The concept of Mind in the Major Upanishads
by Gisha K. Narayanan | 2018 | 35,220 words
This page relates ‘Resume� of the study on the concept of Mind as found in the Major Upanishads: the philosophical backbone of the four Vedas. This study explores the various characteristics and psychological aspects of the mind (described by the Seers of ancient India thousands of years ago) including awareness (samjna), understanding (vijnana) and knowledge (prajnana).
5. Resume
The Vedas are the earliest documents that observe the working of the evident possession of the human mind. They give clear information on the culture and how it moulds all the thoughts and spiritual tendencies of the Indian mind. From very early times mind can examined through the Vedic texts. Vedic literature includes four different classes of collections; the ³§²¹á¹ƒh¾±³Ù²¹, dealing with hymns of prayer, the µþ°ùÄå³ó³¾²¹á¹‡a, dealing with theological explanations, the Ä€°ù²¹á¹‡y²¹°ì²¹, dealing with secret doctrines of forest hermits and the ±«±è²¹²Ô¾±á¹£a»å containing philosophical speculations.
In the pre-upaniá¹£adic period, mind generally denoted consciousness for certain mystical powers and it formed different ideas and decisions. It was developed by the practice of ritual worship. In this period mind is generally denoted as consciousness. The mental faculties have no systems and it is connected to the Self. The Vedic texts are revealed to the knowledge of Atman, the Empirical Self. Mind is regarded as the distinctive part of Atman.