Subject: [Pattars] Meaning of 108 upanishads

Dear Friends,
Through this letter , I want to bring to your notice the yeoman
service being done do the Hindu religion by Sri.Lakshmanan of Madras
who is maintaining a web site called www.celextel.org. When he found
that, the meaning of all the 108 upanishads are not available any
where in the web, he tried very hard to collect as many translations
as possible. Recently with my translation of 22 minor Upanishads,
his above web site has the translation of 107 out of the 108
upanishads. The only one left out is Rama Rahasya Upanishad.I am
eproducing below the extensive introduction to the Upanishads which
also contains a summary of each of the 108 upanishads.With best
wishes, Ramachander

Introduction to Upanishads
P.R.Ramachander
General Introduction
"Upanishad means the inner or mystic
teaching. The term Upanishad is derived from upa (near), ni (down)
and s(h)ad (to sit), i.e., sitting down near. Groups of pupils sit
near the teacher to learn from him the secret doctrine. In the
quietude of the forest hermitages the Upanishad thinkers pondered on
the problems of deepest concerns and communicated their knowledge to
fit pupils near them. Samkara derives the word Upanishad as a
substitute from the root sad, 'to loosen.,' 'to reach' or 'to
destroy' with Upa and ni as prefixes and kvip as termination. If
this determination is accepted, upanishad means brahma-knowledge by
which ignorance is loosened or destroyed." Upanishads are found in
the concluding sections of Vedas and are classified as Vedanta or
the end of the Vedas. There are five Vedas with Yajur Veda having
two versions. Each of these five books has several Saaakas
(Branches). Each Saaka has a Karma Khanda dealing with the actions
to be performed and is made up of Mantras and Brahmanaas. The latter
deals with Upasana or meditation and has Aranyakas inside them for
the benefit of those who have resorted to the quiet habitat of the
forest to pursue their spiritual Quest.
The Upanishads are found mostly in the Aranyaka section of the
Vedas. The five Vedas have 1180 Saaakas and thus there should be
1180 Upanishads. But what we have now with us is a collection of 108
Upanishads. The list of these 108 Upanishads is given in the
Mukthikopanishad.
Out of the 108 Upanishads only 10 have been commented upon by
several Acharyas like Adhi Sankara. These are Ishavasya, Kena,
Katha, Aithreya, Brihadaranyaka, Prashna, Mandukya, Taittireeya,
Chandogya and Mundaka. These have also been popularized by many
savants like Swami Vivekananda, Swami Chinmayananda etc. They all
deal with highest category of philosophy and metaphysics. So there
is a general impression that all Upanishads are texts of Hindu
Philosophy. This is not true. There are Upanishads which even tell
you how to wear the sacred ash, how to worship a particular God and
so on. But majority of them deal with methods of Yoga and
Renunciation (Sanyasa).

The Vedas and Upanishads

"The breakdown among the 108 Upanishads according to the 5 Vedas are
as follows:
1.Rig Veda : 10
2.Sama Veda :16
3.Atharva Veda: 31
4.Krishna Yajur Veda: 32
5.Sukla Yajur Veda: 19

The 10 Upanishads belonging to the Rig Veda are the following:

1. Aitareya 2.Kaushitaki 3.Nadabindu 4.Atmabodha 5. Nirvana

6.Mudgala 7.Akshamala 8.Tripura 9.Saubhagyalakshmi and
10. Bah vracha.

The 16 associated with the Sama Veda are:

1.Kena 2.Chhandogya 3.Arunika 4. Maitrayani 5.Maitreyi

6.Vajrasuchi 7.Yogachudamani 8.Vasudeva 9.Mahat
10.Sanyasa 11.Avyakta 12. Kundika 13.Savitri 14.Rudrakshajabala
15.Jabaladarsana and 16.Jabali

The 19 Upanishads belonging to Sukla Yajur Veda are:

1.Isavasya 2.Brahadaranyaka 3.Jabala 4. Hamsa 5.ParamaHamsa

6.Subala 7.Mantrika 8.Niralamba 9.Trisikhibrahmana 10.Mandalabrahmana
11. Advayataraka 12.Paingala 13.Bhikshuka 14. Turiyatita 15.Adhyatma
16.Yajnavalkya 17.Satyayani 18.Tarasara and 19.Muktika .

The 32 Upanishads belonging to the Krishna Yajur Veda are:

1.Katha 2.Taittiriya 3.Brahma 4.Kaivalya 5.Svetasvatara 6.Garbha

7.Narayana 8.Amritabindhu 9.Amritanada 10.Kalagnirudra 11.Kshurika
12. Sarvasara 13.Sukharahasya 14. Tejobindhu 15. Dhyanabindhu
16.Brahmavidya 17.Yogatattva 18.Dakshinamurti 19.Skanda
20.Sariraka 21.Yogasikha 22. Ekakshara 23. Akshi 24. Avadhuta
25. Katharudra 26.Rudrahrudhaya 27.Yogakundalini 28. Panchabrahma
29.Pranaagnihotra 30.Varaha 31. Kalisantaranaand
32.Sarasvatirahasya .

The 31 Upanishads belonging to the Atharva Veda are :

1. Prasna 2.Mundaka 3.Maandukya 4.Atharvasira 5.Atharvasikha

6. Brahajjabala 7. Nrsimhatapini 8. Narada Parivrajaka 9.Sita
10.Sarabha 11.Tribadvibhutimahanarayana 12.Ramarahasya
13. Ramatapini 14.Sandilya 15.Paramahamsaparivrajaka
16. Annapurna 17.Surya 18.Atma 19. Pasupatabrahma
20.Parabrahma 21. Tripuratapini 22. Devi 23. Bhavana
24. Bhasmajabala 25. Ganapati 26.Mahavakhya
27. Gopalatapini 28.Krishna 29. Hayagriva 30.Dattatreya
and 31. Garuda ."

Major Upanishads

The ten major Upanishads which contain great philosophical

discussions and knowledge are
1.Ishavasya Upanishad.
It is one of the great but brief Upanishad. It gives the
summary of Indian philosophy very succinctly. It reviews the whole
life and comes out with explanations.

2.Kena Upanishad
Kenopanishad derives its name from the first word Kena ,
meaning `by whom'. It belongs to the Talavakara Bahmana of Sama
Veda and is therefore also referred to as Talavakara Upanishad. In
short it says that "The One Power that illumines everything and
every one is indivisible. It is the Ear behind the ears, Mind behind
the mind, Speech behind speech, Vital Life behind life. The ears
cannot hear it; it is what makes the ears hear. The eyes cannot see
it; it is what makes the eyes see. You cannot speak about it; it is
what makes you speak. The mind cannot imagine it; it is what makes
the mind think. It is different from what all we know; yet it is not
known either. Those who feel they know Him, know Him not. Those who
know that anything amenable to the senses is not Brahman, they know
it best. When it is known as the innermost witness of all
cognitions, whether sensation, perception or thought, then it is
known. One who knows thus reaches immortality"

3.Kathopanishad
"The Kathopanishad is divided into six Vallis. Valli literally means
a creeper. A Valli, like a creeper, is attached to the Sakhas or
Branches of the Veda. This Upanishad is also divided into two
Adhyayas (chapters) of three Vallis each. "This is one of the most
beautiful Upanishads in which the eternal truths are given in the
form of a narrative. The narrative is taken from Taittiriya Brahmana
(3-11-8) with some variation. The same story is told in the
Taittiriya Brahmana, only with this difference that in the Brahmana
freedom from death and birth is obtained by a peculiar performance
of a sacrifice, while in the Upanishad it is obtained by knowledge
only."

4.Aithreya Upanishad
The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the oldest of the Upanishads. It
belongs to the Aitareya Aranyaka of the Rig-Veda. It is divided into
three chapters and contains 33 verses. The Upanishad deals with the
process of creation.

5.Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
"Brhadaranyaka Upanishad means the "great forest-book". This
Upanishad is one of the oldest of all the Upanishads. It consists of
three sections or kandas: the Madhu kanda, the Yajnavalkya or the
Muni kanda and the Khila kanda. Here the Brahman is portrayed as
universal and undifferentiated consciousness. The doctrine of the
indescribability of the absolute and the doctrine of 'Neti, Neti'
are explained. This Upanishad concludes by stating the three virtues
that one should practice i.e. self-restraint, giving, and
compassion."

6.Prashna Upanishad
"In Sanskrit , Prashna mean question. This book consists of six
questions and their answers, hence the name. It is in the form of
question-answers. Except first and last questions, all other
questions are actually a group of smaller sub-questions. As narrated
in the beginning of this Upanishad., Six pupils interested in
knowing divinity or Brahman come to sage Pippalada and ask questions
of great spiritual importance. Pippalada asks them to take up
penance of one year. Upon completion of penance, they again come to
sage and ask questions, then the sage answers their questions."

7.Mandukya Upanishad
"For the very reason that it explains the esoteric meaning of the
fundamental syllable Aum of Hindu spiritual tradition, the Upanishad
has been extolled greatly. The Muktikopanishad which talks about all
other Upanishads, says that if a person cannot afford to study all
the hundred and more Upanishads, it will be enough to read just the
M�nd�kya Upanishad. According to Dr.S. Radhakrishnan in this
Upanishad we find the fundamental approach to the attainment of
reality by the road of introversion and ascent from the sensible and
changing, through the mind which dreams, through the soul which
thinks, to the divine within but above the soul."

8.Taittireeya Upanishad
"The Taittiriya Upanishad belongs to the Taittiriya school of the
Yajur Veda. It is divided into three sections called Vallis. T he
first is the Siksa Valli. Siksa is the first of the six Vedangas
(limbs or auxiliaries of the Veda); it is the science of phonetics
and pronunciation. The second is the Brahmananda Valli and the third
is the Bhrugu Valli. These two deal with the knowledge of the
Supreme Self, paramatma-jnana."

9.Chandogya Upanishad
"Along with Brhadaranyaka Upanishad the Chandogyopanishad is an
ancient source of principal fundamentals for Vedanta philosophy.
Considering number of references made to this Upanishad in Brahma
sutras, it indicates special importance of this Upanishad in Vedanta
philosophy. Important spiritual practices like Dahara vidya,
Shandilya vidya, etc. are its speciality."

10.Mundakopanishad
"This Upanishad begins with an Invocation, praying that eye may see
auspicious things, the ear may hear auspicious sounds, and that life
may be spent in the contemplation of the Lord. The teaching of this
Upanishad is referred to as Brahmavidya, either because it describes
first the message of Hiranyagarbha, the casual Brahma, or because
the message relates the glory of Brahmam. This Upanishad speaks of
Brahmavidya as the mystery which only those with shaven heads and
those who go through a rite of having Fire on the shaven head can
understand. So, it is called Mundaka, or shaven Head. Apart from
this, this Upanishad is honoured as the crest of all, since it
expounds the very essence of Brahma Jnana. It is assigned to the
Fourth Veda, the Atharvana."

(The write up about the ten major Upanishads has been taken from
various web sites. My indebtedness to those great souls is
acknowledged.)

The other 98 Upanishads are again classified according to their

content as follows.
They are General, (Of common interest), Saiva(Dealing with Lord
Shiva) , Saktha (dealing with the divine mother Shakthi), Vaishnava
(dealing with Lord Vishnu), Sanyasa (Dealing with renunciation) and
Yoga(dealing with Yogic practices) Upanishads. Thouigh
classification is made, still there is some overlapping in the
subjects dealt with. Short notes on each of these Upanishads
category wise are given below:-

General Upanishads(27 )

Svetasvatara Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by a sage called Svetasvatara. More
emphasis is given in teaching of Sankhya yoga and the philosophy of
illusion(Maya)

Garbho Upanishad
This Upanishad is by sage Pippalada and deals with the
growth of foetus in the womb .It also gives the number of different
parts of the body like bones, nerves , flesh etc.

Maitrayani Upanishad
This Upanishad tells us about the penance of a king called
Brahadratha. The king asks the sage Sakanya about the feeling of
desire in this meaningless world. Sage Sakanya relates him, what has
been told to him by sage Maithreya. He teaches him the great science
of Brahma Vidya. And tells him finally that mind and illusion are
responsible for this contradiction.

Kaushitaki Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by sage Chithra to sage Udhalaka and his
son Shwethakethu. It deals about the science of soul. The temporary
nature of rituals and good deeds and permanent nature of doing
everything without desire is emphasized. It also tells the need for
a father to give up all his personality and knowledge to his son and
enter Sanyasa.

Subala Upanishad
This is the teaching of Sage Angiras to sage Raikwa. It
tries to answer the question of the time and method of creation of
the world. It also tries to find out the properties of the soul of
beings. And has several aspects of philosophy.

Mantrika Upanishad
Deals about the properties of Brahmam. Tells that
whatever is produced vanishes and then is reproduced. Concludes that
the one who knows it well is the Brahman

Sarvasara Upanishad
Defines and explains several words like Katha,
Bandha, Annamaya etc which occur constantly in Upanishadic
philosophy

Niralamba Upanishad
It is an independent text of Hindu philosophy. It tries to
investigate what is Brahmam and concludes that the Sanyasi by
following proper methods has a better chance of attaining salvation.
Sukarahasya Upanishad
This Upanishad is supposed to be taught to sage Suka
so that he would understand the philosophy of salvation. The
explanations of words and ideas are extensive.

Vajrasuchika Upanishad
This Upanishad investigates and tries to answer the
question, "Who is a Brahmin? It says that caste does not come by
birth.

Atmaprabodha Upanishad
Tells us about meditation on Pranava and the great
Vaishnava mantra"om narayanaya Nama." Defines and tells about the
identities of an evolved soul.

Skanda Upanishad
Takes a conciliatory stand between Shaiva and
Vaishnava. Tells that both are same.

Mudgala Upanishad
This Upanishad aims at explaining the mantras of the great
Purusha Suktham.

Paingala Upanishad
This is taught by sage Yagnavalkya to sage Paingala. It
gives an explanation of the term `Kaivalya'. It also attempts to
explain the Maha Vakyas of Vedas like `Aham Brahmasmi' as well the
duties of Jnanis.

Mahat Upanishad
Tells about the initial creation of the universe starting
From Lord Narayana till Lord Brahma After this there is discussion
between sage Suka and the king Janaka regarding the creation of the
Samsara. This is followed by discussion of several aspects of
philosophy between Sage Nidhaka and his Guru Sage Ripu .It tells
that Sastras are burden for a Jnani, Jnana is a burden to those who
are attached and so on.

Sariraka Upanishad
Tells us about the different aspects of the human body,
including states of knowledge.

Akshamalika Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by Guha to Lord Brahma, It tells us
in detail about how to choose the mala (rosary) for use in
meditation.

Ekakshara Upanishad
This is an Upanishad which deals with the letter' Om'. This is more
of a prayer towards `Om'.

Surya Upanishad
Tells us about Surya Angirasa mantra and Gayatri which is a
prayer to the Sun. Tells also about the ashtakshara to worship Lord
Surya.

Akshi Upanishad
Contains the prayer of sage Sankruthi to Lord Surya which
contains the Chakshushmathi mantra. This is followed by teaching of
Brahma Vidya by Surya.

Adhyatma Upanishad
This is initially taught by Sadashiva to sage
Apantharathamas. Tells that There is nothing but Athma and the
feeling of existence of others is only illusion.

Savitri Upanishad
Tells us who is Savithri and the difference between Savitha and
Savithri Also gives the Savithri mantra.

Atma Upanishad
Deals with various aspects of Athma and how a Brahma
Jnani does not see any other thing except Athma.

Katarudra Upanishad.
This is teaching of Brahma Vidya by Lord Brahma himself to the
Devas. The treatment is philosophical.

Panchabrahma Upanishad
Details the five stages by which Para Brahmam was evolved

Pranaagnihotra Upanishad
This Upanishad deals with the sarrera Yagna or the
sacrifice to the body. Tells what all mantras are to be chanted
before taking food.. The usual mantras that a Brahmin chants while
taking food are contained in this Upanishad.

Muktika Upanishad
This Upanishad is the Teaching of Lord
Rama to Hanuman. It tells about Vedas, Vedangas and also Kaivalya
and also summarizes the Hindu Vedanta. The list of 108 Upanishads is
given in this Upanishad.

Saiva Upanishads(13)

Kaivalya Upanishad
In this Brahma teaches the knowledge of Brahmam to sage
Aswalayana. Though Adhi Sankara wrote commentaries only for ten
Upanishads, he considered this also as an important Upanishad. It
deals with he state where the person is himself. The path shown is
through meditation and devotion. Keeping the person as the plank
and considering OM as the stick which rotates on the plank and gives
out the light of fire.

Atharvasira Upanishad
It emphasizes about the greatness of the holy
letter "om" .It also tells that the form of lord Rudhra is the form
of Pranava.

Atharvasikha Upanishad
This is taught by Sage Adharva to great sages like Pippaladha,
Angiras and Sanathkumara. It emphasizes on the need and benefits on
the meditation of the Pranava.

Brahajjabala Upanishad
This Upanishad is told by Kalagni Rudra to sage Busundi. It
deals in detail about the method of preparation of holy ash
(Vibhuthi) and method of wearing it.

Kaalagnirudra Upanishad
It tells in detail about the method of wearing holy ash
(Vibhuthi) along with mantras for wearing the same. This is taught
by Kalagni Rudra to the great sage Sanathkumara.

Dakshinamurthi Upanishad
Dakshinamurthy is the teacher form of Shiva. He
teaches without talking. This Upanishad gives the Dakshinamurthi
mantra and the method of practicing it

Sarabha Upanishad
Sarabha is the animal, man and bird form of
Lord Shiva. It is believed that he took this form to control the
anger of Vishnu when he took the form of Narasimha. This Upanishad
tells about Lord Sarabha.

Pasupathabramopanishad.
Tells us lord Shiva's aspect of Pasupathi(the lord of all
living things).Tells how that the entire universe is really one and
there is no differentiation.

Rudrahrudaya Upanishad
Shuka asks his father which God exists in all devas
and in which God all devas exist. The answer is this Upanishad. He
tells that it is Rudra.

Bhasmajabala Upanishad
Tells about how Vibhuthi has to be prepared and
also the daily duties of a Brahmana. This is the teaching Lord Shiva
to Jabala Busunda.

Rudrakshajabala Upanishad
This is the teaching of Kalagni Rudra to sage Busunda. And
deals exclusively about Rudraksha.

Ganapati Upanishad
Starts with a prayer to Lord Ganapathy and gives the
Ganapathy mantra. Tells how worship of Ganapathy is to be done.

Jabali Upanishad
Sage Jabali tells sage Pippalada about lord Pasupathi. The
need and method of wearing Vibhuti(Holy ash) is given in detail.

Saktha Upanishads(9)

Sita Upanishad
Brahma tells the Devas about who is Sita. He tells
them that she is the Adhara Shakthi (the basis which is the
foundation) in the feminine form. Tells also about her different
forms.

Tripuratapini Upanishad
Tells about the Sathakshari mantra for meditating on
Tripura, the Goddess Parvathy. Several great manthras like Gayatry,
and Panchadasakshari are a part of this. Tells about Srividya
Upasana.

,Annapurna Upanishad
Sage Rupu tells sage Nidhaka about Devi Annapurna. He also
teaches him the Annapurna mantra. This is followed by teaching of
philosophical aspects like maya, Yoga and Mukthi.
 Devi Upanishad
The Devi tells the devas who she is in this
Upanishad. Tells about Panchadasakshari and Navakshari mantras to
worship her.

Tripura Upanishad
Tells about Sri Chakra and the worship of the devi
through the right and left methods.

Bhavana Upanishad
Tells one important aspect of Sri Vidya Upasana.

Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad
Bhagawan Narayana tells about the Shakthi from whom every God
originated and teaches the devas, the worship of sowbhagya Lakshmi

Sarasvatirahasya Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by Sage Asvalayana to other sages.
He teaches them the ten Saraswathi mantras and methods of
worshipping her

Bahuvracha Upanishad
Talks in detail about the existence of Shakthi from whom
all gods and knowledge originated. Gives hints of worship of Sri
Vidhya.

Vaishnava Upanishads(14)

Narayana Upanishad
Describes the principle of Tripath Narayana . It also
introduces the Narayana ashtakshara mantra and describes the
benefits of chanting it

Nrsimhatapini Upanishad
It has two parts. In the poorva part, it
tells in detail about the greatness of Lord Naraimha. It also has
the great king of Mantras called Narasimha mantra and tells in
detail how to meditate on it. In the Uthara part it tells also about
the greatness of Pranava and the Narsimha Raja Mantra. It gives
detailed method of meditating on Lord Narasimha.

Tripadvibhutimahanarayana Upanishad
Brahma did Thapas for 1000 years to know from Lord
Vishnu about Brahmam. This is what Lord Vishnu told him. Also clears
his doubts such as Brhamam having a form and not having a form etc .
Also gives the shapes of several yantras.

Ramarahasya Upanishad
Tells that Lord Rama is Brahma Taraka and expounds various
mantras for worshipping him. Also gives yantras for worshipping Lord
Rama.

Ramatapini Upanishad
There are two parts , the poorva Thapini and the second
Uthara Thapini. Tells about the greatness of the word "Rama". Tells
about the Rama Yantra, which is similar to the Sri Chakra. Tells
also the belief that `Lord Shiva tells the Tharaka mantra in the
ears of all people dying in Varanasi' and the method of worship of
Rama.

Vasudeva Upanishad
Tells about what is UrdhwaPundra(the sign worn
by Vaishnavites) and the rules for wearing it.

Avyakta Upanishad
Deals about the creation of clearly defined things from that
unclear past. Tells how Parajapati came from Avayaktha and went on
to create the world. Gives a mantra to worship Lord Vishnu.

Tarasara Upanishad
Tells about holiness of Kurukshethra, Tharaka mantra and
pranava. Tells method of worship of Lord Narayana.

Gopalatapini Upanishad
Sages approach Lord Brahma to know the procedure to worship
Krishna. What he tells them is contained in this Upanishad. The
upasana mantra of Govinda is given.

Krishna Upanishad
The sages when they meet Rama wanted to embrace him. He
made them to be born as Gopis and he took the avatara of Krishna, so
that they can embrace him. This book tells as to who were born as
what in Krishnavatara.

Hayagreeva Upanishad
Brahma tells Narada that whoever meditates and worships
Lord Hayagreeva gets to know the Brahma vidya. The mantra for
worship of Lord Hayagreeva is given.

Dathathreya Upanishad
Tells the method of meditation and worship of
Dathathreya. The Dathathreya mantra is given.

Garuda Upanishad
The method of meditation and worship of Garuda , the
vehicle of Lord Vishnu is given.

Kali santarana Upanishad

Tells about how the evils of kali age is to be
crossed. The sixteen letter prayer on Rama would help one in doing
this.

Sanyasa Upanishads (16)

Brahmo Upanishad
Tells us about how the great sage of wisdom comes out of all
mundane things and lives a life where there is no need for rituals
and no differences exist. The mantra for changing Yagnopavita occurs
in this Upanishad.

Jabala Upanishad
This is compiled by Sage Jabala. This gives more emphasis on
mediation and the chanting of Rudra. The greatness of concentrating
between the centres of eyes is stressed here.

Arunya Upanishad
This Upanishad deals about the teaching of Prajapathi to sage
Aaruni. It gives in detail the rules of life to be followed by a
Brahmachari and a Sanyasi.

Paramahamsa Upanishad
It deals about the discussion between Sage Narada and
God on who is a paramahamsa (sanyasi at an advanced stage) and
methods to identify him.

Maitreyi Upanishad
It is the teaching of Lord Parameshwara to sage
Maithreya. To a large extent , what is given in Maithrayani
Upanishad is repeated. In addition God tells to him in detail about
his formless form.

Nirvana Upanishad
Details about the Sanyasa marga involving Nirvana
(nudity). Tells about how the people follow it .

Narada Parivrajaka Upanishad

This is the teaching of Narada to the Souunaka Sages. It
tells abut the methods to attain salvation, the rules to be followed
by a Sanyasi, and the time when a person should enter Sanyasa. It
also talks about Karma Sanyasa.

Bhikshuka Upanishad
It defines the different types of Sanyasi like Kuttesaka,
Bahoodhaka, Hamsa and Parama Hamsa .

Turiyatita Upanishad
It is taught by Lord Narayana to Lord Brahma and tells us abut
the rules of the life of an Avadhootha.

Sanyasa Upanishad
Tells who can take Sanyasa and what is the procedure.

Paramahamsaparivrajaka Upanishad
This is taught by Lord Narayana to Lord Brahma. It deals
mainly about the procedure of taking sanyasa.

Kundika Upanishad
Tells what al things a Sanyasi should posses. And how he
should behave

Parabrahma Upanishad
Tells what is Yagnopavitha as well as Shika, for the
sanyasis as well as people of the world. Gives clearly the total
length of the Upavitha. For the sanyasi it is the pranava which acts
as Yagnopavitha and Shika.
 Avadhuta Upanishad
Dathathreya teaches sage Sankrithi as to who is Avadhootha
and how he should behave.

Yajnavalkya Upanishad
The Upanishad tells when to assume sanyasa and also the
properties of a sanyasi.

Saatyayani Upanishad
Mind becomes the reason for attachment and salvation. Tells that a
real Brahmin should search for Brahmam. Also tells that one taking
sanyasa gives redemption for three generation of manes.

Yoga Upanishads(19)
.
Shwethaswadhara Upanishad
This Upanishad is taught by a sage called Swethaswadhara. More
emphasis is given in teaching Sankhya yoga and the philosophy of
illusion(Maya)

Hamsoupanishad
This talks about meditation on Hamsa mantra and is being
taught by sage Gauthama to sage Sanathkumara. The method of
meditating on the Hamsa mantra is fully described.

Amrutha bindu Upanishad.

It gives the knowledge of athma in the tasty form of
nectar and gives it as briefly as a dot. It tells us about what is
Brahmam and other concepts of hard core Hindu Philosophy.

Amrutha nadopanishad.
This describes the way and detailed method to chant
the holy letter "OM', which is called here as the nectar like letter.

Kshurikoupanishad.
Kshrika means knife. It is so called because it cuts
ignorance using the knife of wisdom. This is a Upanishad which in
detail tells about Yoga and its practice.

Thejo Bindupanishad
This Upanishad is the teaching of Lord Paramashiva
to his son Subrahmanya .Talks in detail about Yogic practices,
defines Chinmathra Swaroopa ,Athmanubhava , Jeevan Muktha etc

Nada Bindu Upanishad

Tells in detail about the meditation on Omkara (pranava) .
The method of meditation and some problems which may occur are
pointed out.

Dhyana Bindu Upanishad.

The meditation on Pranava and Ajabha Gayathri is dealt in
detail along with the method involved.

Brahma Vidhyoupanishad.
 Teaches methods of attaining Brahma through
meditation .Emphasizes role of Guru. Tells that Sruthi is more
important than pramana.

Yoga Thathwopanishad
This is the teaching of Lord Vishnu to Lord Brahma.. It
details out the yogic practice. It also tells about the stages in
yoga, defines them and tells how to recognize them.

Trisiki Brahmanopanishad.
This is the teaching of Lord Soorya to a Brahmin called
Trishiki Brahmana. He clears his doubts about the definition of the
body, soul , Karana and yogic practice.

Yoga Choodamani Upanishad.

Tells about Yogic practice involving Ajaba Gayatri. Tells
about the seats of yoga , tells how to wake up the Kundalani and
reach her up to Brahma Randra.

Mandala Brahmanoupanishad.
This is the teaching of Sun God to his disciple Yagna
Valkya. This deals with the principle of the soul through yogic
practice. Definitions of various terms used in Yoga is also given.
Tells in detail about Yogic practice and tells us about what is
Sambhavi Mudhra.

Sandilyopanishad
This is taught by sage Atharvana to sage Sandilya.. It
deals with Ashtangayoga and Brahma Vidhya.

Yogashikopanishad.
This is the teaching of Lord Maheswara to Lord Brahma. It
deals with subjects like Mukthi, Shakthi, Nadha , Chaithanya and
Yoga.

Yoga kudalinyupanishad.
Tells about Kundalani and yogic practice.

Sri Jabaladarsanopanishad.
This is the teaching of Lord Dathathreya to his disciple sage
Sankriti. And tells how the yoga should be done in detail.

Mahavakyopanishad
Confirms that the knowledge "That this Sun is Brahma"
would be realized by chanting of Ajapa Gayathri. Tells what is the
merger of mind with Brhama.
Varahopanishad.
Tells about the Brahma Vidya of the body of Varaha. Lord Vishnu
as Varaha tells how he should be meditated upon and worshipped. Also
deals in detail about the stages of yoga.