Upanishads
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Upanishads, Hindu esoteric and
mystical writings grouped in the Aranyakas, which are
part of the Veda. The philosophical concepts contained in
the Upanishads served as the basis of one of the six
orthodox systems of Hindu philosophy, Vedanta. Some 150
Upanishads exist (108, according to the traditionally
accepted number). Most are written in prose with
interspersed poetry, but some are entirely in verse.
Their lengths vary: The shortest can fit on 1 printed
page, while the longest is more than 50 pages. In their
present form, they are believed to have been composed
between 400 and 200 BC; thus they represent a
comparatively late aspect of Vedic Hinduism. (Some texts,
however, are believed to have originated as early as the
6th century BC.)
The underlying concern of the Upanishads is
the nature of Brahman, the universal soul; and the
fundamental doctrine expounded is the identity of atman,
or the innermost soul of each individual, with Brahman.
Formulations of this doctrinal truth are stressed
throughout the Upanishadic writings. Other topics include
the nature and purpose of existence, various ways of
meditation and worship, eschatology, salvation, and the
theory of the transmigration of souls..
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