Brihadaranyaka

Indian religious work

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June 22, 2026

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The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is one of the oldest Upanishads, dating from the 10th to 5th century BCE. It is a foundational text within the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of Hinduism, and is considered part of vedanta, meaning "the conclusion of the Vedas".12

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad emphasizes knowledge over ritual, exploring the interconnectedness of humanity and the cosmos. A key concept is the identity of atman (the self) and brahman (the Absolute), the ultimate reality. The text also introduces the doctrines of samsara (reincarnation) and karma (actions determining rebirth), which became central to Indian thought.21

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Hinduism
The Upanishads
…are the two oldest, the Brihadaranyaka (“Great Forest Text”; c. 10th–5th century bce) and the Chandogya (pertaining to the Chandogas, priests who intone hymns at sacrifices), both of which are compilations that record the traditions of sages (rishis) of the period—notably Yajnavalkya, who was a pioneer of new religious ideas.
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…are the two oldest, the Brihadaranyaka (“Great Forest Text”; c. 10th–5th century bce) and the Chandogya (pertaining to the Chandogas, priests who intone hymns at sacrifices), both of which are compilations that record the traditions of sages (rishis) of the period—notably Yajnavalkya, who was a pioneer of new religious ideas.
Read More