1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. The Upanishads do contain parables (short stories with moral or philosophical lessons). Examples include:
Nachiketa and Yama in the Katha Upanishad, which explores the concept of the soul and immortality.
Statement 2 is correct: The Upanishads (1000-500 BCE) were composed during the later Vedic period, forming the philosophical core of Hinduism. The Puranas, on the other hand, were compiled much later (mostly between 3rd to 10th century CE), making Upanishads earlier than Puranas.
Upanishads: The Upanishads are ancient Indian texts that explore deep philosophical and spiritual ideas. They form the core of Vedanta philosophy and focus on concepts like Brahman (the ultimate reality), Atman (the soul), and Moksha (liberation). The Upanishads emphasize self-inquiry, meditation, and the relationship between the individual soul and the universe. Composed in Sanskrit mostly between 800 BCE and 200 BCE, they are considered the concluding part of the Vedas and contain teachings in the form of dialogues between teachers and students. Some of the most well-known Upanishads include the Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Katha, and Mundaka Upanishads. Puranas: The Puranas are a vast collection of Hindu scriptures that narrate myths, legends, history, and religious teachings. Written in Sanskrit, they were compiled mostly between the 3rd and 10th centuries CE to explain complex Vedic concepts in a simpler way. There are 18 major Puranas, including the Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, and Bhagavata Purana, each dedicated to different deities and aspects of the universe. They cover topics such as cosmology, genealogy of gods and kings, moral teachings, and rituals. The Puranas played a crucial role in shaping Hindu religious traditions and popular devotion.
For S1, "No parables" extreme phrase. That means not even one story-like teaching exists in any of the numerous Upanishads. Likely false.