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{{Infobox Upanishad
| image = Bearded Shiva.jpg
| caption = The text focuses on Shiva and Om
| alt =
| name = Atharvashikha
| Devanagari = अथर्वशिखा
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Atharvaśikhā
| meaning = Tip of the Atharvan{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=779}}
| composition_date = 1st millennium BCE
| type = Shaiva
| Veda = [[Atharvaveda]]
| chapters = 2
| verses =
| philosophy =
}}
{{Saivism}}
The '''Atharvashikha Upanishad''' ([[IAST]]: {{IAST|Atharvaśikhā}}) is a Sanskrit text that is one of the minor [[Upanishads]] of [[Hinduism]]. It is among the 31 Upanishads associated with the [[Atharvaveda]].{{Sfn|Prasoon|2008|p=82-83}} It is classified as a [[Shaiva]] Upanishad focussed on god [[Shiva]].{{Sfn|Farquhar|1920|p=364}}{{Sfn|Tinoco|1997|p=87}}

The text is composed through the voice of the Sage [[Atharvan]], to whom the ''Atharvaveda'' is eponymously attributed. The text discusses and equates [[Om]] symbol to [[Shiva]] as the Supreme Being and Brahman, explaining the [[spirituality]] behind its chanting and meditation.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=779}}<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> It declares Shiva to be higher than Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Ishana.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=779}}

The text is also called '''Atharvashikhopanishad''', and is listed at 23 in the Telugu language anthology of 108 Upanishads in [[Muktika]] canon.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=557}}

==Nomenclature==
The word "Atharvashikha", states Deussen, means the “Tip of the Atharvan”.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=779}} ''Shikha'' also means "particular verse or formula" and "a tuft or lock of hair on the crown of the head".<ref>Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary with Etymology, Oxford University Press, [http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/tamil/recherche shikha]</ref>

==Chronology==
Deussen states that the text is from the group of five Upanishads which assert god Shiva as a symbolism for [[Atman (Hinduism)|Atman]] in Hinduism.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=769 footnote 1}} Atharvashikha along with the other four Upanishads – [[Atharvashiras Upanishad|Atharvashiras]], Nilarudra, Kalagnirudra and [[Kaivalya Upanishad|Kaivalya]] – are ancient, with Nilarudra likely the oldest and Kaivalya the relatively later era Upanishad (still BCE) composed closer to the time of [[Shvetashvatara Upanishad]], [[Mundaka Upanishad]], and Mahanarayana Upanishad.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=769 footnote 1}} Atharvashikha is probably among the later Upanishad in this group, and may be the stage of Hinduism where a transition occurred from Rudra, Ishana and related Vedic deities to one Shiva.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=779}}

The ''Atharvashikha Upanishad'' is, states Parmeshwaranand, a relatively later era composition (still 1st millennium BCE), influenced by the [[Pashupata]] Shaivism.<ref name="Parmeshwaranand2004">{{cite book|author=Swami Parmeshwaranand|title=Encyclopaedia of the Śaivism|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_HQvbJDacNDMC|year=2004|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-427-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_HQvbJDacNDMC/page/n202 196]}}</ref>

==Structure==
The ''Atharvashikha Upanishad'' is presented in two sections, with Section 1 dealing with what is meant by Om and the significance of its [[syllables]], and Section 2 dealing with the benefits one derives by meditating coupled with reciting the word Om representing the four [[Vedas]].<ref name= Ramachander/> The text focuses on OM mantra and its benefits.<ref name="Johnson2006">{{cite book|author=Keith Johnson|title=Om for Every Day|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UF3hmlyJKgEC&pg=PA8|date=1 April 2006|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-4116-8876-6|pages=8–}}</ref>

The ''Atharvashikha Upanishad'' imitates and repeats some text from other Shaiva Upanishads such as the ''Atharvashiras Upanishad'', while expanding on a few aspects covered by it.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=779}} However, a difference between the two texts is that Atharvashiras never uses the word "Shiva" (instead uses Maheshvara), while Atharvashikha repeatedly uses the word Shiva.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=769, 779-782}}

==Content==
[[Image:Om symbol.svg|thumb|150px|The text discusses "Om" or "Aum" as symbolism for Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Rudra and Purusha-Brahman.|link=Hinduism]]

===What is the object of meditation?===
The Upanishad opens with sages ([[Rishi]]) [[Pippalada]], [[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]] and [[Sanatkumara]] meeting sage [[Atharvan]] and ask, "which [[Dhyana in Hinduism|Dhyana]] (meditation) is highest?", "what does meditation {{sic|comprise |hide=y|of}} and who should meditate", "what is the object of meditation?"{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=780}}<ref name=feuersteinddy309/>

Om is the highest, replies Atharvan.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=780}} The text explains the basic meaning of the divine [[Om]] mantra, representing the [[Para Brahman]], the highest Brahman, the "Ultimate Reality".{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=780}} Om's has four legs, syllables, which symbolize the four gods and the four [[Vedic]] scriptures.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=780}} It has also four heads, which stand for holy fires – Garhapatya, Dakshina, Ahavaniya and destructive fire.<ref name= Ramachander/>{{Sfn|Hattangadi|1999}}

The four syllables of Om – A (अ), U (उ), M (म) and the half part (्) are equated with empirical realities, abstract concepts, rituals and gods by the Atharvashikha Upanishad.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=780-781}}<ref name=feuersteinddy309>Georg Feuerstein (2003), The Deeper Dimension of Yoga: Theory and Practice, Shambala, {{ISBN|978-1570629358}}, page 309</ref>

Atharvan explains that the first syllable of Om, "A", represents the [[Prithvi]] (Earth), the [[Rig Veda]], the god [[Brahma]] – the Creator of the Trimurti, the color red, the eight [[Vasus]], the [[Gayatri mantra|gayatri meter]], and ''Garhapatya'', the sacred fire in a household.<ref name= Ramachander/>{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=780-781}}

The second syllable "U" denotes, states the text, the [[Akasha]] (sky), the [[Yajur Veda]], the color black, the eleven [[Rudras]], the [[Tristubh]] meter, and the ''Dakshinagni'' ritual fire.<ref name= Ramachander/>{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=780-781}}

The third syllable "M" represents [[Svarga|Heaven]]s, the [[Sama Veda]], the color white, [[Vishnu]], the [[Ādityas|twelve Adityas]], the ''Jagati'' meter and the ''Ahavaniya'' ritual fire.<ref name= Ramachander/>{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=780-781}}

The half fourth syllable, which is the hidden part that follows M, represents the [[Atharva Veda]], [[Purusha]] (the Supreme Being), the spectrum of all colours, the [[Maruts]] deities, the Viraj meter and the ''Samvartaka'' fire which destroys creation.<ref name= Ramachander >{{Cite web|last= Ramachander |first= P. R. |url=http://www.vedarahasya.net/atharvasikha.htm|title= Atharva Sikha Upanishad (Part of the Atharva Veda)|publisher= vedarahasya.net}}</ref>{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=780-781}} It reverberates as the sound of Brahman.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=779-781}}

===Om, Atman, Brahman and Shiva===
The fourth half ''mora'' (syllable) of Om has three specific pronunciation modes – the short, long and the extra long, states the text.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=781}} These are related specifically to the degrees of utterance – one, two, and three ''[[Mora (linguistics)|matra]]''s, units of vocal pronunciation.<ref name= Ramachander/> This fourth is ''sant-[[Atman (Hinduism)|atman]]'', or "calm-self".{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=781}}

The half syllable is absent in the long pronunciation, the sound which is identified as the illumination of the soul. When uttered as a long reverberation, asserts the text, it rises upwards, resonating with ''Om-kara'', the universal sound.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=781}}

Chapter 2 begins stating that Om is also called ''Pranava'', because it makes all ''Pranas'' (vital breath, life force) to give ''Pranama'' (bow down).{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=781}} Om, states the text, should be meditated upon as the origin of the Vedas and origin of all the gods.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=781}}

A meditation on Om relieves (''Samtarayati'') the meditator from fears and sorrows.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=781}} As Vishnu in Om, it conquers all and fixes the mind in the highest Atman.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=781-782}} As Brahma, it withdraws all senses.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=781-782}} As Ishana, it sets the whole world into activity.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=781-782}} It is through Om that Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Ishana came into being, as did all creatures and the deities of sensory organs in them.{{Sfn|Hattangadi|1999}}{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=781-782}}

{{Quote|
<poem>
Brahman, Vishnu and Rudra too,
The Lord and also the Blissful (Shiva)
Fivefold as these five gods,
The holy sound is proclaimed.
</poem>
|Atharvashika Upanishad|Chapter 2, Translated by Paul Deussen{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=782}}}}

Even utterance of the word Om for a second is stated to be superior to performance of one hundred [[yajna]] sacrifices. Further, Shiva is equated to Om. All knowledge, all Yoga practice, all meditation is about Shiva Mahadeva, states the text.{{Sfn|Hattangadi|1999}}{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=782}}

The Om-sound, asserts the Upanishad, is Shiva.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|p=782}}

==Commentary==
The Hindu philosopher [[Adi Shankara]] (c. early 8th century CE), apart from providing commentary on major Upanishads, which are well recorded, is also credited with [[bhasya]] (commentary) on a few minor Upanishads which include the ''Atharvashikha Upanishad''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Upanishads| last=Deussen| first=Paul| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kPmtToN8D7EC&pg=PR10|date=24 May 2012|publisher=Courier Corporation|isbn=978-0-486-15711-5|pages=10–}}</ref> This is considered highly doubtful by scholars such as Paul Hacker and Natalia Isaeva, and it is likely the minor Upanishads were commented on by different persons who were also named Shankaracharya.<ref>Paul Hacker (1995), Sankaracarya and Sankarabhagavatpada: Preliminary Remarks Concerning the Authorship Problem', in Philology and Confrontation: Paul Hacker on Traditional and Modern Vedanta (Editor: Wilhelm Halbfass), State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-0-7914-2582-4}}, pp. 41–56</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last= Deussen|first=Paul| title=Sixty Upanishads of the Veda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYepeIGUY0gC&pg=PA779|year= 1997|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1467-7}}
*{{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}}
*{{Cite web|url=http://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_upanishhat/atharvashikha.pdf |title= अथर्वशिखोपनिषत् (Atharvashikha Upanishad)|access-date=16 January 2016| language = sa|last= Hattangadi| first= Sunder| year= 1999 }}
*{{cite book|last=Tinoco|first=Carlos Alberto|title=Upanishads|year=1997|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xoNEM63hZEC&pg=PA87|publisher=IBRASA|isbn=978-85-348-0040-2}}

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

{{Hindudharma}}
{{Shaivism}}
{{Mukhya Upanishads}}

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

Atharvashikha Upanishad - Revision history

>Monkbot at 02:13, 27 January 2021