Essay Questions

What point do the authors of the The Upanishads try to make about our desires and actions?

Several authors throughout this text suggest that our desires and our actions are deeply and inextricably connected to one another. We make decisions and act accordingly based upon our deepest desires. When our desires are impure, immoral, and/or corrupt, our actions will be so, as well. We must monitor our desires carefully, so as to avoid becoming consumed by them and making poor decisions. It is, after all, our actions that define us as humans and that demonstrate our core values and beliefs. If we are able to focus our desires in a way that is compassionate, honest, and noble, then our actions will reflect this goodness and we will be able to reap the benefits of our wholesome actions. As such, the authors of these writings aim to show their readers that we must regulate our desires carefully, so as to ensure that our actions contribute only goodness and wholesomeness to the world.

Why does the sense of Self feature so prominently in many of The Upanishads writings?

The concept of Self is discussed by multiple authors—both known and unknown—through the Upanishads writings. This concept of self is incredibly important to these authors, for it is our sense of Self that informs everything we do—from our desires to our actions to our identity. Our sense of Self is integral to our core values and ultimately shapes us as human beings, who are capable of making informed and compassionate decisions. As such, the authors wished to devote a great deal of time to exploring the many different facets of one’s Self, so as to guide their readers to a more genuine understanding of the importance of developing your identity. To understand your own identity and sense of Self is to understand the world around you and how you fit into it and is, therefore, one of our most important missions in life, as humans.

How are the The Upanishads writings still relevant today—in the modern, 21st century world?

If anything, these writings are event more relevant today than they were at the time they were written. Around the world, humanity suffers from political upset and global divisions. Though some of the authors of this great text remain anonymous and unknown to this day, their messages and themes still hold true. These authors believed, for example, in the power of karma—what you put into the world is what you will get out of it. Those who contribute only negative feelings of hatred and jealousy will reap those negative feelings in return. Similarly, those who aim to plant seeds of goodness and compassion will have those positive emotions returned to them. This theme—as well as the themes of liberation and duty to behavior—are incredibly relevant today, when our world is too-often filled with malice and sorrow. As such, these readings would implore our modern society to reintegrate compassion and kindness and duty into our everyday lives.