The Niralamba Upanishad is one of the principal Upanishads. ‘Niralamba’ means not founded on anything; not supported by anything; not reachable through anything; not provable through anything; not approachable via anything. That is Niralamba. The simple Truth, the fundamental reality, the only One has been referred to as Niralamba. Words will not take you there if you are not already there. That is Niralamba.

’Ālamba’ means dependence. ’Niralamba’ means not dependent. Do you notice the precise use of words? Even the name is in the negativa. Because ālambana or dependence is what we live in or experience all the time, therefore the very name is the teaching. The Rishis (sages) named the Upanishads as ‘Swalamba Upanishad’, that which depends only on itself? Or any other affirmative or positive name could have been given. But the very name is an act of demolition.

Niralamba Upanishad asks direct and simple questions. What else do you expect from the naked kid? Do you expect him to come up with complicated and wise-sounding questions?

Look at the questions in the verses. “What is the Sun?” I mean, it’s the Upanishads, right? Or is it the five-year-old kid? Both, sir! Both! What else can a five-year-old ask? The Upanishads are as naked as that. What is Brahman? Who is God? Tell me clearly. No hanky-panky, no beating around the bush. You simply tell me whether you know or not. If you know, then let’s play! And if you don’t, then fine. I’ll play with myself!

The Shanti Path (peace prayer), the very beginning is in itself the complete essence of all Vedic literature. If you are attentive enough and allow yourself to be receptive enough, then the Shanti Path should be sufficient for you. The subsequent verses might not even be needed. The Shanti Path is in itself a complete power pack; it says everything. Nothing is left for the next verses to build

This course is a commentary by Acharya Prashant on Niralamba Upanishad.