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Aitareya
Explains how the universe and the individual ātman arise from pure Consciousness; famous for the idea that Consciousness itself is Brahman.
Kaushitaki
Dialogues on the soul’s journey after death and the glory of Brahman; stresses inner knowledge over outer ritual.
Nadabindu
Yoga text on meditating on the inner mystic sound (nāda) to dissolve the mind into silence.
Ātmabodha
Teaches that ignorance of the Self is bondage and Self-knowledge alone burns past karma.
Nirvāṇa
Sannyāsa Upanishad; describes the lifestyle and attitude of a renunciate who has completely dropped ego and “I-ness.”
Mudgala
Uses the story of the sage Mudgala to show how detachment in action leads to peace and liberation.
Akṣamālā
Shaiva text where the rosary and Sanskrit letters are seen as forms of Shiva and the entire universe.
Tripurā
Shākta text on the goddess Tripurā; interprets the three states (waking, dream, deep sleep) as her three “cities.”
Saubhāgyalakṣmī
Glorifies Lakṣmī not just as worldly wealth, but as spiritual fortune and auspiciousness.
Bāhvr̥cha
Re-reads Rig-Vedic hymns in a Devi-centered way, presenting the Goddess as the ultimate Brahman.
Kena
Asks “By whom is the mind directed?” and shows that the silent Witness behind all senses is Brahman.
Chāndogya
Huge text with many stories (Śvetaketu, “tat tvam asi”) teaching that the subtle essence behind everything is the Self.
Āruṇika
Sannyāsa text: lays down rules for renouncers and the stages of giving up worldly ties.
Maitrāyaṇī
Samanya Vedānta Upanishad blending Sāṃkhya and Vedānta; speaks of cycles of creation and the need for discrimination.
Maitreyī
Continuation of the famous Brihadāraṇyaka dialogue with Maitreyī; focuses on love that seeks only immortality.
Vajrasūcī
Sharp “diamond-needle” polemic saying caste is not by birth but by knowledge of Brahman.
Yogachūḍāmaṇi
Yoga text describing nāḍīs, chakras, kuṇḍalinī, and how yoga leads to realization.
Vāsudeva
Vaiṣṇava text proclaiming Vāsudeva (Krishna) as the supreme Brahman and inner Self of all.
Mahad
Explains the principle “mahat” (cosmic intelligence) and how from it the whole universe evolves.
Saṃnyāsa
Gives vows, behavior, and mental attitude for monks; emphasizes giving up all “mine-ness.”
Avyakta
Discusses the unmanifest (avyakta) as the subtle root of all forms and as a name of the Supreme.
Kundikā
Sannyāsa text; the water-pot (kundikā) becomes a symbol of a simple, pure renunciate life.
Sāvitrī
Centers around the Gāyatrī/Sāvitrī mantra, its deeper meaning, and its power for purification.
Rudrākṣajābāla
Explains the origin, types, and wearing rules of rudrākṣa beads in Shaiva devotion.
Jābaladarśana
Deals with sacred places (esp. Avimukta/Kāśī) and the greatness of dying with the name of Shiva.
Jābāli
Brief Sannyāsa / Shaiva text linked with the sage Jābāli, stressing non-dual realization.
Īśāvāsya
Very short but powerful: teaches seeing the Lord in everything and balancing action with inner renunciation.
Bṛhadāraṇyaka
One of the largest and deepest Upanishads; covers neti-neti, karma, rebirth, and “aham brahmāsmi.”
Jābāla
Sannyāsa text speaking about sacred city Kāśī and when/how a person can renounce.
Haṁsa
Uses the breath-sound “haṁsa / so’ham” and kuṇḍalinī imagery to teach that the individual is one with the Supreme.
Paramahaṁsa
Describes the highest type of monk (paramahaṁsa) who lives beyond rules, absorbed in Brahman.
Subāla
Vedānta treatise explaining creation from subtle to gross and the non-dual nature of ātman–Brahman.
Māntrika
Mixes Sāṃkhya, Yoga, Vedānta and bhakti; explains the universe as a play of mantra and mind.
Nirālamba
Stresses Brahman as supportless, beyond all forms and props, and the meditation on this for freedom.
Triśikhibrāhmaṇa
Speaks of three “crests” (tri-śikhi) of knowledge—ritual, meditation, and wisdom—and their integration.
Maṇḍalabrāhmaṇa
Uses symbolic mandalas and cycles to describe cosmic creation and inner realization.
Advayataraka
“Non-dual star”: gives a visualization of inner light that guides the seeker across saṃsāra.
Paiṅgala
Dialogue between Paiṅgala and Yājñavalkya; clear, systematic exposition of non-dual Brahman.
Bhikṣuka
Rules and ideals for the wandering mendicant monk who lives only on alms.
Turīyātīta
Describes the state beyond the fourth (turīya), where even the idea of “state” disappears.
Adhyātma
Focuses on the inner Self (adhyātma); explains how inward meditation leads to liberation.
Yājñavalkya
Sannyāsa text linked with sage Yājñavalkya; combines strict outer renunciation with pure inner knowledge.
Satyāyanī
Emphasizes truth (satya) in conduct and contemplation as the direct means to know Brahman.
Tārāsāra
Vaiṣṇava / Vedānta text; teaches the “essence of the crossing-mantra” (tārā) leading across saṃsāra.
Muktikā
The Upanishad that lists these 108 Upanishads and explains how different sets of them lead to kinds of liberation.
Kaṭha
Story of Naciketas and Yama; deep teaching on death, ātman, and choosing “good” over merely “pleasant.”
Taittirīya
Explains the five kośas (sheaths) and ends in the bliss of Brahman.
Brahma
Sannyāsa text; outlines the path of the monk whose only identity is the Brahman-Self.
Kaivalya
Shaiva / Yoga text; identifies Shiva with the inner Self and describes liberation (kaivalya) through meditation.
Śvetāśvatara
Influential theistic Upanishad; presents Shiva-Rudra as the personal Brahman governing māyā.
Garbha
Explores the mystery of embryonic life and how the Self inhabits the womb and body.
Nārāyaṇa
Vaiṣṇava text: declares Nārāyaṇa as the supreme Brahman pervading all beings.
Amṛtabindu
Says mind is the cause of bondage and liberation; teaches Om-meditation to taste the “nectar-drop” of immortality.
Amṛtanāda
Very close to Amṛtabindu but centered on immortal inner sound (amṛta-nāda) as the doorway to Brahman.
Kālagnirudra
Shaiva text where Rudra is the fire of time that burns away ignorance and universes.
Kṣurikā
“Razor” Upanishad; uses the image of a razor-sharp intellect to cut attachment and reach the Self.
Sarvāsāra
Presents the “essence of everything” as the non-dual Brahman; summarizing Vedānta teaching.
Sukharahasya
Explains that true happiness (sukha) is not sensory but the secret of abiding in Brahman.
Tejobindu
Meditates on the “point of light” – radiant consciousness – where seer, seeing, and seen merge.
Dhyānabindu
Stresses one-pointed meditation as the greatest purifier and destroyer of karma.
Brahmavidyā
Treatise on the knowledge of Brahman encoded in Om’s parts and fading sound.
Yogatattva
Systematic text on mantra-, laya-, haṭha- and rāja-yoga, insisting yoga + knowledge must go together.
Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Presents Śiva as the silent young guru Dakṣiṇāmūrti, teaching through pure presence.
Skanda
Vaiṣṇava-Śaiva text praising Skanda/Kārttikeya as a form of the Supreme and teacher of jñāna.
Śārīraka
Deals with the “body” (śarīra) as a field of experience and shows the indwelling Self as distinct.
Yogashikha
“Crest of yoga”; details kuṇḍalinī, prāṇāyāma, and stages of samādhi.
Ekākṣara
Teaches the one syllable Om as the complete symbol of Brahman and tool for meditation.
Akṣi
Focuses on the eye as a symbol of inner sight and on the light of consciousness behind all seeing.
Avadhūta
Praises the avadhūta, a realized being who has gone beyond social rules and dualities.
Katharudra
Shaiva Sannyāsa text linking renunciation with devotion to Rudra.
Rudrahṛdaya
“Heart of Rudra”: reveals Shiva’s heart as identical with the innermost Self of all.
Yogakuṇḍalinī
Major kuṇḍalinī text: describes nāḍīs, chakras, and the ascent of energy to sahasrāra.
Pañcabrahma
Explains five forms of Brahman (as five aspects of Shiva) corresponding to directions and functions.
Prāṇāgnihotra
Teaches an inner fire-ritual where prāṇa itself is the sacrificial fire, replacing outer homa.
Varāha
Vaiṣṇava text where Varāha (boar incarnation) explains the lifting of the earth and the lifting of the soul.
Kalisantaraṇa
Short Vaiṣṇava Upanishad recommending Harī-nāma (especially the Hare Krishna mantra) as the way to cross Kali-yuga.
Sarasvatīrahasya
Shākta text on goddess Sarasvatī, her mantra, and the secret of true speech and wisdom.
Praśna
Six seekers question sage Pippalāda about prāṇa, Om, and the Self; structured Q&A style.
Muṇḍaka
Famous for comparing ritual karma to fragile grass and Self-knowledge to a strong boat across saṃsāra.
Māṇḍūkya
Only 12 mantras but very deep: explains Om and the four states; says Mandukya alone can give liberation.
Atharvaśiras
Shaiva Upanishad extolling Rudra as the only supreme deity beyond all.
Atharvaśikhā
Teaches contemplation of Om as Shiva/Brahman, with detailed symbolism of its parts.
Bṛhajjābāla
Describes the greatness of Kāśī, Śiva-liṅga, and ideals of ascetics associated with that sacred city.
Nṛsiṃhatāpinī
Vaiṣṇava text on man-lion form Narasiṁha; gives mantras and meditations on fierce protective grace.
Nārada-Parivrājaka
Sannyāsa Upanishad attributed to Nārada; discusses qualities of a wandering renunciate.
Sītā
Shākta Upanishad glorifying Sītā as a form of supreme śakti and embodiment of dharma.
Śarabha
Shaiva text where Shiva in Śarabha form subdues Narasiṁha, showing the power of pure consciousness.
Tripādvibhūti-Mahānārāyaṇa
Large Vaiṣṇava treatise extolling Nārāyaṇa and his “three-step” cosmic manifestation.
Rāmarahasya
Explains Rāma-mantra and its deeper spiritual meanings, linking Rāma to the non-dual Brahman.
Rāmatāpinī
Tapinī-style Vaiṣṇava Upanishad giving more esoteric Rāma-mantras and meditations.
Śāṇḍilya
Vedānta text presenting bhakti as intense meditation on the Lord dwelling in the heart.
Parama-haṁsa-Parivrājaka
Describes the highest wandering monk who sees Brahman everywhere and in all.
Annapūrṇā
Shākta Upanishad on goddess Annapūrṇā, who nourishes the universe with both food and wisdom.
Sūrya
Upanishad on the sun god as visible Brahman and the inner eye of all beings.
Ātmā
Focused entirely on the nature of the Self as pure, actionless witness distinct from body and mind.
Pāśupata-Brahma
Shaiva text explaining Pāśupata-yoga and seeing all beings as connected to Pashupati (Shiva).
Parabrahma
Sannyāsa text pointing to the formless, attributeless Brahman beyond concepts and forms.
Tripurātāpinī
Shākta counterpart to Gopāla- and Rāma-tāpinī, centered on goddess Tripurā and her mantras.
Devī
Major Shākta Upanishad; worships Devī as the supreme reality and source of all deities.
Bhāvanā
Explores mental “bhāvanā” (creative visualization) as a tool for realizing non-dual Brahman.
Bhāsmajābāla
Details how to prepare and apply sacred ash (bhasma) and its role in purification and moksha.
Gaṇapati
Vaiṣṇava-Shaiva-friendly text making Gaṇeśa the symbol of the absolute and remover of spiritual obstacles.
Mahāvākya
Explains the great mahāvākyas like “tat tvam asi,” “aham brahmāsmi,” and how to meditate on them.
Gopāla-tāpinī
Vaiṣṇava Upanishad on Krishna as cowherd Gopāla, giving esoteric gopī-bhakti teachings.
Kṛṣṇa
Extends Krishna-bhakti further, proclaiming Krishna as the complete form of Brahman.
Hayagrīva
Describes horse-headed Vishnu as lord of knowledge and reveals his mantra for wisdom.
Dattātreya
Upanishad on sage-god Dattātreya, model of spontaneous, natural wisdom beyond rules.
Garuḍa
Vaiṣṇava text where Garuḍa learns about mantras and methods to cross poison of saṃsāra.
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