UNIT 2 MUṆḌAKA UPANISHAD

Contents

2.0 Objectives
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Philosophy of Mun ̣d ̣aka Upanishad
2.3 Apara vidya – Lower Knowledge
2.4 Para vidya - Knowledge of the Self
2.5 Brahman: Cause of the Universe
2.6 Theory of Causality
2.7 Brahman – Source of All
2.8 Nature of Brahman
2.9 Nature of Atman
2.10 Identity of Jiva and Brahman
2.11 Means of Realization of Brahman
2.12 Means of Realization
2.13 Let us Sum up
2.14 Key Words
2.15 Further Readings and References
2.16 Answers to check your progress

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The highest teachings of the Upanishads are treasury of wisdom. For a long period of time it has
been transmitted from competent guru to deserving disciples. In other words it was given as a
teaching only in a gurukula system where the students heard from the teacher and retained the
treasure of knowledge. This unit:
 Will bring the students to the sublime teachings of the Mun ̣d ̣aka Upanishad.

 The aspirant seeking wisdom will be benefited to deepen one‟s understanding of the
reality.

 The brahma vidya, or the science of the Absolute is the aim of the teaching of Mun ̣d ̣aka
Upanishad.

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Muṇḍaka Upanishad has evolved from the Atharva Veda. It is a highly mystical Upanishad . The
term Mun ̣d ̣aka means shaven head. The teaching of the Upanishad shaves (liberates) the student
from ignorance . The Upanishad has three chapters each being divided into two sections .
Muṇḍaka Upanishad contains about sixty verses. The first chapter deals with the greatness of the
teaching and the tradition of the teaching in the first section. And the second section elaborates
on the apara vidya, lower knowledge of the ritual, mundane and secular activities. The second
chapter is concerned about establishing Brahman as the cause of the universe and cause and

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effect principle regarding jiva and jagat. The third chapter speaks of ways and means of
attaining the self knowledge and the benefit of such knowledge for liberation.

2.2 PHILOSOPHY OF MUṆDA

̣ KA UPANISHAD

In the Mundaka Upanishad Guru Angiras instructs the ascetic Shaunaka on “that knowledge on
knowing which nothing remains to be known .” In Mun ̣d ̣aka Upanishad there is a systematic
approach to the topic of knowledge of the Self through discrimination and dispassion . In
Muṇḍaka Upanishad the knowledge of the Self is discussed elaborately and given a clear
exposition. There is a clear distinction explained between higher knowledge of the Absolute and
the lower knowledge of the empirical world. One can reach the Absolute only the higher
knowledge, not by the lower knowledge of the world and rituals. The enquiry on the Self-
Knowledge starts with the division of knowledge into para and apara vidya. The details of
apara vidya are treated elaborately well in the beginning.

The great lineage of guruparampara, master-disciple tradition down the ages, transmitted
wisdom of self-enquiry. Brahman expounded the knowledge of the self. This was first taught to
Atharva, his eldest son, a manasa putra. From him the tradition of the guru-disciple starts.
Atharva taught Angiras. He in turn taught Bharadwaja rishi who was known as satyavaha.
Angiras Rishi, the present teacher of the Mun ̣d ̣aka Upanishad , learned from Satyavaha. He was
approached by Shaunaka, who performed sacrifices and fed many people. He humbly places
himself at the feet of the guru and asked, “O Master, please teach me about that one, by knowing
which everything else is known.” The master explains that knowledge has two folds, Para vidya
and apara vidya.

2.3 APARA VIDYA – LOWER KNOWLEDGE

Apara vidya is the first part of the four Vedas, namely, Rg, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas
along with their six limbs. Knowledge of them is meant to acquire material gains. All the
knowledge of the world comes under apara vidya, the science of the materials. The karma
khanda of the Vedas gives mainly science of various physical and material disciplines. The
upasana section of the Vedas deals with mental oriented activities, like meditation. Both these
physical and mental activities and the knowledge attained by them and for them are dealt as
apara vidya. The knowledge of them leads any individual into the material ephemeral world.
Each ritual blesses the individual with the benefit it gives. According to the Upanishadic seers
the sacrificial works and their fruits mentioned in the Vedic mantras are true, if they are
performed with faith.

Agnihotra Ritual

A ritual called agnihotra is very popular and practiced daily. It is said to be very efficacious
time-tested ritual. It is certain that a person who performs is sure to be blessed by desired results.
The Upanishad provides the description of this ritual, along with the deviations and carelessness
that are to be avoided. The purpose of this description is to explain the intricacies of the dos and
don‟ts of the ritual. Even the location and the direction of the sacrifice are given. The homa
kunda, the fire place, is to be prepared in between the northern and southern direction. The

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performer is to be seated facing the east. The rituals are to be carried out on the first moon day
(amavasya), full-moon day, and the month beginning with chaturmasya rituals. The desired
results are based on the meticulous performance. The non-performance of these rituals would not
lead to the desired results. Oblations can be offered only into properly lit flames. This ritual is of
two types, depending on the type of results desired. First type of rituals is performed with the
desired results to be fulfilled during the life of the person. The rituals aiming at the attainment of
higher worlds, like swarga that would be fulfilled only after death belong to the second type. The
agnihotra ritual represents all other rituals, social services, charitable works and prayer and
pilgrims. If they are performed with desires they would surely benefit the persons.

Result of Ritual Performance

By presenting details of ritual performances and their merits, the Upanishad shows people to
realize the fleeting nature of the worldly and heavenly pleasures. The limited and short lived
results are not infinite. Only the ignorant would consider them to be infinite. Those who think
of the men of rituals as wise and torchbearers are regarded as unwise. Men of rituals who
consider themselves as wise are like blind men leading blind people. The same rituals can be
performed without much desired results by those who desire not any worldly pleasures. They
would be led to the brighter path, shuklagathi, attainment of Brahmaloka, and eventually the Self
knowledge and liberation. Without this focus in ritual activity, the performer stays only in the
transient and ephemeral world. The explanation of the ritual knowledge and action which is
termed as apara vidya, limited knowledge leads us to knowledge of higher realms, namely para
vidya.

2.4 PARA VIDYA - KNOWLEDGE OF THE SELF

Para vidya, as the knowledge of the Self through which the immortal is known. The self is the
source of all beings. It is eternal, all pervading yet subtle, imperishable, unseen and unknown.
Paravidya takes one towards Absolute by ensuring purity of mind. The experience of gaining
and parting with material things is painful. The enjoyment obtained through them is very short
and unreal. The fleeting pain and pleasure makes one aware of the drawbacks of aparavidya. A
sincere seeker looks for something that is free from all limitations.

2.5 BRAHMAN: CAUSE OF THE UNIVERSE

The second chapter in the first section speaks of Brahman as the cause of the universe. Relation
of Brahman with the world is regarded as the relationship of cause and effect. Brahman is
regarded as both material and intelligent cause of the world, nimitta karanam or upadana
karanam. The example of spider and the web is given to establish Brahman as the material cause
of the world. Other examples are gold and ornaments, clay and the pot, the ocean and the wave.
The Upanishad brings in also an example of fire and the sparks to illustrate the one cause and
many effects. The nature of the fire such as heat and the light are also found in the sparks. The
non essential qualities like name and shape, color are different in fire and the sparks. Similarly,
Brahman is the one cause for the many effects such as the world. The essential nature of the
Brahman and the world are the same but the non essentials may differ. As the spark goes back to

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the fire itself and it cannot manifest itself without fire, so also the world cannot manifest itself
without the Brahman and it finally goes back to the Brahman.

Again in explaining the cause-effect relationship, the Upanishad says that the effect is always
dependent upon the cause and the cause is independent. For its substance, emergence, existence
and the resolution, the effect is ever dependent on the cause. Whereas the cause is independent
substance for itself and self subsistent, the effects have no substance but only form, name,
function and modification. Explaining further, the causal relation of conscious Brahman and the
inert world, the example of the human body and its inert hair and the nails is given. In the
previous illustration of fire and spark it is established that the relation is like that of material to
material. Here the relation is between the conscious principle and the inert principle.

Brahman is the one cause and the effects are many. For the effect there is no independent
existence, it is mithya. Brahman exists independently and is the substance. Brahman is present
all the time, during origin, existence and destruction. Brahman is the material cause of the world
and the world is inert, matter. Brahman is consciousness and lends its „is‟-ness to all the effects
of the world. World cannot be separated from Brahman as no ornament is separate from its
substance gold.

2.6 THEORY OF CAUSALITY

In explaining the relation between universe and Brahman, is stated that the cause is always
present in the effect. Satkaryavada, is the theory of causality that believed in the preexistence of
the effect in the cause. Before the manifestation of the universe the need of and knowledge of it
has been visualized by the Brahman. The name and the form of the universe already existed in
the potential form in the Brahman. In vedantic terminology there is no actual evolution or
creation of the world, but only the manifestation of the Brahman as the world. The world is not a
creation of new things. The world comes into being only as a projection of the potential form.
Thus, the world comes into existence in four stages; first the five elements, space, air, fire water
and earth are projected. In the second stage, ego and mind are brought forth. Thirdly, the five
gross elements are made by unification of subtle elements in certain proportions. Finally, the
gross bodies are manifest.

2.7 BRAHMAN – SOURCE OF ALL

The ritual performance of sacrifices prescribed in all Vedas is also originated from Brahman.
The Upanishad says that everything that is connected to the yajna, the ritual has come from
Brahman alone, the diksha, a type of grass, worn by the performer for rituals, his wife, the
sacrificial fire, the post to tie the sacrificial animal, sacrificial materials, the fees, dakshina, the
cow, etc. Even the merits of the performance, namely various worlds, and the enjoyment of the
benefits are also from the Brahman alone. The Upanishad further gives an account of other
virtues and various forms of beings, like heavenly beings, gods of various orders, the injunctions
for performance, faith in the scriptures and teachers, grains used in sacrifice, life force, cattle,
birds, penance and devotion, instruments used in sacrifices and the code of conduct, all are said
to have come from the same Brahman. The objects and the sensual experiences of two eyes, two

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ears, two nostrils, a mouth and a tongue are the effect of the Brahman. The oceans, all the
mountains, rivers of every kind and herbs, all proceed from Him.

To explain further that the Ultimate is the source of all beings, the Upanishad gives three
analogies, namely the spider and the web; Earth and its produces; human body and the parts of it.
As the material and the intelligent cause of the web is the spider, for the universe to be caused,
the Immortal becomes both intelligent and material cause, nimitta and upadana karanam. The
earth is the one cause which produces variety of plants and trees. Human body which is
considered to be living and conscious produces inert hair and nail. There is no pain experienced
when these are cut. Inert, unconscious things can be caused by Conscious principle. As there are
varieties of effects from the single cause, Brahman, the consciousness projects the inert material
world. As in the case of the Spider Brahman is both the material and intelligent cause of the
Universe.

The universe before its manifestation as variety of things, have been existing in the potential
form in the Brahman himself. It was like a seed form potentially before its being tree. The
Brahman visualized the world as a tapas, the knowledge of what and how to create the world.
The creation is manifested as a swelling of the seed. Before sprouting the seed swells meaning
that it is going to manifest its potential. The manifestation of the subtle world takes place first.
The subtle world is compared to the tiny sprout. The gross world is the visible universe with the
five elements known as space, fire, air, water and earth along with all planets.

2.8 NATURE OF BRAHMAN

Brahman is defined as the Omniscient Principle from both para and apara vidya. Attribute of the
Brahman is said to be self effulgent and distinctively different from all other things. Brahman is
formless, unborn, all pervading, residing in the heart of the body, existing within and without,
unborn, undying and immortal. The name and form and function of the things are the forms of
Brahman and they are substance less. They are found in the seed form, just as the lump of the
clay or gold having all the names and forms of different pots or ornaments, but in an
unmanifested potential form. The whole universe is considered to be the body of Brahman. Both
the universe and human body function as one unit at the level of existence. The Jivas, animals,
birds, and other living beings are born out of iswara by different processes of evolution. It is
great and the supporter of all. All creatures that move and breathe are grounded in Brahman.
The gross and the subtle, form and formless, are only Brahman. Brahman is sat, existence and
cit, knowledge. Sat-cit is the supporter of all beings. Brahman is said to be the rays of light. All
the worlds are founded on this immortal Brahman as His attributes. The prana of the external
speech and the mind are only the expressions of Brahman. The entire creation with heavens,
earth, the intermediary worlds are all based upon Brahman. The internal worlds, the mind, the
pranas and the senses are founded on Brahman.

The nature of the self is that it is free from all limitations and it is eternal. One who controls the
mind and sense and has discriminative knowledge of what is real and unreal, would be able to
have the knowledge of the Self. Anyone whose minds are impure and whose visions are of an
objective nature cannot realize Brahman.

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Consciousness is understood neither as part or product of the body nor as limited by the body. It
is the one that survives even after the death of the body. But without the body consciousness is
not seen. Every body consists of the original and reflected consciousness and they are
inseparable. The original consciousness is one pervading all things. The reflected consciousness
is known as ahamkara or body consciousness. It is as many as the number of bodies. It is also
subject to modification from body to body and even in the same body. The two manifestations of
the consciousness is compared to two birds of the same species sitting on a tree. A bird sitting
on the lower branch eats fruits that are sweet and bitter. The other bird seated on the upper
branch is watching. The body consciousness, the jivatma is enjoying the fruits where as the
witness consciousness, the paramatma is watching. The tree is mind body complex; the fruits
are results of various actions, giving pleasure and pain. (III.1.1-2).
Check your progress I

Note: a) Use the space provided to write your answers

b) Check your answers with those provided at the end of the unit.
1. Distinguish two types of Knowledge
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2. Give the description of Nature of Brahman.
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2.9 NATURE OF ATMAN

Atma is understood as the witness principle. The atma is only one, though the thoughts are
many. The consciousness that is Awareness handles the thoughts single-handed. The thoughts
are not awareness, though it is perceived in the presence of Awareness. Like the heart as the hub
from where all nerves emerge and spread out over the whole body, the mind rests in the heart
and in the mind thoughts arise as well awareness, which is witness to the atma. Atma is a silent
witness of the three states of consciousness. The heart is the vital centre. Many faculties and
attributes are centered in the heart.
Through the eye of knowledge it is recognized as witness, consciousness, by the competent and a
pure one. Just as the sense organs are able to recognize the objects in the constant presence of
light, the mind depends on the light of another source, Awareness. Consciousness is the light of
all lights that illumines all other lights. This light of consciousness is located in the mind.
Brahman is that witness-consciousness. “The sun does not shine there, neither the moon nor the
stars, nor the lightning and much less the fire. When It shines, everything shines after it. By it
alone all the lights are illumined.”(II.2.10) Similarly, the Atma illuminates all, but not illumined
by anything. The sense organs and mind cannot illumine the Atma, but the Atma illumines them
all. The sense organs illumine external objects from borrowed light of Awareness-
Consciousness, the Atma. “I, the Atma, am the conscious being and every other thing is not‟ is
the idea of the verse II.2.11. Brahman is all pervading.
2.10 IDENTITY OF JIVA AND BRAHMAN

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The jivatma is defined as the one and the same with paramatma. The example of an arrow and
bow is given to show the identity. The arrow is Jivatma and the target being the Brahman. The
scriptures are compared to the bow. The teacher is the unity of the arrow with the bow and the
target. The practice of sadhana is sharpening of the arrow, keeping it straight and pulling back
the string to hit the target. Keeping the arrow straight on the bow is known as arjavam, that is
consistency in thoughts, speech and action. Pulling back of the string is like withdrawing
inwardly. Sharpening of the arrow is to keep the intellect sharp through meditation. The focused
attention on the target till the arrow is released is to become one with the target and keeping
aside the erroneous notion of separation from Brahman. When the arrow becomes one with the
mark, the person who aims at it has success. Similarly the aspirant who meditates on Brahman
attains success or attains the fruits of meditation. Atma is said to be composed of both
consciousness. When jiva wakes up to the higher consciousness there is freedom. The Brahman
is both swarupa lakshanan and tatastha lakshanam, original consciousness and witness
consciousness. At the individual level it is a sakshi, witness and at the world level it is Brahman.

2.11 REALIZATION OF BRAHMAN

The Upanishad invites its hearers to know Brahman to be the Self of all. There is no word other
than Brahman. The teacher says, “This is Self-knowledge – the Atma and other words are to be
discarded in the attempt to attain immortality, to cross the ocean of samsara.” Goal of life is to
know this Brahman. The Brahman is near and moving in the cave of the heart. Hearing,
sravanam, reflection, mananam, and contemplation, nidhidhyasanam have been taught to realize
the Brahman.
Creation is the glory of Brahman and it alone appears in creation, vibhuti. Brahman is discernible
in the temple of the body, in the heart, as consciousness which is pure bliss and immortal. In this
way the immortal Atma is seen and worshipped. The body is compared to a temple and the heart
is the holy of holies, garbha griaha, where Atma resides, which is the jivatma. The atma is like
the leader giving its power to the mind and becomes the life of the body and guides the vital air
and the body. Finally at the fall of this body, it enters into another gross body. The atma is all
pervading. The body is the reflecting medium where the atma shines forth more clearly. (II.2.8)

2.12 MEANS OF REALIZATION

The disciplines are truthfulness, avoidance of speaking untruth, penance, tapas, sexual chastity,
brahmacarya, proper enquiry through sastra and guru, samyak jnanam. The enquiry of the self
is fruitful only when the mind is free from impurities. The virtue of speaking the truth is given
much importance. The famous phrase of Satyameva jayate is that truth alone triumphs. (III.1.2-
6). Speaking the truth is absolutely necessary for liberation and attainment of brahmaloka,
through the bright path, shukla gathi. It is the basic tenet for meditation. The essence of this
teaching is that without relative truth, the Absolute Truth, Brahman cannot be realized. Sharp
intellect to cognize subtle elements is necessary. Nature of Atma is that it is infinite, limitless,
self evident, inconceivable, most subtle farther, nearer and sat and cit. To know this subtle
element of Atma, sharp intellect is needed.
What can reveal the Brahman and what cannot reveal it are narrated in the Upanishad. The eyes,
words cannot reveal. Sense organs are not able to recognize the subtle element of Atman.
Tapas, rituals and other actions too cannot help in knowing Brahman. They may be useful in

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preparing the mind and sense organs towards purity and subtlety. Atma can be revealed only by
the sruti. To assimilate what is taught by scriptures the mind must be suitable and well prepared.
The mind cleansed of desires and aversion and is well refined and tuned to subtlety alone can
know the indivisible, pure and subtle Brahman. The subtle mind recognizes the subtle Brahman.
The Knower of the Self is glorified as he has recognized the Infinite Brahman as the substratum
of the entire creation and knows that I am that Infinite Brahman. The jnani worships Him
without any desire for materialistic pleasures. And he attains immortality. The jnani imparts
spiritual knowledge to the aspirant systematically that leads to liberation. The self knowledge
destroys rebirth and lead to liberation. Desire leads to action and the result of actins goes to
character and that makes one obsessed with during the time of death that decides the next birth.
A jnani has no desire to be fulfilled and such desirelessness leads to liberation from rebirth.

The requirements to know and realize the Atma are the intense desire along with study of
scriptures, intelligence and retention power. The thirst for final emancipation, the intense
yearning and a burning desire for the object and prepared for any sacrifice to attain it.
paramatma reveals the knowledge only to the sincere seeker. Actually liberation is not a thing to
be achieved as it is already there. The ignorance has to be dispelled to realize the very nature of
one is the Atma. The will power, alertness, austerity and determination and detachment are the
fourfold qualification for realization.

The benefits of this knowledge of the Self is destruction of ignorance and clarity of the meaning
of Jiva and jagat and iswara and finally the freedom from the clutches of karma, papam and
punyam, that result in the cycle of birth and death. The benefits of this knowledge are the
freedom in two stages, jivan mukti and videha mukti. The freedom while living in the body and
freedom obtained at or after death. The process is in various stages. It starts with recognition of
the fact that the spiritual goal is the ultimate, and getting detached and being tranquil, acquiring
knowledge, understanding the identity and attaining jivan mukti, continuing in the knowledge
without slipping down. And finally merging with all pervading Brahman, The jivan mukta has
essentially the following nature, gyana triptah, satisfied with the knowledge, kriyatmanah who
has realized the atma, vitaragah, devoid of attachment, sarvaga, all pervading, dhira, the wise.

To become a jnani, purifying the mind with balance of mind and becoming a committed pursuer
of knowledge. The merging of the individual soul into the total is compared too the fifteen parts
of the moon. The causal and subtle body gets merged into one. The three types of karma,
sancita, agami and prarabdha are merged into ishwara. The example of rivers merging into the
ocean is given to explain this. Though different in names, forms and sizes, the rivers get merged
and become only water in the ocean. So also the jivas, though different in name and form are
essentially one and the same when they merge into the One.

Check your progress II

Note: a) Use the space provided to write your answers
b) Check your answers with those provided at the end of the unit.

1. Explain the identity of Brahman and Atman

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2. Give the realization of the Brahman.
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2.13 LET US SUM UP

The teaching of the Upanishad focuses on the fulfilling the human quest for knowledge of
everything that is knowable. Anything that is can be namable and knowable. Whatever is reality
can be knowable. The Muṇḍaka Upanishad quenches the perennial search for knowledge. It
says all the search for wisdom culminates and reaches its summit in attaining of Brahmavidya.
Among innumerable objectives of life, human beings are given an ultimate choice of knowing
the reality, knowing which everything that can be known would be known.

The Mun ̣d ̣aka Upanishad classifies all knowledge into para and apara, higher and lower. The
apara knowledge is described well as positive knowledge about the changeful many. All
science, art, literature, politics, and economics all belong to this category. The knowledge of
vedic rituals and all related to it belongs to apara. It proclaims that the one knowledge as para.
The knowledge by which the imperishable changeless reality of the one behind all is realized is
para. The Upanishad upholds the given merits of ritual practices and then turns the other side of
them. Having explained the limitedness of apara vidya, the Upanishad goes to describe the nature
of para vidya. A transition is said to be a transition from knowledge of the material to the
spiritual and from the unreal to real.

Brahman is both material and intelligent cause of the world, nimitta karanam or upadana
karanam. Brahman is one and the world is many. As the essence of them is same, the non-
essentials like form and name are different. Also the world cannot manifest itself without the
Brahman and it finally goes back to the Brahman. In the last chapter the identity between the
jivatma and paramatma are explained and the preparatory disciplines to realize the identity. And
the benefits of such realization are spelt out as being jivan mukti and videha mukti.
Consciousness the witness is talked of with the ahamkara as the body consciousness. The
Upanishad enumerates the identity of Jiva and Brahman as a single entity . The identity of
Brahman and Atman is well defined in Mun ̣d ̣aka Upanishad . Paramatma, the Brahman is
without any impurity and it is without part and division. The knower of Brahman becomes
Brahman. When the ignorance is removed, one realizes it. It is not one becoming another, but
realizing what one is. It is like one is already Brahman but ignorant about it. The knowledge
removes the ignorance and realization is possible.
The Upanishad concludes saying that this teaching was given thousands of years ago by the
teacher Angiras to Shaunaka Maharishi. Though ancient, it is relevant and beneficial for all who
seek the truth.

2.14 KEY WORDS

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Mithya: Mithya‟s root is „Mith.‟ As given by Apte Sanskrit Online dictionary, Mith means to
associate with; to unite; to hurt; to understand; to wrangle; to grasp.

Sastra: Sastra in Sanskrit means that which gives teaching, instruction or command. For
instance, tarka sastra is a science of dialectics, logic and reasoning, and art of debate that
analyzes the nature and source of knowledge and its validity.

2.15 FURTHER READINGS AND REFERENCES

Mercier, Jean L. From the Upanishads to Aurobindo. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation,
2001.
Prasad, Ramanuj. Know the Upanishads. Delhi: Pustak Mahal, 2006.
Radhakrishnan, S. The Principal Upanis ̣ads. Delhi: Oxford University press, 1953.
Singh, Balbir. The Philosophy of Upanishads. New Delhi: Arnold-Heinemann, 1983.

2.16 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Answers to Check your progress I

1. Apara vidya is the first part of the four Vedas, namely, Rg, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas
along with their six limbs. Knowledge of them is meant to acquire material gains. All the
knowledge of the world comes under apara vidya, the science of the materials. The karma
khanda of the Vedas gives mainly science of various physical and material disciplines. The
upasana section of the Vedas deals with mental oriented activities, like meditation. Both these
physical and mental activities and the knowledge attained by them and for them are dealt as
apara vidya. The knowledge of them leads any individual into the material ephemeral world.
Each ritual blesses the individual with the benefit it gives. According to the Upanishadic seers
the sacrificial works and their fruits mentioned in the Vedic mantras are true, if they are
performed with faith.

2. Brahman is defined as the Omniscient Principle from both para and apara vidya. Attribute of
the Brahman is said to be self effulgent and distinctively different from all other things.
Brahman is formless, unborn, all pervading, residing in the heart of the body, existing within and
without, unborn, undying and immortal. The name and form and function of the things are the
forms of Brahman and they are substance less. They are found in the seed form, just as the lump
of the clay or gold having all the names and forms of different pots or ornaments, but in an
unmanifested potential form. The whole universe is considered to be the body of Brahman. Both
the universe and human body function as one unit at the level of existence. The Jivas, animals,
birds, and other living beings are born out of iswara by different processes of evolution. It is
great and the supporter of all. All creatures that move and breathe are grounded in Brahman.
The gross and the subtle, form and formless, are only Brahman. Brahman is sat, existence and
cit, knowledge. Sat-cit is the supporter of all beings. Brahman is said to be the rays of light. All
the worlds are founded on this immortal Brahman as His attributes. The prana of the external
speech and the mind are only the expressions of Brahman. The entire creation with heavens,
earth, the intermediary worlds are all based upon Brahman. The internal worlds, the mind, the
pranas and the senses are founded on Brahman.

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Answers to Check your progress II

1. The jivatma is defined as the one and the same with paramatma. The example of an arrow
and bow is given to show the identity. The arrow is Jivatma and the target being the Brahman.
The scriptures are compared to the bow. The teacher is the unity of the arrow with the bow and
the target. The practice of sadhana is sharpening of the arrow, keeping it straight and pulling
back the string to hit the target. Keeping the arrow straight on the bow is known as arjavam, that
is consistency in thoughts, speech and action. Pulling back of the string is like withdrawing
inwardly. Sharpening of the arrow is to keep the intellect sharp through meditation and to keep
the intellect sharp through mediation. The focused attention on the target till the arrow is
released is to become one with the target and keeping aside the erroneous notion of separation
from Brahman. When the arrow becomes one with the mark, the person who aims at it has
success. Similarly the aspirant who meditates on Brahman attains success or attains the fruits of
meditation. Atma is said to be composed of both consciousness. When jiva wakes up to the
higher consciousness there is freedom. The Brahman is both swarupa lakshanan and tatastha
lakshanam, original consciousness and witness consciousness. At the individual level it is a
sakshi, witness and at the world level it is Brahman.

2. The disciplines are truthfulness, avoidance of speaking untruth, penance, tapas, sexual
chastity, brahmacarya, proper enquiry through sastra and guru, samyak jnanam. The enquiry of
the self is fruitful only when the mind is free from impurities. The virtue of speaking the truth is
given much importance. The famous phrase of Satyameva jayate is that truth alone triumphs.
(III.1.2-6). Speaking the truth is absolutely necessary for liberation and attainment of
brahmaloka, through the bright path, shukla gathi. It is the basic tenet for meditation. The
essence of this teaching is that without relative truth, the Absolute Truth, Brahman cannot be
realized. Sharp intellect to cognize subtle elements is necessary. Nature of Atma is that it is
infinite, limitless, self evident, inconceivable, most subtle farther, nearer and sat and cit. To
know this subtle element of Atma, sharp intellect is needed.

What can reveal the Brahman and what cannot reveal it are narrated in the Upanishad. The eyes,
words cannot reveal. Sense organs are not able to recognize the subtle element of Atman.
Tapas, rituals and other actions too cannot help in knowing Brahman. They may be useful in
preparing the mind and sense organs towards purity and subtlety. Atma can be revealed only by
the sruti. To assimilate what is taught by scriptures the mind must be suitable and well prepared.
The mind cleansed of desires and aversion and is well refined and tuned to subtlety alone can
know the indivisible, pure and subtle Brahman. The subtle mind recognizes the subtle Brahman.

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