The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Upanishads, often referred to as Vedanta (the end of the Vedas), represent the philosophical culmination of Vedic thought. Composed primarily in the Later Vedic period (c. 800–500 BCE), they shift focus from the ritualistic details of the Brahmanas to abstract inquiries regarding the nature of reality, the self (Atman), and the universal spirit (Brahman).
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct.
Upanishadic thinkers were deeply concerned with what happens after death and the nature of existence. They concluded that there is a permanent, unchanging essence in the universe that survives the destruction of the physical body. This eternal entity was identified as the individual soul or Atman. - Statement 2 is Incorrect.
The core philosophy of the Upanishads revolves around the relationship between the individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman). Contrary to the statement, the Upanishads famously teach that the Atman and Brahman are ultimately one. Expressions such as "Tat Tvam Asi" (Thou Art That) emphasize the unity and identification of the individual self with the cosmic reality, rather than their permanent separation. - Statement 3 is Correct.
The Upanishads are an integral part of the Vedic corpus. They are classified as Later Vedic texts, chronologically following the Vedas (Samhitas) and Brahmanas. These philosophical dialogues and ideas were recorded in these texts, which served as the foundation for later schools of Indian philosophy.
Key Takeaway
The central theme of the Upanishads is the inquiry into the nature of the self (Atman) and its ultimate unity with the absolute reality (Brahman), marking a transition from external ritualism to internal spiritual knowledge.