Aitareyopaniṣad is an upaniṣad which is a part of the Aitareya āraṇyaka. It is traditionally associated with the Ṛgveda saṃhita. There is an extensive commentary by Dāmodara (possibly Dāmodara Sātavalekara a renowned Maharashtran commentatator on the Vedas, Upaniṣads, Mahābhārata and Bhagavatagītā) with the main upaniṣad text is not present as a whole in many places, only their starting words are present as a hint reference for the commentary. The text explores the nature of the Ātman (self) and it's connection to the Paramātmā (universal self). The text is included in the ten upaniṣads on which the original Śaṅkarācāryas bhāṣya is available making it an authentic Vedic upaniṣad not medieval. It is an important text for the Advaita(non-dualistic) Vedānta philosophical tradition. The Aitareya upaniṣad is divided into three adhyāyas (chapters) which are the 4th, 5th and 6th chapters of the 2nd Āraṇyaka (book) of the Aitareya Āraṇyaka. [1] (1)(f. 2b–3a), (2)(f. 3a–3b), (3)(f. 3b–4b); [2](f. 4b–5b); [3](f. 5b–7a). There is a Śāntipāṭha in the end (f. 7a) of the text. This Ms. is written in 8–12 lines per folio. Cover and back page contain title. Title also present in colophon (f. 7a). Mistakes are covered with yellow or blacked out. Some corrections and additions in the margins. Significant syllables and words rubbed with orange powder for highlighting. According to the penn. cataloguer the Ms. is dated saṃvat 1917 and śaka 1782 (1860) based on Ms. Coll. 390, Items 1160, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1172 and 1169, written by the same scribe Bhānu (all accessible on the UPenn. site).
Āraṇyaka Literature, Upaniṣad Literature, Vedic Literature, Ṛgvedic Literature, Darśanaśāstra.
Dāmodara (possibly Dāmodara Sātavalekara)