Upnishad: What are Upnishads ?

What are Upnishads ?

Upnishads are conclusions of Vedah. They are findings of the seers (spiritual scientist). As the Upnishads contain abstruse and difficult discussions of ultimate philosophical problems, they were taught to the pupils at the end, that is why they are at the end of Vedah. Vedah start with the worship of manifest, as that is obvious and then slowly they transform to knowledge of unmanifest. Mantra Sanhita and Upnishads complete the knowledge.

The word Upnishad is derived from upa (near), ni (down) and sad, i.e., that is sitting down near. Groups of pupils sit near the Guru to learn from him/her the secret doctrine.

Shankara derives the word Upnishad as a substantive from the root sad, 'to loosen', 'to reach' or 'to destroy' with the upa and ni as prefixes and kvip as termination. According to this Upnishad means Brahm-Knowledge by which ignorance is destroyed or loosened.

As per my understanding the following is the definition of Upnishad- "Upnishads are the collection of pearls of Darshan(philosophy) that are spread in the ocean of Vedah."

Eesha Upnishad As It Is

The Eesha, also called the Eshavasya Upnishad derives its name from the opening word of the text Eshavasya or Eesha . It belongs to the Vajasaneyi school of Yajur Veda . The Vajasaneya Samhita consists of forty chapters of which this Upnishad is the last.

Its main purpose is to reveal the essential unity of Braham and world, being and becoming. It is interested not so much in the Absolute in itself, Parabraham as in the Absolute in relation to the World, Parameshwara. It reveals that the individual and Braham are not incompatible.

Please find below the beautiful Richas (hymns).

Richa 0 :

(Invocation Hymn)

Meaning:

That is absolute (Braham). This is absolute(world). The absolute(world) comes out of absolute(Braham). Taking the absolute (world)from the absolute(Braham), the absolute (Braham)itself remains.Aum, peace, peace, peace.

Explanation:

Braham is both transcendent and immanent.
The birth or creation of the universe does not in any manner affect the integrity of the Braham (absolute). Please note that the world is also called absolute as this is manifested characterstics of Braham. To understand more please read Bhagvadgita.

Richa 1 :

Meaning:

All this, whatever moves and all that does not move in this moving world, is enveloped by Braham. Therefore find your enjoyment in renunciation (of ego of doer); do not covet what belongs to others.

Explanation:

Braham is in every manifested and unmanifested entity of the world. Or Braham is every manifested and unmanifested entity of the world.
The three Guna (Satava, Rajas and Tamas) are reponsible for actions. Therefore we should not have ego of a doer.

Richa 2 :

Meaning:

Always performing actions(karma) without desire to their fruits, here one should wish to live a hundred years. This is the only way that karma will not adhere to you and you will not be attached to Karma.

Explanation:

The three Guna (Satava, Rajas and Tamas) are reponsible for actions. Therefore we should not have ego of a doer.