy of illusion (Maayaa).
(2) Hansopanishad
This talks about meditation on Hans Mantra and is being taught by sage
Gautam to sage Sanat Kumaar. The method of meditating on the Has Mantra
is fully described.
(3) Amrit Bindu Upanishad
It gives the knowledge of Aatmaa in the tasty form of nectar and gives it
as briefly as a dot. It tells us about what is Brahm and other concepts of
hard core Hindu Philosophy.
(4) Amrit Naad Upanishad
This describes the way and detailed method to chant the holy letter “AUM",
which is called here as the nectar like letter.
(5) Ksharik Upanishad.
Ksharik means knife. It is so called because it cuts ignorance using the
knife of wisdom. This is a Upanishad which in detail tells about Yog and
its practice.
(6) Tejo Bindu Upanishad
This Upanishad is the teaching of Lord Param Shiv to his son Subramanya.
Talks in detail about Yaugik practices, defines Chinmaya Swaroop, Aatmaanubhav,
Jeevan Mukt etc.
(7) Naad Bindu Upanishad
Tells in detail about the meditation on Omkaar (Pranav). The method of
meditation and some problems which may occur are pointed out.
(8) Dhyaan Bindu Upanishad
The meditation on Pranav and A-japaa Gayatree is dealt in detail along with
the method involved.
(9) Brahm Vidyaa Upanishad
Teaches methods of attaining Brahm through meditation. Emphasizes role of
Guru. Tells that Sruti is more important than Pramaan.
(10) Yog Tattwopanishad
This is the teaching of Lord Vishnu to Lord Brahmaa. It details out the
Yaugik practice. It also tells about the stages in Yog, defines them and
tells how to recognize them.
(11) Trishikee Braahmanopanishad
This is the teaching of Lord Soorya to a Braahman called Trishikee Braahman.
He clears his doubts about the definition of the body, soul, Karan and Yaugik
practice.
(12) Yog Choodaamani Upanishad
Tells about Yaugik practice involving A-japaa Gaayatree. Tells about the
seats of Yog, tells how to wake up the Kundalinee and reach her up to
Brahm Randhra.
(13) Mandal Braahmanopanishad
This is the teaching of Sun God to his disciple Yaagyavalkya. This deals
with the principle of the soul through yogic practice. Definitions of
various terms used in Yog is also given. Tells in detail about Yaugik
practice and tells us about what is Sambhaavee Mudraa.
(14) Shaandilya Upanishad
This is taught by sage Atharvaa to sage Shaandilya. It deals with Ashtaang
Yog and Brahm Vidyaa.
(15) Yog Shikhaa Upanishad
This is the teaching of Lord Maheshwar to Lord Brahma. It deals with
subjects like Mukti, Shakti, Naad, Chaitanya and Yog.
(16) Yog Kundalinee Upanishad
Tells about Kundalinee and Yaugik practice.
(17) Shree Jaabaal Aadarsano Upanishad
This is the teaching of Lord Dattaatreya to his disciple sage Sankriti.
And tells how the Yog should be done in detail.
(18) Mahaavaakya Upanishad
Confirms that the knowledge “That this Sun is Brahm” would be realized by
chanting of A-japaa Gaayatree. Tells what is the merger of mind with Brahm.
(19) Varaah Upanishad
Tells about the Brahm Vidyaa of the body of Varaah. Lord Vishnu as Varaah
tells how he should be meditated upon and worshipped. Also deals in detail
about the stages of Yog.
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