Principal Upanishads
The philosophical essence of the Vedas
ईशोपनिषद्
īśopaniṣad
Focuses on the nature of the Self (Atman) and its relationship with the Supreme Reality (Brahman).
केनोपनिषद्
kenopaniṣad
Explores the nature of knowledge and the source of all perception.
कठोपनिषद्
kaṭhopaniṣad
The story of Nachiketa and his conversation with Yama (Death) about the nature of the soul.
मुण्डकोपनिषद्
muṇḍakopaniṣad
Distinguishes between higher knowledge (Para Vidya) and lower knowledge (Apara Vidya).
माण्डुक्योपनिषद्
māṇḍukyopaniṣad
Discusses the syllable Om and the four states of consciousness.
प्रश्नोपनिषद्
praśnopaniṣad
Consists of six questions asked by students to the sage Pippalada.
तैत्तिरीयोपनिषद्
taittirīyopaniṣad
Discusses the five sheaths (Koshas) of the human being.
ऐतरेयोपनिषद्
aitareyopaniṣad
Focuses on creation and the nature of the Self.
छान्दोग्योपनिषद्
chāndogyopaniṣad
One of the oldest and largest, dealing with meditation and the sacred syllable Om.
बृहदारण्यकोपनिषद्
bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad
The Great Forest Upanishad, dealing with the nature of Reality and the Self.
श्वेताश्वतरोपनिषद्
śvetāśvataropaniṣad
Explores the nature of Brahman, the individual soul, and the path to liberation through devotion.