Questions tagged [upanishads]
The last part of the Vedas, consisting of dialogues between teachers and students clarifying the philosophical teachings of the Vedas.
259
questions
5
votes
3answers
861 views
Why did Adi Sankaracharya compare the color of Ishwara's eyes to that of monkey's nates?
While commenting on the verse "tasya yatha kapyasam pundarikamevamakshini" in his bhashya on the Chandogya Upanishad, Shankara describes the eyes of Ishwara as:
eyes of that golden Purusha are like ...
2
votes
0answers
173 views
Where are the Sanskrit texts of Upanishads referred by Dara Shikoh?
Wikipedia states :
Dara Shikoh subsequently developed a friendship with the seventh Sikh Guru, Guru Har Rai. Dara Shikoh devoted much effort towards finding a common mystical language between ...
4
votes
0answers
294 views
Is Muktika Upanishad genuine?
How can Muktika be genuine when it lists later day upanishads like Kali santarana ?
How can it list vedas which were revealed later, eg: Shukla yajur veda releaved during the end of Dwapara yuga ...
4
votes
1answer
162 views
Does the Atharvasiras derives this mantra from YajurVeda or quotes from other Veda?
Atharvasiras Upanishad is one of the ancient Upanishad and perhaps the only Upanishad which is quoted in DharmaShastras (like Gautama 19.12, Vasistha 22.9 etc.. ) It is a part of AtharvaVeda. The ...
3
votes
1answer
589 views
What is Unmanifest & what is Person? And what's the difference?
Katha Upanishad Valli 3 says such.
7. Higher than the senses is the mind;
Higher than the mind is the essence; Higher than the essence is the immense self;
Higher than the immense is the ...
7
votes
1answer
286 views
How does Vishishtadvaita interpret “One without a second”?
There are some Advaita sounding verses in the Upanishads which declare that there is only one without a second in the beginning:
Aitareya Upanishad 1.1.1:
ॐ आत्मा वा इदमेक एवाग्र आसीन्नान्यत्किंचन ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Irawati Karve says “Vidura is the biological father of Yudhiṣṭhira”. Is she right? Which Upaniṣadic story is she referring to?
Irawati Karve in her book Yugānta, which is a commentary on the Mahābhārata, says:
There are two more incidents which lend support to this contention [that Dharma is the son of Vidura]. After ...
3
votes
0answers
764 views
kamajayi mudra and it's implications on celibacy
how can I use kamajayi mudra to become a means of aid in my celibacy?can i use it in the course of simple breathing meditation..or do i have to do a separate kind of affirmation meditation?
7
votes
2answers
248 views
Why treat Guest as God (अतिथिदेवो भव)?
Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11 (Siksha Valli) declares that:
मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव ॥ ४ ॥
mātṛdevo bhava | pitṛdevo bhava | ācāryadevo bhava | atithidevo bhava || ...
3
votes
2answers
120 views
Scriptural source for the Subhāṣita that says 'treat others' wives as your mother'
The other day I was listening to a discourse on Rāmāyaṇa ‡ where the speaker points out that although it is very simple for anyone to say सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर ॥ § (Speak truth, follow dharma.), but ...
13
votes
2answers
574 views
Interpreting Bhagavad Gita verse 8.16
I do know that according to Upanishads, All the higher Lokas except Brahma Loka, are subjected to circumgyration/reparation (birth-rebirth).
From Chhandogya Upanishad 4.15.5:
अथ यदु चैवास्मि...
6
votes
1answer
208 views
BG 14.8 - What is the source of the scriptural definition of “mode of ignorance”?
As you can see below, Prabhupāda, in his purport to BG 14.8, explains the "mode of ignorance" by citing a śloka from some scripture. Which scripture or 'literature' is he talking about?
BG 14.8
...
4
votes
0answers
362 views
Unity in Diversity concept in ancient Hindu scriptures?
Bhārata Bhāgya Vidhātā (Bangali : Dispenser of the destiny of India) is a five-stanza Bramho hymn in Bengali language Here dedicated to Supreme divine God or Parabrahma who is the dispenser of the ...
3
votes
1answer
448 views
How does Vishishtadvaita interpret “Brahma Ved Brahmaiva Bhavati”?
From Mundaka Upanishad, Mundaka-3, Khanda-2 Verse-9:
स यो ह वै तत् परमं ब्रह्म वेद
ब्रह्मैव भवति नास्याब्रह्मवित्कुले भवति ।
तरति शोकं तरति पाप्मानं गुहाग्रन्थिभ्यो
विमुक्तोऽमृतो भवति ॥ ९॥
...
2
votes
0answers
310 views
Does chanting name of Krishna in Kali yuga gives you moksha?
In Kalisantaran Upanishad it is mentioned that we can attain moksha by chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra.
But what I believe is Moksha means getting free from the shackles of Karma.
Once we have ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Is the Sankhya Darshana/Philosophy prior to Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads?
We know that there are Six Aastika Philosophy (Shad Darshana) : Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshiki,Mimamsa and Vedanta based on Vedas.
In many verses of Bhagavad Gita, the word Sankhya is found ; ...
11
votes
2answers
819 views
Names of female scholars from Vaidic and Upanishadic times, or “Brahmavadinis”
Wikipedia provides the names of some of the "Brahmavadinis" (ब्रह्मवादिनी) or female scholars of ancient times, who studied topics related to brahman (ब्रह्म) and took part in debates and discussions ...
6
votes
1answer
194 views
Brahman and gods
What is the relation between gods of vedas and brahman or tad ekam? How do they relate to each other? I have read Aurobindo's Secret of Vedas partly, but still not clear.
Why are deities worshipped ...
3
votes
1answer
154 views
Which Upanishad says that gods don't want humans to realise their true nature?
Which Upanishad says that gods don't want men to discover their true nature because if they did, men would become the very self of the gods.
Does anyone recognize this?
2
votes
1answer
428 views
Characteristics of Good & Bad Times
Time is a powerful thing and it appears to be the nature of time to change.
So my questions are:
Are there slokas that talk about the characteristics of good time and bad time in human life?
How is ...
8
votes
2answers
19k views
“Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana” Similar shlokas from Vedas and Upanishadas?
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ २-४७
Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana । Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma
Te Sangostvakarmani ।।
Meaning- ...
4
votes
2answers
342 views
Conversion of Sattva, Rajas, Tamas
I've read in one of the Upanishads that at the "beginning" of the universe sattva, rajas and tamas were in balance. But for some unknown reason the balance was disturbed and this is cause of the ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
What can I do to reduce anger, greed, lust, fear and ego? [duplicate]
As per Hindu scriptures,
What are the things one can do in daily life that would reduce anger, greed, lust, fear and ego over time?
Please don't say "surrender yourself to the lord" that's not what I ...
9
votes
2answers
567 views
What is the difference between living beings and dead matter according to scriptures?
I am trying to understand from a spiritual point of view what distinguishes the dead from the living.
I read in Bhagavad Geeta 7.5 that there is an inferior and superior nature of the self. The ...
5
votes
1answer
143 views
What is the importance of Bhrigu Kunda?
In Mahabharata, Anushashan Parva, SECTION XXV, it is mentioned that by bathing in Bhrigu Kunda after fasting of three days, Brahmanacide (Brahma hatya) sin can be removed as I discuss in my answer ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Benefits of “Suryaopassna” (सूर्योपासना) or Sun worship described in Vedas and upanishdas?
"Suryopasana" (सूर्योपासना) ie. Worship of Surya deva or Sun god is very ancient tradition of Hinduism. We can find it's origins in our Vedas. Lot's of mantras are there about Surya Deva or Sun god in ...
3
votes
0answers
167 views
Are two Jnana-related Vedic hymns of Vamadeva ever used in Yagnas?
As you can see in the Anukramani I provided in my answer here, the sage who heard most of the hymns in the Fourth Mandala of the Rig Veda was the sage Vamadeva, a descendant of the sage Gautama. Two ...
3
votes
2answers
188 views
Influence of the classical Upanishads on the belief of the maiority of contemporary Hindus
Nearly every book about the classical Upanishads emphasizes their importance for every Hindu. The Upanishads are considered part of Shruti.
My question asks for the relevance of the Upanishads for ...
4
votes
1answer
184 views
Commentary on Kena Upanishad besides Shankara's?
Which commentaries of the Kena Upanishad exist?
Besides Shankara's well-known commentary, are there other commentaries which are recommendable?
EDIT: I did not find the answer to my specific ...
5
votes
1answer
628 views
Aham Brahmasmi and Advaita Vedanta
In Advaita Vedanta, The famous Mahavakyas out of the four is अहं ब्रह्म अस्मिति,from Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10 of the Yajur Veda, which means "I am Brahman" or "I am Divine". There are various ...
2
votes
1answer
179 views
Were the mantras of the Isha Upanishad ever used in Yagnas?
As I discuss in this answer, each of the four Vedas consists of four portions: Samhitas, the core part of the Vedas which consist of mantras heard from the gods; Brahmanas, commentaries on the ...
9
votes
1answer
777 views
Why is the state of shushupti (deep sleep) called prajnanaghana (mass of consciousness)?
From Mandukya Upanishad V:
यत्र सुप्तो न कञ्चन कामं कामयते न कञ्चन स्वप्नं
पश्यति तत्
सुषुप्तम् । सुषुप्तस्थान एकीभूतः प्रज्ञानघन
एवानन्दमयो
ह्यानन्दभुक् चेतो मुखः प्राज्ञस्तृतीयः पादः ॥ ५॥
...
2
votes
1answer
412 views
Story of Lord Brahmas Palace “ Aparajita”?
What is story of Lord Brahma's Palace "Aparajita" (अपराजिता)? Which is according to This book , is located in his world and mentioned in "Kausitaki Upanishada".
15
votes
2answers
640 views
What is the need of creation?
Questions How was the Universe created? and What is the source of creation according to Upanishads? talk about many aspects of creation. But my questions are:
What is the need of creation? Why Brahma ...
5
votes
1answer
199 views
How can you roll up space?
I came across this quote: Only when space is rolled up like a piece of leather will there be an end to suffering apart from knowing god - Svetasvatara Upanisad, VI 20
The quote is in a Science ...
2
votes
0answers
66 views
Does being alive have a definition? [closed]
Humanity is at the advent of developing Self Aware Artificial Intelligence. What do ancient scriptures, sayings, traditions etc. Tell us about the definition of being a living entity? Will self ...
11
votes
1answer
6k views
What is Dharma according to Veda or Upanishad?
I know that the question asked before What is dharma? but the question and answer shows what Dharma is according to Bhagavad Gita.
I am interested in the explanation of Dharma according to shruti. So,...
3
votes
0answers
145 views
Do the scriptures say anything about the very rapid abnormal changes happening right now?
So called Western Industrial Revolution happened only 200 years ago as compared to millions of years of human existence on earth. The period of 200 years is extremely short in front of duration of ...
4
votes
0answers
110 views
Muktika canon and Telugu anthology
Wikipedia's many articles on Upanishads (e.g Brahma Upanishad, etc. many minor Upanishads) says:
In the Telugu anthology of 108 Upanishads of the Muktika canon, narrated by Rama to Hanuman, this ...
4
votes
1answer
509 views
What is Krsna Paksh( Darkness) & Sukla Paksh(Brightness) in Bhagavad Gita?
This two term Krsna Paksh( Path of Darkness) and Sukla Paksh(Path of Brightness) are mentioned in Bhagvad-Gita,
Here is Sloka
śukla-kṛṣṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śāśvate mate |
ekayā yāty-anāvṛtim ...
5
votes
1answer
402 views
What does the Prashna Upanishad say about Pitrayana and Devayana?
This book talks about Pitrayana and Devayana in the Prashna Upansihad
This interesting Upanishad deals in six questions put by six seekers of Brahaman to the sage Pippalada....the concepts of ...
11
votes
2answers
616 views
Want to know about Brahmaloka
While reading Mukhya Upanishads, I found there are many verses that say who does Upasana upon Brahman or Om, is led up or reach/attain to Brahmaloka.
Example: (Verses from Sanskritdocuments and ...
7
votes
1answer
680 views
Do Sri Vaishnavas believe the Nachiketa Yagna grants Moksha by itself?
Perhaps the most famous story from the Upanishads is the story of Nachiketa, told in the Katha Upanishad of the Yajur Veda. Nachiketa was the young son of the sage Vajashravas (who may or may not be ...
6
votes
1answer
6k views
How much percent of one's income should be given to charity?
Daana has been praised in the Rig Veda and the Upanishads.
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.3. says
तदेतत्त्रयँ शिक्षेद् दमं दानं दयामिति
essentially glorifying generosity, compassion and mental ...
7
votes
1answer
538 views
Lokayatas about Brahman and Atman
Do we know how the Lokayatas thought about the two fundamental concepts of the Upanishads Brahman and Atman?
I understand that one original meaning of Brahman is "magic force", in Vedic times ...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
What are Mahavakyas?
I heard that तत्त्वमसि (Tat Tvam Asi) is the Mahavakya. So, I want to know what are the Mahavakyas and which are they?
8
votes
2answers
811 views
How do Dvaitins interpret this verse of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad?
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is a part of the Shukla Yajur Veda. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad contains this verse (1.4.10):
ब्रह्म वा इदमग्र आसीत्, तदात्मानमेवावेत् ‘अहं ब्रह्मास्मि’ इति । तस्मात् ...
7
votes
4answers
568 views
Why does the word “Atma” in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad refer to the mind rather than the actual Atma?
In Adhyaya 3 Brahmana 9 of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, the sage Yagnavalkya tells Vidagdha Sakalya what the eleven Rudras are associated with:
katame rudrā iti ।
daśeme puruṣe prāṇā
...
2
votes
0answers
177 views
Does anyone agree with the Mimamsa interpretation of this Upanishad verse?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
5
votes
0answers
162 views
Where is the Sama Veda quote referenced in the Brahma Sutras?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
