The Upaniṣhads contain many different teachings seemingly intended to reveal the essential truths of Vedic religion and revelation, while at the same time introducing many new ideas about the Self and the nature of reality. Is there a coherent thread to these various ideas?
Here we will consider this question by examining in detail one of the most important of the older Upaniṣhads, the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣhad.
We will find that sometimes these new teachings fundamentally challenge the assumptions of their own tradition, even questioning age-old beliefs, such as the need to perform ritual action in order to obtain merit and liberation.
The commentary of Śaṅkara will be used as an additional guide to the discussion of ideas found in the Upaniṣhad itself.
