Upanishads Insights – Selections From the Upanishads, an Ancient Hindu Text, Part 1 of 2

In today’s episode, we present selections from the Upanishads, focusing on universal interconnectedness, the importance of Veda learning and practice, and the nature of Brahman, leading to the attainment of liberation and bliss through oneness with Brahman.

Taittiriyaka Upanishad

First Valli: Eleventh Anuvaka “After having taught the Veda, the teacher instructs the pupil: ‘Say what is true! Do thy duty! Do not neglect the study of the Veda! […] Do not swerve from the truth! Do not swerve from duty! Do not neglect what is useful! Do not neglect greatness! Do not neglect the learning and teaching of the Veda!’ ‘Do not neglect the works due to the Gods and Fathers! Let thy mother be to thee like unto a god! Let thy father be to thee like unto a god! Let thy teacher be to thee like unto a god! Let thy guest be to thee like unto a god! Whatever actions are blameless, those should be regarded, not others.’”

Second Valli: Sixth Anuvaka “‘He who knows the Brahman as non-existing, becomes himself non-existing. He who knows the Brahman as existing, him we know himself as existing.’ The embodied Self of this (bliss) is the same as that of the former (understanding).

Thereupon follow the questions of the pupil: ‘Does anyone who knows not [Brahman], after he has departed this life, ever go to that world? Or does he who knows [Brahman], after he has departed, go to that world?’ The answer is: He wished, may I be many, may I grow forth. He brooded over himself (like a man performing penance). After he had thus brooded, he sent forth (created) all, whatever there is. Having sent forth, he entered into it. Having entered it, he became sat (what is manifest) and tyat (what is not manifest), defined and undefined, supported and not supported, (endowed with) knowledge and without knowledge (as stones), real and unreal. The Sattya (true) became all this whatsoever, and therefore the wise call it (the Brahman) Sat-tya (the true).”