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{{Infobox Upanishad
| image                    = Yoga prayer by the Sea.jpg
| caption                  = Just like waves are fashioned in the ocean, all living beings are fashioned in non-dual [[Brahman]], states the text.{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|p=39}}
| name                     = Atmabodha 
| Devanagari               = आत्मबोध
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Āṭmabodha 
| meaning                  = Instruction of the inner self{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|p=37}}
| composition_date         = अत्मबोध
| type                     = [[Muktikā#Samanya|Samanya]]
| Veda                     = [[Rig Veda]]
| chapters                 = 2
| verses                   = 18 
| philosophy               = Vedanta
| commentary               =
}}
'''Atmabodha Upanishad''' ({{lang-sa|आत्मबोध उपनिषत्}}) ({{IAST|Āṭmabodha Upaniṣat}}) or ''' Atmabodhopanishad ''' ({{lang-sa|आत्मबिधोपनिषत्}}) is one of the 108 [[Upanishadic]] [[Hindu texts|Hindu scriptures]], written in [[Sanskrit]]. It is one of the 10 Upanishads associated with the ''[[Rigveda]]''.{{Sfn|Prasoon|2008|p=82}} It is a general (''[[Muktikā#Samanya|Samanya]]'') or Vedanta Upanishad.{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|p=vii}}<ref>{{Citation|title=An outline of the religious literature of India|first=John Nicol|last=Farquhar|publisher=H. Milford, Oxford university press|year=1920|isbn=81-208-2086-X|page=364}}</ref>

The ''Atmabodha Upanishad'' begins with a hymn to the god [[Vishnu]] ([[Narayana]]), but then focuses on its core theme ''Atmabodha'', meaning "State of knowledge of the inner self".{{Sfn|Dalal2011|pp=48, 430}} The text further speaks on the "innermost [[Brahman]]"{{Sfn|Dalal2011|pp=48, 430}} (Absolute Reality).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/77039/brahman | title=Brahman | publisher=Britannica | date=2013 | access-date=20 February 2015}}</ref> While Brahman is identified with Vishnu in the opening prayer, later Brahman—who resides in the heart-lotus—is given an identity of its own and talks in the first person explaining its different aspects.

==Contents==
The first verse equates the god [[Narayana]] (an epithet of [[Vishnu]]) with [[Brahman]], [[Purusha]], and [[Om]], who frees a [[yogi]] from [[samsara]], cycle of birth-death-rebirth. The mantra ''Om namo Narayanaya'' (obeisance to Narayana) will attain [[Vaikunta]], the abode of Vishnu. Vishnu's attributes the [[shankha|conch]], [[Sudarshana chakra|chakra]] and [[Kaumodaki|mace]] are mentioned and interpreted to denote [[Akasha]] (ether), [[Manas (early Buddhism)|Manas]] (Mind) and [[Buddhi]] (intelligence).<ref name=Aiyar /> Brahman resides on the heart-lotus. Narayana, the ''Brahmanya'' (Lord of the city of Brahman), has effulgence and glows with light. He is called Vishnu, son of [[Devaki]] (an epithet of the god [[Krishna]], avatar of Vishnu), [[Madhusudanah|Madhusudana]] (the slayer of the demon Madhu), [[Pundarikaksha]] (whose eyes are like lotuses) and [[Achyuta]] (infallible one), all of which are epithets of Vishnu. Narayana is identified with [[Parabrahman]] (Great Brahman), which resides in all beings.<ref name=Aiyar >{{harvnb|Aiyar|1914|p=[https://archive.org/stream/thirtyminorupani00xxxxuoft#page/n53/mode/2up 53 ff]}}</ref><ref name=Warrier>{{Cite web|last=Warrier|first= Dr. A. G. Krishna|url=http://www.celextel.org/upanishads/rig_veda/atmabodha.html|title=Atma-Bodha Upanishad|publisher= The Theosophical Publishing House}}</ref> 

In the lotus-heart dwells Brahman. [[Prajna (Vedic)|Prajna]] (the conscious) is its eye. [[Prajnana]], Consciousness or wisdom, is its seat. Prajnana is Brahman. Through meditation of the Brahman one achieves the Ultimate Heaven ([[Svarga]]) where there is no death, and which is overflowing with [[amrita]] (ambrosia, signifying immortality) and glowing light. One thus becomes immortal.<ref name=Aiyar/><ref name=Warrier/> 

{{Quote box
 |quote  ='''Atman, Brahman'''
<poem>
Let mind be blown about by desires.
How can pains affect me,
who am by nature full of bliss;
I have truly known my [[Atman (Hinduism)|Atman]],
My ''Ajnana'' (ignorance) has fled away.
(...)
Should the clouds screen the eyesight,
a fool thinks there is no sun;
So an embodied person full of ''Ajnana'',
thinks there is no [[Brahman]] (Reality).
</poem>
 |source = —''Atmabodha Upanishad'' {{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|pp=39-40}}
 |width  = 31%
 | bgcolor=#FFE0BB
 |align  = right
}}
The narration that follows is in the first person addressed by Brahman, who says that I am devoid of ''[[Maya (illusion)|Maya]]'' (illusion) and the ''[[guna]]''s (qualities). Brahman is described as unique, and sole controller of knowledge. It is without ego and makes no differentiation between the world, the [[jiva]] (living being) and [[Ishvara]] (God). Brahman is the Supreme Lord identified as ''Pratyagatma'' (Individual [[Ātman (Hinduism)|atman]] or soul). It is beyond ageing, destruction and change. It does not differentiate between people; knowledge is its prime characteristic. It is Atman, the Soul. It is origin of all the worlds, which are in its stomach. It is always in a state of awareness and is the real existence. Brahman is [[Cit (consciousness)|Consciousness]] and [[Ānanda (Hindu philosophy)|Bliss]]. It is limitless, of infinite wisdom without any bondage, without any errors, augers well, unbreakable, full of happiness, dear to all in the universe, always glowing without a beginning. It is the Truth, ''[[Vijnana]]'' (knowledge).<ref name=Aiyar/><ref name=Warrier/> 

Brahman's position is not challenged by anyone. It is not enslaved and has experienced freedom. Like Truth in an illusionary world (where the rope may be perceived as a snake), Brahman is hidden. Like sugar is subsumed in sugarcane, Brahman dwells in all the worlds, in the form of [[Advaita]] (non-dual, non-separate from the Soul). Brahma resides in everything starting with the god [[Brahma]] to the smallest insect. As the sea experiences waves and bubbles without aspiring for it, in the same way it does not aspire for anything in this universe. Its status is that of a wealthy person not wanting to do anything with poverty. A knowledgeable person desires only ''amrita'' and not poison. Similarly, Brahman rejects everything that is not Atman. As the Sun which makes the pot shine does not vanish when the pot is destroyed, the soul is immortal, not destroyed when its bodily shell perishes.<ref name=Aiyar/><ref name=Warrier/>

Brahman is devoid of any attachments or bondage, scriptures or [[guru]] (teacher). It is above Maya and is not affected whether life exists or not or the mind is subject to attack. [[Prana]] (life-force) and ''Manas'' (Mind) are at Brahman's command. It does not experience distress and is always happy. Brahman declares that it is beyond the [[Three Bodies Doctrine (Vedanta)|three bodies]] (gross, subtle, and causal) and their associated attributes like ''kula'' (family), ''[[gotra]]'' (clan) etc.<ref name=Aiyar/><ref name=Warrier/>{{Sfn|Dalal2011|p=48}}

Like the owl finds darkness in the Sun, a person without any knowledge finds darkness in the shining Brahman, who is Bliss. A fool thinks there is no Sun, when it is covered by clouds. Likewise, one with ''Ajnana'' (ignorance, lack of ''[[jnana]]'') questions the existence of Brahman. Like Amrita - which differs from poison, Brahman is without stains. Just as a small flare of light destroys darkness, wisdom - even in a small degree - ends ignorance. Brahman is without ''[[Ahamkara]]'' (egoism). It is ''Advaita'' (non-dual) and ''[[Satchitananda]]'', Truth-Consciousness-Bliss.<ref name=Aiyar/><ref name=Warrier/>

Chanting this Upanishad for a ''[[muhurta]]'' (period of 48 minutes) will assure no rebirth.<ref name=Aiyar/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{Cite web|last= Aiyar |first= Narayanasvami|url=https://archive.org/stream/thirtyminorupani00xxxxuoft#page/n3/mode/2up |title=Thirty minor Upanishads|access-date=16 January 2016|year=1914|publisher=Archive Organization}}
*{{cite book|last= Dalal |first=Roshen |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA429|date=October 2011|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6}}
*{{cite book|last= Prasoon |first=Prof.S.K. |title=Indian Scriptures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PvmAwVXPKbQC&pg=PT82|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Pustak Mahal|isbn=978-81-223-1007-8}}

==External links==
* [http://www.gayathrimanthra.com/contents/documents/Vedic-related/Atmabodha_Upanishad.pdf Atmabodha Upanishad] in Sanskrit

{{Hindudharma}}
{{Mukhya Upanishads}}

[[Category:Upanishads]]
[[Category:Sanskrit texts]]