472 ON THE ve'das, 



hinar nonths, the subdivision, of that period is 

 pursued to 360 days; and, thence, to 10,800 ww- 

 hurtas, or hours. 



I proceed to notice the most remarkable part of 

 the Afharva-iieda, consisting of the theological 

 treatises, entitled Upajiishads, which are appendant 

 on it. They are computed at fifty-two : but this 

 number is completed by reckoning, as distinct 

 Upamshads, different parts of a single tract. Four 

 such treatises, comprising eight Upanishads, toge- 

 ther with six of those before described as apper- 

 taining to other Vedas, are perpetually cited in 

 dissertations on the Veddnta*. Others are either 

 more sparingly, or not at all, quoted. 



It may be here proper to explain what is meant 

 by Upmiishad. In dictionaries, this term is made 

 equivalent to Rehesya, which signifies mystery. 

 This last term is, in fact, frequently employed by 

 Menu, and other ancient authors, where the com- 

 mentators understand Upanishads to be meant. 

 But neither the etymology, nor the acceptation, 

 of the word, which is now to be explained, has 

 any direct connexion with the idea of secrecy, 

 concealment, or mystery. Its proper meaning, 

 according to Sancara, Sa'yan'a, and all the 

 commentators, is divine science, or the knowledge 

 of God : and, according to the same authorities, 

 it is equally applicable to theology itself, and to a 

 book in which this science is taught. Its deriva- 



* The Ctna and Ch'Mndugya from the Sdmaveda ; the Vri- 

 had uran'yaca and Is'dvas'ya from the white Yajush, and the 

 Taittinyaca from the black Yajush ; the AilarCya from the Rig- 

 veda : and the Cat'ha, Pras'na, Mun'daca, and Mun'ducya from 

 the At'harvan'a, To these should be added, the Nrisiuha t^O' 



