The word Upanishad is derived from the root sad with the prefix ni (to sit), and Max Muller says that the word originally meant the act of sitting down near a teacher and of submissively listening to him.

In his introduction to the Upanishads he says, “The history and the genius of the Sanskrit language leave little doubt that Upanishad meant originally session, particularly a session consisting of pupils, assembled at a respectful distance round their teacher (1). ”

Deussen points out that the word means “secret” or “secret instruction,” and this is borne out by many of the passages of the Upanishads themselves. Max Muller also agrees that the word was used in this sense in the Upanishads (2). There we find that great injunctions of secrecy are to be observed for the communication of the doctrines, and it is said that it should only be given to a student or pupil who by his supreme moral restraint and noble desires proves himself deserving to hear them. Shankara however, the great Indian exponent of the Upanishads, derives the word from the root sad to destroy and supposes that it is so called because it destroys inborn ignorance and leads to salvation by revealing the right knowledge.

But if we compare the many texts in which the word Upanishad occurs in the Upanishads themselves it seems that Deussen’s meaning is fully justified (3).

1: Max Muller’s Translation of the Upanishads, S.B.E. vol. I.p. lxxxi.
2: S. B.E. vol. I, p lxxxi.
3: Deussen’s Philosophy of the Upanishads, pp. 10-15.

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