A = B: An Enquiry into the Upanishads' Basic Insight By Jan Feys

Book Description -

The essence of the Upanishads teaching, as noted by the esteemed Surendranath Dasgupta, is encapsulated in the equation Atman = Brahman. Paul Deussen has expressed a similar view. While it may not be wise to challenge such authoritative statements, we can certainly delve into the meaning behind this aphorism. To do so, we must return to the original texts, analyzing them closely and interpreting them in relation to one another.

To grasp the significance of the equation A = B, we must first clarify the meanings of A (Atman) and B (Brahman) independently. The first two essays in this collection address these aspects. The article "Atman in the Early Upanishads" and "The Identification of Brahman as Atman" have previously been published in the Research Journal of Philosophy, and we extend our gratitude to Prof. R. S. Srivastava, D.Litt., Head of the Philosophy Department at Ranchi University and Editor of the journal, for allowing us to reproduce these works.

While our method of textual analysis may resemble a scientific approach, it also offers two perspectives. One perspective situates the texts within the historical context of a significant cultural shift, where the Upanishads emerged as a replacement for the Vedic Samhitas and Brahmanas, focusing on introspection and self-awareness rather than ritualistic sacrifices. The other perspective allows fresh insights to challenge rigid philosophical interpretations that have accumulated over centuries, revealing the living concepts of the 'sacred' and 'immortality' that illuminate the terms Brahman and Atman, respectively.