Introduction to the Upanishad:

Greetings All,

Swamiji said, having completed Taittiriya Upanishad now we are entering Mandukya Upanishad. It is a different Upanishad from Mundako Upanishad. Today, I will give you a general introduction to this Upanishad. In the introduction I will consolidate the introductions of previous Upanishads. Thus our original scriptures are called Vedas or Shruti, a means or source of knowledge. They are a body of literature through which we come to know about the means and ends of human life. It is also called Shruti, as Rishi’s heard it, as revealed to them by the Lord. So, Vedas are considered a revealed literature, one not born out of human intellect as such also called Aupurushyam. They have been propagated as karna parampara as well. These Vedas are four in number and are: Rg, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana.

This vast Vedic literature is classified as follows:

1. Veda Purva.
2. Veda Anta.

This Veda-purva section talks about varieties of karma. Karmas are rites to be done. Therefore, it is called karma section (action-section). Veda-anta section does not focus on action but on knowledge. Veda-purva section gives benefit by doing. Veda-anta section gives benefit by knowing. Therefore, Veda-anta section is called Gyana section (knowledge-section). In all the four Vedas, karma section and Gyana section are found. Veda expects every follower of Veda to start with the karma section, the religious way of life. Gyana section deals with the spiritual life. One should start with religious life and graduate into spiritual life. Without religious life, spirituality will not work. Without spirituality, religious life is incomplete. Therefore, the follower of the Veda should follow a religious life and go to spirituality.

Veda Purva: First part or beginning part of the Vedas includes: a) Sadhya Trayam, b) Sadhana Trayam and c) Dosha Trayam.

 Sadhya Trayam: are three types of human goals. The human goals are:

1. Self Improvement
2. Improvement of possessions. This can include one’s house, material possessions, one’s family etc.
3. Improvement of set up. This includes the environment in which you live or environmental improvement.

Human being desires security and happiness and they are dependent on these three goals. If anyone of these goals is missing, happiness and security are difficult to reach. So, these are the goals for a human being in Veda Purva.

Sadhana Trayam:

To accomplish the human goals three disciplines known as Sadhana Trayam are prescribed. They are:

1. Physical disciplines for the body that include rituals. These disciplines are also called Kayika Sadhanani.
2. Verbal disciplines in the form of Japa and Parayanam. They are also known as Vachika Karmani.
3. Mental disciplines also known as Manasa Karmani often in the form of meditation.

Dosha Trayam: Are the three forms of defects. All human goals have certain intrinsic defects or Doshas. These defects are considered natural to the human goals. The defects are:

1. Dukha mishritatvam: These are goals that are mixed with pain. The goals give joy but are mixed with pain of acquisition, preservation and the pain of loss.
2. Atriptikaram: They never give total satisfaction resulting in perpetual struggle. It is like a gambler, even when he wins, he wants to play more and more.
3. Bandhatvam: They are all dependency causing goals. They lead to enslavement. They weaken an individual.

Generally majority of people are satisfied with the Sadhya, Sadhana and even with the Doshas. Majority of people who are mediocre are satisfied with these three. Some rare people having experienced doshas look for goals that are defect free. Very few seek Dosha Rahita sadhyam, defect free goals.

To these advanced people, adventurous people, Vedanta addresses them; it tells them that it has Nirdosha Sadhyam; for them Vedanta is relevant. And, what does Vedanta say to those mature people? It says this dosha rahita sadhyam is Brahman. Gita in chapter five also defines Brahman as Nirdoshaha. Now, the Seeker wants to reach this Brahman. Vedanta, however, tells him, kindly don’t seek Brahman. You will never find Brahman, as You are that Brahman. Tat Tvam Asi. This is the revealing and shocking statement of Vedanta. Listening to this from Vedanta the seeker finds a problem. Until Vedanta statement he, the seeker, looked at himself, as one saturated with Doshas. He sees defects in each one his five koshas as well. His life is riddled with defects, is his conclusion. Even a rare, good opinion about myself, will be shattered by family and society. So, what is my vision of myself? It is that I am Sa-Dosha while Vedanta says you are Nirdosha Brahman.

So, what am I, is the big question? Am I the pure Brahman or am I the defect-full human? I can’t dismiss the Vedas, as they are divine in origin. Veda is called Adrishta Pramanam, so I can’t set it aside.

Even though Vedanta declares that, we will not easily accept it, because we already have a conclusion about ourselves. Our conclusion is that we are miserable jivas but Vedanta says that we are, the wonderful, Brahman. Our conclusion has been arrived at due to our experiences over so many years. Samsara is helplessness, anger, frustration, and depression. Life has become a meaningless, burdensome, boring struggle. ‘We are miserable jivas’ is a conclusion that we have arrived at but Vedanta says otherwise. Which one is correct? We have to enquire. Thus begins self-enquiry as to whether we are miserable jivas or wonderful Brahman. Vedanta, being a means of knowledge, helps us perform that enquiry.

At the same time I experience my own doshas everyday. I can’t set them aside as well. Anubhava Pramanam says I am Sadushta while Veda says I am Adushta. Therefore, I have to enquire into self-enquiry, acquire self Knowledge and this will then remove my self-misconception.

Once I am a seeker of knowledge, I must seek an appropriate instrument of knowledge as well. For color knowledge I require eyes. For knowledge of sound I require ears. So, we need Pramanam. There are six pramanams or instruments.  They are:

1. a)  pratyaksha: perception,
2. b) Anumana: inference, comparison and analogy
3. c) Upamana: postulation, derivation from circumstances
4. d) Arthapatti: non-perception,
5. e) Anupalabdhi: meaning negative or cognitive proof,
6. f) Shabda: word, testimony of past or present reliable experts.

Of these six instruments five are outward facing, objective proof of the external world. None of them, however, observe my self. They will not help with self- knowledge. Eyes can’t see my own face. It is an intrinsic limitation. Then, there is only one pramanam and that is Vedanta Pramanam that can reveal my own nature. Without mirror I can’t see my face. So, I have to use Vedanta Darpana. To use mirror I need eyes as well. It is like I need a microscope to look at the very small microbes and I need a telescope to see far away objects. To attain Brahman I have to employ Vedanta Pramanam. Now, how do you use Vedanta Pramanam? First of all never use it all by yourself. Learn how to use it. Operating it involves the following steps:

• Sravanam
• Mananam
• Nidhidhyasanam

The more you look into the mirror, you see yourself with greater clarity. Similarly, Shastric study is to turn you towards your self.

Shravanam: It is a systematic analysis of Vedanta teaching and extracting the central teaching. For this analysis six factors have to be considered. They are:

1. Upakrama-Upasamhara: commencement and Conclusion,
2. Abhyasa : practice or reiteration,
3. Apurvata: unprecedentedness,
4. Phala: fruit,
5. Arthavada: glorifying passage or explanatory statement and\
6. Upapatti: illustration.

 In simple English, Shravanam is a systematic and consistent study of Vedantic literature for a length of time under a competent teacher.

Who is a competent teacher? One who was a competent disciple is now a competent teacher. This will give me self-knowledge that I am Nirdosha Brahman.

 

Mananam:

This process will remove all doubts about the teaching. I find it difficult to believe that I am defect free. Mananam should clear all such doubts. It will free knowledge from all forms of doubts.

Nidhidhyasanam:  It is Vedantic meditation. It is internalizing the teaching by dwelling on the doubt free knowledge in any form such as reading, writing, repeated listening, discussion, teaching and meditation. Meditation is not insisted upon as the only method. This internalizing is the de-conditioning process. There are many forms of Self-Conditioning. We never question our conditioning. Here we want to eliminate all our conditioning. Once I discover this fact, all three Sadhyams, their arrival and departure, will not make any serious difference in me.

When things and people are around me, I feel it is a burden; but without them, I also feel emptiness. Moksha means both, burden and emptiness, do not affect me anymore.

All this we learnt as an introduction from previous five Upanishads. A few more points need to be noted. One doubt that can come up is that scriptures say, Brahman can’t be revealed by words. Reasoning alone can prove it.

Now, words can reveal an object only if the object fulfills certain conditions. They are called Shabda Pravrithi Nimithani. Here Shabda means words; Pravrithi means function; Nimthani means condition.

There are five conditions for words to reveal any knowledge. Brahman, however, does not fulfill any of them. How can Brahman be revealed by studying scriptures or words or via shabda Pramanam?

The five conditions for words are:

1. Rudhihi or Pratyaksha Vishayatvam: means it is available for direct perception. You can see an object. Then we can name the object. Let us call the object a “Clip”. In future the word Clip reveals the object in mind.
2. Jathihi: Means species. Consider a tree outside that you have not experienced. You have experienced some other tree(s). You understand tree without experiencing the tree outside. You are able to do so because this tree also belonged to the same class of tree. You, thus, understand the meaning of the word “tree” as object falling under a species.
3. Guna: Properties of the object also help identify it.
4. Karma: When someone says, call the driver; the word driver reveals him through his function.
5. Sambandha: Relationship is another way of revealing. Thus father, brother, sister etc., reveal relationships.

Brahman, however, does not have any of the five above. If so, how will Upanishad teach Brahman?

Take Away:

1. Without religious life, spirituality will not work. Without spirituality, religious life is incomplete.
2. Shravanam is a systematic and consistent study of Vedantic literature for a length of time under a competent teacher.
3. When things and people are around me, I feel it is a burden; but without them, I also feel emptiness. Moksha means both, burden and emptiness, do not affect me anymore.
4. Shravanam: It is a systematic analysis of Vedanta teaching and extracting the central teaching.
5. Mananam: This process will remove all doubts about the teaching.
6. Nidhidhyasanam: It is internalizing the teaching by dwelling on the doubt free knowledge in any form such as reading, writing, repeated listening, discussion, teaching and meditation.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

 

Greetings All,

Swamiji said, today I will give you a summary of Brghuvalli. It is the third and final chapter of the Upanishad. Main teaching of Upanishad was in Chapter 2 on the topic of Brahma Vidya.

Chapter 3 deals with certain other but important topics. Chapter 3 begins with the word Brghu, hence the name of the chapter as well. The chapter is in prose form and it is divided into paragraphs known as anuvakahas. There are ten anuvakahas. Topics discussed are: Gyana Sadhanani and Gyana Phalam.

Gyana sadhanani deals with Brahma Gyana sadhanani. Gyana Phalam deals with Brahma Gyana phalam or fruits of this knowledge. For our convenience the chapter can be divided into three topics. They are:

1. Direct means of Brahma Gyananam or Sakshat Karanani.
2. Indirect means of Brahma Gyananam also called Sahakari Karanani.
3. Gyana Phalam or the benefit of this knowledge.

Anuvakaha #1 through # 5:

First topic; Gyana Sakshat Karanani: Is addressed from Anuvakaha #1 through # 5. What is the direct means of Brahma Gyanam? It is enquiry into Brahman or Brahma Vichara. Brahma Vichara is called Tapas in the Upanishad. This enquiry should be done with Guru and Shastra say the Upanishads. Enquiry in Vedanta always includes Guru and Shastra. Both are important. Even if one of them is absent, enquiry will be inadequate. Guru is shown through Guru Shishya teaching between Varuna and Brghu. Their dialogue is the teaching. Importance of Shastra is shown when Varuna gives two clues for this enquiry. They are: 1) Brahma Upalabdi Dwaram and 2) Brahma Lakshanam.

Brahma Upalabdi Dwaram includes factors useful for enquiry such as Pancha Maha Kosha (Annam, Prana, Manaha etc.) Definition of Brahman was given as Brahma Lakshanam. What is the lakshanam? It means Brahman is Jagat Srishti Sthithi Laya Karanam. These two factors indicate the role of shastras.

Keeping Guru and shastra in mind, Brghu conducted his enquiry. His method was Pancha Kosha Viveka. It is one methods of Vichara. This Vichara was discussed in great detail in chapter 2. Its significance is that it takes the intellect of the student from grossest annam to the subtlest ananda. In each anuvakaha, Brghu travels through each kosha and beyond the koshas he discovers ananda.

What is ananda? This, again, was detailed in Chapter 2. It means Chaitanyam. It is not experiential pleasure, which is called ananda maya. This Ananda is the Sat Chit Ananda.

Every thing rises in Chaitanya; rests in it and resolves in it as well.  With this the Vichara is over, from anuvakaha #1 through Anuvakaha # 6. First topic of Chapter 3 is over.

Anuvakaha # 7-# 10:

Second topic, Sahakari Sadhanani: are the indirect factors. They don’t directly produce Brahma Gyanam, just as water is indirectly responsible for the growth of a fruit. It plays a supportive role to the seed, the main cause of the fruit. Vichara can be compared to the seed while other sadhanani assist the Vichara.

What are the other Sadhanani?

They include:

1. Karma: Karma yoga’s are saha kari Sadhanani. Several disciplines are prescribed under Karma.
2. Upasanas are meditations.

These two subjects are addressed from anuvakaha # 7 to anuvakaha # 10. In Anuvakaha 10, only first half addresses these topics. So it is three and a half anuvakahas that are involved.

Sahakari Sadhanani:

1. Karma Yoga. This includes certain Sad Bhavanas and Sad Karmani. Their combination is karma Yoga. It says:
2. We should have a healthy attitude towards annam.
3. Never criticize food. Don’t criticize food you are eating or have eaten.
4. Anna Tyaga Vrajanam. Don’t waste food served to you. It is an indirect form of insult.
5. Anna Vridhi Karanam. Produce plenty of food.
6. Anna Danam; Share the food. Producing and sharing are both part of Karma Yoga.
7. Athiti seva: Service to guest. Athithi seva can be taken as service to humanity or manava seva or manushya yagna. Thus, Upanishad is also hinting at pancha maha yagnas.

All above are under karma yoga, where emphasis is on Service with proper attitude.

Next Sahakara Sadhanani are Upasanani:

Four groups of Upasanas are prescribed. They are:

1. Virat Upsasana. Here it is meditation on entire creation as body of Lord. In Virat upasana, three pairs of things are taken and meditated upon. They are:

Shariram and Prana.

Agni and Jalam

Prithvi and Akasha.

We are asked to see their interdependence and interconnectedness and thus see the one-ness of cosmos.

Virat: if we see one organ, then we see a cosmic organism, the One Cosmic Being whose many organs that are interconnected. Here Sakama and Nishkama Upasanas are both prescribed. Sakama upasana promotes material growth and brings tangible results. Nishkama Upasana brings internal growth with intangible results.

2. Second is Adhyatmika Upasanani:  Here God is invoked as various faculties in our own body. They are seen as Brahman. All five Karma Indriyas are taken such as Vak (mouth), Pada (feet); Pani (hands); Payu (rectum) and Upastha (genitals) – for reproduction. Powering each of the Indriyas is Prana Shakti. So meditate on Prana as well. Thus five plus one, we have six indriyani to meditate upon. Here too we should perform Sakama or Nishkama Upasana.
3. Third factor is Adhidavika upasanani: Here various natural forces are meditated upon. The four forces discussed are: Nakshatra, Vidyut, Vrishti and Pashu.

All four are connected to an agrarian society.  Meditate upon the sun; sun representing the stars. Lightning represents power and energy. Vrishti represents the fulfilling rain. Pashu represents wealth. So, meditate upon each of them as Bhagawan.

4. The fourth one is Akasha Upasanani: Here the gunas of Akasha are meditated upon. It is closest to Brahman. Akasha, like Brahman, is also infinite, all supporting and unaffected. So, see Ishwara Vibhuti in Akasha. This is a significant meditation as Akasha is closest to Brahman. If we can visualize the subtle Akasha, then our intellect is subtle enough to “perceive” Brahman.

With this all four groups of meditation are over. With this we have prepared our mind to be Sadhana Chatushtaya Sampana. After preparation of mind one should perform the Pancha Kosha Vichara as prescribed in Chapter 2.

Anuvakaha # 10, Shloka # 4 –Shloka # 6

Gyana Phalam:

From Bhatruvyaha in anuvakaha # 10, shloka # 4, till end of Shloka # 6 is Gyana phalam. It says here we obtain Jivan mukti or moksha. Jivan mukti is obtained in this very life. Videha mukti, although not discussed by Upanishad, means the person has no more births. Jivan mukti alone is discussed in four different contexts:

1. Pancha Kosha abhimana Tyaga: freedom from identification with anatma. Pancha Kosha represents Universe. Once you dis-identify from all Pancha Koshas, you are atma swarupam; your own nature; ananda swarupam and abhaya swarupam. Here one is completely detached from everything in creation. It is also known as Sarvatra Abhimana Rahitaha.
2. If Gyani is bored with dis-identification, then he can take to abhimana as well. Here he identifies with entire creation. “I am everything” is his perspective when he identifies with creation. It is known as Sahi Tatvam. I am one with Ishwara. Here you identify with everything in Creation.

Note: Partial attachment is what makes you a Samsari.

Individuality rises in me with Raga and Dvesha due to partial identification. Once I give up partial identification I become a free person. It is the partial identity that binds me to my child, my wife, etc (mamakara). Once this is given up he finds the whole creation is his house etc. Nothing binds him. This is called Swatantram. I don’t claim anything as mine. I claim everything as mine. I don’t linger in between.

3. Anandaha:  I appreciate every event objectively. I appreciate birth; death is not a tragedy; union, separation, growth and decay, all are viewed objectively. There is nothing to complain in creation. Gyani’s Sama Ganam indicates this.

These are Gyana Phalams. With this the Upanishad is over.

Take Away:

Two methods of obtaining Jivan mukti are:

1. Here one is completely detached (dis-identified) from everything in creation.
2. Here you identify with everything in Creation.

Sakama Upasana:  Sakama upasana promotes material growth and brings tangible results.

Thus, Gita says, our prayers to God will be answered. We will obtain the material benefits that we sincerely pray for.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy