2023, Vol. 9, Issue 2, Part B

The philosophical wisdom of Indian knowledge system is mainly based on the upaniṣads, which are otherwise known as Vedānta. According to Vedanta, consciousness is the living energy and the fundamental quality of life particle and it is purely spiritual. There are two categories of consciousness, universal and individual. The Supreme Being is conscious of everything in the universe where as the living Entities are conscious of only themselves. The ontological nature of consciousness is non-physical. śāṅkhya darśan of the śrīmadbhāgavatam (canto 3, ch.26) explains that jīva, ife, is characterized by the presence of a quantum of consciousness and it remains in a separate domain. It is the source of all our knowledge and experience.

From the principal upaniṣads, this paper concentrates only on kaṭhopaniṣad and draws some of the concept of vedantic model of consciousness, vedantic hierarchy of human body, senses, mind, intelligence and model of the chariot, relevant diagrams and their scientific approach in this regard. Hence, the concept of consciousness through the upanisadic thought originated in India thousands of years ago. The upanisadic seers gave rational interpretations to their experiences of Yoga and consciousness and brought about a practical and scientifically sound method within everyone’s reach.