About the Book The theme of various Upanishadas it derived from Vedas in the form of discussion amongst various rishis to make it more convincing and intelligible to the general public on the subject leading to emancipation. There is a way of reaching the almighty or attaining salvation through Bhakti as in Ramayana, Mahabharata. etc., but our earlier granthas like Vedas and Upanishadas speak of reaching Him by Gyan' For this purpose, the necessary requirements are 'Pranayam for purifying the body system; restrain to get rid of all worldly involvements/pleasures/ attractions; concentration to get rid of all sins and make an effort to reach Him; then meditation to reach and get absorbed in Him and then is the final stage of 'Moksha'. There is also a way named 'Sankhya', in which one attains salvation by adopting Satoguna' and absolving oneself of 'Rajo and 'Tamo gunas and still another is through 'Yoga' in which through the system of Samadhi' etc., one reaches Him. The Upanishadas propound "Nirguna Bhakti but one can possibly reach "Nirguna Bhakli through 'Saguna' form first.
All this discussion in various important Upanishadas has been brought in this book. Upanishadas: The Real Truth, condensed in a narrative form, the way of getting absorbed in Him, the ultimate aim of human beings, in a simple and intelligible language citing examples, where necessary, to make it interesting for the reader. The purpose of writing this book shall be achieved even if the reading of this book moulds the faculties of mankind to some extent in that direction.
About the Author D.D. Aggarwal, born in 1933, and his schooling in sonipat(Haryana) and graduation and post graduation from Delhi. He joined Ministry of railways through the IAS and Allied Service Examination and retired from there as a joint Secretary. After retirement, he adopted writing books as his pastime and has already written many books. including Protocol in Ramcharitmanas and Protocol in Srimad Bhagwat (both in English and Hindi); India Ever Independent: Why only 50 Years; CBI and Policing in India since Vedic Period and Jurisprudence in India through the Ages. In these books, the writer has tried to trace the respective modem systems in spiritual, political administrative and social set up existing in our ancient books viz., Vedas, Shastras, Samritis, Puranas, etc., To dismantle the British belief that these systems have been given to India by them. The present book Upanishads; the real truth narrates the way to achieve. the ultimate aim of salvation as propounded in various Upanishads through discussion amongst the rishis and munis for the benefit of the public at large.
Preface From the very term 'Upanisada', it is known that knowledge alone is the means of attaining the supreme human goal. Upanisada is said to be derived from the root 'sad' preceded by upa' and 'ni' conveying the sense of 'destroying, "obtaining or dissipating. By the word 'Upanisada' is meant the knowledge of the subject matter intended to be presented by the book which is sought to be explained. Being meant for that purpose, the book also is an 'Upanisada'. In the case of seekers of liberation, who, having become dispassionate towards 'seen' or 'unseen' objects, pursue with diligence and determination the knowledge implied by the word 'Upanisadas'. The knowledge of Brahma destroys ignorance etc. that are the seeds of transmigration; it leads them to the supreme Brahma and dissipates the evils of being born in a womb, decrepitude, death etc. Thus in keeping with the very derivation of the term 'Upanisada', since it leads to the highest goal, which is superior to results achieved through all the means, the knowledge of Brahma is called 'Upanisada'.
Upanisadas contain discussion of various rishis on the subject leading to emancipation. In Mahabharata, Bhagvata, Ramayana etc. puranas, there is more preaching on bhakti, which can be had even by living in the universe. In upanisadas, on the contrary, it has been indicated that emancipation and absorption in Brahma is possible only by complete detachment from the universe, which can be possible only by leading a life of mendicancy because by involving in son, wealth and world, one cannot have full devotion towards Him and without full devotion, one cannot become Brahma. Also in upanisadas, there is no mention of incarnations as the philosophy of upanisadas recognises one Brahma.
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