THE AGE OF THE UPANISHADS:-1. Literally meaning "secret teaching,"the Upanishads embody a number of treatises which represent the cream of vedic thought. In broad terms their teaching marks a reaction against the ritualism of the Brahmans. The first Hindi renaissance is seen in the age of the Upanishads. It was in this age that the foundation of Hinduism were truly laid; all the later developments wee only superstructures built on the foundation. The childish delight in power and possession of the place of Yjnas. Karma was given a wider meaning than mere ritual. Varnas and ashrams were pushed into the background. But by its very nature this religion was severely individualistic; hence, it could be only the religion of few.