Scriptures · शास्त्र

The Upanishadsउपनिषद्

The Upanishads are the philosophical conclusion of the Vedas — Vedanta, "the end of the Veda". They teach that the Self within (Atman) is one with the ultimate reality (Brahman).

  • Number108 in the Muktika canon; 10–13 principal
  • Part ofEach of the four Vedas
  • ThemeBrahman, Atman, liberation (moksha)
Image: Raja Ravi Varma, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

What "Upanishad" means

Upa-ni-shad means "sitting down near" — the student sitting close to the teacher to receive secret knowledge. The Upanishads are dialogues and teachings on the deepest questions: What is real? Who am I? What happens after death? How is one freed from sorrow?

Their central teaching is that behind the changing world is one unchanging reality, Brahman, and that the innermost Self of every being, Atman, is that same Brahman. Knowing this is liberation.

The principal Upanishads

  • Isha — "all this is pervaded by the Lord" (Shukla Yajurveda)
  • Kena — "by whom" is the mind moved? (Samaveda)
  • Katha — Nachiketa and Yama on death and the Self (Krishna Yajurveda)
  • Prashna — six questions to the sage Pippalada (Atharvaveda)
  • Mundaka — the higher and lower knowledge; "satyameva jayate" (Atharvaveda)
  • Mandukya — Om and the four states of consciousness (Atharvaveda)
  • Taittiriya — the five sheaths and the convocation address (Krishna Yajurveda)
  • Aitareya — "consciousness is Brahman" (Rigveda)
  • Chandogya — "tat tvam asi", "you are That" (Samaveda)
  • Brihadaranyaka — the largest; "aham brahmasmi" (Shukla Yajurveda)
  • Shvetashvatara — devotion to Rudra-Shiva and the personal God (Krishna Yajurveda)

The four great sayings (Mahavakyas)

  • प्रज्ञानं ब्रह्म prajñānaṃ brahma — "Consciousness is Brahman" (Aitareya, Rigveda)
  • अहं ब्रह्मास्मि ahaṃ brahmāsmi — "I am Brahman" (Brihadaranyaka, Yajurveda)
  • तत्त्वमसि tat tvam asi — "You are That" (Chandogya, Samaveda)
  • अयमात्मा ब्रह्म ayam ātmā brahma — "This Self is Brahman" (Mandukya, Atharvaveda)

Asato ma sadgamaya (Brihadaranyaka 1.3.28)

असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ॥

asato mā sad gamaya |
tamaso mā jyotir gamaya |
mṛtyor mā amṛtaṃ gamaya ||

Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality.

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Frequently asked questions

How many Upanishads are there?

The Muktika Upanishad lists 108; about 10–13 are considered principal, those commented on by Adi Shankaracharya.

What is the main teaching of the Upanishads?

That the Self (Atman) is one with Brahman, the ultimate reality, and that knowing this brings liberation.

Where does "Satyameva Jayate" come from?

From the Mundaka Upanishad (3.1.6); it is India's national motto.