The concept of Mind in the Major Upanishads
by Gisha K. Narayanan | 2018 | 35,220 words
This page relates 鈥楾he Psychological aspects in the Aitareyopanishad鈥� 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).
Go directly to: Footnotes.
6. The Psychological aspects in the Aitareyopani峁d
The Aitareya-耻辫补苍颈峁诲 contains the famous mahavakya, 鈥槺璋孤崦蹦錸a峁� 产谤补丑尘腻鈥�. As per the Upani峁d the heart and the mind are the same. The knowledge of imagination, memory, understanding, resolution, insight etc are the names of consciousness or 辫谤补箩帽腻.[1]
It is the merging of heart, mind and consciousness. This is pure consciousness or highest self. All these functions or mental activities are the different manifestations of Atman. There are various phenomena of nature starting from the Brahman and coming down to the immovable objects. This Upani峁d describes the guidance of intelligence that assumes in different functions in the human mind. These functions come under cognition, affection and will. Consciousness, judgment, ideation, wisdom, insight, opinion, thoughtfulness, volition etc come under cognitive functions. Impulse, purpose and desire are under affection. Steadfastness, memory, purpose and self-control are under will.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Aitareya-耻辫补苍颈峁诲-3.30