Thursday, September 28, 2023

Agni Suktam from Rig Veda

This great Suktham has been translated by greenmesg and has been reproduced here with the permission of the web site.Million thanks to them


Agni Suktam - Agnim Iille Purohitam - In sanskrit with meaning

- from Rig Veda - Mandala 1 - Sukta 1

अग्नि सुक्तम् - अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम्
Agni - Om Agnim-Iille Purohitam Yajnyasya Devam-Rtvijam

Agni

 अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् ।
होतारं रत्नधातमम् ॥१॥
Om Agnim-Iille Purohitam Yajnyasya Devam-Rtvijam |
Hotaaram Ratna-Dhaatamam ||1||

Meaning:
1.1: Om, I praise Agni who is the Purohita (Priest) of the Yagya (Sacrifice) (Priest leading the Sacrifice), (as well as) its Ritvij (Priest performing Sacrifice at proper times); the Yagya which is directed towards the Devas,
1.2: Who is (also) the Hotara (Priest invoking the Gods) and the bestower of Ratna (Wealth of physical, mental and spiritual plane).

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Agni of Yagya
अग्निः पूर्वेभिर्ऋषिभिरीड्यो नूतनैरुत ।
 देवाँ एह वक्षति ॥२॥
Agnih Puurvebhir-Rssibhir-Iiddyo Nuutanair-Uta |
Sa Devaa E[Aa-I]ha Vakssati ||2||

Meaning:
2.1: Agni was in former times praised by the Rishisand (is still praised) now (at present times),
2.2: (O Agni) Along with the Devasgrow in this place (i.e. bring the Devas here).

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Agni of Yagya
अग्निना रयिमश्नवत्पोषमेव दिवेदिवे ।
यशसं वीरवत्तमम् ॥३॥
Agninaa Rayim-Ashnavat-Possam-Eva Dive-Dive |
Yashasam Viiravat-Tamam ||3||

Meaning:
3.1: From Agni (the Rishi) indeed obtains Nourishment Day after Day (by performing Inner Yagya Day after Day),
3.2: (By the Power of Agni the Rishi obtains) Glory of the most Heroic type (Glory obtained by overcoming the inner barriers during Sadhana).

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Agni of Yagya
अग्ने यं यज्ञमध्वरं विश्वतः परिभूरसि ।
 इद्देवेषु गच्छति ॥४॥
Agne Yam Yajnyam-Adhvaram Vishvatah Paribhuur-Asi |
Sa Id-Devessu Gacchati ||4||

Meaning:
4.1: O Agni, that (Inner) Yagya symbolised by performing the Adhvara (Outer Yagya), pervades the Sky all around (when it is done with an expansive heart for the welfare of all in your presence),
4.2: (That) goes towards the Devas.

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Agni of Yagya
अग्निर्होता कविक्रतुः सत्यश्चित्रश्रवस्तमः ।
देवो देवेभिरा गमत् ॥५॥
Agnir-Hotaa Kavikratuh Satyash-Citrashravastamah |
Devo Devebhir-Aa Gamat ||5||

Meaning:
5.1: Agni is the Hota (Invoker) who is Far-Sighted (with Wisdom) and is uniquely Famed for sticking to the Truth (i.e. Who understands the true motive behind the Yagya and give fruits accordingly),
5.2: May that Deva (Agni) come here with the (other) Gods (and make the Yagya successful).

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Agni of Yagya
यदङ्ग दाशुषे त्वमग्ने भद्रं करिष्यसि ।
तवेत्तत्सत्यमङ्गिरः ॥६॥
Yad-Angga Daashusse Tvam-Agne Bhadram Karissyasi |
Tave[a-I]t-Tat-Satyam-Anggirah ||6||

Meaning:
6.1: O Agniwhichever part of the Worshipper you make Auspicious (i.e. Purify),
6.2: (There) Your Truth indeed is infused, O Angira (Agni).

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Agni of Yagya
उप त्वाग्ने दिवेदिवे दोषावस्तर्धिया वयम् ।
नमो भरन्त एमसि ॥७॥
Upa Tvaa-[A]gne Dive-Dive Dossaa-Vastar-Dhiyaa Vayam |
Namo Bharanta Emasi ||7||

Meaning:
7.1: Near your presence, O Agniday-after-day, with our Intelligence clouded in darknesswe ...
7.2: ... come, and offer you Reverential Salutations (so that our Intelligence gets Illumined).

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Agni of Yagya
राजन्तमध्वराणां गोपामृतस्य दीदिविम् ।
वर्धमानं स्वे दमे ॥८॥
Raajantam-Adhvaraannaam Gopaam-Rtasya Diidivim |
Vardhamaanam Sve Dame ||8||

Meaning:
8.1: The bright (Sacrificial Fire of the) Yagyas, the Protector of the Rita (Divine Truth) are shining, ...
8.2: ... and increasing the Illumination within our own Houses (i.e. within our own Hearts).

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Agni of Yagya
 नः पितेव सूनवेऽग्ने सूपायनो भव ।
सचस्वा नः स्वस्तये ॥९॥
Sa Nah Pite[aa-I]va Suunave-[A]gne Suupaayano Bhava |
Sacasvaa Nah Svastaye ||9||

Meaning:
9.1: O Agnilike a Father to a Sonbecome (easily) accessible to us,
9.2: And support our Well-Being.

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Note: Click over each Sanskrit word to get the meaning.
Click here to open the meanings in a new window.

Translated by greenmesg

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Yoga Sikha Upanishad

 Yoga Sikha Upanishad

Translated by P. R. Ramachander









Om! May He protect us both together; may He nourish us both together;
May we work conjointly with great energy,
May our study be vigorous and effective;
May we not mutually dispute (or may we not hate any).
Om! Let there be Peace in me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me!

First Chapter

"All the living beings are surrounded by the net of illusion, Oh God, Parameshwara, Oh God of Gods, How will they attain salvation? Be kind enough to tell." Asked Lord Brahma to Lord Parameshwara and he replied as follows: 1.1

Some people say that the only way out is Jnana (knowledge). To attain occult powers, that alone will not suffice. How can Jnana without Yoga lead to salvation? It is also true that Yoga alone without Jnana will not lead to salvation. So the one who aims at salvation, should learn Jnana and Yoga together. 1.2

Like a rope ties a bird, the minds of all living beings are tied. Enquiries and researches do not affect the tie of this mind. So the only way to win over this mind is through victory over Prana. There is no other option to get victory over Prana except Yoga and there are no methods except those shown by Siddhas. 1.3

So I am teaching you this Yoga Shika (head of all yogas). It is greater than all Jnanas. After sitting in either Padmasana (lotus position) or any other Asana, and after concentrating the sight to the tip of the nose and after controlling both the hands and legs, meditate on the letter 'Om' with a concentrated mind. If one continuously meditates on Parameshwara, he would become an expert in yoga and the Parameshwara would appear before him. 1.4

If we sit in an asana and continuously practice, the bindu will cease from going down. Without Pooraka and Rechaka, the Prana would stand in Kumbhaka for a very long time. You would hear different types of sound. The nectar will start flowing from the place of the moon. Hunger and thirst will cease. Mind would get concentrated on the ever flowing bliss. The four steps for this are Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga. The great Maha Yoga, which is one, has been divided in to four and named as above. The prana goes out with sound "ham" and goes in with the word "sa", and all beings naturally chant the mantra "Hamsa, Hamsa" (while exhaling and inhaling). This is chanted in the Sushumna after being taught by the Guru in an inverted manner (Hamsa inverted is soham). This chanting of the mantra "Soham, Soham (I am it)" is called Mantra Yoga. Sun is the letter "Ha" and moon is the letter "Tha". The joining of sun and the moon is the Hatha Yoga. Due to Hatha Yoga, the idiocy which is the cause of all doshas (draw backs) is swallowed. When the merging of Jeevatma and Paramatma takes place, mind melts and vanishes. And only air of Prana remains. This is called Laya Yoga. Because of Laya Yoga that heavenly Swathmananda Sowkhya (the well being of the joy of ones own soul) is attained. In the great temple of the middle of yoni (the female organ) the principle of the Devi, which is red like Hibiscus flower lives as Rajas in all beings. The merger of this rajas with the male principle is called Raja Yoga. As a result of Raja Yoga, the Yogi gets all the occult powers like Anima. You have to understand that all these four types of Yogas are nothing but the merger of Prana, Apana and Samana. 1.5

For all those who have a body, their body is the temple of Shiva. It can give them occult powers. The triangular part in between the anus and penis is called the mooladhara. This is the place where Shiva lives as a life giving force. There the Parashakthi called Kundalani lives. From there wind is produced. The fire is also produced from there. From there only the sound 'Hamsa' and the mind are also produced. This place which would give whatever is asked for is called Kamakhya peetam (the seat of passion). In the edge of the anus is the Swadishtana Chakra with six petals. Near the belly is the Mani Poora Chakra with its ten petals. In the place near the heart the Anahatha Chakra with its 12 petals exists. And, Hey Lord Brahma, this is called the Poorna Giri Peeta. In the depression in the throat, Vishudhi Chakra with its 16 petals exists. Hey lord of Lords, that is the Jalandara Chakra. In between the eyelids is the Agna Chakra with its two petals. Over that is the Maha Peeta called Udayana. 1.6

Second Chapter

This world functions because of the unclear foundation power which is described as Maha Maya, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Devi and Maha Saraswathi. That power shines in a micro form as a Bindu (dot) on the Peeta (seat). That Bindu breaks the Peeta and emerges from there in the form of Nadha (sound). That Nadha Brahma assumes three shapes viz., Macro, Micro and external. The macro form is the big shape which is pervaded by the five Brahmans. The micro form which arises from the Nadha with its three Bheejas (roots) is the form of Hiranya Garbha. Para is the ever true property of Satchitananda. By continuously chanting the Atma mantra, the glitter will occur in Para Thathwa (the philosophy of the external). For the Yogi who has stopped his mind, this appears in the micro form similar to the flame of the lamp, moon's crescent, like a fire fly, like a streak of lightning and like the glitter of stars. There are no greater mantras than Nadha (sound), no Gods greater than Atma, no greater worship than the meditation and no pleasure greater than satisfaction. My devotee who understands this would remain stable in his happiness. To that great man who has great devotion to God as well as similar great devotion to his teacher, all this would be understood automatically.

Third Chapter

That great ever living Nadha (sound) is called Sabhda Brahman. It is the strength residing in the Mooladhara. Para is the foundation for its own self and is of the form of Bindhu. That Nadha coming out of Parashakthi (similar to the germ coming out of the seed) is called Pasyanthi (we see). The Yogis who are able to see using the Pasyanthi Shakthi, understand that it is the whole world. That power produces sound like a rain starting from the heart. Hey Lord of Lords, there it is called Madhyama. It is called Vaikari when it merges in the sound form with Prana and exists in the throat and jaw. It produces all the alphabets from Aa to Ksha. From alphabet words arise and from words rise the sentences and from them all the Vedas and Mantras. This Goddess Saraswathi lives in the cave of intelligence in all beings. In meditation when will power melts, you can reach this Para Thathwa.

Fourth Chapter

Because the divine power is single, there are no differences there. You have to understand that the thought process of living beings is like seeing a snake in a rope. When you do not know, it is a rope and then for a small time the rope appears as a snake. The ordinary intelligence is similar to this. We see everything as the world that we see. There is no reason or basis for this world to be different from this Brahman. So the World is only Brahman and not anything different. If you understand the Para Thathwa like this, where is the cause for differentiation. 4.1

In Taittiriya Upanishad fear has been told as belonging to that foolish person who finds difference between Jeevatma (soul) and Paramatma (God). Though this world has been told as some thing to be experienced, in the next moment it vanishes like a dream. There is no state of waking up in a dream. There is no dream in the state of waking up. Both of them are not there in Laya. Laya is not in both of them. All these three are illusions created by the three characters. The one who sees this would be above characteristics and would be forever. 4.2

The Chaithanya (activity) starts in the form of the world. All these are Brahman. It is useless to differentiate it as Atma and Anatma when dealing with wise people. The foolish man thinks that body is attached to the soul. The belief that pot is mixed with the mud and the water is mixed with mirage and similarly the belief that body is mixed up with the soul is because of taking recourse to ignorance. 4.3

Fifth Chapter

That Yogi who has mastered yoga and who has complete control over his senses would attain whatever he imagines. The Teacher (guru) is the Brahma, He is Vishnu and He is the Lord of Lords Sadashiva and there is nobody greater than the teacher in all the three worlds. We should worship with devotion that Parameshwara, who is the great Soul who has taught us the divine knowledge. The one who worships like that would get the result of Jnana fully. Do not keep your aim because of the wavering mind on occult powers. The one who knows this principle well, is the one who has attained salvation. There is no doubt about it.

Sixth Chapter

That great light in which the Bhoo Loka, Bhuvar Loka and Suvar Loka [Worlds] and the Sun, Moon and Fire Gods, are but a small part in the letter "Om". When mind wavers, the worldly life and when it is firm, the salvation will result. So Lord Brahma, using great intelligence we have to keep the mind not to waver. For desire to posses wealth, the mind is the reason. When that is destroyed, the world would be destroyed. One should with lot of effort start the treatment for that. When a man looks after his mind using his mind and realizes that it has stopped running, he would see the Parabrahman, which is very difficult to see. The Yogi is able to get salvation by seeing his mind with his mind. We have to see the mind with the mind and hanker for that mad state. We have to see the mind with the mind and be stable in Yoga. 6.1

In any place where the wind moves, the mind also wavers. Mind is called moon, sun, wind, sight and fire. The Bindu (dot), Nadha (sound) and the Kala (crescent) are the Gods Vishnu, Brahma and Ishwara. By constant practice of Nadha, the bad influences will vanish. That which is Nadha becomes the Bindu and then becomes the mind. One has to clearly aim at the unification of Nadha, Bindu and Chintha. Mind itself is the Bindu and that is the reason for the state of creation of the world. Similar to milk being produced by the cow, Bindu is produced by the mind. 6.2

The one who realizes well the six wheels (Agna chakras) enters the world of pleasure. One has to enter it by controlling the airs in the body. One has to send the air (Vayu) upwards. One has to practice Vayu, Bindu Chakra and Chintha. Once the Yogi realizes Samadhi by one of them, he feels that everything is nectar like. Similar to the fact that the fire inside the wood cannot be brought out without churning it by another wood, without practice, the lamp of wisdom can not be lit. Adopting his teacher as the one who pilots the ship and by adopting his teachings as the stable ship, with the power of constant practice, one crosses the sea of this birth. Thus tells this Upanishad.

Om! May He protect us both together; may He nourish us both together;
May we work conjointly with great energy,
May our study be vigorous and effective;
May we not mutually dispute (or may we not hate any).
Om! Let there be Peace in me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me!

Here ends the Yoga-Sikhopanishad belonging to the Krishna-Yajur-Veda.

Yoga Chudamani Upanishad

 Yoga Chudamani Upanishad

Translated by P. R. Ramachander











Om! Let my limbs and speech, Prana, eyes, ears, vitality
And all the senses grow in strength.
All existence is the Brahman of the Upanishads.
May I never deny Brahman, nor Brahman deny me.
Let there be no denial at all:
Let there be no denial at least from me.
May the virtues that are proclaimed in the Upanishads be in me,
Who am devoted to the Atman; may they reside in me.
Om! Let there be Peace in me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me!

I would tell Yoga Chudamani Upanishad with a view to do good to yogis. This is being appreciated by those elders who know Yoga well. This is secret and is capable of giving the post of salvation. 1

[Slokas 2-29 are not available.]

The Jeevatma (the soul of the physical individual) is under the control of prana which goes up and down as well as apana. Apana pulls Prana. Prana pulls Apana. He who knows and realizes this mutual pull which is pulling to the top and bottom, understands yoga. 30

It goes outside with the sound "ha" and goes again inside with the sound "sa". The beings keeping on chanting this mantra as "Hamsa", "Hamsa". 31

The beings always keep on chanting this mantra day and night twenty one thousand and one hundred times. 32

This mantra which is called "Ajapa Gayatri" would give salvation to all yogis. Just a thought of this mantra, would help one get rid of all sins. 33

There are no practices as holy as this, no chanting which is equivalent to this, and no wisdom equivalent to this and in future also this is not likely to be there. 34

This Ajapa Gayatri which rises from the Kundalani supports the soul. This is the greatest among the sciences of the soul. He who knows this will know the Vedas. 35

The Kundalani power which is above the mooladhara, in its eight studded form would always be covering the mouth of Sushumna which is the gate of Brahman. 36

The Kudalani Parameshwari (goddess of the universe) who should go through the disease less gate of Brahma, closes this gate with her mouth and sleeps. 37

Because of the heat generated by the practice of yoga, because of the speed of wind, and because of her mental power, she stands up and using her needle shaped body, she would go up through the Sushumna Nadi. 38

Similar to opening the doors of the house by using the key, the yogi should open the gate to salvation using Kundalini. 39

[Slokas 40-71 are not available.]

Para Brahman is Om, is that which exists, which is clean, which is full of wisdom, which does not have any draw backs, which is without stains, which cannot be described, which does not have beginning or end, which is one and only one, which is thuriya, which exists in things of past, present and future and which will never get divided at any time. From that Para Brahman emerges Para Shakthi (the female aspect). That is the soul which is self resplendent. From that soul arose the ether. From ether arose wind. From wind arose fire. From fire arose water and from water arose the earth. These five elements are ruled by the five Godheads viz. Sadasiva, Easwara, Rudra, Vishnu and Brahma. Among them Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra would do the job of creation, upkeep and destruction. Brahma is Rajasic, Vishnu Sathvic and Rudra Thamasic. They are thus with three different properties. 72.1

Among devas Brahma arose first. Among those who arose first, Brahma became the creator, Vishnu the one who upkeeps and Lord Rudra, the destroyer. Among them from Brahma arose worlds, devas, men and those in between them. From him arose those things which do not move. In case of men, the body is the unified form of Pancha Boothas (five elements). The organs of wisdom, (jnanendriyas), the organs of action (karmendriyas), those activities related to wisdom, the five body airs (prana, apana etc) are taught by the macro portion of mind, intellect, decision making power and the feeling of self and are called macro body (Sthoola sareeram). The organs of wisdom, the organs of action, things related to wisdom, the five body airs and the micro aspect of mind and intellect are called Linga sareera. The body has three types of properties. Thus all people have three bodies. There are four states of the body viz wakeful state, dream, sleep and Thuriya (exalted spiritual state). Those purushas who reside in our body and control these states are Viswa, Thaijasa, Pragna and Atma. Viswa will always have macro experiences. Different from that is Thaijasa who has micro experiences. Pragna has pleasant experiences. Athma is a witness to all these. 72

The Atma which is of the form of "Om", will be in all beings and at the time of passion, downward looking. At all other times it would be pretty and downward face. 73

In the three letters Aa, Uu and Ma, three Vedas, three worlds, three characteristics, three letters and three sounds shine. Thus Pranava shines. When you are awake, the letter Aa exists in the eyes of all beings, when you are dreaming the letter Uu exists in the neck of all beings and the letter Ma exists in the heart of all beings when they are asleep. 74

The letter Aa exists in the egg state as Viswa and Pinda state as Virat Purusha. The Letter Uu exists as Thaijasa and Hiranya Garbha in the micro state. The letter Ma exists as the causal state and as Pragna. The letter Aa has Rajasa qualities is red and its form is that of Lord Brahma. The letter Uu has Sathvika qualities and its form is that of white Vishnu. The letter Ma has Thamasic qualities and its form is that of black Rudra. Brahma took birth from Pranava. Vishnu also came out of it. Rudra also came out of it. Pranava is the Para Brahma (ultimate god). Brahma merges with the letter Aa. Vishnu merges with letter Uu and Rudra merges with the letter Ma. In people with wisdom, Pranava would be upward looking and among ignorant people Pranava would be looking downward. 75-78

Pranava exists like this. The one who knows this knows the Vedas. In the anahatha sound form, it grows upwards in case of wise people. 79

The sound Pranava is continuous like the flow of oil, and like the long sound of the bell. Its peak is Brahman. 80

That peak would be lit so brilliantly, that it cannot be described by words. The great savants find it out using their sharp intellect. The one who knows that, is considered as one who knows Vedas. 81

The "Hamsa (swan) mantra", shines in the middle of the two eyes. The letter Sa is known as Kechari which means "that which travels in the sky". It has been decided that it is the word "Twam (you)" in the famous Vedic saying, "Tat Tvam Asi (You are That)". 82

It has been decided that the letter "Ha" which is the Lord of all universe is the word "Tat (that)" in the above Vedic saying. We have to meditate that the letter "Sa" as the soul traveling between birth and death and the letter "Ha" as the stable God. 83

The living being is tied up by his organs but Paramatma is not so tied. The living being is egoistic and the soul is not tied by egoism and is independent. 84

The ethereal light which is "om" is that Athma in whose aspects stand the three worlds Bhu, Bhuva and Suva and also the place where three gods moon, Sun and fire reside. 85

The ethereal light which is "Om", is that Atma in whose aspects stand "work" which is the power of Brahma, "desire" which is the power of Rudra and "wisdom" which is the power of Vishnu. 86

Because Om is the ethereal light, it has to be pronounced by words, practiced by the body and meditated upon by the mind. 87

The one who goes on chanting Pranava whether he is clean or unclean will not be attached to the sins he does, similar to the lotus leaf which never gets wet. 88

[Slokas 89-102 are not available.]

Twelve repetitions of "Om" which is called is a pooraka followed by sixteen repetitions of "Om" which is called is the Kumbhaka and then ten repetitions of "Om" which is called Rechaka, is called Pranayama. 103

The basic rule for chanting Pranayama is at least 12 times and is termed as poor, twice that amount (24) is medium and thrice that (36) is Uthama (best). 104

In the lowest, there would be sweating, in the medium there would be trembling and in Uthama there is attainment of the objective. After that control the breath. 105

The Yogi should first salute his teacher and Lord Shiva and sit in the lotus posture, concentrate his sight on the edge of the nose and practice pranayama alone. 106

[Slokas 107-108 are not available.]

By posture one avoids diseases, by pranayama one avoids sins and by Pratyahara (see 120 below for explanation) he controls his mental activity. 109

By beliefs, the mind becomes strong and Samadhi gives the being wonderful knowledge and he attains salvation after destroying sinful and holy actions. 110

[Slokas 111-112 are not available.]

After seeing the Param Jyothi which is spread everywhere, in Samadhi duties and action neither come nor goes. 113

[Slokas 114-115 are not available.]

If we stand together with Pranayama, all diseases would be destroyed. All diseases appear only to those who are not able to do Pranayama. 116

[Slokas 117-119 are not available.]

Pratyahara is the state where sensory organs like the eye do not concern themselves with things outside but turn themselves inwards. 120

Similar to the Sun taking his rays inwards at the third period of dusk, the yogi who is in the third stage would control his mind. 121

Om! Let my limbs and speech, Prana, eyes, ears, vitality
And all the senses grow in strength.
All existence is the Brahman of the Upanishads.
May I never deny Brahman, nor Brahman deny me.
Let there be no denial at all:
Let there be no denial at least from me.
May the virtues that are proclaimed in the Upanishads be in me,
Who am devoted to the Atman; may they reside in me.
Om! Let there be Peace in me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me!

Here ends the Yoga-Chudamani Upanishad, included in the Sama-Veda.


Vasudeva Upanishad

 Vasudeva Upanishad

Translated by P. R. Ramachander












Om! Let my limbs and speech, Prana, eyes, ears, vitality
And all the senses grow in strength.
All existence is the Brahman of the Upanishads.
May I never deny Brahman, nor Brahman deny me.
Let there be no denial at all:
Let there be no denial at least from me.
May the virtues that are proclaimed in the Upanishads be in me,
Who am devoted to the Atman; may they reside in me.
Om! Let there be Peace in me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me!

Om. The God like sage Narada saluted Lord Vasudeva and requested him, "Oh God, please teach me the rules of Urdhva Pundra (the religious mark of Vaishnavas which is vertical and points upward)". 1

God Vasudeva addressing him told as follows:
The Brahmachari (unmarried student of Vedas) and Grahastha (householder) after reciting the following prayer: "Oh God who holds the wheel, mace and conch, Oh Achyutha who is staying in Dwaraka, Oh Govinda, Oh Lotus eyed one, please protect me, who has surrendered to you." should apply Urdhva Pundra in his forehead and other 12 places with his pure finger (finger next to the little finger) reciting either the Vishnu Gayathri or the 12 names of the Lord viz., Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sreedhara, Hrishikesa, Padmanabha and Damodhara. 2

The Sanyasi should wear the Urdhva Pundra with his fourth finger on the head, forehead and chest chanting the Pranava (Om). 3

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are three in number: Sthoola (macro), Sookshma (micro) and Karana (cause); are three worlds above: Bhoo, Bhuva and Suva; are three Vedas: Rig, Yajur and Sama; are three states: waking up, dream and sleep. The Urdhva Pundras are three viz., Aa, Uu and Ma. These Urdhva Pundras are full of Pranava and full of the letter Om. That one pranava has only become any. The Lord of the 'Om' takes you above. So you have to wear Urdhva Pundra. 4

That sage who wears four things upward viz., stick, bravery, yoga and Urdhva Pundra would reach the high status of salvation. This stable knowledge would reach me naturally through devotion. 5

Om! Let my limbs and speech, Prana, eyes, ears, vitality
And all the senses grow in strength.
All existence is the Brahman of the Upanishads.
May I never deny Brahman, nor Brahman deny me.
Let there be no denial at all:
Let there be no denial at least from me.
May the virtues that are proclaimed in the Upanishads be in me,
Who am devoted to the Atman; may they reside in me.
Om! Let there be Peace in me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me!

Here ends the Vasudevopanishad, included in the Sama-Veda.

Trisikhi Brahmana Upanishad

 Trisikhi Brahmana Upanishad

Translated by P. R. Ramachander








Om! That (Brahman) is infinite, and this (universe) is infinite.
The infinite proceeds from the infinite.
(Then) taking the infinitude of the infinite (universe),
It remains as the infinite (Brahman) alone.
Om! Let there be Peace in me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me!

A Brahmin called 'Trishiki Brahmana' went to the land of Sun God and asked him, "Oh God, What is body? What is soul? What is the cause and what is Athma?" 1

The Sun God replied:

You have to realize that all this is Shiva. Because only Shiva is ever clean, who is devoid of any blemishes, and who is everywhere and for whom there is no second. He is the only one who creates everything by his light and similar to the fire appearing in different forms on different pieces of steel, he appears in different forms. If you ask, to what he gives light, the answer would be, Brahmam which is denoted by the word, "Sath", and which is merged with ignorance and illusion. That Brhamam gave rise to, "that which is not clear". "That which is not clear" gave rise to, "Mahat (great)". "Mahat" gave rise to egoism. Egoism gave rise to "Five Thanmathras". That "Five Thanmathras" gave rise to "Five Bhoothas" viz earth, water, fire air and ether.

1. Ether is consciousness viz mind, wisdom, self will, and egoism

2. Air is Samana, Udhana, Vyana, Apana and Prana which are the airs in the body.

3. Fire is ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose.

4. The concept of water is feelings of sound, touch, view, taste and smell.

5. Earth is words, hands, legs and other physical organs.

6. Ether which is the concept of wisdom is decision, behavior and self esteem.

7. The actions related to air are uniting, changing of places, taking, hearing and breathing.

8. The actions related to fire are the feeling of touch, sight, taste, view and sound. These also depend on water.

9. The actions related to earth are talking, giving, taking, going and coming.

10. The actions of the Prana Thanmathra (Symbolic soul) are the organs for doing work and organs for earning wisdom.

11. Egoism is limited to mind, brain and the will to do.

12. The micro aspects of the symbolic soul (Prana Thanmathra) are giving place, scattering, seeing, uniting and being firm.

These twelve are the aspects of philosophy, early concept of godliness and early concept of physical existence. Chandra, Brahma, directions, air, sun, Varuna, Aswini devas (divine doctors), Fire, Indra (king of devas), Upendra, Prajapathi and Yama (God of death) are the Gods of the organs and senses who travel like soul in these twelve aspects. 1

[Slokas 2 & 3 are not available.]

From there, Earth came in to existence, embracing one thing with the other, pervading by criss-cross connections, step by step as the result of Pancha Boothas (Five aspects of earth, air, water, fire and ether) gained life. 4

In that earth, plants, climbers, food and four types of pindas (body centers) arose. The root sections of the body are taste, blood, flesh, fat, bones, nerves and semen. 5

Some Pindas arose because of their own interaction and some Pindas arose because of the interaction of Pancha Boothas. In this that Pinda called "Anna Mayam (area of food)" is in the area of the belly. 6

In the middle of this body is the heart which is like the lotus flower with its stalk. The Gods for management, egoism and action are in there. 7

The seed for this is the thamo guna (baser qualities) pinda which is passion oriented and solidified (does not move or change). This is the world with its varied nature and is situated in the neck. 8

The inside looking happy Athma (soul) is on the summit of the head and is situated in the Parama Patha place. This is in its earth like form and shines with great strength. 9

The state of awakening is every where. The state of dream is also is there in the state of wakefulness. The state of sleep and the state of higher knowledge (Thuriya) is not there in other states. 10

Similar to the tastes pervading in all parts of a good fruit, Shiva Shakthi pervades every where. 11

Similarly all kosas (area of the body) are within Annamaya Kosa. Similar to the kosam is the soul. Similar to the soul is Shiva. 12

The living being is one with feelings. Shiva is one without feelings. The kosas are the places of feelings of living being. And they give rise to states of existence. 13

Similar to the fact that churning of water produces ripples and foam, by churning of mind several painful thoughts are produced. 14

By performing duties, the living being, becomes the slave to those duties. By forsaking them, he attains peace. He becomes one, who sees the world in southern path. 15

The living being with egoism and self esteem is indeed Sadashiva. The living being attains that type of illusion because of his company with the ignorant soul. 16

He attains hundreds of yonis (female reproductive organ) and stays there because of familiarity. Like a fish traveling in between the banks of a river, he keeps on traveling till he attains salvation. 17

Over passage of time due to the wisdom of the knowledge of the soul, he turns on the northern path and step by step goes up. 18

When he is able to send his soul power to his head and does permanent practice of Yoga, he gets wisdom. Because of wisdom, his yoga acts. 19

Once Yoga and wisdom become stable in him, he becomes a yogi. He will never be destroyed. He would see Lord Shiva in his deficiencies and will not see deficiencies in Lord Shiva. 20

To get results of yoga, it has to be done without any other thought. Without practice you will not succeed in Yoga or wisdom. The yogi will not get the results out of these also. 21

So by practice of yoga, mind and soul should be controlled. The Yogi should cut off the problems in yoga similar to the cutting of material with a sharp knife. 22

[Slokas 23 to 145 are not available.]

With pure knowledge of Athma (soul) the sensory organs should be controlled. We should always meditate on Para Vasudeva who is the greatest soul. 146

Kaivalya (salvation) is attained by the selected and sorted form of meditation on shape and form. If a yogi is able to meditate at least for a small time on Vasudeva while he is in the Kumbhaka stage of Pranayama, the sins that he has done in seven births will be destroyed. You have to understand that the portion from belly to the heart is the wakeful action. In the neck, there exists the action of the dream. In between the Jaws exists the sleep. Thuriya exists in between the eyelids. That action of synthesis with Parabrahmam which is much above thuriya exists in the skull top middle called Brahmarandra. There in the foremost thuriya corner of thuriya , the soul is called Vishnu. When one meditates in the very pure Paramakasa (great ether), he should meditate on that Adhokshaja who shines for ever with the light of crores of Suns, as sitting in the lotus of his own heart. Otherwise he has to meditate on that Viswa Roopi(One who is of the form of universe), who has several forms, several faces, several planks with several armaments, several eyes which shine like crores of suns, several colours and who is peaceful and also very angry. All the mental preoccupations of a Yogi who meditates in such a manner will be completely calmed down. That Yogi who meditates on that indestructible matter which shines like God's grace in the center of the heart, on that ultimate truth which is beyond Thuriya, on that Sun who is the form of wisdom which is immeasurable and unending, on that being who is like a shining lamp in a windless place and on that being who is like the shine of unprocessed gems, would have salvation in his grip. 147-157

To that Yogi who is able to see and experience the shine of that deva with the universal macro or micro form or atleast a small portion of him in his lotus like heart, all the occult powers like Anima would be very much within his reach. 158-159

One has to understand that the realization of the universal truth of the unity of Jeevathma (Soul) and Paramathma (God) which is that "I am Brhamam and Brahmam is me" is he real state of Samadhi (an enlightened state of meditation where all the thought process are unified with God). That man becomes Brahmam and he does not take another birth. 160-161

The one who examines such principles with detachment becomes like a fire without wood and becomes one with himself. 162

Since his mind and soul does not have anything to catch hold of (get attached), he becomes stable in the form of wisdom, and his soul melts like a piece of salt and he merges in to the sea of pure consciousness. 163

He sees the word which is a thing of passion and magic like a dream. In the natural state that Yogi stands without changing as him to himself and attains the nude form in his sleep and attains salvation. 164

Om! That (Brahman) is infinite, and this (universe) is infinite.
The infinite proceeds from the infinite.
(Then) taking the infinitude of the infinite (universe),
It remains as the infinite (Brahman) alone.
Om! Let there be Peace in me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me!

Here ends the Trisikhi-Brahmanopanishad belonging to the Sukla-Yajur-Veda.