Chandogya Upanishad
Also called: Chhandogya Upanishad · Topic: The Vedic Age · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 7 "India's Cultural Roots"; Class 12, Ch 4 "Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings"
Meaning
The Chhāndogya Upaniṣhad is one of the early Upaniṣhads. It is a Sanskrit text, usually dated to c. sixth century BCE, and it is attached to the Sāmaveda. It explores the self (ātman) and its oneness with brahman, the hidden essence of everything. It is important because it holds some of the best-known teachings of Indian philosophy, given through dialogue between teacher and pupil.
Example
In the Chhāndogya, the sage Uddālaka Āruṇi breaks open a banyan seed for his proud son Śhvetaketu. The seed seems empty inside, yet a huge tree grows from it. In the same way, the invisible brahman fills everything. He ends: "You are That, Śhvetaketu." The text also says the self is smaller than a grain of millet, yet greater than the earth and the sky.
Don't confuse with
- Bṛihadāraṇyaka Upaniṣhad: This is the text with the debate at King Janaka's court, where Gārgī questions Yājñavalkya. The banyan-seed story belongs to the Chhāndogya.
- Katha Upaniṣhad: This is the text with the story of Nachiketa and Yama.
Related concepts
- Upanishads
- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
- Uddalaka Aruni
- Tat tvam asi
- Katha Upanishad
- Nachiketa
- Mundaka Upanishad
- Satyameva Jayate
- Atman
- Brahman