Final answer:
The claim that the Upanisads originated from a body of work with hymns and rituals is true. The Upanishads represent a philosophical evolution from earlier Vedic literature and are part of the Vedas which are divided into Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Upanisads developed from an initial body of work that contained hymns and ritual formulas is true. The Upanishads are a later development within the Vedic tradition. Initially, the Vedas were composed, which included the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. These texts contained hymns, ritual formulas, and philosophical concepts.
The Vedas are divided into four main categories: the Samhitas (hymns), the Brahmanas (rituals), the Aranyakas (theological reflections), and the Upanishads (philosophical and spiritual ideas). The Upanishads, which are part of the last section of each of the Vedas, focus on spiritual enlightenment and the nature of reality, moving beyond the ritualistic practices that marked earlier Vedic texts.
Therefore, the Upanishads indeed evolved from earlier Vedic literature that was rich in hymns and rituals, representing a shift towards more metaphysical and philosophical exploration in Hindu thought.