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sections dealing with philosophical thought and wisdom are considered to be superior because they expound the ultimate goal of human life. Over the years, the metaphysical discourses on knowledge were distilled in the form of the Upanishad. The Sanskrit term, Upanishad, is made up of upa (near), ni (down) and s(h)ad (to sit), thus suggesting an image of sitting near the teacher to learn the subtle doctrines of self-realization. In earlier times these subtle teachings were referred to as the Vedanta, meaning the later part of the Vedas; and goal of the Vedas. As the ideas of the Upanishads continued to evolve into various philosophical treatises, they also came to be known as Vedanta. The Upanishads are, therefore, understood as "the end of the Vedas” as well as “the culmination of Knowledge” for several reasons, as follows: 1. The Upanishads are the final treatise of the Vedic
literature. The first part of the Vedas is known as Samhita, a collection of Vedic hymns or mantras. Next are the Brāhmanas, which pertain to sacrificial rituals, and the Aranyakas, the Forest treatises. The last section of the Vedas is the
Upanishads. For the sake of a comprehensive knowledge of the Vedas, the followers of the Vedic Dharma usually begin with the Samhita, the study of mantras.
