| It is probable
that the Upanishads were originally composed somewhat as notes of lectures, intended to
assist the pupil's memory in subsequent reflection. They were not composed as textbooks of
philosophy to serve, by themselves, as books are now written. Notes in our days would be
short indicative phrases written to dictation or taken down by the students themselves. But, in the old days, they took the shape of verses to be memorized,
as writing played a lesser part in learning than it does now. Placed before us today
in the shape of printed matter, with title-page, contents and index all complete, the
Upanishads perplex us in many places with their seeming simplicity of language, covering
thoughts that are far from clear. |
