The Earlier and Later Upanisads- A Comparative Study

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About the Book "The Earlier and Later Upanisads A Comparative Study" is my original work. The philosophical treatises, the Upanisads, are replete with profound philosophical thoughts and can be viewed with different perspectives. Although at number of research scholars have dealt with the various themes of the Upanisadic contents with various perspectives, this research work aims at an in-depth study of the thoughts and contents of the earlier and later Upanisads with a comparative angle. It intends to study them specially to examine - 1. Whether the reflections of thoughts presented in the earlier Upanisads which stress the importance of knowledge of the attribute less Brahman, can be seen in the later Upanisads, and, 2. the similarities and differences vis-a-vis the concept of Brahman, various to comprehend the Ultimate Reality and the causes thereof.

The matter presented is based on a number of Sanskrit texts and the work already carried out by other renowned scholars. They have been duly enlisted in the Footnotes and Bibliography.

About the Author Dr. Mrs. educated family and surgeons. completed degree course with Nutrition 1972. For 1994, preferred to wife and an ideal mother intelligent daughters with careers. Her father's paternal was a Professor Physics recipient of Jagannath scholarship. Perhaps inspired motivated his language Sanskrit studies Mrinalini Manohar enrolled Department of Sanskrit of the of student of Course in Sanskrit 1994. passed examinations Course and Course, registered herself M.A. Sanskrit. Specializing herself sastra, she completed successfully. interest in Vedanta induced research work write 'Earlier and Later Upanisads-A Comparative Study'. The research work in the form of was submitted University Mumbai for which PhD awarded. Mrs. Manohar keeping herself engaged further research and research at various Seminars and Conferences.

Foreword Upanisads represent the highest peak of Indian culture. Schopenhauer called them "the production of the highest human wisdom". For him, the reading of the Upanisads (even in second hand Latin translation!) "has been the solace of my life and will be the solace of my death". Upanisads are universally accorded such high regard and praise for their profound philosophic spiritual revelations. They are also considered as source of all later Indian philosophical doctrinal developments.

But this is true only of some ten or thirteen or seventeen curlier Upanisads. The hundred odd other Upanisads, generally considered later, are neglected as being sectarian and mostly. derivative as to their philosophical content. It needed to be seen whether these later Upanisads served any worthwhile purpose, whether they possess any spiritual value, or whether and how do they fit into the vast pan-Indian panoramic thought-pattern.

The present doctorate study of Dr. Mrinalini Manohar "The Earlier and Later Upanisads: A Comparative Study" (carried out under the insightful guidance of Prof. Alka Bakre) is an important treatise, particularly significant from the point of view of these later Upanisads. It is a serious and systematic inquiry into this particular problem.

The design adopted in this study is deceptively simple. The subject is initiated with some general observations on place, age and necessity of composing these earlier as well as later - Upanisads and meaning and implications of the term 'upaniṣad'. Then, a very brief review of the principal teachings of the Upanis ads serving for the development of later theistic-sectarian principles as well as philosophical systems is attempted.

Preface The curlier Upanisads indeed occupy unique position the development philosophical thought. exhibit profound thoughts and explored fully various eminent scholars of cast as well as the However, contents of later Upanisads seem different the earlier ones. the same reason, was induced undertake an attempt studying them with comparative this Endeavour many have helped me. I wish express my deep sense towards my Dr. (Smt.) A.B. Bakre, Bhandarkar Professor and Department Sanskrit, University Mumbai has been support throughout. am extremely grateful to for going manuscript this work painstakingly and making number valuable suggestions.

My thanks Department of Sanskrit and those of the visiting faculty because of whom developed keen interest the study Sanskrit I extend thanks the non-teaching staff Department for their timely greatly indebted both the units Mumbai University library, Jawaharlal Nehru library, Vidyanagari, Mumbai Fort library, Mumbai, to society of Bombay, Town Mumbai the library staff of all these libraries for courteous kind behavior.

My special thanks to Dr. W.R. Antarkar who willingly allowed I acknowledge with thanks University Mumbai awarding me Ph.D. degree scholarship during 2001.

Introduction The earlier Upanisads, the compositions dealing with the spiritualism, the fragments that are extracted from the Aranyaka portion of the Veda-s hold a unique place in the spiritual and. philosophical thought of India. These metaphysical treatises. represent the earnest efforts of the crudite thinkers of ancient India, to solve the mystery of the origin, the nature, the destiny of a man and the universe, i.e., more scientifically, the value of 'knowing' and 'being'. According to Max Müller, it is "a system in which human speculations seem to have reached its very acme." The Upanisads which are replete with sublime conceptions, and with the intuitions of the universal truth, are the vital part of Indian spiritualism from time immemorial. They have survived through many changes-religious and secular-and have shown an unequalled variety of appeal all along. Though remote in time from us, the Upanisads are not remote in thought.2 Indian thought has constantly turned to these treatises for fresh illumination and guidance. They have inspired generations with vision and strength, for they are the mine of inexhaustible wealth of thought, significance and spiritual power.

The later Upanisads are also treatises dealing with the spiritual aspect. A vast literary, religious and philosophical activity is found in these compositions. Majority of these Upanisads belong to the Av, a fact which shows how the seers concerned had taken a lead in propagating the post-Vedic, Puranic Hindu religion.

These works have grown out of the glorious tradition of this country.

**Contents and Sample Pages**