topics: |  philosophy | religion | hinduism | india

Isa Upanishad: closing chapter of Yajur Veda.  opens with "IsA-vAsya"
	(god-covered).  The use of _IsA, a more personal name than Brahman,
	Atman, or Self, the other names commonly used in the Upanishads,
	constitutes one of its peculiarities.  Emphasizes the unity of the
	Soul and God, and the value of both faith and works as means of
	ultimate attainment. The general teaching of the Upanishads is that
	works alone, even the highest, can bring only temporary happiness and
	must inevitably bind a man, unless through them he gains knowledge of
	his real self.  p.20

Katha Upanishad: Possibly the most widely known Upanishad.  Early transl into
	Persian, and became known in Europe.  Ram Mohan Roy brought out an
	English version, since then English, German, and French authors have
	pronounced it one of the most perfect expressions of the religion and
	philosophy of the Vedas.  Edwin Arnold: "Secret of Death"; Ralph
	Waldo Emerson: gives the story in his essay "Immortality".
	    Unclear where it belongs among the Vedas.  Some put it in the
	Yajur, some to the SAma, while a large number put it as part of
	atharva-veda.   The story is first suggested in the Rig, told more
	definitely in the Yajur, and in the katha-upanishad it appears fully
	elaborated.  It is the conversation of the aspiring disciple,
	Nachiketas, and Yama, the ruler of death, regarding the great
	hereafter.  p.32

Kena Upanishad:  Derives its name from the opening text: "kena-ishitam" "by
	whom directed."  It is also known as the TalavakAra-Upanishad because
	it appears as a chapter in the talavakAra brAhmana of the sAma-veda.
	    One of the most analytical and metaphysical of the upanishads,
	attempting to lead the mind from the gross to the subtle, from effect
	to cause.  p.90

Mundaka Upanishad: part of the atharva veda; also called the mantra upanishad
	as it is composed of verses like prayer-chants.  Lays particular
	emphasis upon the means of attaining brahma-vidyA or knowledge of the
	Absolute.  "What is that sire, by knowing which everything else
	becomes known?"  The sage answers that to acquire the highest wisdom,
	one must transcend the vanity of lower knowledge.  Cannot be attained
	by superficial study of the scriptures, nor by religious rites or
	good works.  Only by meditation - purified through the practice of
	discrimination and renunciation.
	    Title munDaka means shaven-head.  May imply the author was a
	rishi, or that the upanishad itself is shorn of all
	non-essentials. p.116