The "Eight Upanishads with the Commentary of Sankaracarya (Vol. 2)" refers to the collection of eight important Upanishads that have been accompanied by the commentary of Adi Sankaracharya, one of the most revered philosophers and spiritual leaders of India. Sankaracharya's commentaries on the Upanishads are considered some of the most influential interpretations of these texts, providing deep insights into the nature of reality, the self, and the ultimate truth (Brahman).
In particular, this second volume likely refers to Sankaracharya's interpretation of specific Upanishads, following his non-dual (Advaita) philosophy. Here's a breakdown of the eight Upanishads and their significance in the context of Sankaracharya’s commentary:
The Eight Upanishads (Typically included in Vol. 2)
The following eight Upanishads are traditionally considered important, with Sankaracharya's commentaries often focusing on these texts:
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Isha Upanishad:
- The Isha Upanishad is one of the shortest yet profound Upanishads, teaching about the nature of the self (Atman) and the universe (Brahman). It discusses the concept of the divine presence within everything and the importance of renunciation.
- Sankaracharya’s commentary highlights the oneness of the individual self and the Supreme, and the need for detachment from the material world.
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Kena Upanishad:
- The Kena Upanishad inquires about the nature of the supreme reality and discusses how the senses, mind, and intellect are dependent on an underlying consciousness. It is often interpreted as asking "Who is the one that makes the mind and senses function?"
- Sankaracharya’s commentary elucidates the non-dual nature of Brahman and shows how everything in the universe points back to the ultimate reality.
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Katha Upanishad:
- The Katha Upanishad narrates the conversation between the young boy Nachiketa and Yama, the god of death. It delves into the nature of the soul, death, and the pursuit of immortality through self-realization.
- Sankaracharya focuses on the concept of Atman (the self) as eternal and distinct from the body, reinforcing his teachings on Advaita, where the ultimate truth is the non-dual Brahman.
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Prasna Upanishad:
- This Upanishad consists of six questions asked by six seekers, exploring the nature of creation, the self, and the Supreme Reality. It discusses topics such as the prana (vital breath) and the five elements of the universe.
- Sankaracharya’s commentary stresses the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of all beings through the realization of the non-dual nature of Brahman.
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Mundaka Upanishad:
- The Mundaka Upanishad is famous for its allegory of the two birds sitting on the same tree, one eating the fruits and the other watching. This symbolizes the relationship between the individual soul (Atman) and the Supreme Soul (Brahman).
- Sankaracharya explains the difference between the higher and lower knowledge (para and apara vidya) and emphasizes that ultimate liberation can only be attained through knowledge of Brahman.
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Mandukya Upanishad:
- The Mandukya Upanishad is one of the shortest, yet profound in its explanation of the four states of consciousness—waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and the transcendental state (Turiya).
- Sankaracharya’s commentary is crucial in explaining how these states relate to the experience of the Atman and Brahman, with the ultimate state (Turiya) being the non-dual consciousness of Brahman.
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Taittiriya Upanishad:
- This Upanishad is well-known for its description of the layers or sheaths (koshas) of the self: physical, vital, mental, intellectual, and blissful. It also talks about the nature of Brahman as the source of all creation.
- Sankaracharya emphasizes the notion of Brahman being beyond all layers of perception and the realization of the Atman as the true self, beyond these sheaths.
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Aitareya Upanishad:
- The Aitareya Upanishad explains the creation of the universe and the individual soul, focusing on the idea of the Atman as the witness and controller of everything in existence.
- Sankaracharya’s commentary interprets the creation narrative as symbolic of the self-manifestation of Brahman, with the individual soul being identical to the Supreme.
Sankaracharya’s Commentary on the Upanishads
Sankaracharya’s commentaries (Bhashyas) on these Upanishads are rooted in his Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which asserts that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is non-dual (Advitiyam), and that the apparent multiplicity of the world is an illusion (Maya). According to this philosophy:
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Brahman is the only reality, and everything else, including the individual soul (Atman), is essentially Brahman. The apparent separation between the individual self and the Supreme is due to ignorance (Avidya).
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Self-realization is the process of recognizing the non-duality of Atman and Brahman, leading to liberation (Moksha).
- Sankaracharya uses these Upanishads as tools to show how to transcend the illusion of duality and come to the realization that "Tat Tvam Asi" ("That Thou Art"), meaning the individual self is one with the ultimate reality.
Importance of Sankaracharya’s Commentaries
Sankaracharya’s commentaries are considered authoritative in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. His lucid interpretations of the Upanishads serve as a guide to understanding the profound spiritual teachings found within these texts. Through his commentary, he explains the core principles of Vedanta in a manner that is both philosophically rigorous and spiritually transformative.
His approach is rooted in:
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Rational inquiry: Each verse and concept in the Upanishads is carefully examined and interpreted, using reason and logic.
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Spiritual experience: Sankaracharya places a strong emphasis on direct experiential knowledge, or "anubhava," as the ultimate means of understanding Brahman.