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Upani ads. Introduction. Upani ads: Introduction. The Actor. If the early Veda is primarily concerned with the ritual ( karman- ), the Upanisads (or later Veda emphasizes the actor ( kart -)
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Upaniads Introduction
The Actor • If the early Veda is primarily concerned with the ritual (karman-), the Upanisads (or later Veda emphasizes the actor (kart-) • Nonetheless, the Upaniads belong to the same cultural milieu as the early Vedas, so carry forth ideas in the earlier texts
What is Accepted in the Early Veda • The gods are still recognized • Ritual actions are still accepted: • Sometimes disparagingly (MU I.ii,7-10) • Sometimes giving the ritual a more allegorical or philosophical meaning such as those in the rayakas (BU: on the Avamedha) • Sometimes in a more accommodating mode (v 2.6-7)
The Upaniads as Link between Vedism and Hinduism • The Upaniads connect the Veda with later Hinduism: • As the last or final word of the one (Veda) • As the prime source for the other (especially of the later Vednta philosophy)
Meaning and Number • Upanisads: • Literal sense: upa- (‘near’); ni (‘down’); *sad (‘sit’): > ‘sit down near’; teachings that should be reserved for those qualified to hear the teachings • Expanded: “Secret” Teachings (based upon the etymology given above) • Based upon Context: “Connections” (the teachings are primarily concerned with establishing connections between the micro- and macro-cosm, and especially between tman and Brahman.
Vednta • Upaniads are also called Vednta ‘end of the Veda’ • ‘End’ > ‘final portion of the Veda’ • ‘End’ > (metaphorically) as the final teaching (> perhaps implying the highest or most advanced teaching)
Number of Upaniads • There are traditionally 108 (Muktika U I. 30-39) • Some accounts estimate over 200 • Eight or Nine are true Vedic Upaniads • The rest are late or sectarian in nature
Early Upaniads • Bhad-rayaka-upaniad, Chndogya Upaniad, Aitareya Upaniad, Kausitaki Upaniad, Taittiriya Upaniad, Kena Upaniad, Katha Upaniad, Isa Upaniad • Others are also included such as Prasna, Muaka, Mukya, Maitrayaniya and Svetasvatara Upaniads. • The Mahnaryana Upaniad may also be included