Upanishad | उपनिषद्
The Upanishad (Devanagari: उपनिषद्; ISO 15919: upaniṣad) are the philosophical essence of the Vedas.
Though the exact counts are highly debated, the numbers presented here are based on the teachings of Jagadguruttam Swami Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj (Shri Maharaj Ji), who was recognized as an undisputed Vedic scholar by the honorable body of 500 Sanskrit scholars of Kashi.
Essence of each branch (shakha) of Vedas is a Upanishad. There are countless Upanishad. At present 1180 Upanishad are recognized to be in existence. These were further divided into
- purva tapaniya (former) and
- uttara tapaniya (latter).
The essence of all of these Upanishads is contained in 108, and among them, 9 are prominent:
- Ishavasya Upanishad,
- Kena Upanishad,
- Katha Upanishad,
- Mundaka Upanishad,
- Mandukya Upanishad,
- Aitareya Upanishad,
- Taittiriya Upanishad,
- Shvetashvatara Upanishad, and
- Prashna Upanishad.
Together these are referred to as shruti prasthana and constitute a final, irrefutable authority on spiritual truth.