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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 200BC; 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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