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Questions tagged [upanishads]

The last part of the Vedas, consisting of dialogues between teachers and students clarifying the philosophical teachings of the Vedas.

The Upanishads (from the Sanskrit meaning "sitting down near") are a collection of Vedic texts which contain the earliest emergence of some of the central religious concepts of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. They are also known as Vedanta ("the end of the Veda").

They are regarded as the source of Vedanta and Samkhya philosophies. The Upanishads are considered by Hindus to contain revealed truths (Sruti) concerning the nature of ultimate reality (brahman) and describing the character and form of human salvation (moksha). The Upanishads are found mostly in the concluding part of the Brahmanas and Aranyakas and have been passed down in oral tradition.

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Who is offering prayers in Isha Upanishad and to whom?

From the last few mantras in Isha Upanishad, it is clear that all mantras are offered as a prayer? Who is praying and to whom?
user16618
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How many upanishads were there traditionally?

As per Muktika Canon, there are 108 upanishads. Is it the exact number or this is just 108 important upanishads. I read elsewhere that each branch of 4 Vedas have one upanishad each. Traditionally, what is the upper limit on number of upanishads?…
user16895
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Why is a major upanishad called "major upanishad"?

There are over 200 Upanishads but the traditional number is 108. Of them, only 10 are the principal Upanishads: Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashan, Mundaka, Mandukya, Tattiriya, Aitareya, Chhandogya and Brihadaranyaka. This book is a forerunner in…
Dark Knight
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Do Principal Upanishads mention Sat Chit Ananda as attributes of Brahman?

In Principal Upanishads(Not Minor like Tejobindu) is Brahman mentioned as Sat Chit and Ananda? Please include Sanskrit verse to highlighten them with along with English translation.
Sethu Srivatsa Koduru
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Conversion of Sattva, Rajas, Tamas

I've read in one of the Upanishads that at the "beginning" of the universe sattva, rajas and tamas were in balance. But for some unknown reason the balance was disturbed and this is cause of the universe. Unfortunately I don't remember which one -…
onephys
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What does the Prashna Upanishad say about Pitrayana and Devayana?

This book talks about Pitrayana and Devayana in the Prashna Upansihad This interesting Upanishad deals in six questions put by six seekers of Brahaman to the sage Pippalada....the concepts of Pitrayana and Devayana are also presented.. What does…
Amit Saxena
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Is Muktika Upanishad genuine?

How can Muktika be genuine when it lists later day upanishads like Kali santarana ? How can it list vedas which were revealed later, eg: Shukla yajur veda releaved during the end of Dwapara yuga much later after the period of Rama. How come these…
Rakesh Joshi
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What is the use of learning Upanishads?

I would like to know what is the use of reading the Upanishads. I ask this because, in order to realize the self and the Supreme being one must experience it. And all of those experiences are written in Upanishads. Merely learning the Upanishads…
user12458
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In garbha upanishad, in what way the seven types of colors were classified? And what are the significant of it?

In garbha upanishad it says, the colors are basically of seven types viz., white, red, black, smoky gray, yellow and golden white.” What are these seven types? How these are categories in 7 types?
Love Sharma
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What is the best way to start learning the Upanishads for beginners and in what order?

Is there any good and authentic source where English version of the Upanishads are available.
Elfin forest
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Verses number in upanishads

I want a list of upanishads in a specific order. The order should be smallest to biggest that is upanishads with least verses to upanishads with most verses.
Vaibhav Mishra
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Cross reference to Svetaswara Upanisad Chapter 1 Verse 4

The Svetaswara Upanisad Chapter 1, Verse 4 goes like this "We perceive Him as a wheel with one axis, three tiers, sixteen ends, fifty spokes, twenty counter spokes, the six sets of eight, whose one rope is manifold, which has three different paths…
Gopal Anantharaman
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What are some verses from upanishad that say God is all powerful or omnipotent?

What are some verses that clearly say God is all powerful from upanishad?
Dark Knight
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Koshas are both Brahman and Maya?

In chapter 3 of the Taittiriya Upanishad, the koshas are said to be Brahman. But aren't the koshas also Maya, given their suffixes (eg "manomaya")? Also, aren't the koshas anatman?
WillyWonka
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Upanishads books with word by word translation and contemplation

I am a beginner and I haven't found any books which have complete translation and contemplation.
Sri Charan Naga
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