Published Paper Details:

The Upanishads deliver metaphysical enlightenment about consciousness by extending their examination from human existence into all cosmic life including non-human creatures. This paper examines Upanishadic knowledge about animal awareness while exploring its impact on both moral and philosophical perspectives toward non-human life. The Upanishads teach that all realities belong to single absolute nature (Brahman) and that the eternal soul (?tman) dwells throughout every living thing thus demonstrating natural connection between human beings and animals. Through this framework anthropocentric perspectives receive a challenge while it establishes a spiritual ethical system for recognizing natural animal value. The Upanishadic philosophical teachings center around sams?ra because rebirth and karma demonstrate that living beings move seamlessly between diverse life forms. Animals exist beyond sentience since they possess consciousness as they travel through spiritual cycles of life. The Upanishadic concept of j?va (individual soul) explains how individual souls progress between different lifetimes thereby connecting every living thing. According to the Upanishads there exists a divergence in awareness capacities between non-human living beings but every living thing possesses spiritual essence leading to moral obligations for human beings towards the natural world. The research evaluates Upanishadic perspective within modern debates about animal rights in addition to ecological ethics and studies of consciousness. A combination of metaphysical knowledge with contemporary scientific concepts about animal intellect produces well-rounded understanding of non-human consciousness. A reassessment of our ethical principles occurs through Upanishadic teachings because they promote friendly and nonviolent interactions with every living creature. The teachings establish an ancient philosophical framework that remains relevant for contemporary discussions about animal welfare together with environmental ethics.