Vedas and Upanishads – Difference between Vedas and Upanishads

Difference between Vedas and Upanishads

Vedas are actually composed of the oldest sacred texts found in India. Composed during a different period than the Upanishads, the Vedas also had a different purpose than that of Upanishads.

• The main difference between the Vedas and Upanishads is that the former is concerned mainly with intellectual thoughts, social customs, and religious practices, while the latter aims to entice audiences to focus on their inner selves to obtain enlightenment.
• Also, the Vedas were penned between 1200 – 400 B.C.E., whereas the Upanishads were penned between 700 – 400 B.C.E.

Upanishads vs Vedas

Vedas and Upanishads
Vedas	Upanishads
The Vedas were written between the years 1200 – 400 B.C.E.	Between 700 – 400 B.C.E., the Upanishads were written.
In Sanskrit, Vedas implies “knowledge.”	Upanishads refer to being near the teacher’s feet.
The Vedas concentrated on ritual aspects, interpretations, and traditions.	The Upanishads were concerned with spiritual insight.
There are four Vedas: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda	There are around 200 Upanishads have been unearthed. Each Upanishad is linked to a different Veda. The Upanishads are divided into 13 sections, that is the most well-known: Katha, Kena, Isa, Mundaka, Prasna, Taittiriya, Chhandogya, Brihadaranyaka, Mandukya, Aitareya, Kaushitaki, Svetasvatara, Maitrayani
In their physical shape, the Vedas differ from one another.	The Upanishads are quite a subsection of Veda that can be found in the last portion of Veda.
The Vedas are divided into four primary text types: Samhitas, Aranyakas, Brahmanas, and Upanishads.	Upanishads are one of the four primary Vedic literature genres. The Upanishads are philosophical and spiritual literature. Upanishads arose from each section of the Vedas. The Upanishads are concerned with the philosophical elements of existence.

Vedas and Upanishads

Vedas comprised of large body of religious texts that developed during ancient India. The late Vedic Sanskrit texts of spiritual teachings and visions still respected in Hinduism can be stated as Upanishads Meaning. Learn more about the individual meaning and differences between Vedas and Upanishads below.

What are Vedas?

The Vedas comprise the spiritual texts which frame the core of the literature in ancient Hinduism. They are honored to be the most sacred of the Hindu principles. The word ‘Veda’ is present in the Sanskrit language, which denotes the meaning of “knowledge conveyed”.

• The Vedas furnish sacred and pivotal information pertaining to the fundamental of life and one’s reaction toward it.
• The Vedas are considered to be the most ancient text.
• The word Vedas adheres directly to a Sanskrit root, Veda – “to know”.
• Vedas are also quoted as scriptures since these are an assemblage of sacred texts pertaining to the essence of the Divine.
• It marks its distinction from other religious scriptures.
• It does not focus on the thoughts of a certain individual at a given moment.
• In reality, it has always traced its existence and, in due course, was located by sages.
• The Vedas first located its existence as a tradition of passing down orally to the disciples.
• The teachers passed it to their pupils for a long period.
• The disciples were mandated to learn the words and pronounce them right so they could be passed without failing.
• Gradually, the pupils learn to pen down the words on the physical platform, leading to the perseverance of the Vedas.

What are Upanishads?

The Upanishads are scriptures that examine and establish the fundamentals of Hinduism, particularly its ontological ideas. The primary reading material is a series of conversations between teachers or seers and their pupils.

• These meetings take place while the teacher is seated next to the pupil ( hence the appropriate name given to these texts- Upa – ni- shad = sit down closer) and proceeds to explain how both the external universe, which is perceived as illusionary, works as well as describing how an individual should seek to dissolve their bondage with it and achieve liberation from earthly physicality by achieving spiritual enlightenment.
• The name “Upanishad” is derived from a Sanskrit word that means “sit down close”, which emphasizes that the students must sit in close proximity to their teacher and listen carefully as he recites important teachings.

How Many Upanishads are There?

Upanishads concern majorly with spiritual insights. Approximately 200 Upanishads have been discovered. Each Upanishad traces an association with a Veda. 13 types of Upanishads are the most renowned such as:

Chhandogya	Mandukya
Svetasvatara	Prasna
Mundaka	Kena
Maitrayani	Katha
Aitareya	Isa
Kaushitaki	Brihadaranyaka
Taittiriya

Upanishads UPSC

It is important for UPSC candidates to know crucial facts about how many Upanishads are there, their meaning, and the major differences between Vedas and Upanishads while preparing for the Ancient Indian History Section of the IAS Exam 2023.

To prepare well for the subject, aspirants can check and download Prelims & Mains Ancient Indian History Notes from the available link to practice all the relevant Upanishads UPSC questions.

Conclusion:

Key Difference between Vedas and Upanishads

The key difference between Vedas and Upanishads is that the Vedas offer knowledge about the existence of the divine and how humans should respond to the divine. In contrast, the Upanishads are philosophical texts that serve as a primary resource of information about Hinduism.

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