Upanishads are not old in the sense that they are outdated, ineffective and stale. On the contrary, they are ageless and ever green. Niagara Falls has been there ever since but can we say it is old? It is ever renewed. The Sun and the moon are there forever. Can we say they are old? Does that limit their power to remove the darkness? That's how the Upanishads are for any generation. Evergreen, applicable to all ages, periods, locations. It is beyond the time and space. Once we understand the meaning, we'll be convinced that they are the jewels for humanity as a whole but not everyone is ready to understand it. You cannot teach Algebra before you learn basic Math. It is a step by step process, evolution of man from manhood to godhood.
However much a man accomplishes in the material world, his happiness cannot replace the happiness he can get by knowing the Self in him. Upanishads advocate strength and fearlessness. Strength comes from that which is permanent and fearlessness comes from knowing the indestructible nature of us. Strength and fearlessness are the two big takeaways from the study of Upanishads. Upanishads do not talk about salvation but of freedom.
There are two ideals of truth in scriptures one is the eternal and other is authoritative. The eternal is the Upanishads also called 'Srutis' or gist of Vedas (knowledge of reality) does not reveal the life of any teacher, they simply teach the principles. Upanishads are for universal application, relevant to any time and do not prescribe the Do's and Do not's.
The authoritative is the Smrti (knowledge depending on the person, as embodied by Manu, Yajnavalkya and other writers. Smrti (can be modified) that sustained one age may be completely broken for a different age. Smrti is considered subordinate to Sruti. The philosophy and the religion developed in India according to Sruti is called 'Sanathana Dharma' 'Eternal Religion'. The Sruti, Upanishads, Vedanta (all three are same) explains the relationship between the soul and the God.
Upanishad is Brahma Vidya and the general meaning for the word Upanishad is derived from upa + ni+ shad
Upa meaning - very close
Ni - truth (for sure, definite)
Shad - destroys (the problems of life, samsara, cycle of birth & death)
Each text in Upanishad gives a different meaning to the word Upanishad pertaining to the contents of that text. That is why it is important to learn under the guidance of a guru than studying on one's own to avoid any misinterpretation and misunderstanding...
There are six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy. Samkhya, Yoga, Vaisesika, Nyaya, Mimasa and Vedanta. Here we are focusing on Vedanta philosophy.
Each of the four Vedas has different Upanishads with examples emphasizing that atman and Brahman are one and the same. Each Upanishad starts with a shanti patha (mantra). By knowing the shanti mantra, we can identify that Veda of that particular Upanishad.
Shanti mantra is seeking the grace of lord and guru to avoid the three-pronged obstacles in our pursuit of the study of Upanishad. There could be obstacles from unknown forces beyond our control (earthquake, famine, and flood), obstacles from situations and people (someone visiting you when you just plan to study) which are within our control and obstacles from within us (physical sickness or mood that does not interest you to study at that time). Shanti here does not refer to peace. It is 'nvriti' in Sanskrit i.e. freedom from obstacles, release me from these three nvritis.
Shukla Yajur Veda has 19 Upanishads - shanti mantra starts with 'puurnamada'
Krishna Yajur Veda has 32 Upanishads - shanti mantra starts with 'sahanavavatu'
Sama Veda has 16 Upanishads - shanti mantra starts with 'aapyaayantu'
Atharva Veda has 31 Upanishads - shanti mantra starts with 'bhadram karnebhih'
Rig Yajur Veda has 10 Upanishads - shanti mantra starts with 'vanme manasi'
Upanishads are for everyone on this earth. Everyone has the privilege be read, studied by everyone. No one is barred from studying them. There is a misconception that women are not allowed to study Vedas. Hindu scriptures are full of references to women being both students and teachers. Sage Yajnavalkya taught his wife Maithreyi, Kapila Muni taught his mother Devahuti and many more. Women are not physically strong as men but scriptural studies are for the brain and the physical strength has no significance. Manhood simply means mental strength, a constancy to pursue with determination and the strong will to achieve in the spiritual path. A woman is essentially a mother, a symbol of attachments, sentiments, softness and anxiety but that does not prohibit her from studying the scriptures.
Advaita literally means non-duality. It deals with the non-dual nature of the Brahman and the Atman. The Advaita School is said to have been consolidated by Sankara. He was a pupil of Gaudapada's pupil.
The Dvaita School was founded by Madhvacharya and regards god as independent, separate from the self.
The third school of Vedanta is the Visistadvaita, which was founded by Ramanuja.
Silence until session three....
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