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Upnishads
Hindu religious texts, Upanishads are Vedic text collections. They make important listing of trends, philosophies and norms pertaining to Hinduism. They are indeed formative elements for earliest emergence of religions in India from Buddhism to Jainism and last but not the least, Hinduism. These scared texts are assumed the end of the Veda so are they popular Vedantas. According to Hindu faith, Upanishads are sacred texts as revealed truths. They are considered Srutis of this religion. Such texts mainly focus on the key elements like Brahman or nature of ultimate reality and Moksha which describe human salvation and character.
Origin
Exact origin date of Upanishads is still not known. They are series of sacred texts which describe Brahmanas and Aranyaka philosophies to the best possible extent. Such texts have been transmitted to the current generations from previous generations orally for several centuries. They remained key part of Hindu tradition and got documented to be preserved as revealed truths. As existing records show, number of Upanishads has been counted to more than 200 after their supposed revealing. Out of those Upanishads, first dozens are named major or mukhya Upanishads whose origin dates back to 6th Century BC. It is assumed that the origin of Upanishads was in the pre-Buddhist era.
According to some researchers, early forms of Upanishads such as Brihadaranyaka, Jaiminiya Upanisadbrahmana and Chandogya Upanishads had even existed in the pre-Buddhist period in the Indian subcontinent but later categories of Upanishads like Taittiriya, Aitareya and Kausitaki came in 5th Century BCE. They had influence from Buddhism religion as well. Rest Upanishads came in last few centuries BCE and became parts of Mukhya Upanishads.
With further developments in Hindu philosophy over the centuries, several changes too occurred. Such changes are reflected during the era when Muktika canon version of Upanishads had already composed in the period considered medieval time revelations. It was a period while Hinduism had started flourishing and more Upanishads were composed during that time. Sacred text of Bhagavad Gita and Brahmasutra are the leading Mukhya Upanishads with good influence on religion.
It was during 19th century that several Upanishads were translated into several other languages in India and neighboring countries. As historic information defines such Upanishads were composed by several authors like Yajnavalkya, Uddalaka Aruni, Shvetaketu, Shandilya, Aitareya, Pippalada and Sanatkumara et al.
Reciting Forms
Upanishads are the texts of variegated categories or genres but they make ample varieties as far as reciting forms are concerned. Perhaps, it is the major aspect that they have too many reciting forms. Some of them are narrative while good number of Upanishads is in lyrical form. They all depend on type and category of revealed texts recitations in the Hindu faith.
Other Religions Popularity
Upanishads are not exclusive to Hindu religion only. Such revealed texts already existed during the pre-Buddhism era. That is why,s these series of texts are equally respected by other religions besides Hinduism like Buddhism and Jainism.