Upanishad

The Upanishads (उपनिषद्, Upaniṣad) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism.

Related Topics:
Hindu - Shruti - Scripture - Meditation - Philosophy

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:A note: When -a a- come together at the join in a Sanskrit compound word, they run together to form -ā-, e.g. Vedānta is from Veda-anta = "Veda end". See sandhi.

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The Upanishads are commentaries on the Vedas, their putative end and essence, and thus known as Vedānta = "End of the Veda". The term Upanishad derives from the Sanskrit words upa (near), ni (down) and ṣad (to sit) = "sitting down near" a spiritual teacher to receive instruction in the Guru-Shishya tradition or parampara. The teachers and students appear in a variety of settings (husband answering questions about immortality, a teenage boy being taught by Yama, or Death personified, etc.). Sometimes the sages are women and at times the instructions (or rather inspiration) are sought by kings.

Related Topics:
Vedas - Sanskrit - Yama

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