Upanishads and their Philosophies

The Upanishads, literally meaning 'sitting near' (a teacher), form the concluding part of the Vedas (hence Vedanta) and represent a radical philosophical shift. They moved beyond the mechanical ritualism of the Brahmanas to emphasize mystical, intellectual inquiry and articulate the core concepts of Atman, Brahman, and Moksha, thus forming the basis for all orthodox Indian philosophy.

Evolution and Core Concepts

From Ritual to Knowledge

  • Shift from Karma Kanda to Jnana Kanda: The Upanishads rejected the external efficacy of sacrificial rites (Yajnas) and declared inner spiritual knowledge (Jnana) as the sole and supreme path to liberation (Moksha).
  • Decentralization of Authority: This ....
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