Glimpses of Upanishads

Glimpses of Upanishads is a short course exploring Vedic philosophy, Brahman, Atman, and timeless wisdom through stories like Yama-Nachiketa and Aruni-Shwetaketu.

Course Instructor: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute

₹300.00

Glimpses of Upanishads | BharatVidya

Short Course

Glimpses of Upanishads

An Exploration of Vedic Wisdom

7 Lectures · 1h 15m · Self-Paced

Glimpses of Upanishads offers more than an introduction to ancient Vedic philosophy. Designed and delivered by Dr. Gauri Moghe, this course is a journey into the heart of Upanishadic wisdom — exploring the nature of Brahman, Atman, and Jagat, and engaging with profound questions concerning life, death, and the nature of reality through stories such as the Yama-Nachiketa dialogue and the Aruni-Shwetaketu Samwaada.

Why Take This Course

Timeless Teachings

Gain insight into Upanishadic philosophy and its enduring relevance to contemporary life.

Expert Instruction

A well-structured, accessible course with a scholar with deep understanding of the subject.

Flexible Learning

Access course material at your own pace, with the ability to revisit lessons anytime.

Engaging Format

Clear explanations combined with thought-provoking discussions make the course both informative and enriching.

For seekers at every stage of the journey.

Course Curriculum

Glimpses of Upanishads

7 Learning Materials

Glimpses of Upanishads

General Introduction

Video
00:06:30

Composition, Structural Features and Number of Upanishads

Video
00:10:12

Summary of 10 Major Upanishads

Video
00:17:12

Jiva, Jagat, Brahman

Video
00:08:43

Yama-Nachiketa Story, and Discussion on the fear of Death

Video
00:17:44

Aruni-Shwetaketu Samwaada and Discussion on Atman

Video
00:10:16

Summary

Video
00:02:37
About the Upanishads | BharatVidya

Understanding the Foundation

The Upanishads

The Philosophical Heart of Vedic Literature

The Upanishads represent the concluding portions of the Vedas and form the philosophical foundation of Hindu thought. The term itself derives from the Sanskrit roots suggesting the idea of sitting near a teacher to receive sacred knowledge. These texts mark a profound shift toward enquiry into the fundamental nature of existence.

Place in Vedic Literature

The Vedas are traditionally divided into four layers: Samhitas (hymns), Brahmanas (ritual commentary), Aranyakas (forest treatises), and Upanishads (philosophical teachings). The Upanishads constitute the Jnana Kanda or knowledge portion, as distinct from the Karma Kanda or ritual portion.

While over 200 texts bear the name Upanishad, tradition recognizes a core set of principal Upanishads, typically numbering between 10 and 13, upon which the great commentators have written.

Historical Context

Upanishads follow the Aranyakas in the Vedic literature. They initiated a period of intense philosophical enquiry across the Indian civilisation. The subsequent era also witnessed the emergence of Buddhism and Jainism, suggesting a broader cultural movement rooted in philosophical enquiry.

Philosophical Significance

The Upanishads introduce concepts that became central to Indian philosophy: the identity of Atman (the individual self) with Brahman (the ultimate reality), the doctrine of karma and rebirth, and the path to moksha or liberation from the cycle of existence.

Rather than prescribing rituals, the Upanishads emphasize knowledge and direct realization as the means to transcendence. They employ dialogue, parable, and metaphor to convey truths considered beyond ordinary language.

Method of Teaching

The Upanishads preserve conversations between teachers and students, fathers and sons, sages and kings. Stories such as the dialogue between Yama and Nachiketa or the instruction of Shwetaketu by his father Aruni have transmitted profound ideas across millennia through narrative rather than doctrine.

Central Concepts

Brahman

Ultimate Reality

Atman

The Self

Moksha

Liberation

Jagat

Universe

Enduring Influence

The Upanishads have shaped not only the six classical schools of Indian philosophy but have also found resonance far beyond the subcontinent. From the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh who commissioned their Persian translation, to European philosophers like Schopenhauer who called them the consolation of his life, to modern scientists exploring consciousness — the Upanishadic enquiry into the nature of reality continues to speak across cultures and centuries.

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Course Instructor - Dr. Gauri Moghe | BharatVidya

Course Instructor

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Dr. Gauri Moghe

M.A., Ph.D. in Sanskrit (Tantra Shastra)

Dr. Gauri Moghe currently serves as Executive Editor of the Mahabharata Cultural Index and  head of digital department at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune.

Her research spans Tantra Shastra, the Mahabharata, Sanskrit grammar, and Sangita Shastra. Dr. Moghe has presented numerous papers at national and international seminars, and delivers lectures on subjects including the Mahabharata, Samaveda, Vedic literature, Tantra literature, and the Shakta tradition.

Areas of Expertise

Tantra Shastra Mahabharata Vedic Literature Sanskrit Grammar Sangita Shastra Shakta Tradition

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