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Introduction-3-Names
Names of Upanishad
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 later 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
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 Sukla Yajur Ved are:
(1) Eeshaavaasya, (2) Brahadaaranyak, (3) Jaabaal, (4) Hans, (5) Param
Hans, (6) Subal, (7) Mantrika, (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) Sarvasar, (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-santaraanand,
(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) Nrasinh Taapinee, (8) Naarad
Parivraajak, (9) Seetaa, (10) Sharabh, (11) Tripad Vibooti 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 Upanishads
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 Kena, meaning ‘by whom’.
It belongs to the Talavakara Braahman of Saam Ved 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 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 Upanishads. It consists of three sections or
Kaand: the Madhu Kaand, the Yaagyavalkya or the Muni Kaand and the Khila
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 Chhaandogyo 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 is 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
Upanishads category wise are given below:
(1) General Upanishad (27)
(1) Shwetasvatar Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by a sage called Shwetasvatara. More emphasis is
given in teaching of Saankhya Yog and the philosophy of illusion (Maya).
(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
Shwetaketu. 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) Sarvasara Upanishad
Defines and explains several words like Kath, Bandh, Annamaya etc, which
occur constantly in Upanishadik philosophy.
(8) 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.
(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) Vajrasuchika Upanishad
This Upanishad investigates and tries to answer the question, “Who is a
Brahmin? 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 ’Om’. This is more of a
prayer towards ‘Om’.
(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
Chaakshushmati 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 Upanishads (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
OM 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 “Om”. 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) Brihajjabala 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) Dakshinamoorti 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
Nraasinh. This Upanishad tells about Lord Sharabh.
(8) Pashupat Brahmopanishad
Tells us lord Shiva’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) Rudraksh Jaabaal Upanishad
This is the teaching of Kaalaagni Rudra to sage Bhushund and deals
exclusively about Rudraksha.
(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) Seeta Upanishad
Brahmaa tells the Devtaa about who is Sita. He tells them that she is the
Aadhaar Shakthi (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 Panchadash
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) Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad
Bhagawan Narayana tells about the Shakthi from whom every God originated
and teaches the devas, the worship of sowbhagya Lakshmi.
(8) Sarasvatirahasya Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by Sage Asvalayana to other sages. He teaches
them the ten Saraswathi mantras and methods of worshipping her.
(9) Bahuvracha Upanishad
Talks in detail about the existence of Shakthi from whom all gods and
knowledge originated. Gives hints of worship of Sri Vidhya.
(4) Vaishnava 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) Nrasinh 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
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.
(3) Tripad Vibhooti Mahaanaaraayan 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 Yntras 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 Krishna. 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 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
Brahma tells Naarad that whoever meditates and worships Lord Hayagreev
gets to know the Brahma =Vidyaa. The Mantra for worship of Lord Hayagreeva
is given.
(12) Dattaatreya Upanishad
Tells the method of meditation and worship of Dattaatreya. The Dattaatreya
Mantra is given.
(12) Garuda 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) Turiyateea 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) Parama 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) Parbrahm 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
Braahmnn should search for Brahm. Also tells that one taking Sanyaas gives
redemption for three generation of manes.
(6) Yoga Upanishad (19)
(1) Shwetaashwadhar Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by a sage called Shwetaashwadhar. 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 nad Upanishad
This describes the way and detailed method to chant the holy letter “OM’,
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 Yoga 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-japa 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 Brahmin 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-japa Gayatree. Tells about the
seats of Yog, tells how to wake up the Kundalanee and reach her up to
Brahma Randhra.
(13) Mandal Braahmanopanishad
This is the teaching of Sun God to his disciple Yagyavalkya. 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 Ashtang
Yog and Brahm Vidyaa.
(15) Yog shik Upanishad
This is the teaching of Lord Maheshwar to Lord Brahma. It deals with
subjects like Mukti, Shakti, Naad, Chaitanya and Yog.
(16) Yog Kudalinee Upanishad
Tells about Kundalanee 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-japa Gayatree. Tells what is the merger of mind with Brahm.
(19) Varaah Upanishad
Tells about the Brahma 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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