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SrI:

Dear All :

This information that appeared in Thiruvengatam e-list
would be of interest to you all .

Dr. N.S.Aanatha RangachArya's detailed commentaries on
intrepretations according to AchArya RaamAnuja's (Sri Ranga Raaja
Muni's commentary ) is available to students , who want to have 
an indepth study .

V.Sadagopan 



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> To: Pattars@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> From: ramya475@xxxxxxxxx
> Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2006 09:22:00 +0000
> Subject: [Pattars] Meaning of 108 upanishads
 
 Dear Friends,
      Through this letter , I want to bring to your notice the yeoman  
 service being done do the Hindu religion by Sri.Lakshmanan of Madras 
 who is maintaining a web site called  www.celextel.org. When he found 
 that, the meaning of all the 108 upanishads are not available any 
 where in the web, he tried very hard to collect as many translations 
 as possible. Recently with my translation of 22 minor Upanishads,  
 his above web site has the translation of 107 out of the 108 
 upanishads. The only one left out is Rama Rahasya Upanishad.I am 
 eproducing below the extensive introduction to the Upanishads which  
 also contains a summary of each of the 108 upanishads.With best 
 wishes, Ramachander
 
                          Introduction to Upanishads 
                                  P.R.Ramachander 
  General Introduction
                              "Upanishad means the inner or mystic 
 teaching. The term Upanishad is derived from upa (near), ni (down) 
 and s(h)ad (to sit), i.e., sitting down near. Groups of pupils sit  
 near the teacher to learn from him the secret doctrine. In the 
 quietude of the forest hermitages the Upanishad thinkers pondered on 
 the problems of deepest concerns and communicated their knowledge to  
 fit pupils near them. Samkara derives the word Upanishad as a 
 substitute from the root sad, 'to loosen.,' 'to reach' or 'to 
 destroy' with Upa and ni as prefixes and kvip as termination. If 
 this determination is accepted, upanishad means brahma-knowledge by  
 which ignorance is loosened or destroyed."  Upanishads are found in 
 the concluding sections of Vedas and are classified as Vedanta or 
 the end of the Vedas. There are five  Vedas with Yajur Veda having  
 two versions. Each of these five books has several Saaakas 
 (Branches). Each Saaka has a Karma Khanda dealing with the actions 
 to be performed and is made up of Mantras and Brahmanaas. The latter  
 deals with Upasana or meditation and has Aranyakas inside them for 
 the benefit of those who have resorted to the quiet habitat of the 
 forest to pursue their spiritual Quest.
 The Upanishads are found mostly in the Aranyaka section of the  
 Vedas. The five Vedas have 1180 Saaakas and thus there should be 
 1180 Upanishads. But what we have now with us is a collection of 108 
 Upanishads. The list of these 108 Upanishads is given in the  
 Mukthikopanishad.
      Out of the 108 Upanishads only 10 have been commented upon by 
 several Acharyas like Adhi Sankara. These are  Ishavasya, Kena, 
 Katha, Aithreya, Brihadaranyaka, Prashna, Mandukya, Taittireeya,  
 Chandogya and Mundaka. These have also been popularized by many 
 savants like Swami Vivekananda, Swami Chinmayananda etc. They all 
 deal with highest category of philosophy and metaphysics. So there  
 is a general impression that all Upanishads are texts of Hindu 
 Philosophy. This is not true. There are Upanishads which even tell 
 you how to wear the sacred ash, how to worship a particular God and  
 so on. But majority of them deal with methods of Yoga and 
 Renunciation (Sanyasa).
 
 The Vedas and Upanishads
 
 "The breakdown among the 108 Upanishads according to the 5 Vedas are  
 as follows: 
 
 1.Rig Veda : 10
 2.Sama Veda :16
 3.Atharva Veda: 31
 4.Krishna Yajur Veda: 32
 5.Sukla Yajur Veda: 19
 
 The 10  Upanishads belonging to the Rig Veda are the following: 
 
 1. Aitareya 2.Kaushitaki 3.Nadabindu 4.Atmabodha 5. Nirvana
 6.Mudgala 7.Akshamala 8.Tripura 9.Saubhagyalakshmi and 
 10. Bah vracha.
 
 The 16  associated with the Sama Veda are: 
 
 1.Kena 2.Chhandogya 3.Arunika 4. Maitrayani 5.Maitreyi
 6.Vajrasuchi 7.Yogachudamani 8.Vasudeva 9.Mahat 
 10.Sanyasa 11.Avyakta 12. Kundika 13.Savitri 14.Rudrakshajabala
 15.Jabaladarsana  and 16.Jabali
 
 The 19  Upanishads belonging to Sukla Yajur  Veda are:
 
 1.Isavasya 2.Brahadaranyaka 3.Jabala 4. Hamsa 5.ParamaHamsa
 6.Subala 7.Mantrika 8.Niralamba 9.Trisikhibrahmana  10.Mandalabrahmana
 11. Advayataraka 12.Paingala 13.Bhikshuka 14. Turiyatita 15.Adhyatma 
 16.Yajnavalkya 17.Satyayani  18.Tarasara and 19.Muktika .
 
 The 32  Upanishads belonging to the Krishna Yajur Veda  are: 
 
 1.Katha 2.Taittiriya 3.Brahma 4.Kaivalya 5.Svetasvatara 6.Garbha 
 7.Narayana 8.Amritabindhu 9.Amritanada 10.Kalagnirudra 11.Kshurika
 12. Sarvasara 13.Sukharahasya 14. Tejobindhu 15. Dhyanabindhu  
 16.Brahmavidya 17.Yogatattva 18.Dakshinamurti 19.Skanda 
 20.Sariraka 21.Yogasikha 22. Ekakshara 23. Akshi 24. Avadhuta 
 25. Katharudra 26.Rudrahrudhaya 27.Yogakundalini 28. Panchabrahma 
 29.Pranaagnihotra  30.Varaha 31. Kalisantaranaand  
 32.Sarasvatirahasya .
 
 The 31 Upanishads belonging to the Atharva Veda  are :
 
 1. Prasna 2.Mundaka 3.Maandukya 4.Atharvasira 5.Atharvasikha 
 6. Brahajjabala 7. Nrsimhatapini 8. Narada Parivrajaka  9.Sita 
 10.Sarabha 11.Tribadvibhutimahanarayana 12.Ramarahasya 
 13. Ramatapini 14.Sandilya 15.Paramahamsaparivrajaka 
 16. Annapurna 17.Surya 18.Atma 19. Pasupatabrahma 
 20.Parabrahma 21. Tripuratapini 22. Devi 23. Bhavana  
 24. Bhasmajabala 25. Ganapati 26.Mahavakhya 
 27. Gopalatapini 28.Krishna 29. Hayagriva 30.Dattatreya
 and 31. Garuda ."
 
 
 
 Major Upanishads
 
 The  ten major Upanishads which contain great philosophical  
 discussions and knowledge are
 1.Ishavasya Upanishad.
      It is one of the great but brief Upanishad. It gives the 
 summary of Indian philosophy very succinctly. It reviews the whole 
 life and comes out with explanations. 
 
 2.Kena Upanishad
     Kenopanishad derives its name from the first word Kena , 
 meaning `by whom'. It belongs to the Talavakara Bahmana  of Sama 
 Veda and is therefore also referred to as Talavakara Upanishad. In  
 short it says that "The One Power that illumines everything and 
 every one is indivisible. It is the Ear behind the ears, Mind behind 
 the mind, Speech behind speech, Vital Life behind life. The ears  
 cannot hear it; it is what makes the ears hear. The eyes cannot see 
 it; it is what makes the eyes see. You cannot speak about it; it is 
 what makes you speak. The mind cannot imagine it; it is what makes  
 the mind think. It is different from what all we know; yet it is not 
 known either. Those who feel they know Him,  know Him not. Those who 
 know that anything amenable to the senses is not Brahman, they know  
 it best. When it is known as the innermost witness of all 
 cognitions, whether sensation, perception or thought, then it is 
 known. One who knows thus reaches immortality"
 
 3.Kathopanishad 
 "The Kathopanishad is divided into six Vallis. Valli literally means 
 a creeper. A Valli, like a creeper, is attached to the Sakhas or 
 Branches of the Veda.  This Upanishad is also divided into two  
 Adhyayas (chapters) of three Vallis each. "This is one of the most 
 beautiful Upanishads in which the eternal truths are given in the 
 form of a narrative. The narrative is taken from Taittiriya Brahmana  
 (3-11-8) with some variation. The same story is told in the 
 Taittiriya Brahmana, only with this difference that in the Brahmana 
 freedom from death and birth is obtained by a peculiar performance  
 of a sacrifice, while in the Upanishad it is obtained by knowledge 
 only."
 
 4.Aithreya Upanishad
 The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the oldest of the Upanishads. It 
 belongs to the Aitareya Aranyaka of the Rig-Veda. It is divided into  
 three chapters and contains 33 verses. The Upanishad deals with the 
 process of creation.
 
 5.Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
 "Brhadaranyaka Upanishad means the "great forest-book". This  
 Upanishad is one of the oldest of all the Upanishads. It consists of 
 three sections or kandas: the Madhu kanda, the Yajnavalkya or the 
 Muni kanda and the Khila kanda. Here the Brahman is portrayed as  
 universal and undifferentiated consciousness. The doctrine of the 
 indescribability of the absolute and the doctrine of 'Neti, Neti' 
 are explained. This Upanishad concludes by stating the three virtues  
 that one should practice i.e. self-restraint, giving, and 
 compassion."
 
 6.Prashna Upanishad
 "In Sanskrit , Prashna mean question. This book consists of six 
 questions and their answers, hence the name. It is in the form of  
 question-answers. Except first and last questions, all other 
 questions are actually a group of smaller sub-questions. As narrated 
 in the beginning of this Upanishad., Six pupils interested in 
 knowing divinity or Brahman come to sage Pippalada and ask questions 
 of great spiritual importance. Pippalada asks them to take up 
 penance of one year. Upon completion of penance, they again come to  
 sage and ask questions, then the sage answers their questions."
 
 
 7.Mandukya Upanishad
 "For the very reason that it explains the esoteric meaning of the 
 fundamental syllable Aum of Hindu spiritual tradition, the Upanishad  
 has been extolled greatly. The Muktikopanishad which talks about all 
 other Upanishads, says that if a person cannot afford to study all 
 the hundred and more Upanishads, it will be enough to read just the  
 M�nd�kya Upanishad. According to Dr.S. Radhakrishnan   in this 
 Upanishad we find the fundamental approach to the attainment of 
 reality by the road of introversion and ascent from the sensible and  
 changing, through the mind which dreams, through the soul which 
 thinks, to the divine within but above the soul."
 
 8.Taittireeya Upanishad
 "The Taittiriya Upanishad belongs to the Taittiriya school of the  
 Yajur Veda. It is divided into three sections called Vallis. T he 
 first is the Siksa Valli. Siksa is the first of the six Vedangas 
 (limbs or auxiliaries of the Veda); it is the science of phonetics  
 and pronunciation. The second is the Brahmananda Valli and the third 
 is the Bhrugu Valli. These two deal with the knowledge of the 
 Supreme Self, paramatma-jnana."
 
 9.Chandogya  Upanishad
 "Along with Brhadaranyaka Upanishad the Chandogyopanishad is an 
 ancient source of principal fundamentals for Vedanta philosophy. 
 Considering number of references made to this Upanishad in Brahma  
 sutras, it indicates special importance of this Upanishad in Vedanta 
 philosophy. Important spiritual practices like Dahara vidya, 
 Shandilya vidya, etc. are its speciality."
 
 10.Mundakopanishad
 "This Upanishad begins with an Invocation, praying that eye may see 
 auspicious things, the ear may hear auspicious sounds, and that life 
 may be spent in the contemplation of the Lord. The teaching of this  
 Upanishad is referred to as Brahmavidya, either because it describes 
 first the message of Hiranyagarbha, the casual Brahma, or because 
 the message relates the glory of Brahmam. This Upanishad speaks of  
 Brahmavidya as the mystery which only those with shaven heads and 
 those who go through a rite of having Fire on the shaven head can 
 understand. So, it is called Mundaka, or shaven Head. Apart from  
 this, this Upanishad is honoured as the crest of all, since it 
 expounds the very essence of Brahma Jnana. It is assigned to the 
 Fourth Veda, the Atharvana."
 
 (The write up about the ten major Upanishads has been taken from  
 various web sites. My indebtedness to those great souls is 
 acknowledged.) 
 
    The other 98 Upanishads are again classified according to their 
 content as follows.
 They are General, (Of common interest), Saiva(Dealing with Lord  
 Shiva) , Saktha (dealing with the divine mother Shakthi), Vaishnava 
 (dealing with Lord Vishnu), Sanyasa (Dealing with renunciation)  and 
 Yoga(dealing with Yogic practices) Upanishads. Thouigh 
 classification is made, still there is some overlapping in the 
 subjects dealt with. Short notes on each of these Upanishads 
 category wise are given below:-
 
 General Upanishads(27 )
 
 Svetasvatara Upanishad
      This Upanishad  is taught by a sage called Svetasvatara. More 
 emphasis is given in teaching of Sankhya yoga and the philosophy of 
 illusion(Maya)
 
  Garbho Upanishad
             This Upanishad is by sage Pippalada and  deals with the 
 growth of foetus in the womb .It also gives the number of different 
 parts of the body like bones, nerves , flesh etc. 
 
  Maitrayani Upanishad
       This Upanishad tells us about the penance of a king called 
 Brahadratha. The king asks the sage Sakanya about the feeling of 
 desire in this meaningless world. Sage Sakanya relates him, what has  
 been told to him by sage Maithreya. He teaches him the great science 
 of Brahma Vidya. And tells him finally that mind and illusion are 
 responsible for this contradiction.
 
  Kaushitaki  Upanishad 
 This Upanishad is taught by sage Chithra  to sage Udhalaka and his 
 son Shwethakethu. It deals about the science of soul. The temporary 
 nature of rituals and good deeds and permanent nature of doing  
 everything without desire is emphasized. It also tells the need for 
 a father to give up all his personality and knowledge to his son and 
 enter Sanyasa.
 
 Subala Upanishad 
         This is the teaching of Sage Angiras to sage Raikwa. It  
 tries to answer the question of the time and method of creation of 
 the world. It also tries to find out the properties of the soul of 
 beings. And has several aspects of philosophy.
 
 Mantrika Upanishad 
                  Deals about the properties of Brahmam. Tells that 
 whatever is produced vanishes and then is reproduced. Concludes that 
 the one who knows it well is the Brahman
 
 Sarvasara Upanishad 
             Defines  and explains several words  like Katha, 
 Bandha,   Annamaya etc which occur constantly in Upanishadic 
 philosophy 
 
  Niralamba Upanishad
          It is an independent text of Hindu philosophy.  It tries to  
 investigate what is Brahmam  and concludes that the Sanyasi by 
 following proper methods has a better chance of attaining salvation.
  Sukarahasya Upanishad
              This Upanishad is supposed to be taught to sage Suka   
 so that he would understand the philosophy of salvation. The 
 explanations of words and ideas are extensive.
 
  Vajrasuchika Upanishad
                  This Upanishad investigates and tries to answer the  
 question, "Who is a Brahmin?  It says that caste does not come by 
 birth.
 
  Atmaprabodha Upanishad
              Tells us about meditation on Pranava and the great 
 Vaishnava mantra"om narayanaya Nama." Defines and tells about the  
 identities of an evolved soul.
 
 Skanda Upanishad
                Takes a conciliatory stand between Shaiva and 
 Vaishnava. Tells that both are same.
   
 Mudgala Upanishad 
         This Upanishad aims at explaining the mantras of the great 
 Purusha Suktham.
 
 Paingala Upanishad
         This is taught by sage Yagnavalkya to sage Paingala. It 
 gives an explanation of the term `Kaivalya'. It also attempts to  
 explain the Maha Vakyas of Vedas like `Aham Brahmasmi' as well the 
 duties of Jnanis.
 
  Mahat  Upanishad
          Tells about the initial creation of the universe starting 
 From Lord Narayana till Lord Brahma  After this there is discussion  
 between sage Suka and the king Janaka regarding the creation of the 
 Samsara. This is followed by discussion of several aspects of 
 philosophy between Sage Nidhaka and his Guru Sage Ripu .It tells  
 that Sastras are burden for a Jnani, Jnana is a burden to those who 
 are attached and so on.
 
  Sariraka Upanishad
              Tells us about the different aspects of the human body,  
 including states of knowledge.
 
 Akshamalika Upanishad
         This Upanishad is taught by Guha to Lord Brahma, It tells us 
 in detail  about how to choose the mala (rosary) for use in  
 meditation.
 
  Ekakshara Upanishad
 This is an Upanishad which deals with the  letter' Om'. This is more 
 of a prayer towards `Om'.
 
 
  Surya Upanishad
    Tells us about Surya Angirasa mantra and Gayatri which is a  
 prayer to the Sun. Tells also about the ashtakshara to worship Lord 
 Surya.
 
  Akshi  Upanishad
       Contains the prayer of sage Sankruthi to Lord Surya which 
 contains the Chakshushmathi mantra.  This is followed by teaching of  
 Brahma Vidya by Surya.
 
  Adhyatma Upanishad
        This is initially taught by Sadashiva to sage  
 Apantharathamas. Tells that There is nothing but Athma and the 
 feeling of existence of others is only illusion. 
 
 Savitri Upanishad
 Tells us who is Savithri and the difference between Savitha and 
 Savithri Also  gives the Savithri mantra.
 
 Atma Upanishad
             Deals with various aspects of Athma  and how a Brahma  
 Jnani does not see any other thing except Athma.
 
 Katarudra Upanishad.
      This is teaching of Brahma Vidya by Lord Brahma himself to the 
 Devas. The treatment is philosophical.
 
 Panchabrahma Upanishad
         Details the five stages by which Para Brahmam was evolved
 
 Pranaagnihotra Upanishad
           This Upanishad deals with the sarrera Yagna or the  
 sacrifice to the body. Tells what all mantras are to be chanted  
 before taking food.. The usual mantras that a Brahmin chants while 
 taking food are contained in this Upanishad.
     
 Muktika  Upanishad 
                           This Upanishad is the Teaching of Lord 
 Rama to Hanuman. It tells about  Vedas, Vedangas and also Kaivalya 
 and also summarizes the Hindu Vedanta. The list of 108 Upanishads is  
 given in this Upanishad.
 
 Saiva Upanishads(13)
 
  Kaivalya Upanishad
           In this Brahma teaches the knowledge of Brahmam to sage 
 Aswalayana. Though Adhi Sankara wrote commentaries only for ten  
 Upanishads, he considered this also as an important Upanishad. It 
 deals with he state where the person  is himself. The path shown is 
 through meditation and devotion. Keeping the person  as the plank  
 and considering OM as the stick which rotates on the plank and gives 
 out the light of fire.
 
  Atharvasira Upanishad
                  It emphasizes about the greatness of the holy  
 letter "om" .It also tells that the form of lord Rudhra is the form 
 of Pranava.
  
  Atharvasikha Upanishad
 This is taught by Sage Adharva  to great sages like Pippaladha,  
 Angiras and Sanathkumara. It emphasizes on  the need and benefits on 
 the meditation of the Pranava.
 
 Brahajjabala Upanishad
        This Upanishad is told by Kalagni Rudra to sage Busundi. It  
 deals in detail about the  method of preparation of  holy ash
 (Vibhuthi) and method of wearing it.
 
  Kaalagnirudra Upanishad
         It tells in detail about the method of wearing holy ash 
 (Vibhuthi) along with mantras for wearing the same. This is taught 
 by Kalagni Rudra to the great sage  Sanathkumara.
 
  Dakshinamurthi  Upanishad
                Dakshinamurthy is the teacher form of Shiva. He  
 teaches without talking. This Upanishad gives the Dakshinamurthi 
 mantra and the method of practicing it    
 
 Sarabha Upanishad
                         Sarabha is the animal, man and bird form of  
 Lord Shiva. It is believed that he took this form to control the 
 anger of Vishnu when he took the form of Narasimha. This Upanishad 
 tells about Lord Sarabha.
 
  Pasupathabramopanishad. 
         Tells us lord Shiva's aspect of Pasupathi(the lord of all 
 living things).Tells how that the entire universe is really one and 
 there is no differentiation.
 
  Rudrahrudaya Upanishad 
                Shuka asks his father which God exists in all devas  
 and in which God all devas exist. The answer is this Upanishad. He 
 tells that it is Rudra.
 
  Bhasmajabala Upanishad 
                   Tells about how Vibhuthi has to be prepared and 
 also the daily duties of a Brahmana. This is the teaching Lord Shiva 
 to Jabala Busunda.
          
 Rudrakshajabala Upanishad 
      This is the teaching of Kalagni Rudra to sage Busunda. And 
 deals exclusively about Rudraksha.
 
  Ganapati Upanishad
           Starts with a prayer to Lord Ganapathy and gives the  
 Ganapathy mantra. Tells how worship of Ganapathy is to be done.
 
  Jabali Upanishad
         Sage Jabali tells sage Pippalada about lord Pasupathi. The 
 need and method of  wearing Vibhuti(Holy ash) is given in detail. 
 
 Saktha Upanishads(9)
 
 Sita  Upanishad
               Brahma tells the Devas about who is Sita. He tells 
 them that she is the Adhara Shakthi (the basis which is the 
 foundation) in the feminine form. Tells also about her different  
 forms.
 
 Tripuratapini  Upanishad
          Tells about the Sathakshari mantra for meditating on 
 Tripura, the Goddess Parvathy. Several great manthras like Gayatry,  
 and Panchadasakshari are a part of this. Tells about Srividya  
 Upasana. 
 
 ,Annapurna  Upanishad
     Sage Rupu tells sage Nidhaka about Devi  Annapurna. He also 
 teaches him the Annapurna mantra. This is followed by teaching of 
 philosophical aspects like maya, Yoga and Mukthi. 
 
  Devi Upanishad
                The Devi tells the devas who she is in this 
 Upanishad. Tells about Panchadasakshari and Navakshari mantras to 
 worship her.
 
  Tripura Upanishad 
            Tells about Sri Chakra and the worship of the devi 
 through the right and left methods.
 
        
  Bhavana Upanishad
            Tells one important aspect of Sri Vidya Upasana. 
 
 Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad
     Bhagawan Narayana tells about the Shakthi from whom every God 
 originated and teaches the devas, the worship of sowbhagya Lakshmi
 
 Sarasvatirahasya Upanishad 
         This Upanishad is taught by Sage Asvalayana to other sages. 
 He teaches them the ten Saraswathi mantras and methods of 
 worshipping her
 
  Bahuvracha Upanishad
           Talks in detail about the existence of Shakthi from whom  
 all gods and knowledge originated. Gives hints of  worship of Sri 
 Vidhya.
  
 Vaishnava Upanishads(14)
 
  Narayana Upanishad
        Describes the principle of Tripath Narayana . It also  
 introduces the Narayana ashtakshara mantra and describes the 
 benefits of chanting it
 
  Nrsimhatapini Upanishad
                        It has two parts. In the poorva part, it 
 tells in detail about the greatness of Lord Naraimha. It also has 
 the great king of Mantras called Narasimha mantra and tells in 
 detail how to meditate on it. In the Uthara part it tells also about  
 the greatness of Pranava and the Narsimha Raja Mantra. It gives 
 detailed method of meditating on Lord Narasimha.
 
 Tripadvibhutimahanarayana Upanishad
              Brahma did Thapas for 1000 years  to know from Lord  
 Vishnu about Brahmam. This is what Lord Vishnu told him. Also clears 
 his doubts such as Brhamam having a form and not having a form etc . 
 Also gives the shapes of several yantras.
 
  Ramarahasya Upanishad 
      Tells that Lord Rama is Brahma Taraka  and expounds various 
 mantras for worshipping him. Also gives yantras for worshipping Lord 
 Rama.
 
 Ramatapini  Upanishad
            There are two parts , the poorva Thapini and the second  
 Uthara Thapini. Tells about the greatness of the word "Rama". Tells 
 about the Rama Yantra,  which is  similar to the Sri Chakra. Tells 
 also the belief that `Lord Shiva tells the Tharaka mantra in the  
 ears of all people dying in Varanasi' and the method of worship of 
 Rama.
 
 
 
 Vasudeva Upanishad
                       Tells about what is UrdhwaPundra(the sign worn  
 by Vaishnavites) and the rules for wearing it.
 
  Avyakta Upanishad
       Deals about the creation of clearly defined things from that 
 unclear past. Tells how Parajapati came from Avayaktha and went on  
 to create the world. Gives a mantra to worship Lord Vishnu. 
 
 Tarasara Upanishad
          Tells about holiness of Kurukshethra, Tharaka mantra  and 
 pranava. Tells method of worship of  Lord Narayana. 
 
  Gopalatapini Upanishad
         Sages approach Lord Brahma to know the procedure to worship 
 Krishna. What he tells them is contained in this Upanishad. The 
 upasana mantra of Govinda is given. 
 
  Krishna Upanishad
          The sages when they meet Rama wanted to embrace him. He 
 made them to be born as Gopis and he took the avatara of Krishna, so 
 that they can embrace him. This book tells as to who were born as  
 what in Krishnavatara.
 
  Hayagreeva Upanishad
          Brahma tells Narada that whoever meditates and worships 
 Lord Hayagreeva gets to know  the Brahma vidya. The mantra for 
 worship of Lord Hayagreeva is given. 
 
  Dathathreya Upanishad 
               Tells the method of meditation and worship of 
 Dathathreya. The Dathathreya mantra is given.
 
 Garuda  Upanishad
             The method of meditation and worship of Garuda , the  
 vehicle of Lord Vishnu is given.
 
  Kali santarana Upanishad
                 Tells about how the evils of kali age is to be 
 crossed. The sixteen letter prayer on Rama would help one in doing  
 this. 
 
 Sanyasa Upanishads (16)
  
 Brahmo Upanishad 
        Tells us about how the great sage of wisdom comes out of all 
 mundane things and lives a life where there is no need for rituals  
 and no differences exist. The mantra for changing Yagnopavita occurs 
 in this Upanishad.
 
  Jabala Upanishad
 This is compiled by Sage Jabala. This gives more emphasis on 
 mediation and the chanting of Rudra. The greatness of concentrating   
 between the centres of eyes is stressed here.
 
  Arunya Upanishad
       This Upanishad deals about the teaching of Prajapathi to sage 
 Aaruni. It gives in detail the rules of life to be followed by a  
 Brahmachari and a Sanyasi.
 
  Paramahamsa Upanishad
             It deals about the discussion between Sage Narada and 
 God on who is a paramahamsa (sanyasi at an advanced stage) and  
 methods to identify him.
 
 Maitreyi Upanishad
                It is the teaching of Lord Parameshwara to sage 
 Maithreya. To a large extent , what is given in Maithrayani 
 Upanishad is repeated. In addition God tells to him in detail about  
 his formless form.
 
  Nirvana Upanishad
             Details about the Sanyasa marga involving Nirvana 
 (nudity). Tells about how the people follow it .
 
  Narada Parivrajaka Upanishad 
             This is the teaching of Narada to the Souunaka Sages. It 
 tells abut the methods to attain salvation, the rules to be followed 
 by a Sanyasi, and the time when a person should enter Sanyasa. It  
 also talks about Karma Sanyasa.
 
 Bhikshuka Upanishad
          It defines the different types of Sanyasi like Kuttesaka, 
 Bahoodhaka, Hamsa and  Parama Hamsa .
 
 Turiyatita Upanishad 
      It is taught by Lord Narayana to Lord Brahma and tells us abut 
 the rules of the life of an Avadhootha.
 
 Sanyasa Upanishad
 Tells who can take Sanyasa and what is the procedure.  
 
 Paramahamsaparivrajaka Upanishad
          This is taught by Lord Narayana to Lord Brahma. It deals 
 mainly about the procedure of taking sanyasa. 
 
  Kundika Upanishad
        Tells what al things a Sanyasi should posses. And how he  
 should behave
 
 Parabrahma Upanishad
          Tells what is Yagnopavitha as well as Shika,  for the 
 sanyasis as well as people of the world. Gives clearly the total 
 length of the Upavitha. For the sanyasi it is the pranava which acts  
 as Yagnopavitha and Shika.
 
 
  Avadhuta Upanishad
          Dathathreya teaches sage Sankrithi as to who is Avadhootha  
 and how he should behave.
 
 Yajnavalkya Upanishad 
         The Upanishad tells when to assume sanyasa and also the 
 properties of a sanyasi.
        
 Saatyayani  Upanishad
 Mind becomes the reason for attachment and salvation. Tells that a  
 real Brahmin should search for Brahmam. Also tells that one taking 
 sanyasa gives redemption for three generation of manes.
 
 Yoga Upanishads(19)
 .
 Shwethaswadhara  Upanishad 
      This Upanishad  is taught by a sage called Swethaswadhara. More 
 emphasis is given in teaching Sankhya yoga and the philosophy of 
 illusion(Maya)
 
 Hamsoupanishad
       This talks about meditation on Hamsa mantra and is being  
 taught by sage Gauthama to sage Sanathkumara. The method of  
 meditating on the Hamsa mantra is fully described.
 
 Amrutha bindu Upanishad.
            It gives the knowledge of athma in the tasty form of  
 nectar and gives it as briefly as a dot.  It tells us about what is 
 Brahmam and other concepts of hard core Hindu Philosophy.
 
 Amrutha nadopanishad.
                This describes the way and detailed method to chant  
 the holy letter "OM', which is called here as the nectar like letter.
 
 
 
 Kshurikoupanishad.
        Kshrika means knife. It is so called because it cuts 
 ignorance using the knife of wisdom. This is a Upanishad which in  
 detail tells about Yoga and its practice. 
 
 Thejo Bindupanishad
               This Upanishad  is  the teaching of Lord Paramashiva 
 to his son Subrahmanya .Talks in detail about Yogic practices,  
 defines  Chinmathra Swaroopa  ,Athmanubhava , Jeevan Muktha etc
 
  Nada Bindu Upanishad
         Tells in detail about the meditation on Omkara (pranava) . 
 The method of meditation  and some problems which may occur are  
 pointed out.
 
 Dhyana Bindu Upanishad.
       The meditation on Pranava and Ajabha Gayathri is dealt in 
 detail along with the method involved.
 
 Brahma Vidhyoupanishad. 
           Teaches methods of attaining Brahma through 
 meditation .Emphasizes role of Guru. Tells that Sruthi is more 
 important than pramana.
 
 Yoga Thathwopanishad
            This is the teaching of Lord Vishnu to Lord Brahma.. It  
 details out the yogic practice. It also tells about the stages in 
 yoga, defines them and tells how to recognize them.
 
 Trisiki Brahmanopanishad.
          This is the teaching of Lord Soorya to a Brahmin called  
 Trishiki Brahmana. He clears his doubts about  the definition of the 
 body, soul , Karana  and yogic practice.
 
 Yoga Choodamani Upanishad.
          Tells about Yogic practice involving Ajaba Gayatri. Tells  
 about the seats of yoga , tells how to wake up the Kundalani and 
 reach her up to Brahma Randra.
 
 Mandala  Brahmanoupanishad.
              This is the teaching of Sun God to his disciple Yagna  
 Valkya. This deals with the principle of the soul through yogic 
 practice. Definitions of various terms used in Yoga is also given.  
 Tells in detail about Yogic practice and tells us about what is  
 Sambhavi Mudhra.
 
 Sandilyopanishad
           This is taught by sage Atharvana to sage Sandilya.. It 
 deals with Ashtangayoga and Brahma Vidhya.
 
 
 Yogashikopanishad. 
       This is the teaching of Lord Maheswara to Lord Brahma. It 
 deals with subjects like Mukthi, Shakthi, Nadha , Chaithanya and 
 Yoga.
 
 Yoga kudalinyupanishad.
        Tells about Kundalani and yogic practice.  
 
 Sri Jabaladarsanopanishad.
      This is the teaching of Lord Dathathreya to his disciple  sage 
 Sankriti.  And tells how the yoga should be done in detail.
 
 Mahavakyopanishad 
           Confirms that the knowledge  "That this Sun is Brahma" 
 would be realized by chanting of Ajapa Gayathri. Tells what is the 
 merger of mind with Brhama.
 Varahopanishad.
    Tells about the Brahma Vidya of the body of Varaha. Lord Vishnu 
 as Varaha tells how he should be meditated upon and worshipped. Also 
 deals in detail about the stages of yoga.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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