Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

äcärya (master) had to write a commen-

tary on the principal Upani•ads, the first

and longest being that by ŸAŒKARA(2).

upa-pätakas (‘lesser sins’)

In contrast to MAHÄ-PÄTAKAS (great

sins), breaches of DHARMAthat can be

atoned for relatively easily. (See also

SIN.)

Upa-puräæas (‘lesser Puräæas’)

In contrast to the MAHÄ-PURÄŒAS(great

Puräæas). The classification is not

always unambiguous. Thus ŸÄKTAS

classify the Devïbhägavatam as a

Mahäpuräæa, while VAIÆŒAVASconsider

it an Upapuräæa.

upäsana

SeeWORSHIP.

upaväsa (‘fasting’)

A very popular form of penance. There

are a number of fast days in the Hindu

CALENDAR, varying from saƒpradäya

(sect) to saƒpradäya. In its strict sense it

entails total abstinence from food and

drink. Often it is understood as a restric-

tion of one’s diet, either quantitatively

or qualitatively. Many Hindus untertake

fasting in fulfilment of vows. GANDHI

undertook ‘fasts unto death’ several

times in an attempt to move rioting

Muslims and Hindus to reconciliation.

Upa-vedas

(‘lesser’ or ‘complementary’ Vedas)

The four traditional arts and sciences: (1)

Ayurveda (medicine); (2) Gandharvaveda

(music and dancing); (3) Dhanurveda

(archery, martial arts); (4) Sthäpatyaveda

(architecture).

U•as

The dawn, daughter of heaven and sis-

ter of the ÄDITYAS, praised in the Vedas

for her charms and her immortality.

utsava (‘feast’)

Especially a temple feast. The utsava-

bera is the processional IMAGE of a

temple which is taken out on feast days.

Uttara Mïmäƒsä

(‘later Mïƒäƒsä’)

VEDÄNTA. (See alsoMÏMÄßSÄ.)

193 Uttara Mïmäƒsä

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