1. Introduction Upani  ads

2. Upani  ads: Introduction

3. If the early Veda is primarily concerned with the ritual (karman-), the Upanisads (or later Veda emphasizes the actor (kart  -) Nonetheless, the Upani  ads belong to the same cultural milieu as the early Vedas, so carry forth ideas in the earlier texts The Actor

4. 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  ra  yakas (B  U: on the A  vamedha) –Sometimes in a more accommodating mode (  v 2.6-7)

5. The Upani  ads as Link between Vedism and Hinduism The Upani  ads 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 Ved  nta philosophy)

6. 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. Meaning and Number

7. Upani  ads are also called Ved  nta ‘end of the Veda’ –‘End’ > ‘final portion of the Veda’ –‘End’ > (metaphorically) as the final teaching (> perhaps implying the highest or most advanced teaching) Ved  nta

8. There are traditionally 108 (Muktika U I. 30-39) Some accounts estimate over 200 Eight or Nine are true Vedic Upani  ads The rest are late or sectarian in nature Number of Upani  ads

9. B  had-  ra  yaka-upani  ad, Ch  ndogya Upani  ad, Aitareya Upani  ad, Kausitaki Upani  ad, Taittiriya Upani  ad, Kena Upani  ad, Katha Upani  ad, Isa Upani  ad Others are also included such as Prasna, Mu  aka, M  ukya, Maitrayaniya and Svetasvatara Upani  ads. The Mah  nar  yana Upani  ad may also be included Early Upani  ads