Upanishads Overview

The Upanishads are ancient Hindu texts that form the philosophical and mystical basis of Hinduism. They are considered the concluding part of the Vedas and are sometimes referred to as Vedanta (the “end of the Vedas”).

The Upanishads explore deep questions about the nature of reality, the self, and the universe. They consist of dialogues between teachers and students, discussing concepts such as Brahman (the ultimate reality), Atman (the inner self or soul), and the relationship between the two.

There are over 200 Upanishads in total, although only about 108 are recognized as significant in traditional Hinduism.

Upanishads of the Rigveda

1. Aitareya – Origin of consciousness and the universe.
2. Kaushitaki – Rebirth, karma, and the soul’s journey.
3. Nadabindu – Power of sound and meditation.
4. Atmabodha – Knowledge of the self as the path to liberation.
5. Nirvana – Detachment and transcending desires.
6. Mudgala – Path of virtue, good deeds, and prosperity.
7. Akshamalika – Use of sacred syllables for meditation.
8. Tripura – Goddess Tripura and her significance.
9. Saubhagya Lakshmi – Wealth and prosperity through devotion.
10. Bahvricha – Power of divine knowledge and sound.

Upanishads of the Yajurveda

1. Isha – Renunciation and unity of Atman with Brahman.
2. Brihadaranyaka – Non-duality, self, and ultimate reality.
3. Jabala – Importance of renunciation.
4. Shvetashvatara – Meditation, nature of God, and devotion.
5. Hamsa – Symbolism of the swan as the soul.
6. Aruneya – Symbolism of sun, meditation, and renunciation.
7. Garbha – Creation, life, and purpose of existence.
8. Narayana – Supreme reality as Narayana (Vishnu).
9. Paramahamsa – Lifestyle and wisdom of the spiritual seeker.
10. Amritabindu – Mind control and the path to immortality.
11. Amritanada – Bliss through inner sound and meditation.
12. Kshurika – Cutting through ignorance with knowledge.
13. Sarvasara – Essence of everything as Brahman.
14. Sukarahasya – Esoteric practices for liberation.
15. Tejobindu – Meditative light within oneself.
16. Dhyanabindu – Mind, meditation, and unity with Brahman.
17. Brahmavidya – Knowledge and power of Brahman.
18. Yogatattva – Elements of yoga and spiritual practices.
19. Nadabindu – Focus on primordial sound (Nada) in meditation.
20. Atmabodha – Knowledge and experience of the true self.
21. Naradaparivrajaka – Teachings for wandering renunciants.
22. Trisikhi-Brahmana – Threefold path of knowledge, action, and devotion.
23. Sita – Life and significance of Sita, symbolizing devotion.
24. Yogashikha – Guide to yogic practices and transcendence.
25. Turiyatita – The fourth state beyond waking, dreaming, and sleep.
26. Sandilya – Devotion, mind control, and spiritual discipline.
27. Paingala – Dialogues on renunciation and Brahman.
28. Bhikshuka – Path and ethics of an ascetic.
29. Mahat – Cosmic intelligence as the foundation of creation.
30. Sariraka – Nature of the soul and its immortality.
31. Yogachudamani – Supreme jewel of yoga and enlightenment.
32. Advayataraka – Path of non-dual knowledge.
33. Ramatapini – Meditation on Rama as ultimate reality.
34. Annapurna – Goddess Annapurna and spiritual sustenance.
35. Surya – Meditation on the sun as life and energy.
36. Akshi – Symbolism of the eye in self-realization.
37. Adhyatma – Inner spirituality and detachment.
38. Kundika – Symbolic aspects of the pitcher in rituals.
39. Savitri – Goddess Savitri and mantras for enlightenment.
40. Rudra-Hridaya – Heart of Rudra (Shiva) and devotion.
41. Dakshinamurti – Wisdom from the silent teacher, Dakshinamurti.
42. Skanda – Knowledge and worship of Skanda (Murugan).
43. Shariraka – Nature of physical and subtle bodies.
44. Vajrasuchi – Denouncing false beliefs and discrimination.
45. Mandalabrahmana – Knowledge of Brahman through mandalas.
46. Dakshinabrahmana – Right-hand path in spiritual practices.
47. Pancharatra – Vishnu worship and devotional practices.
48. Sarabha – Power of Sarabha and protective forces.
49. Mahavakya – Essential truths in Upanishadic teachings.
50. Ekakshara – Power of a single syllable for meditation.
51. Akshamalika – Rosary and the use of sacred syllables.

Upanishads of the Samaveda

1. Chandogya – Meditation, Brahman, and the power of OM.
2. Kena – Nature of knowledge, Brahman beyond senses.
3. Arunika – Wisdom from Aruni and his son’s questions.
4. Maitrayani – Importance of renunciation for liberation.
5. Maitreya – Self-knowledge and non-dual wisdom.
6. Vajrasuchika – Critique of superficial spirituality.
7. Shukarahasya – Secrets of spiritual realization.
8. Saubhagya – Knowledge of fortune and divine grace.
9. Vasudeva – Meditation on Vasudeva (Krishna).
10. Mahavakya – Core teachings of Vedanta in pithy sayings.
11. Yogachudamani – Crown jewel of yogic wisdom.
12. Brahmavidya – Instruction on the knowledge of Brahman.
13. Vasudevavijaya – Krishna’s glory and cosmic battle.
14. Mahapandava – The Pandavas’ path to liberation.
15. Anandamaya – Blissful state of realization.
16. Yogakundalini – Awakening of Kundalini energy.

Upanishads of the Atharvaveda

1. Prashna – Six questions on the nature of life and Brahman.
2. Mundaka – Knowledge paths and ultimate truth.
3. Mandukya – Four states of consciousness and AUM.
4. Atma – Nature of Atman as ultimate self.
5. Pashupata – Worship of Shiva as Lord of all creatures.
6. Parabrahma – Supreme Brahman beyond duality.
7. Tripadvibhuti – Divine power in threefold nature.
8. Tripuratapini – Meditative worship of Tripura Sundari.
9. Devi – Feminine divine power and its manifestations.
10. Bhavana – Power of creative thought and will.
11. Kaivalya – Path to liberation and self-realization.
12. Sarasvati-rahasya – Secret teachings of Sarasvati.
13. Bharati – Knowledge and eloquence in speech.
14. Annapurna – Divine mother as sustainer of life.
15. Rudrahridaya – Rudra’s (Shiva) compassionate heart.
16. Yogashikha – Top of the yogic practices.
17. Bhasmajabala – Power of sacred ash (bhasma).
18. Ganapati – Worship of Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
19. Mahavakya – Great sayings summarizing Vedantic truth.
20. Darsana – Direct experience of divine truth.
21. Tara – Worship of Tara and protection.
22. Nrisimha-tapini – Worship of Nrisimha for liberation.
23. Kalagnirudra – Aspects of time and Rudra’s (Shiva) form.
24. Sita – Worship and life of Sita as a symbol of devotion.
25. Satyayani – Truth as the path to liberation.
26. Hayagriva – Meditation on Hayagriva for wisdom.
27. Dattatreya – Teachings of sage Dattatreya.
28. Garuda – Worship of Garuda for strength and freedom.
29. Naradaparivrajaka – Renunciation and wandering asceticism.
30. Tripurashashti – Worship and symbolism of Tripura.
31. Muktika – Comprehensive list and study of Upanishads for liberation.

Here are some of the major Upanishads:

1. Isha Upanishad – Nature of the universe, renunciation, unity of Atman with Brahman.
2. Kena Upanishad – Source of senses and mind; indescribable power beyond understanding.
3. Katha Upanishad – Dialogue on soul, life after death, self-realization, and desire.
4. Prashna Upanishad – Six fundamental questions on universe origin, life, and the soul.
5. Mundaka Upanishad – Higher vs. lower knowledge, Brahman as ultimate reality, liberation.
6. Mandukya Upanishad – Self through AUM, four states of consciousness, and Turiya.
7. Taittiriya Upanishad – Happiness, layers of human existence, ethics, and knowledge pursuit.
8. Aitareya Upanishad – Creation of the universe, life origin, and human existence purpose.
9. Chandogya Upanishad – Meditation, OM, Brahman, and the role of speech, mind, breath.
10. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad – Metaphysics, ethics, Advaita, and unity of Atman and Brahman.
11. Shvetashvatara Upanishad – Divine, meditation, self and universal soul relationship.
12. Kaushitaki Upanishad – Journey of the soul after death, knowledge for liberation.
13. Maitri Upanishad – Duality, role of mind, meditation, cycles of life and reincarnation.
14. Narasimha Tapaniya Upanishad – Dedicated to the Narasimha form of Vishnu, exploring meditation and devotion.
15. Kali-Santarana Upanishad – Focuses on the power of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra for liberation.
16. Garuda Upanishad – Details on Garuda, the mount of Vishnu, and protections against negative forces.
17. Maha Upanishad – Concepts of universality, unity of all beings, and ethical principles.
18. Narayana Upanishad – Devotion and meditation on Narayana (Vishnu) as the supreme reality.
19. Rudra Hridaya Upanishad – Focuses on Rudra (Shiva), covering his significance and worship.
20. Bhavana Upanishad – Interpretation of the Sri Yantra, a mystical symbol in meditation practices.
21. Sarabha Upanishad – Describes Sarabha, a form associated with Shiva, and his protective qualities.
22. Amritabindu Upanishad – Discusses the mind’s role in attaining liberation through detachment.
23. Kaivalya Upanishad – Focus on the path to liberation and realization of the self as Brahman.
24. Tripura Tapini Upanishad – Dedicated to the goddess Tripura Sundari and related meditative practices.
25. Jabala Upanishad – Examines the concept of renunciation and the path of asceticism.
26. Hamsa Upanishad – Describes the Hamsa (swan) as a symbol of the soul’s journey and breathing practices.