English: The early Upanishads (Upanisad, Upanisat) are scriptures of Hinduism. Variously dated by scholars to have been composed between 900 BCE to about 200 BCE, these texts are in Sanskrit language and embedded within a layer of the Vedas. They contain a mixture of philosophy and mystical speculations, many set in the form of dialogues or pedagogic style. Their central teachings include the concepts of Atman (soul, self) and Brahman (metaphysical reality).

This is a commentary on Taittiriya Upanishad, an early Upanishadic text of Hinduism (c. 600 BCE).

The palm lead manuscript was purchased by C. M. Whish in July 1836 at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Winternitz states that the text on this manuscript was copied from an older manuscript probably in the Prajāpati year corresponding to 1751/52 CE, or possibly 1811/12 CE. For more information, please see A catalogue of South Indian Sanskrit manuscripts (especially those of the Whish Collection) belonging to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland by M. Winternitz, with an appendix by F. W. Thomas (London: RAS, 1902) pp.14-15.

The photo above is of a 2D artwork of a text that is over 2,500 years old, from a manuscript that was produced decades before 1836 CE. Therefore Wikimedia Commons PD-Art licensing guidelines apply. Any rights I have as a photographer is herewith donated to wikimedia commons under CC 4.0 license.