Advayataraka Upanishad

Template:Italic title Template:Infobox Upanishad

Advayataraka Upanishad is an ancient Sanskrit text and a minor Upanishad of Hinduism. It is one of the 19 Upanishads attached to the Shukla Yajurveda.Template:Sfn It is classified as a Yoga Upanishad.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

The Upanishad is notable for its discussion of Guru (teacher). The text discusses three goals of introspection, Taraka yoga and the nondual nature of Reality (Brahman).Template:Sfn The text also includes verses on Raja yoga,Template:Sfn and Kundalini Tantra.Template:Sfn The Upanishad also states that maya or illusion is the reason for the "differentiation" of the living from God.Template:Sfn

It is listed 53 in the serial order of the Muktika enumerated by Rama to Hanuman in the modern era anthology of 108 Upanishads.Template:Sfn The text is also known as Advaya Taraka Upanishad and Advayatarakopanishad.

Nomenclature

Advayataraka is a composite Sanskrit word, consisting of Advaya (अद्वय) which means "nondual, identity, unity, not two, without a second", and Taraka (तारक) which means "liberate, carry over, deliverer, rescuer".^[1]^[2]^[3] The literal meaning of 'taraka' is star and also "pupil of the eye". In Raja Yoga parlance it is that light between and in front of the eyebrows which is realized during meditation.Template:Sfn

Chronology

Gavin Flood dates this text, along with other Yoga Upanishads, to be probably from the 100 BCE to 300 CE period.Template:Sfn

Structure

The Advayataraka text is one of the rare Yoga Upanishads that contains a mix of prose and poetic verses, while others are in verse form.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn It consists of one chapter, eighteen passages/verses with an epilogue nineteenth praise passage.Template:Sfn

The first verse states, "then and for that reason, this knowledge is for Yati who has gained six behavioral qualities – Sama (calm mind, same-ness towards everything), Dama (temperance and self-restraint such as Ahimsa), Uparati (tolerance, quietness, cessation of cravings), Titiksha (endurance, cheerfulness no matter what), Samadhana (focus, one pointedness), and Śraddhā (faith, confidence).Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

Taraka yoga

Verse 2 of the text states that the yogin should always keep in mind, "my true form is consciousness", and introspect on the transcendent Brahman (ultimate reality) whose true form is sat-cit-ananda, or "being-consciousness-bliss".Template:Sfn It is this introspection, asserts the text, by which he becomes Brahman form (Taraka) himself.Template:Sfn It is through the use of Neti-Neti,Template:Sfn or "not this, not this", states verse 3, does the yogin reach release from the fear of rebirth and the liberating knowledge of non-dual Brahman.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

Introspection: three goals

The Upanishad discusses introspection objectives, Lakshya (aim, goal, target), from verse 4 to 7.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn The introspection is of three types, each yielding insights, signs or visions, and is described as Taraka-yoga.Template:Sfn

The internal Lakshya is described in Tantra terminology. It is realizing the Sushumna nadi (Sushumna, the middle-body, primary blood vessel and energy channel), running from below spinal cord through Kundalini to one's skull.^[6]Template:Sfn Realizing this with his mind, he is released from bondage he feels from past sin.Template:Sfn He can see a blue radiant space with closed eyes once he attains this state of internal Lakshya.Template:Sfn When kundalini is realized the knowledge of brahman is achieved which is the only stage when one crosses the threshold of fear of the cycle of birth, aging and death.Template:Sfn

The external Lakshya, the second type is described in the text's verse 6 as the brightness on top of his head, sensed by the Yogin.Template:Sfn^[6] It is of blue color bordering with indigo color above, asserts the text, and orange or golden in front, in any direction of earth he sees. The universe looks radiant to this accomplished Yogin.Template:Sfn

The verse 7 mentions the third, middle or intermediate Lakshya. It is what the Yogin senses at dawn during sunrise, where he feels his self identical, translates Ayyangar, with "the vast disc of resplendent Sun", darkness brought into relief by the splendor of radiant Taraka form, transcendent lustre excelling all, outside and within.Template:Sfn

These three types of visions, states Dhavamony, are part of the Ambhavi-mudra tantric practice.Template:Sfn

Taraka

The text clarifies Taraka-yoga to be of two kinds: Template:Quote

Verse 9 asserts that macrocosm of the universe is present inside the microcosm of human body, and the Yogin should contemplate upon macrocosm and microcosm as essentially one.Template:Sfn Taraka can be distinguished into two, one Murti-Taraka (one with form) and the other Amurti-Taraka (one without form), states verse 10. The Murti-Taraka can be perceived with sensory organs, the Amurti-Taraka is knowable by means of introspection with "the eye aided by the mind".Template:Sfn The Taraka manifestation occurs when there is conjunction of the Atman, the Mind and the eyes, to perceive the inward truth, asserts the text.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

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In verse 11, the text states that the Taraka and Amanaska methods can be practiced by casting one's eyes, conjoint with one's mind by a Yogin.Template:Sfn Sambhu mudra is described in verse 12.Template:Sfn The praise for Guru, for Yoga practice, is first mentioned in verse 13, as the one who helps one guide the introspective stages, leading the Yogin to realize the consciousness, intelligence and Turiya (deep, fourth state of consciousness).Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

Importance of a Guru

Four often-cited verses (14–18) from the Advayataraka Upanishad reverentially narrate a Guru or teacher.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn The best Acharya (आचार्य, spiritual teacher), state verses 14-15, is one knows the Vedas, a devotee of the god Vishnu, has no spite, who knows yoga, has his own views on it, Yoga is part of how he lives his life, is clean, reveres his own Guru, and who understands the concept of Purusha (Atman-Brahman).Template:Sfn Template:Sfn^[7]

The Upanishad then explains the word "Guru" as follows:Template:Sfn

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Thus, the role of a Guru is one of eliminating ignorance by helping the student reach knowledge. The Guru is the supreme goal, the transcendent Brahman, wisdom, the last resort, asserts verse 17 of the Upanishad.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

Further, the text in verse 18 praises the teacher as the "ultimate limit" and "supreme wealth", greater than all else.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn^[6]

References

↑ Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary with Etymology, Oxford University Press, advaya
↑ tAraka Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Koeln University, Germany (2012)
↑ Axel Michaels and Barbara Harshav (2003), Hinduism: Past and Present, Princeton University Press, Template:ISBN, page 269
↑ yatin Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Koeln University, Germany
↑ Patrick Olivelle (1981), Contributions to the Semantic History of Saṃnyāsa, Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 101, No. 3, pages 265-274
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 Adhvaya Taaraka Upanishad. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
↑ Georg Feuerstein (1990), Encyclopedic dictionary of Yoga, 1st edition, New York: Paragon House, Template:ISBN

Bibliography

The Yoga Upanishads{{#if:Ayyangar|, Ayyangar}. The Adyar Library(1938)
A Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology: The Secret Art of the Performer{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Taylor & Francis(18 March 2011). ISBN 978-1-135-17635-8
Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide{{#if:Dalal|, Dalal}. Penguin Books Limited(18 April 2014). ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9
Hindu Spirituality{{#if:Dhavamony|, Dhavamony}. Gregorian Biblical BookShop(1 January 1999). ISBN 978-88-7652-818-7
The Philosophy of the Upanishads{{#if:Deussen|, Deussen}. Cosimo, Inc.(1 January 2010). ISBN 978-1-61640-239-6
Sixty Upanishads of the Veda{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Motilal Banarsidass(1 January 1997). ISBN 978-81-208-1467-7
Yoga: The Technology of Ecstasy{{#if:Feuerstein|, Feuerstein}. Tarcher(1989). ISBN 978-0874775259
An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge University Press.
अद्वयतारक (Advayataraka Upanishad), Suciu, Sorin. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
The Practice of Nada Yoga: Meditation on the Inner Sacred Sound{{#if:Hersey|, Hersey}. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co(17 December 2013). ISBN 978-1-62055-182-0
Yogatattva Upanishad (Translated by NSS Raman), in The Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies: Yoga: India's philosophy of meditation{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Motilal Banarsidass(1970). ISBN 978-81-208-3349-4
Echoes of Ancient Indian Wisdom{{#if:Nair|, Nair}. Pustak Mahal(1 January 2008). ISBN 978-81-223-1020-7
Indian Scriptures{{#if:Prasoon|, Prasoon}. Pustak Mahal(1 January 2008). ISBN 978-81-223-1007-8
Krishna's Song: A New Look at the Bhagavad Gita{{#if:Rosen|, Rosen}. Greenwood Publishing Group(2007). ISBN 978-0-313-34553-1

External links

Advayataraka Upanishad in Sanskrit with Sanskrit Commentary

Template:Hindudharma Template:Mukhya Upanishads

[1] Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary with Etymology, Oxford University Press, advaya

[2] tAraka Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Koeln University, Germany (2012)

[3] Axel Michaels and Barbara Harshav (2003), Hinduism: Past and Present, Princeton University Press, Template:ISBN, page 269

[4] yatin Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Koeln University, Germany

[olivelleshs265-5] Patrick Olivelle (1981), Contributions to the Semantic History of Saṃnyāsa, Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 101, No. 3, pages 265-274

[translation-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 Adhvaya Taaraka Upanishad. Retrieved 17 January 2015.

[7] Georg Feuerstein (1990), Encyclopedic dictionary of Yoga, 1st edition, New York: Paragon House, Template:ISBN

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