[1] It refers to the worship of, or meditation on, formless things, such as Absolute Self, the Holy, the Atman (Soul) Principle,[2] distinguishing meditative reverence for an internalized and intellectual concept from earlier forms of physical worship, actual sacrifices and offerings to Vedic deities.
[6][7] The root of the Sanskrit word Upasana is up and asana (from as), which means "to sit close to someone, waiting on someone with reverence".
[8] Oldenberg explained Upasana from its root Upās-, in German as Verehren, or "to worship, adore, revere", with the clarification that in Vedic texts this adoration and reverence is at formless things, such as Absolute Self, the Holy, the Atman (Soul) Principle.
[3][4] Schayer offered a different perspective, stating Upasana in Vedic context is closer to the German word Umwerben or Bedrängen, or courting and pressing on metaphysical Soul, the Absolute Self (the Brahman) with hopes and petitions.
This may have marked a key evolution in Vedic era, one from ritual sacrifices to one contemplating spiritual ideas.
[15] In other contexts, Upasana refers to a part of the Vedic era texts relating to worship or meditation.
The 3rd book of Rig Veda refers to Samhita Upasana (literally meaning, "unified form of worship").