Significance of Isa Upanishad

Isavasya Upanishad is one of the ten primary Upanishads that are considered most important of all Upanishads.

In the Isavasya Upanishad, the Maharishi first explains about Shivoham, aham is Lord Shiva; Shiva is aham which means the Shiva is within us. The scripture of Upanishads is meant for understanding and identifying the aham, the Shiva in the aham. This helps in return to understanding the truth. These noble scriptures lead us to reach the path where we understand ourselves as complete, Purnam. The Vedas and Upanishads have got the importance because these are the ultimate truth.

The word Upanishad has been split into Upa - ni - shad. Upasana is to sit by and gain knowledge. Bifurcation of the main is called Upa, it is not two, and it is a fraction of something that has been derived from the knowledge. The Guru is actually called the Upanishad. Sitting by the side of the Guru or the asana is upasana. It is only through upasana that the truth can be reached and the knowledge can be gained. The word Ni means Nishkaaya which in turn means total leaving of the body. All living beings are conscious about thir body. Hence not to be conscious about the body is Nishkaaya. It is the status of the thought, status of the aatma. Only when the aatma cannot recognize the existence of the body and mind it is Nishkaaya. Ni also means no questions, even if it is no, it is yes. Whatever Guru, the knowledge, says is absolutely true. The word Shad means to remove all false values and perceptions from within. For this one needs to unquestioningly surrender completely to that knowledge, the Guru. It is from here that the Isa Upanishad has been derived.

In a sense, Isavasya Upanishad gives us four important instructions. Firstly, the Creator pervades the whole of creation. Secondly, everyone is to do one`s duty. Thirdly, knowledge and action have to be combined and not be considered as opposites. Fourthly, we should view God and the world as being in a state of harmony, not as opposed to each other.