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).
16. Resume
The ancient Indian thought, which is rich with profound psychological doctrines and theories, is well recognized in India and abroad. It is well known that the ancient Indian thought is not only rich in metaphysical but also in psychological reflections. But there has been no special discipline devoted to the study of psychological problems; however it been remaining as a part of the theory, epistemology and logic.
The term ‘psychology� is defined as it is a science of behaviour or scientific study of behavioural activities and experiences. Literally, it means the study of the soul. The main teachings of the 貹Ծṣa are intended to reveal the mysticism of the Atman. So the branch of psychology or behavioural study is inter-related to the 貹Ծṣa. The 貹Ծṣaic philosophers reached the idea of Ultimate Reality through the psychological as well as the philosophical method in various 貹Ծṣa.
Many aspects in the philosophy of the 貹Ծṣa can be explained in psychological speculations. It is the outcome of philosophical doctrines. The 貹Ծṣa raise some questions as in the Բ-ܱ貹Ծṣa ‘What�, ‘which�, ‘whose� etc are the questions that are pointed towards man’s inner mental speculations about him. The 貹Ծṣa deliver the idea of the Brahman or the Atman, which is the comprehensive source of power. The ṻ-ܱ貹Ծṣa is the most attractive because of its famous quoting about body and its relation with mind. Buddhi or intellect, manas or mind and body work together by concentrating on their own duties. But mind has a little prominent place in that functioning. Because the mind is a controller, it is compared to the reins. The ultimate goal of life is eternal knowledge. So the person with a controlled mind, can attain immortality.
The ʰśԲ-ܱ貹Ծṣa also discusses the mind and the sense organs. It proclaims that the mind is the central organ and all others work under the mind. The ṇḍūⲹ-ܱ貹Ծṣa gives the pure psychological speculative idea about consciousness. It discusses the stages of consciousness which is divided into four conscious minds -waking, dreaming, deep sleep and the fourth turiya, the ultimate stage. The Aitareya-upaniṣad categorizes consciousness as cognition, affection and will. The ԻDzⲹ-ܱ貹Ծṣa and the ṛhṇy첹-ܱ貹Ծṣa discuss the ultimate reality. The ṛhṇy첹-ܱ貹Ծṣa states that the function of mind or the mental activities. The apt word of mind that is ‘parādevaḥ� is seen in this 貹Ծṣa. It gives the psychical and logical activities of the mind.
These ideas well presented psychologically in the 貹Ծṣa. A systematic study of the 貹Ծṣaic mind can solve or deal with the inner problems of the humanity as a whole.