Upanishads, literally, “to sit near” (one’s teacher or Guru or a learned personality), in Indian tradition are a group of literature belonging to the Vedanta (the end of the Vedas), which describe the divine Vedic knowledge in an explanatory tone.
It is a collection of several books (18 to 108 and more), the wisdom of great sages on matters of samsara (world flow), presenting knowledge that removes agyaan or ignorance and paves the way to the supreme truth. Upanishads contain discussions on the material and metaphysical nature of the world and can be seen as the seeds of Hindu philosophy as we know it today.
Discussing matters of aatma (soul), Paramatma (supreme being), and Karma (action), Upanishads found a readership across boundaries of geography, culture, and religion and continue to be the guiding light for many who resonate with their ideas.
One of the most popular philosophical works to have emerged from the Indian civilizations, the Upanishads have a grand following among the readers. However, the language of these texts- Sanskrit and the complexity of the ideas discussed makes it a challenging endeavor for a new reader to fully grasp the depth of these treasures.
In this article, we will break down these challenges into simpler “steps” and will create a guide for the readers, new and old, on how to approach and understand the Upanishads.
Starting your journey as a learner of Hindu philosophy with the Upanishads is a powerful and transformative step. It requires an open mind, peaceful thoughts, and a mindset of a student. These books are much more than simple philosophical works; they are the essence of Hinduism condensed in a readable format and in order to experience their brilliance, here are the points to keep in mind-
Begin Your Journey with the Right Mindset: Go about reading the Upanishads with devotion and patience. It is believed that what one lacks in wisdom, one can gain with patience and perseverance. Believe that you are about to enter a realm of knowledge hitherto unknown to you, and your reading will be a memorable experience.
Choose the Right Translations: If you are able to read the original Sanskrit version of the Upanishads, then it will be best to begin with them. However, many of us are unable to understand the language of these texts. For those, the best option is to pick a Hindi or English translation.
Publishers such as Gita Press also provide translations of Upanishads in regional languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, and many more, which present the vast knowledge of these Hindu texts in an easy-to-understand manner.
Pick the Correct Support System: By support system, we mean the right foundational texts and books that discuss the ideas of Upanishads in an easy and lucid language. Collection of stories from the Upanishads, Upanishad Ratnavali (A Lucid Exposition of the Principal Upanishads).
Nine Principal Upanishads by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Lights on the Upanishads with Shri Aurobindo Darshana and the Quintessence of the Upanishads by Swami Chidananda are a few good books, which talk about different aspects of Upanishads in a way that is simple yet profound.
Focus on the Key Concepts: Aatman or Aatma, Brahman or the supreme truth and Moksha are some of the important concepts of the Upanishad's understanding which will not only help you comprehend the Upanishadic philosophy but will also grow your understanding of Hindu culture in general.
The abstract and philosophically rich language along with the huge size of the Upanishad literature makes it daunting for the reader to approach them. In order to simplify your reading of the Upanishads, here are a few strategies that can be used-
★ Choose a translation and publication that fits you. There are many options to choose from when it comes to buying an Upanishad online, however, do your research before the purchase and get a copy that contains the original language as well as a translation and elaborate explanation of each idea.
★ Trust the commentaries or Tikas on the Upanishads, written by intellectuals throughout history as your helping hand. These commentaries are made after a careful reading of each Upanishad and they serve as a bridge between our limited, modern perspective and the enormous knowledge pool of the Upanishads.
★ Go slow. Unlike a novel or non-fiction published in contemporary times, Upanishads are oceans of sacred wisdom. You need not rush with your reading, instead, take your time to read and reflect. Come back to a section you did not comprehend correctly, make a record of your progress, and practice meditation in order to gain an overall positive effect from reading these great texts.
★ Make notes for reference. Due to the huge size and number of Upanishads, going back to them often might not be possible. Hence, keep a diary or notebook in which you can record the important sections, and your own understanding of the content and revisit it, every time you feel a need to relearn from these books.
★ Look for a support group of like-minded individuals. One of the perks of the modern world is the connectivity which we all enjoy. There are discussion forums and online groups today that are run by people passionate about Indian heritage and culture.
You can join one of these groups or reach out to your friends and family members who share your interest in Upanishadic knowledge. An exchange of ideas in this manner would strengthen your understanding and will enrich your thought process.
Upanishads with their timeless perspective on every aspect of life are one of the most relevant ancient literatures in the modern world. Here are a few ways in which you can include the concepts of Upanishads in your life-
★ One of the principle concepts in the Upanishads is the aatman or self. The Upanishads suggest that one should strive to understand the true nature of this “self”, which is key to spiritual upliftment and cutting the bondage of life. Through mindful living and following a balanced life of discipline and devotion, true self-awareness can be achieved.
★ The idea of Dharma or righteous duty and Karma (action) is also an integral part of Upanishads. Focusing on ethical living and moral values in life is something that will forever be useful. Through a focus on goodness in thoughts and actions, one can strive to fulfill one’s duties and make sure all actions are positive and for the greater good.
★ Dhyana or meditation, which is one of the most popular self-healing and lifestyle choices for the modern world has been discussed in the Upanishads in detail. Disconnecting oneself from the stress and burden of the external world and getting in touch with the heavenly internal world is as useful in the present day as it was for the ancient Yogi.
In order to make sure, that you are making the most of your engagement with the Upanishadic philosophy, take note of the following things-
★ Reflect and think about your daily experiences. Look at things from the perspective of the Upanishadic authors and try to churn out lessons from daily life and incidents where the concepts of Upanishads can be applied.
★ Make conscious decisions about being virtuous and following your duty. It is very easy to lose sight of what is truly good and important in life. By making informed decisions about your everyday actions, you can embody the philosophies of the Upanishads in your days and lead an illustrious and rich life.
★ Mediate. Constantly seek moments where you can sit with yourself, away from worldly affairs, and think about your experiences. Dhayana is one of the most powerful philosophies of the Upanishads, one that will also help you bring changes in your life by following the path laid by these philosophical works.
You can take a look at the following things, before getting the Upanishads for yourself or as a gift for someone-
★ Language Style- Among the many translations available in the market, each has its own style. Some have a poetic way of presentation and carry detailed interpretation while others give a literal translation of each word, with simple translation.
★ Commentary- Translations with elaborate commentaries, Sanskrit supplemented by Hindi translation and explantation make for the best versions of the Upanishads. The same is true for the regional languages, where more explanatory versions will be much more helpful for a new reader.
★ Your Goals- Why do you want to read the Upanishad? This is an important question and needs to be answered at the beginning of the endeavor. Depending upon the reason- academic work, personal curiosity, or spiritual quest, you can go for a suitable translation that caters the best to your aim.
Every version of the Upanishads is a sacred book, worthy of devotional reading and serious engagement. Here are a few popular translations which can be a good place to start-
★ Upanishads by Gita Press Gorakhpur
★ The Call of the Upanishads by Motilal Banarsidas
★ The Upanishads by Sri Aurobindo
★ The Principal Upanishads Translated by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Like drops of the ocean, each verse from the Upanishads carries the essence of the oceanic wisdom of these texts. It might seem an uphill task to memorize these verses, but with a few tips and methods, you can succeed in remembering the divine knowledge of the Upanishads.
★ Memorizing the verses can help in affirming your understanding of the Upanishadic philosophy which will further help you in applying and following it in life.
★ The act of memorization, repetition, and meditation on the concept is also an exercise in spiritual awakening, one that assists in strengthening the mental faculties and making them fit for higher levels of worldly and metaphysical knowledge.
★ Repetition is one of the primary and simplest ways. Repeat the verses regularly in order to affirm them in your mind.
★ Visualization of the meaning of each verse is also a helpful technique.
★ Mnemonic Devices, which are hints to remember a larger concept are another useful tip in memorization of the Upanishad verses.
★ Recite the verses throughout different points in your daily routine. Also, try to regularly reflect and contemplate the meaning in order to further embed the ideas in your memory.
Studying these sacred texts together, much like the students of a Gurukul in ancient times, is a powerful way of strengthening their teachings in life and spreading the message of Indian philosophy. The benefits of such a group study are-
★ You get to share your progress and insights with like-minded people. Hearing their understanding and engaging in discussion enriches your mind and you learn to go beyond the written word.
★ A support system for the long term and a system of shared accountability is created during group study. Together, the members of the group can motivate each other and you can be assured to stay on track for a longer time than you initially expected.
Find like-minded people. You will be surprised to see how many people out there share your vision and passion. After that-
★ Put forward a list of goals you want to achieve through the study group.
★ Create a clear and structured plan and agenda for the group. Involve people in the making of this plan and stick to it as you move ahead.
★ Ensure that an environment of open and respectful discussion is nurtured. One of the key concepts of Indian philosophy is a discourse which is meant to reach the origin of thought. Through your study group, follow this vision of the ancient sages and together you will be able to learn the secrets of Upanishads.
★ Keep a list of useful commentaries on the Upanishads and different translations at hand for the members to refer to.
★ Make the most of the online communities. Look for seminars and discussions and new research in the field to enhance your knowledge and earn expertise.
★ Find existing study groups around you in temples, spiritual organizations, and libraries and seek their support in your journey.
In order to make the most out of your readings of the Upanishads and become a learner for the rest of your life, consistency is the key. Following are a few ways in which consistency can be achieved in your life to include Upanishads in your everyday rituals-
★ Make a dedicated time frame for each day, in which you will read and work on the Upanishads.
★ Ensure that the space for reading the Upanishads is clean and devoid of any discomfort or distraction. Remember that it is a spiritual exercise and discipline is important for its fruition.
★ Practice Dhyana or meditation every day. Ideally with your session of reading the Upanishad, at the beginning or end of the reading. Dhyana is prescribed by the early Indian rishis as a way of focusing the mind and taping into its true potential. By doing meditation along with reading the Upanishad, you will achieve the zenith of your abilities.
★ Begin with simple and achievable targets for your reading. As you move forward, you will be able to take big steps, but in the beginning, keep it small and manageable so that you are motivated for a long time.
★ Identify and celebrate your progress. As a group and individual, it is important to know and be happy about your progress. While the concepts of the Upanishads enrich your life, make sure you are grateful and positive about the changes that your will and consistency are bringing into your life.
In Conclusion
If you have followed this blog to the end, it means you are committed to your wish to read the Upanishads. Congratulations on that. As you begin your journey, days will be interesting and tedious, but remember that you are on a great path, and by the time you have engaged with the Upanishads and practiced the above-mentioned methods, your mental and spiritual powers will have massively benefitted from the process.
Keep your mind focused and thoughts pure, and the wisdom of the Upanishads will welcome you into its transcendental world.
Exotic India is proud to present a huge collection of Upanishads, translations and commentaries on the Upanishads, and books on discussion about the themes and ideas of the Upanishads, all in one place. Visit the website to get the best books on Upanishads for yourself, and be a part of a journey to cherish the intellectual heritage of India.
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