Home > Indian History > Indian Philosophy > Significance of Isa Upanishad
Significance of Isa Upanishad
Significance of Isa Upanishad helps one to realize the ultimate truth and gain the true knowledge of life.

Share this Article:

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.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Philosophy


Classical Indian Philosophy
Classical Indian Philosophy contains many analyses, rational principles and explanations. The Vedas have been considered as the first and the oldest scriptural texts of the Classical Indian Philosophy.
Ajivika Philosophy
Ajivika philosophy is different from the mainstream religion
Gunas - Hindu Philosophy
Guna in Hindu Philosophy in its philosophical sense refers to the constituent quality. The whole universe is guided by the three gunas, which are basically attitudes, qualities found in human being.
Bodhisattvas - Hindu Philosophy
Bodhisattva is a concept in Hindu philosophy and the Buddhist philosophy and refers to someone who is committed to attain Enlightenment.
Religion and Philosophy in Later Vedic Period
Religion and Philosophy in later Vedic period did see minute growth. However, rituals and traditions were religiously followed.
Theory of inference in Nyaya philosophy
Nyaya theory of inference is divided into five steps.
Theory for God in Nyaya philosophy
The Naiyayikas tried to establish the existence of God through logic.
Religious Influence on Indian Philosophy
Religious influence on Indian philosophy has been almost enigmatic, making it complimentary in perspective.
Morality and Ethics in Jain philosophy
Jains follow a fivefold path of morality and ethical purity, by which one can reach moksha.
Indian Philosophy In The Vedic Period
Indian Philosophy in the Vedic Period was primarily based on the concepts of nature worship.
Metaphysics in Jain philosophy
Metaphysics in Jain philosophy revolves heavily around the soul and its governing path and final emancipation.
Nether World in Jain Philosophy
Nether World according to Jain Cosmology consists of seven subterranean regions. Of the seven regions the above two regions serve as the abode of heavenly gods and in the rest torture of the souls is undertaken for any kind of misdeed.
Achintya Bheda Abheda Philosophy
Achintya-Bheda-Abheda is a School of Vedanta that represents the philosophy of unimaginable one-ness and difference in relation to the power creation and creator.