108 upanishads/ Chennai Vaasi Sri Lakshmanan's Input

[Guest guest]

SrI:

 

Dear All :

 

This information that appeared in Thiruvengatam e-list

would be of interest to you all .

 

Dr. N.S.Aanatha RangachArya's detailed commentaries on

intrepretations according to AchArya RaamAnuja's (Sri Ranga Raaja

Muni's commentary ) is available to students , who want to have

an indepth study .

 

V.Sadagopan

 

 

 

--

> Pattars

> ramya475

> Fri, 2 Jun 2006 09:22:00 +0000

> [Pattars] Meaning of 108 upanishads

 

Dear Friends,

Through this letter , I want to bring to your notice the yeoman

service being done do the Hindu religion by Sri.Lakshmanan of Madras

who is maintaining a web site called www.celextel.org. When he found

that, the meaning of all the 108 upanishads are not available any

where in the web, he tried very hard to collect as many translations

as possible. Recently with my translation of 22 minor Upanishads,

his above web site has the translation of 107 out of the 108

upanishads. The only one left out is Rama Rahasya Upanishad.I am

eproducing below the extensive introduction to the Upanishads which

also contains a summary of each of the 108 upanishads.With best

wishes, Ramachander

 

Introduction to Upanishads

P.R.Ramachander

General Introduction

"Upanishad means the inner or mystic

teaching. The term Upanishad is derived from upa (near), ni (down)

and s(h)ad (to sit), i.e., sitting down near. Groups of pupils sit

near the teacher to learn from him the secret doctrine. In the

quietude of the forest hermitages the Upanishad thinkers pondered on

the problems of deepest concerns and communicated their knowledge to

fit pupils near them. Samkara derives the word Upanishad as a

substitute from the root sad, 'to loosen.,' 'to reach' or 'to

destroy' with Upa and ni as prefixes and kvip as termination. If

this determination is accepted, upanishad means brahma-knowledge by

which ignorance is loosened or destroyed." Upanishads are found in

the concluding sections of Vedas and are classified as Vedanta or

the end of the Vedas. There are five Vedas with Yajur Veda having

two versions. Each of these five books has several Saaakas

(Branches). Each Saaka has a Karma Khanda dealing with the actions

to be performed and is made up of Mantras and Brahmanaas. The latter

deals with Upasana or meditation and has Aranyakas inside them for

the benefit of those who have resorted to the quiet habitat of the

forest to pursue their spiritual Quest.

The Upanishads are found mostly in the Aranyaka section of the

Vedas. The five Vedas have 1180 Saaakas and thus there should be

1180 Upanishads. But what we have now with us is a collection of 108

Upanishads. The list of these 108 Upanishads is given in the

Mukthikopanishad.

Out of the 108 Upanishads only 10 have been commented upon by

several Acharyas like Adhi Sankara. These are Ishavasya, Kena,

Katha, Aithreya, Brihadaranyaka, Prashna, Mandukya, Taittireeya,

Chandogya and Mundaka. These have also been popularized by many

savants like Swami Vivekananda, Swami Chinmayananda etc. They all

deal with highest category of philosophy and metaphysics. So there

is a general impression that all Upanishads are texts of Hindu

Philosophy. This is not true. There are Upanishads which even tell

you how to wear the sacred ash, how to worship a particular God and

so on. But majority of them deal with methods of Yoga and

Renunciation (Sanyasa).

 

The Vedas and Upanishads

 

"The breakdown among the 108 Upanishads according to the 5 Vedas are

as follows:

 

1.Rig Veda : 10

2.Sama Veda :16

3.Atharva Veda: 31

4.Krishna Yajur Veda: 32

5.Sukla Yajur Veda: 19

 

The 10 Upanishads belonging to the Rig Veda are the following:

 

1. Aitareya 2.Kaushitaki 3.Nadabindu 4.Atmabodha 5. Nirvana

6.Mudgala 7.Akshamala 8.Tripura 9.Saubhagyalakshmi and

10. Bah vracha.

 

The 16 associated with the Sama Veda are:

 

1.Kena 2.Chhandogya 3.Arunika 4. Maitrayani 5.Maitreyi

6.Vajrasuchi 7.Yogachudamani 8.Vasudeva 9.Mahat

10.Sanyasa 11.Avyakta 12. Kundika 13.Savitri 14.Rudrakshajabala

15.Jabaladarsana and 16.Jabali

 

The 19 Upanishads belonging to Sukla Yajur Veda are:

 

1.Isavasya 2.Brahadaranyaka 3.Jabala 4. Hamsa 5.ParamaHamsa

6.Subala 7.Mantrika 8.Niralamba 9.Trisikhibrahmana 10.Mandalabrahmana

11. Advayataraka 12.Paingala 13.Bhikshuka 14. Turiyatita 15.Adhyatma

16.Yajnavalkya 17.Satyayani 18.Tarasara and 19.Muktika .

 

The 32 Upanishads belonging to the Krishna Yajur Veda are:

 

1.Katha 2.Taittiriya 3.Brahma 4.Kaivalya 5.Svetasvatara 6.Garbha

7.Narayana 8.Amritabindhu 9.Amritanada 10.Kalagnirudra 11.Kshurika

12. Sarvasara 13.Sukharahasya 14. Tejobindhu 15. Dhyanabindhu

16.Brahmavidya 17.Yogatattva 18.Dakshinamurti 19.Skanda

20.Sariraka 21.Yogasikha 22. Ekakshara 23. Akshi 24. Avadhuta

25. Katharudra 26.Rudrahrudhaya 27.Yogakundalini 28. Panchabrahma

29.Pranaagnihotra 30.Varaha 31. Kalisantaranaand

32.Sarasvatirahasya .

 

The 31 Upanishads belonging to the Atharva Veda are :

 

1. Prasna 2.Mundaka 3.Maandukya 4.Atharvasira 5.Atharvasikha

6. Brahajjabala 7. Nrsimhatapini 8. Narada Parivrajaka 9.Sita

10.Sarabha 11.Tribadvibhutimahanarayana 12.Ramarahasya

13. Ramatapini 14.Sandilya 15.Paramahamsaparivrajaka

16. Annapurna 17.Surya 18.Atma 19. Pasupatabrahma

20.Parabrahma 21. Tripuratapini 22. Devi 23. Bhavana

24. Bhasmajabala 25. Ganapati 26.Mahavakhya

27. Gopalatapini 28.Krishna 29. Hayagriva 30.Dattatreya

and 31. Garuda ."

 

 

 

Major Upanishads

 

The ten major Upanishads which contain great philosophical

discussions and knowledge are

1.Ishavasya 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.Kena Upanishad

Kenopanishad derives its name from the first word Kena ,

meaning `by whom'. It belongs to the Talavakara Bahmana of Sama

Veda and is therefore also referred to as Talavakara 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 Kathopanishad is divided into six Vallis. Valli literally means

a creeper. A Valli, like a creeper, is attached to the Sakhas or

Branches of the Veda. This Upanishad is also divided into two

Adhyayas (chapters) of three Vallis each. "This is one of the most

beautiful Upanishads in which the eternal truths are given in the

form of a narrative. The narrative is taken from Taittiriya Brahmana

(3-11-8) with some variation. The same story is told in the

Taittiriya Brahmana, only with this difference that in the Brahmana

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.Aithreya Upanishad

The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the oldest of the Upanishads. It

belongs to the Aitareya Aranyaka of the Rig-Veda. It is divided into

three chapters and contains 33 verses. The Upanishad deals with the

process of creation.

 

5.Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

"Brhadaranyaka Upanishad means the "great forest-book". This

Upanishad is one of the oldest of all the Upanishads. It consists of

three sections or kandas: the Madhu kanda, the Yajnavalkya or the

Muni kanda and the Khila kanda. Here the Brahman 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 i.e. self-restraint, giving, and

compassion."

 

6.Prashna Upanishad

"In Sanskrit , Prashna mean 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 Brahman come to sage Pippalada and ask questions

of great spiritual importance. Pippalada asks them to take up

penance of one year. Upon completion of penance, they again come to

sage and ask questions, then the sage answers their questions."

 

 

7.Mandukya 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

M�nd�kya 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 Taittiriya Upanishad belongs to the Taittiriya school of the

Yajur Veda. It is divided into three sections called Vallis. T he

first is the Siksa Valli. Siksa is the first of the six Vedangas

(limbs or auxiliaries of the Veda); it is the science of phonetics

and pronunciation. The second is the Brahmananda Valli and the third

is the Bhrugu Valli. These two deal with the knowledge of the

Supreme Self, paramatma-jnana."

 

9.Chandogya Upanishad

"Along with Brhadaranyaka Upanishad the Chandogyopanishad is an

ancient source of principal fundamentals for Vedanta philosophy.

Considering number of references made to this Upanishad in Brahma

sutras, it indicates special importance of this Upanishad in Vedanta

philosophy. Important spiritual practices like Dahara vidya,

Shandilya vidya, etc. are its speciality."

 

10.Mundakopanishad

"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 Brahmavidya, either because it describes

first the message of Hiranyagarbha, the casual Brahma, or because

the message relates the glory of Brahmam. This Upanishad speaks of

Brahmavidya 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 Mundaka, or shaven Head. Apart from

this, this Upanishad is honoured as the crest of all, since it

expounds the very essence of Brahma Jnana. It is assigned to the

Fourth Veda, the Atharvana."

 

(The write up about the ten major Upanishads has been taken from

various web sites. My indebtedness to those great souls is

acknowledged.)

 

The other 98 Upanishads are again classified according to their

content as follows.

They are General, (Of common interest), Saiva(Dealing with Lord

Shiva) , Saktha (dealing with the divine mother Shakthi), Vaishnava

(dealing with Lord Vishnu), Sanyasa (Dealing with renunciation) and

Yoga(dealing with Yogic practices) Upanishads. Thouigh

classification is made, still there is some overlapping in the

subjects dealt with. Short notes on each of these Upanishads

category wise are given below:-

 

General Upanishads(27 )

 

Svetasvatara Upanishad

This Upanishad is taught by a sage called Svetasvatara. More

emphasis is given in teaching of Sankhya yoga and the philosophy of

illusion(Maya)

 

Garbho Upanishad

This Upanishad is by sage Pippalada and deals with the

growth of foetus in the womb .It also gives the number of different

parts of the body like bones, nerves , flesh etc.

 

Maitrayani Upanishad

This Upanishad tells us about the penance of a king called

Brahadratha. The king asks the sage Sakanya about the feeling of

desire in this meaningless world. Sage Sakanya relates him, what has

been told to him by sage Maithreya. He teaches him the great science

of Brahma Vidya. And tells him finally that mind and illusion are

responsible for this contradiction.

 

Kaushitaki Upanishad

This Upanishad is taught by sage Chithra to sage Udhalaka and his

son Shwethakethu. 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 Sanyasa.

 

Subala Upanishad

This is the teaching of Sage Angiras 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.

 

Mantrika Upanishad

Deals about the properties of Brahmam. Tells that

whatever is produced vanishes and then is reproduced. Concludes that

the one who knows it well is the Brahman

 

Sarvasara Upanishad

Defines and explains several words like Katha,

Bandha, Annamaya etc which occur constantly in Upanishadic

philosophy

 

Niralamba Upanishad

It is an independent text of Hindu philosophy. It tries to

investigate what is Brahmam and concludes that the Sanyasi by

following proper methods has a better chance of attaining salvation.

Sukarahasya Upanishad

This Upanishad is supposed to be taught to sage Suka

so that he would understand the philosophy of salvation. The

explanations of words and ideas are extensive.

 

Vajrasuchika Upanishad

This Upanishad investigates and tries to answer the

question, "Who is a Brahmin? It says that caste does not come by

birth.

 

Atmaprabodha Upanishad

Tells us about meditation on Pranava and the great

Vaishnava mantra"om narayanaya Nama." Defines and tells about the

identities of an evolved soul.

 

Skanda Upanishad

Takes a conciliatory stand between Shaiva and

Vaishnava. Tells that both are same.

Mudgala Upanishad

This Upanishad aims at explaining the mantras of the great

Purusha Suktham.

 

Paingala Upanishad

This is taught by sage Yagnavalkya to sage Paingala. It

gives an explanation of the term `Kaivalya'. It also attempts to

explain the Maha Vakyas of Vedas like `Aham Brahmasmi' as well the

duties of Jnanis.

 

Mahat Upanishad

Tells about the initial creation of the universe starting

From Lord Narayana till Lord Brahma After this there is discussion

between sage Suka and the king Janaka regarding the creation of the

Samsara. This is followed by discussion of several aspects of

philosophy between Sage Nidhaka and his Guru Sage Ripu .It tells

that Sastras are burden for a Jnani, Jnana is a burden to those who

are attached and so on.

 

Sariraka Upanishad

Tells us about the different aspects of the human body,

including states of knowledge.

 

Akshamalika Upanishad

This Upanishad is taught by Guha to Lord Brahma, It tells us

in detail about how to choose the mala (rosary) for use in

meditation.

 

Ekakshara Upanishad

This is an Upanishad which deals with the letter' Om'. This is more

of a prayer towards `Om'.

 

 

Surya Upanishad

Tells us about Surya Angirasa mantra and Gayatri which is a

prayer to the Sun. Tells also about the ashtakshara to worship Lord

Surya.

 

Akshi Upanishad

Contains the prayer of sage Sankruthi to Lord Surya which

contains the Chakshushmathi mantra. This is followed by teaching of

Brahma Vidya by Surya.

 

Adhyatma Upanishad

This is initially taught by Sadashiva to sage

Apantharathamas. Tells that There is nothing but Athma and the

feeling of existence of others is only illusion.

 

Savitri Upanishad

Tells us who is Savithri and the difference between Savitha and

Savithri Also gives the Savithri mantra.

 

Atma Upanishad

Deals with various aspects of Athma and how a Brahma

Jnani does not see any other thing except Athma.

 

Katarudra Upanishad.

This is teaching of Brahma Vidya by Lord Brahma himself to the

Devas. The treatment is philosophical.

 

Panchabrahma Upanishad

Details the five stages by which Para Brahmam was evolved

 

Pranaagnihotra Upanishad

This Upanishad deals with the sarrera Yagna or the

sacrifice to the body. Tells what all mantras are to be chanted

before taking food.. The usual mantras that a Brahmin chants while

taking food are contained in this Upanishad.

Muktika Upanishad

This Upanishad is the Teaching of Lord

Rama to Hanuman. It tells about Vedas, Vedangas and also Kaivalya

and also summarizes the Hindu Vedanta. The list of 108 Upanishads is

given in this Upanishad.

 

Saiva Upanishads(13)

 

Kaivalya Upanishad

In this Brahma teaches the knowledge of Brahmam to sage

Aswalayana. Though Adhi Sankara wrote commentaries only for ten

Upanishads, he considered this also as an important Upanishad. It

deals with he state where the person is himself. The path shown is

through meditation and devotion. Keeping the person as the plank

and considering OM as the stick which rotates on the plank and gives

out the light of fire.

 

Atharvasira Upanishad

It emphasizes about the greatness of the holy

letter "om" .It also tells that the form of lord Rudhra is the form

of Pranava.

Atharvasikha Upanishad

This is taught by Sage Adharva to great sages like Pippaladha,

Angiras and Sanathkumara. It emphasizes on the need and benefits on

the meditation of the Pranava.

 

Brahajjabala Upanishad

This Upanishad is told by Kalagni Rudra to sage Busundi. It

deals in detail about the method of preparation of holy ash

(Vibhuthi) and method of wearing it.

 

Kaalagnirudra Upanishad

It tells in detail about the method of wearing holy ash

(Vibhuthi) along with mantras for wearing the same. This is taught

by Kalagni Rudra to the great sage Sanathkumara.

 

Dakshinamurthi Upanishad

Dakshinamurthy is the teacher form of Shiva. He

teaches without talking. This Upanishad gives the Dakshinamurthi

mantra and the method of practicing it

 

Sarabha Upanishad

Sarabha is the animal, man and bird form of

Lord Shiva. It is believed that he took this form to control the

anger of Vishnu when he took the form of Narasimha. This Upanishad

tells about Lord Sarabha.

 

Pasupathabramopanishad.

Tells us lord Shiva's aspect of Pasupathi(the lord of all

living things).Tells how that the entire universe is really one and

there is no differentiation.

 

Rudrahrudaya Upanishad

Shuka asks his father which God exists in all devas

and in which God all devas exist. The answer is this Upanishad. He

tells that it is Rudra.

 

Bhasmajabala Upanishad

Tells about how Vibhuthi has to be prepared and

also the daily duties of a Brahmana. This is the teaching Lord Shiva

to Jabala Busunda.

Rudrakshajabala Upanishad

This is the teaching of Kalagni Rudra to sage Busunda. And

deals exclusively about Rudraksha.

 

Ganapati Upanishad

Starts with a prayer to Lord Ganapathy and gives the

Ganapathy mantra. Tells how worship of Ganapathy is to be done.

 

Jabali Upanishad

Sage Jabali tells sage Pippalada about lord Pasupathi. The

need and method of wearing Vibhuti(Holy ash) is given in detail.

 

Saktha Upanishads(9)

 

Sita Upanishad

Brahma tells the Devas about who is Sita. He tells

them that she is the Adhara Shakthi (the basis which is the

foundation) in the feminine form. Tells also about her different

forms.

 

Tripuratapini Upanishad

Tells about the Sathakshari mantra for meditating on

Tripura, the Goddess Parvathy. Several great manthras like Gayatry,

and Panchadasakshari are a part of this. Tells about Srividya

Upasana.

 

,Annapurna Upanishad

Sage Rupu tells sage Nidhaka about Devi Annapurna. He also

teaches him the Annapurna mantra. This is followed by teaching of

philosophical aspects like maya, Yoga and Mukthi.

 

Devi Upanishad

The Devi tells the devas who she is in this

Upanishad. Tells about Panchadasakshari and Navakshari mantras to

worship her.

 

Tripura Upanishad

Tells about Sri Chakra and the worship of the devi

through the right and left methods.

 

Bhavana Upanishad

Tells one important aspect of Sri Vidya Upasana.

 

Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad

Bhagawan Narayana tells about the Shakthi from whom every God

originated and teaches the devas, the worship of sowbhagya Lakshmi

 

Sarasvatirahasya Upanishad

This Upanishad is taught by Sage Asvalayana to other sages.

He teaches them the ten Saraswathi mantras and methods of

worshipping her

 

Bahuvracha Upanishad

Talks in detail about the existence of Shakthi from whom

all gods and knowledge originated. Gives hints of worship of Sri

Vidhya.

Vaishnava Upanishads(14)

 

Narayana Upanishad

Describes the principle of Tripath Narayana . It also

introduces the Narayana ashtakshara mantra and describes the

benefits of chanting it

 

Nrsimhatapini Upanishad

It has two parts. In the poorva part, it

tells in detail about the greatness of Lord Naraimha. It also has

the great king of Mantras called Narasimha mantra and tells in

detail how to meditate on it. In the Uthara part it tells also about

the greatness of Pranava and the Narsimha Raja Mantra. It gives

detailed method of meditating on Lord Narasimha.

 

Tripadvibhutimahanarayana Upanishad

Brahma did Thapas for 1000 years to know from Lord

Vishnu about Brahmam. This is what Lord Vishnu told him. Also clears

his doubts such as Brhamam having a form and not having a form etc .

Also gives the shapes of several yantras.

 

Ramarahasya Upanishad

Tells that Lord Rama is Brahma Taraka and expounds various

mantras for worshipping him. Also gives yantras for worshipping Lord

Rama.

 

Ramatapini Upanishad

There are two parts , the poorva Thapini and the second

Uthara Thapini. Tells about the greatness of the word "Rama". Tells

about the Rama Yantra, which is similar to the Sri Chakra. Tells

also the belief that `Lord Shiva tells the Tharaka mantra in the

ears of all people dying in Varanasi' and the method of worship of

Rama.

 

 

 

Vasudeva Upanishad

Tells about what is UrdhwaPundra(the sign worn

by Vaishnavites) and the rules for wearing it.

 

Avyakta Upanishad

Deals about the creation of clearly defined things from that

unclear past. Tells how Parajapati came from Avayaktha and went on

to create the world. Gives a mantra to worship Lord Vishnu.

 

Tarasara Upanishad

Tells about holiness of Kurukshethra, Tharaka mantra and

pranava. Tells method of worship of Lord Narayana.

 

Gopalatapini Upanishad

Sages approach Lord Brahma to know the procedure to worship

Krishna. What he tells them is contained in this Upanishad. The

upasana mantra of Govinda is given.

 

Krishna Upanishad

The sages when they meet Rama wanted to embrace him. He

made them to be born as Gopis and he took the avatara of Krishna, so

that they can embrace him. This book tells as to who were born as

what in Krishnavatara.

 

Hayagreeva Upanishad

Brahma tells Narada that whoever meditates and worships

Lord Hayagreeva gets to know the Brahma vidya. The mantra for

worship of Lord Hayagreeva is given.

 

Dathathreya Upanishad

Tells the method of meditation and worship of

Dathathreya. The Dathathreya mantra is given.

 

Garuda Upanishad

The method of meditation and worship of Garuda , the

vehicle of Lord Vishnu is given.

 

Kali santarana Upanishad

Tells about how the evils of kali age is to be

crossed. The sixteen letter prayer on Rama would help one in doing

this.

 

Sanyasa Upanishads (16)

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 Yagnopavita occurs

in this Upanishad.

 

Jabala Upanishad

This is compiled by Sage Jabala. This gives more emphasis on

mediation and the chanting of Rudra. The greatness of concentrating

between the centres of eyes is stressed here.

 

Arunya Upanishad

This Upanishad deals about the teaching of Prajapathi to sage

Aaruni. It gives in detail the rules of life to be followed by a

Brahmachari and a Sanyasi.

 

Paramahamsa Upanishad

It deals about the discussion between Sage Narada and

God on who is a paramahamsa (sanyasi at an advanced stage) and

methods to identify him.

 

Maitreyi Upanishad

It is the teaching of Lord Parameshwara to sage

Maithreya. To a large extent , what is given in Maithrayani

Upanishad is repeated. In addition God tells to him in detail about

his formless form.

 

Nirvana Upanishad

Details about the Sanyasa marga involving Nirvana

(nudity). Tells about how the people follow it .

 

Narada Parivrajaka Upanishad

This is the teaching of Narada to the Souunaka Sages. It

tells abut the methods to attain salvation, the rules to be followed

by a Sanyasi, and the time when a person should enter Sanyasa. It

also talks about Karma Sanyasa.

 

Bhikshuka Upanishad

It defines the different types of Sanyasi like Kuttesaka,

Bahoodhaka, Hamsa and Parama Hamsa .

 

Turiyatita Upanishad

It is taught by Lord Narayana to Lord Brahma and tells us abut

the rules of the life of an Avadhootha.

 

Sanyasa Upanishad

Tells who can take Sanyasa and what is the procedure.

 

Paramahamsaparivrajaka Upanishad

This is taught by Lord Narayana to Lord Brahma. It deals

mainly about the procedure of taking sanyasa.

 

Kundika Upanishad

Tells what al things a Sanyasi should posses. And how he

should behave

 

Parabrahma Upanishad

Tells what is Yagnopavitha as well as Shika, for the

sanyasis as well as people of the world. Gives clearly the total

length of the Upavitha. For the sanyasi it is the pranava which acts

as Yagnopavitha and Shika.

 

 

Avadhuta Upanishad

Dathathreya teaches sage Sankrithi as to who is Avadhootha

and how he should behave.

 

Yajnavalkya Upanishad

The Upanishad tells when to assume sanyasa and also the

properties of a sanyasi.

Saatyayani Upanishad

Mind becomes the reason for attachment and salvation. Tells that a

real Brahmin should search for Brahmam. Also tells that one taking

sanyasa gives redemption for three generation of manes.

 

Yoga Upanishads(19)

.

Shwethaswadhara Upanishad

This Upanishad is taught by a sage called Swethaswadhara. More

emphasis is given in teaching Sankhya yoga and the philosophy of

illusion(Maya)

 

Hamsoupanishad

This talks about meditation on Hamsa mantra and is being

taught by sage Gauthama to sage Sanathkumara. The method of

meditating on the Hamsa mantra is fully described.

 

Amrutha bindu Upanishad.

It gives the knowledge of athma in the tasty form of

nectar and gives it as briefly as a dot. It tells us about what is

Brahmam and other concepts of hard core Hindu Philosophy.

 

Amrutha nadopanishad.

This describes the way and detailed method to chant

the holy letter "OM', which is called here as the nectar like letter.

 

 

 

Kshurikoupanishad.

Kshrika means knife. It is so called because it cuts

ignorance using the knife of wisdom. This is a Upanishad which in

detail tells about Yoga and its practice.

 

Thejo Bindupanishad

This Upanishad is the teaching of Lord Paramashiva

to his son Subrahmanya .Talks in detail about Yogic practices,

defines Chinmathra Swaroopa ,Athmanubhava , Jeevan Muktha etc

 

Nada Bindu Upanishad

Tells in detail about the meditation on Omkara (pranava) .

The method of meditation and some problems which may occur are

pointed out.

 

Dhyana Bindu Upanishad.

The meditation on Pranava and Ajabha Gayathri is dealt in

detail along with the method involved.

 

Brahma Vidhyoupanishad.

Teaches methods of attaining Brahma through

meditation .Emphasizes role of Guru. Tells that Sruthi is more

important than pramana.

 

Yoga Thathwopanishad

This is the teaching of Lord Vishnu to Lord Brahma.. It

details out the yogic practice. It also tells about the stages in

yoga, defines them and tells how to recognize them.

 

Trisiki Brahmanopanishad.

This is the teaching of Lord Soorya to a Brahmin called

Trishiki Brahmana. He clears his doubts about the definition of the

body, soul , Karana and yogic practice.

 

Yoga Choodamani Upanishad.

Tells about Yogic practice involving Ajaba Gayatri. Tells

about the seats of yoga , tells how to wake up the Kundalani and

reach her up to Brahma Randra.

 

Mandala Brahmanoupanishad.

This is the teaching of Sun God to his disciple Yagna

Valkya. This deals with the principle of the soul through yogic

practice. Definitions of various terms used in Yoga is also given.

Tells in detail about Yogic practice and tells us about what is

Sambhavi Mudhra.

 

Sandilyopanishad

This is taught by sage Atharvana to sage Sandilya.. It

deals with Ashtangayoga and Brahma Vidhya.

 

 

Yogashikopanishad.

This is the teaching of Lord Maheswara to Lord Brahma. It

deals with subjects like Mukthi, Shakthi, Nadha , Chaithanya and

Yoga.

 

Yoga kudalinyupanishad.

Tells about Kundalani and yogic practice.

 

Sri Jabaladarsanopanishad.

This is the teaching of Lord Dathathreya to his disciple sage

Sankriti. And tells how the yoga should be done in detail.

 

Mahavakyopanishad

Confirms that the knowledge "That this Sun is Brahma"

would be realized by chanting of Ajapa Gayathri. Tells what is the

merger of mind with Brhama.

Varahopanishad.

Tells about the Brahma Vidya of the body of Varaha. Lord Vishnu

as Varaha tells how he should be meditated upon and worshipped. Also

deals in detail about the stages of yoga.