The “end of the Vedas”.Philosophical schools based
upon the Upanishads
Vedic ideasUniverse is maintained by the yajña,
which is performed by Brahmanas, and paid for by householders from
other varnas.
Thus this is all to do with those who are still living in society, and is based
upon action according to your dharma; Karma – Marga.
Underlying. The power behind the sacrifice is ultimately one
thing. The power that underlies everything is Vac, like an iceberg, most of it is unknown.
Holy utterance (Vac) is measured as four quarters; wise brahmanas know these.
The three that are set down in secret they do not bring into movement. The fourth is what men speak. They call in Indra, Mitra,
Varuna, Agni….that which is One.
Rg Veda 1.164
Sannyasin.
At the end of life in society, it is possible for people to take Sannyas; to renounce everything about the world, even their names & families, and to retreat into the forest to work harder at getting
closer to this ultimate reality.
Many who did so practiced extreme asceticism and meditation, as a result of which they experienced ultimate reality.
UpanishadsThose who experienced ultimate reality taught their disciples about the nature of reality, and how to
achieve it.
These are recorded in the Upanishads (derived from a word
meaning to sit at the feet of)
These books are esoteric and mysterious; only for the real
spiritual adventurer.
Jñana – marga
Those following this path are following Jñana – marga. Jñana is linked to the Greek
; meaning knowledge gained through experience. Thus the Jñana – marga is the way of knowledge. This is not intellectual,
but experiential knowledge.
Their philosophical school is called Vedanta.
Atman
The most important one is Atman, usually translated as “the self”. This is the abiding spiritual reality at the core of
all living things. 'That Self is hidden in all beings and
does not shine forth” (Katha Upanishad 3:12)
Apophatic
A concept from Western Philosophy, an Apophatic thing may only be
described in negative terms – thus “God is not this small rubber ball” is correct, whereas “God is good”
is not, as “goodness” is an inherently human concept, and thus cannot be applied to God.
Atman
The Atman provides the consciousness and awareness of
each living thing. 'That by which we know form, taste,
smell, sounds, and loving touches, by that also we know what exists besides’. (Katha Upanishad 4:3).
Atman
The Atman is the spiritual element that is subject to Samsara .
As a man leaves an old garment and puts on one that is new, the Spirit leaves his mortal body and then
puts on one that is new. (Bhagavad Gita 2:22).
Atman
The Atman is unknowable to the Intellect.
“The atman is not like this or like that….how assuredly can one know
the knower?” (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.4.14)
AtmanThis experiential knowledge will give
liberation from samsara.'He who has perceived that which is without sound, without touch, without
form, without decay, without taste, eternal, without smell, without beginning,
without end, beyond the Great, and unchangeable, is freed from the jaws of
death.' (Katha Upanishad 3:15).
Brahman
Brahman is also often translated as “self”, and is a very closely linked concept to Atman. Here however it is a universal self, a universal
spirit which permeates and underpins the universe, without
personality or involvement, utterly unknowable through the intellect.
BrahmanBrahman is the spirit pervading and
upholding the entire universe. 'My dear child, it is true that you cannot perceive Being here, but it is equally true that it is here. "This finest essence,—the whole universe has it as its Self: That is the Real: That is the Self: That you are,
Svetaketu (Chandogya Upanishad VI.xiii. 1-3)
Brahman
Is often represented by the Sound “Om” (Aum).
'That (imperishable) syllable (Om) means Brahman, that syllable means the highest (Brahman)
Katha Upanishad 2:16
Brahman - Atman
The Upanishads all agree that there is a subtle and mysterious link
between these two; that they are in some way the same; one
macrocosmic, one microcosmic.
Different ways of articulating this mysterious relationship are expressed in
the different schools of Vedanta.
That which speech cannot express, but that by which speech is
expressed is Brahman. Know that alone as Brahman, not that which people worship here. That which cannot be felt by the mind, but that which enables the mind to
feel, that is Brahman. That which cannot be seen with the eye, but
enables your eye to see, understand that alone to be God, not what people worship here.
Kenopanişad 1.5-7
This it is which they seek to know through repetition of the Vedas, thought celibate life, through asceticism, through faith, through sacrifice and through fasting.
When one knows this he becomes a Muni (silent sage). This it is which wandering
ascetics seek as their heavenly world when they wander forth as
ascetics……..Therefore one who knows this, becoming pacified, controlled, at
peace, patient, full of faith, should see the Self in the Self alone. He looks upon
everyone as it. Everyone comes to be his Self, he becomes the Self of everyone.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. 4.4. 25, 27.