A History of Indian Literature v1.c8.s8.72

v1.c8.s8.72

The word "*Upaniṣad*" is, in fact, derived from the verb "*upa-ni-sad*," "to sit down near some one," and it originally meant the sitting down of the pupil near the teacher for the purpose of a confidential communication, therefore a "confidential" or "secret session." Out of this idea of the "secret session," the meaning "*secret* doctrine" that which is communicated at such a confidential session—was developed.² The Indians generally give as a synonym of the word "*upaniṣad*" the word "*rahasyam*," which means "mystery, secret." In the Upaniṣad texts themselves the expressions "*iti rahasyam*" and "*iti upaniṣad*"