The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" (mukhya) Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. It is associated with the White Yajurveda and the Shatapatha Brahmana. It figures as number 10 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads.

It is widely known for its philosophical statements, and is ascribed to Yajnavalkya. Its name is literally translated as "great-forest-book". It includes three sections, namely, Madhu Kanda, Muni Kanda (or Yajnavalkya Kanda) and Khila Kanda. The Madhu Kanda explains the teachings of the basic identity of the individual and the Atman. Muni Kanda includes the conversations between the sage Yajnavalkya and his wife, Maitreyi. Various methods of worship and meditation are dealt in the Khila Kanda. The doctrine of "neti neti" ("neither this, nor that") is found in this Upanishad which can be intepreted as the negation of all conceptions of self, which is similar to the Anatta doctrine of Buddhism.


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