Maitrī Upaniṣad
The Maitrī Upaniṣad is a late Upaniṣad that presents a dialogue between King Bṛhadratha and the sage Śākāyana, exploring the nature of Brahman and the self. Its title derives from Maitrī (friendship), referring to the meditative concentration on the self as a friend.
Overview
The text consists of seven sections (prakaraṇas) and is notable for its synthesis of Vedāntic, Sāṃkhya, and yogic ideas. It identifies Brahman with the self and describes various stages of meditation (dhyāna) as the means to liberation. The Maitrī is one of the later Upaniṣads, composed after the principal Upaniṣads but retaining their philosophical core.
Content and Structure
The text begins with King Bṛhadratha’s despair over the transience of life, leading him to seek liberation from the sage Śākāyana. It describes sixfold yoga (ṣaḍaṅga-yoga) and seven types of meditation (sapta-dhyāna). The text also presents a cosmogonic account of emanation from Brahman, and discusses the nature of prāṇa (vital breath) and the four states of consciousness.
Significance
The Maitrī Upaniṣad is important for bridging the gap between the early Upaniṣads and later philosophical developments. Its systematic treatment of meditation techniques influenced the development of Haṭha Yoga and Rāja Yoga traditions.
Verification Notes
- Also known as the Maitrāyaṇī Upaniṣad.
- Text verified against standard editions and the Muktikā canon.
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).