“Upanishads, which are stories of the search for peace and truth, were written before the Puranas. Understand how they changed our way of thinking.” When before every answer there was only one question Have you ever thought- stories of gods, incarnations of Vishnu, dance of Shiva… all these were not always there. Before all these there was something else- a search for peace, a voice from within which was asking: “Who am I?” This voice became the Upanishads. These were neither stories nor any dramatic plot. These were some people—rishis, yogis, or ordinary humans—who sat in the jungle, on the banks of a river, or in a Gurukul and wanted to understand just one thing: what is the real meaning of life? And all this happened long before the Puranas came.
The Upanishads tell us that the way to meet God is not outside, but inside. The Puranas taught devotion, but the Upanishads first taught us to look at ourselves. First there was silence, then it became a story. First there was truth, then form.
So let’s go back to that first step today – from where our vision, our thoughts, and perhaps our real ‘me’ begins.
What are the Upanishads : An Inner Journey
Imagine… when there were no temples, no idols, no stories in the world… there were only a few people who sat in the jungle, on the banks of a river, or in some Gurukul and were grappling with a single question –
“Who am I?”
“What is the real purpose of life?”
This was the birth of the Upanishads. The Upanishads are among the oldest and deepest spiritual texts of India. They do not tell stories, they search for truth. There are no wars of gods in them, nor any miracles—there is only one thing: the courage to go inside.
“Upanishad” means – “Sitting with the Guru with a calm mind, and gaining real knowledge.” This is the last and most important part of Vedas – that is why they are called Vedanta. In Upanishads, we come across such concepts which are still used in modern psychology, meditation and philosophy:
Ātman – our real self, which is beyond the sharer
Brahman – a universal energy or truth, which is present in everything
Moksha – freedom from bondage, inner freedom
Upanishads are not loud or dramatic. They are an inner journey—a journey where the greatest answers are found in silence, not in the noise of words. These are the texts that say:
“Tat Tvam Asi” – You are that (which is Brahman)
“Neti Neti” – Neither this, nor that – For the truth first remove the lie”
Upanishads only say this much: Before searching for the god outside, recognize yourself inside.
Who wrote the Upanishads : The voice of the sages that still resounds
This question is often asked: Who wrote the Upanishads?
And the answer is a little different…because the Upanishads were not written by a single person. The Upanishads are a collection of the knowledge of sages and saints – those people who were searching for the truth in the jungle, among nature, within their minds. They neither wanted fame nor name for writing these books. That is why most of these Upanishads are anonymous – their main aim was to spread knowledge, not to take credit.
But in some Upanishads we find the names of some sages like: Rishi Yajnavalkya (Bhadāraṇyaka Upanishad) , Rishi Uddalaka and Shvetaketu (Chandogya Upanishad) Dialogues of knowledgeable women like Gargi, Maitreyi are also written in them. All these people were Gurus as well as seekers. Their life was spent in understanding what is Atma, what is Brahman and how to attain salvation.
How many Upanishads are there : Understanding is more important than number
If you Google it, you get the answer: “There are 108 Upanishads.” But the story doesn’t end here…
Upanishads are not just books, they are a record of a complete consciousness – a knowledge that was not just written, but lived. That is why counting them is as difficult as binding a moment of meditation in words. So what is the meaning of 108? In ancient texts of India, 108 is considered a sacred number – 108 beads in a mala, 108 marma points in Ayurveda, and 108 emotions in the human heart. Muktika Upanishad (a later text) says that there are 108 Upanishads in total – and on that basis people consider this to be the official number. But not all Upanishads are the same:
13 Upanishads are considered to be the most ancient and “Principal Upanishads” – on which Adi Shankaracharya also wrote his commentary. Like: Isha, Kena, Katha, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, etc
Many of the remaining Upanishads were written later—sometimes for some school of thought, sometimes as a devotion to some deity. Some of them are philosophical, some symbolic, and some devotional.
So what is the real thing? The value of Upanishads is not hidden in their number, but in their experience. Whether you read one or 108—if something stirred inside, then that is your Upanishad.
13 Principal Upanishads
- Isha- Isha is the form of God – “Isha vasyam idam sarvam.”
- Kena- Who is this who thinks, listens, sees?
- Katha- Nachiketa and Yam ka samvaad – the knowledge of death.
- Prashna- Six seekers, one teacher – six deep questions.
- Mundaka- Brahma-vidya vs worldly knowledge.
- Mandukya- Is the whole Brahman hidden in just one OM.
- Taittiriya- Layers of self – Annamaya to Anandamaya kosha.
- Aitareya– The Aatma created everything by itself.
- Chandogya- “Tat Tvam Asi” – You are He.
- Brihadaranyaka- “Neti Neti” – Neither this nor that. Ultimate negation.
- Svetasvatara- Talks about Svetasvatara Ishwar and Yoga – quite theistic.
- Kaushitaki- Deep thoughts about Kaushitaki Consciousness and rebirth. Maitri- Conversation about
- Maitri- Time, Self and Moksha.
So what is special about this 13?
These are the Upanishads on which a great philosopher like Adi Shankaracharya wrote his commentary. He explained the deep concepts of Vedanta, opened them up and gave a single form to the spiritual thinking of Bharat. All these are Shruti texts – which are heard, felt and then transferred from the heart to the disciple from the Guru.
Why only 13?
Because these 13 Upanishads are like a foundation – like the roots of a tree. The remaining 95+ Upanishads are the branches of that tree. These 13 are such that they resonate within every seeker at some stage or the other.
Main 7 teachings of Upanishads – which is not understood from books, but from the heart
Sometimes it seems that life has become just a race – work, money, stress, and a constant “and I need more”. But there comes a time when the heart asks: “Who am I?” “Why am I doing all this?”
That is the moment when Upanishads call you. So let’s find out – what do Upanishads actually teach us?
1. “Aham Brahmasmi” – I am Brahman, This is the most powerful teaching. Upanishads say: You are not something different, small or tiny. You are that. Your real form is not a body, name or role – you are infinite, righteous, pure consciousness. You are Brahman – that one pure existence that is present in everything.
2. “Tat Tvam Asi” – You are that, Guru said to disciple: “Whatever Brahman is everywhere… he is you too.” This teaching tells that divinity is not in any temple, mosque or heaven… it is within you. You have simply forgotten your true form.
3. Soul is immortal – Soul neither dies nor takes birth, Upanishads remind us: “What dies is the body, soul is immortal.” This knowledge not only gives freedom from sorrow, It gives harmony and depth to life.
4. Vairagya – Detachment, but not escapism, Upanishads say: “Why stick to something that is going to die?” This does not mean leaving the world – rather, not getting attracted to it even while living in the midst of the world. This is an inner freedom.
5. Shravana, Manana, Nididhyasana – the real process of knowledge, Shravana – listening, Manana – thinking, Nididhyasana – realization in life Upanishads say: Knowledge does not come by reading or hearing something once. One has to live it only then it becomes a part of the soul.
6. There is only one truth – Truth is one, there are many paths Upanishads do not say that this religion is right, that is wrong. She says: “Ekam sat, vipra budha vadanti” Truth is one, but there are many ways to know it. This teaching is the best example of inclusiveness and spiritual openness.
7. Moksha – In the end, liberation is the main goal, The final fruit of all knowledge, all sadhna, all communication is: Mukti – where there is no bondage, no fear, only infinite peace. Moksha means inner awakening, where you understand: “I was never closed.”
Upanishads are not just philosophy, they are a mirror When you read Upanishads, you are not reading a book, you are reading yourself. Every line, every word tries to make you meet yourself. The teachings of Upanishads are not tough , they are just true. And when a truth matches the truth inside you. There is a spark… as if someone has lit a lamp inside you.
Are there parables in Upanishads? – When knowledge was obtained in the form of a story
When we think about “Upanishads”, often the following comes to mind: Maybe it is dry philosophy, only complex concepts and tough shlokas of Sanskrit. But this is not true. Upanishads contain not only knowledge, but also stories. Yes, in them we find such small stories (parables) which appear simple but still say very deep things.
What is the meaning of parable? Parable means a small story which has a symbolic meaning. What is not said directly, is made to be felt through a story. The parables in the Upanishads are very deep and soulful – without any drama, but so powerful that they touch the heart. Some famous parables from the Upanishads:
Katha Upanishad – Story of Nachiketa and Yam- A small boy, Nachiketa, asks death: “Tell me what happens after death?” This story is not just about death, it is a story of inner courage and the search for real knowledge.
Chandogya Upanishad – Seed and Banyan Tree- A father explains to his son how a small seed, which is not even visible, has the power of a whole Banyan tree. Message? Brahman is also like that – not visible, but everything is from him.
Brihadaranyaka – Maitreyi and Yajnavalkya Samvaad- A husband says to his wife: “You will not get happiness from money and property. Happiness comes only when you know the soul.” This is not an advice to a wife, this is a true conversation between equals.
Then why were there parables in Upanishads? Because truth is understood not only by logic, but also by stories. When the Guru wanted to tell his disciple what Brahman is, he did not give boring lectures… he used to say: “Take a bird and its nest as an example…” And from that a complete philosophy was understood.
There were stories, but in a different way. Neither were they like Ramayan, nor like Mahabharata. These were stories from within – which address the heart more than the mind. Upanishads use stories where words fall short and experience becomes essential.
So yes, if you were thinking that Upanishads are just “heavy philosophy”, then read their stories carefully once. Who knows, you may find your own path in one of the topics.
How many Parables are there in Upanishads : When knowledge is acquired along with the story
On hearing the name of Upanishads, people often think – “This is a philosophical text, it must be very heavy…”But what do you know? Upanishads do not only teach dry logic, but also explain the truth of life through stories. Yes, parables or stories are the heart of Upanishads – short stories that make knowledge simple, relatable and memorable.
So the question is – how many parables are there Honestly? It is difficult to count the exact number, because: Every Upanishad is different. Many stories are symbolic ,many stories are in the form of short dialogues. But there are more than ~20 major stories (parables) which teach deep philosophy directly or as a metaphor. And if we also count small symbolic anecdotes, then there are 50+ stories which go into the mind of every reader.
Some iconic stories which make Upanishads alive:
1. Nachiketa ki Kahani – Katha Upanishad. A 10-year-old boy, and in front of him is Yamraj – the God of Death. But the child is not afraid, he only asks one question: “What happens after death?” This story teaches us: Curiosity is the greatest thirst.
2. Uddalaka and Shwetaketu – Chandogya Upanishad, An emotional and philosophical dialogue between father and son: “Tat Tvam Asi” – You are that Brahman. In this, the connection between soul and Brahman has been explained through the examples of salt water, seed and tree.
3. King Janaka and Yajnavalkya – Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. A king who has everything, but wants only one thing: the Ultimate Truth. This story tells – be it a king or a beggar, the real hunger is for knowledge.
4. Two Birds on One Tree – Mundaka Upanishad. Two birds on the same tree: One eats the fruit, One just watches. This story shows our dual self –One who does the deed, and the other who is just a witness.
5. Self as a character – Katha Upanishad. This story tells: Body = chariot, Indian = horse, Mann = leg, Buddhi = charioteer and soul = real owner. A metaphor that shows life from a completely new perspective.
Parables in Upanishads: They are not just stories, they are seeds of knowledge, they do not touch your mind, but your inner soul, they are a combination of logic and emotions. These stories do not make you read them, they make you meet yourself.
Which Upanishad should I read first: When the soul meets my eyes for the first time
If a voice has come from somewhere inside you – “I want to read Upanishads” – then understand that your spiritual journey has already begun. But now a question arises: “There are so many Upanishads, where should I start?” Should the first step be big? Or small, just something to feel? Short Answer for this, Start with the one that speaks to your heart. But if you are a beginner, then there are some that touch the heart and open the mind.
1. Isha Upanishad – When God is seen in everything. This is a small book of only 18 verses, but a complete vision is contained in it. It says: “Isha vasyam idam sarvam” — everything is filled with God. Simple to read, but every line shakes something inside. Perfect for beginners.
It says: “Isha vasyam idam sarvam” — everything is filled with God. Simple to read, but every line shakes something inside. Perfect for beginners.
2. Katha Upanishad – Dialogue between Nachiketa and Mrityu
If you like knowledge in stories, then this is for you. A small boy, a big question:
“What happens after death?” This Upanishad does not teach fear, it teaches depth. A soulful journey between life, death and real meaning.
3. Chandogya Upanishad – When the Guru said, ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ There are many stories in it, but the most famous is: “Tat Tvam Asi” — “You are that.” It seems as if the book is looking at you and saying: “Recognize yourself. You are not an ordinary person.”
4. Mundaka Upanishad – What is true knowledge? This makes it clear that reading books and getting true knowledge are two different things.
It does not have pieces of knowledge blinking like fireflies…
But it is a fire that illuminates the whole world from within.
Personal Suggestion?
If you are not a fast reader, it doesn’t matter. Take one Upanishad. Take one line. Feel it.
Sometimes a single sentence becomes a mirror of the whole life. Reading this is not a syllabus, it is a journey. And there is only one rule for every journey – you have to start. That’s it. So, with which proverb will you start.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are Upanishads and what do they mean?
Answer: Upanishads are an ancient Indian philosophical treatise, which deals in depth with topics such as soul, brahman and salvation.
‘Upa-ni-shad’ means: to acquire knowledge by sitting near the Guru.
Q2. Are Upanishads written in stories?
Answer: Yes! Some Upanishads contain symbolic parables (stories) – like the dialogue between Nachiketa and Yamraj, the dialogue between Shwetaketu and the story of two birds on a tree. It becomes easy to understand knowledge through these stories.
Q3. Who wrote the Upanishads?
Answer: The Upanishads were not written by a single person. They were presented in the form of Shrutis by the Rishis and were read orally for centuries through the Guru-disciple tradition. Later they were written down.
Q4. How many Upanishads are there?
Answer: Traditionally 108 Upanishads are considered in total, but 11 main Upanishads are considered the most important – like Isha, Kena, Katha, Mundaka, Taittiriya, etc.
Q5. Which Upanishad should I read first?
Answer: If you are a beginner, then Isha Upanishad or Katha Upanishad are the best to start with. In these, deep knowledge is given through short stories which is relatively easy to understand.
Q6. What is the connection between Upanishads and Vedas?
Answer: Upanishads are actually the last part of Vedas (Vedanta). Upanishads are at the end of every Veda where the deepest spiritual knowledge is given.
Q7. Are Upanishads relevant in today's time?
Answer: Absolutely! Today when people are facing stress, identity crisis and questions about life purpose, the knowledge of Upanishads has become even more relevant.
It shows us the path to self-awareness and inner peace.
Q8. Are Upanishads only for any religion?
Answer: No. Upanishads are universal. The knowledge given in them is not limited to any one religion – it is for every person who wants to understand himself.
