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The Upanishad is widely known for its philosophical statements and is ascribed to Yajnavalkya. Its name means "great-wilderness-Upaniṣad" or the "great forest of knowledge". It includes three sections: Madhu Kanda, Muni Kanda (or Yajnavalkya Kanda) and Khila Kanda. The Madhu Kanda explains the teachings of the basic identity of the individual or Atman. Muni Kanda includes the conversations between the sage Yajnavalkya and one of his wives, Maitreyi. Methods of meditation and some secret rites are dealt in the Khila Kanda. The doctrine of "neti neti" (later on understood as "neither this, nor that") and an often quoted verse, "Asato Maa", is found in this Upanishad.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is a commentary on Purush Sukta of the Vedas. Being an intuitional revelation it is rich in the use of metaphors, symbolism and imagery to describe the nature of Reality. Instead of using deduction to derive the truth, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad uses self-evident psychological arguments. The Upanishad uses the imagery of Asvamedha sacrifice, described in Purusha Sukta, to depict the creation of the universe. Prajapati, or the creator, is identified with ‘Asva’ or ‘the horse’ and ‘Medhya’ is the sacrifice. Verse 1.1.2 of the Upanishad describes the reason for using ‘the horse’ as a symbol for Prajapati. The horse being a substratum for demons, gods and humans is an apt symbol for Prajapati, the substratum of the whole universe. In verse 1.4.7, name and form are given as reasons for appearance of differentiation in an undifferentiated Absolute. In verse 1.4.15, the truth is described as nothing but one’s own ‘Self’. This is elaborated in the metaphysical statements in the Upanishad.
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