Comparative Insights: Vedas vs. Upanishads -What Shifted from Ritual to Introspection?

Abstract

The Vedas and Upanishads are the foundational texts of Sanatana Dharma, but they represent different stages of spiritual and philosophical development within the tradition. The Vedas emphasize ritual, cosmology, and the external world, while the Upanishads focus on the inner experience of the self and the ultimate reality. This article explores the profound transition from the ritualistic practices of the Vedic period to the introspective and philosophical insights of the Upanishadic teachings. Through the lens of sacred texts, it examines the spiritual evolution within the Vedic and Upanishadic thought, focusing on the shift from external sacrifices (yajnas) to the pursuit of self-realization (atma-jnana) and the quest for ultimate truth (Brahman). This article highlights the transformation in religious consciousness, from a world governed by ritual and cosmic order to one where the highest goal is the internal realization of the eternal Self.

Keywords: Vedas, Upanishads, Ritual, Introspection, Yajna, atma-jnana, Brahman, Vedanta, Cosmology, Self-Realization, Transcendence, Sacred Texts