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The text describes how the sound fragments of the mantra "Om Namo Narayana" includes [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]], [[Rudra]], [[Ishvara]], all of the universe, [[Purusha]], [[Bhagavan]] and Param-atman (supreme self).{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|pp=124-125}} Om is also the indestructible, unchanging reality (Brahman), states the text, which alone ought to be worshipped.{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|p=125}} The "Om" mantra has eight subtle sound elements,{{Sfn| Daniélou|1991|p=339}} describes the Upanishad, "A", "U", "M", ''bindu'', ''nada'', ''kala'' (era, present time), ''kalatita'' (beyond present era, or future), and the last subtle sound element is what is beyond ''kalatita''.{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|p=125}}{{Sfn| Daniélou|1991|p=339}}{{sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=part 2, प्रथमः पादः}}
The text describes how the sound fragments of the mantra "Om Namo Narayana" includes [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]], [[Rudra]], [[Ishvara]], all of the universe, [[Purusha]], [[Bhagavan]] and Param-atman (supreme self).{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|pp=124-125}} Om is also the indestructible, unchanging reality (Brahman), states the text, which alone ought to be worshipped.{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|p=125}} The "Om" mantra has eight subtle sound elements,{{Sfn| Daniélou|1991|p=339}} describes the Upanishad, "A", "U", "M", ''bindu'', ''nada'', ''kala'' (era, present time), ''kalatita'' (beyond present era, or future), and the last subtle sound element is what is beyond ''kalatita''.{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|p=125}}{{Sfn| Daniélou|1991|p=339}}{{sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=part 2, प्रथमः पादः}}


[[File:Rama, from Candi Prambanan 1087.jpg|thumb|260px|Rama with bow, flanked by Lakshmi and Sri in Prambanan temple, Indonesia. They are mentioned in this text.]]
[[File:Rama, from Candi Prambanan 1087.jpg|thumb|260px|Rama with bow, flanked by Lakshmi and Sri in [[Prambanan]] Hindu temple, [[Indonesia]]. They are mentioned in this text.]]
In chapter 2, the Upanishad describes the same Om mantra in terms of the characters of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The "A" is the source of Brahma who became Jambavat, from "U" came Vishnu who became Surgriva, from "M" of AUM mantra came Shiva who manifested as Hanuman, states the text.{{Sfn| Daniélou|1991|p=174}} The bindu of Om became Shatrughna (third brother of Rama), the nada became Bharata (elder brother of Rama), kala resonance became Lakshmana (younger brother of Rama), the kalatita became [[Lakshmi]] who manifested as goddess Sita (a Shakti, wife of Rama), and beyond all this is the last subtle part of Om which is Supreme Self manifesting as Rama.{{Sfn| Daniélou|1991|p=174}}{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|pp=125-126}}
In chapter 2, the Upanishad describes the same Om mantra in terms of the characters of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The "A" is the source of Brahma who became Jambavat, from "U" came Vishnu who became Surgriva, from "M" of AUM mantra came Shiva who manifested as Hanuman, states the text.{{Sfn| Daniélou|1991|p=174}} The bindu of Om became Shatrughna (third brother of Rama), the nada became Bharata (elder brother of Rama), kala resonance became Lakshmana (younger brother of Rama), the kalatita became [[Lakshmi]] who manifested as goddess Sita (a Shakti, wife of Rama), and beyond all this is the last subtle part of Om which is Supreme Self manifesting as Rama.{{Sfn| Daniélou|1991|p=174}}{{Sfn|Aiyar|1914|pp=125-126}}


Revision as of 18:27, 6 February 2016

Tarasara Upanishad
The text discusses major characters in the epic Ramayana with Rama as Narayana (Vishnu)
Devanagariतारसार
IASTTārasāra
Title meansEssence of mystical syllables[1]
DateMedieval
TypeMantra[2]
Linked VedaShukla Yajurveda[3]
Chapters3
PhilosophyVaishnavism[3]

The Tarasara Upanishad (Template:Lang-sa, IAST: Tārasāra Upaniṣad) is a minor Upanishad of Hinduism. This Sanskrit text is classified as a Vaishnava Upanishad,[3] and a Mantra Upanishad.[2] It is attached to the Shukla Yajurveda.[4][3]

The text is notable for its discussion of Om for yogic meditation as Taraka or that which helps one cross from mundane into spiritual world.[5] It is one of the texts which mentions the "Om Namo Narayana" mantra of Vaishnavism.[5] The Upanishad integrates into its discussion of sound of mantras many of the central characters of the epic Ramayana such as Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Bharata, Shatrughna and Jambavan.[6] It also asserts that Hanuman is a manifestation of Shiva.[6]

History

The date or author of Maha Upanishad is unknown. The first chapter of this Upanishad is identical with the influential and ancient Jabala Upanishad.[7] Thereafter the text of this Upanishad is different.[7]

Manuscripts of this text are also found titled as Tarasaropanisad.[8][7] In the Telugu language anthology of 108 Upanishads of the Muktika canon, narrated by Rama to Hanuman, it is listed at number 91.[9]

Contents

The text has three chapters, with the first a repeat of the first chapter of the Jabala Upanishad.[7] The second and third chapter focus on describing the Om mantra, it being the ultimate and highest reality Brahman, and its relationship to Narayana (Vishnu).[6]

That which is Om is the indestructible,
the supreme, and the Brahman.
That alone should be worshipped.
It is this that is of the eight subtle syllables.

—Tarasara Upanishad[10][11]

Just like the Jabala Upanishad,[12][13] the chapter 1 of the Upanishad, is structured as a conversation between Brihaspati and Yajnavalkya. The latter states that true Kurukshetra is Avimuktam – a place that Shiva never left and a part of Varanasi (Banaras).[14][15] This place, recommends the text, is for all those renouncers who after having wandered places, can stay in.[16] This is the place, asserts the Upanishad, where Rudra imparts the moksha knowledge just when the last vital breaths of the dying are departing, leading one to videhamukti.[4][15] This place is a spiritual seat of all living beings (holy), asserts the text, a place to revere and not leave.[4]

The Upanishad thereafter glorifies Narayana, by stating that "Om Namo Narayana" is the means to cross from mundane world into spiritual world (Taraka).[4] Om in this mantra is Atman (self, soul) asserts the text, Namah represents Prakriti (nature, changing reality), and Narayana is the nature of Parabrahman (supreme Brahman).[4]

The text describes how the sound fragments of the mantra "Om Namo Narayana" includes Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Ishvara, all of the universe, Purusha, Bhagavan and Param-atman (supreme self).[5] Om is also the indestructible, unchanging reality (Brahman), states the text, which alone ought to be worshipped.[10] The "Om" mantra has eight subtle sound elements,[17] describes the Upanishad, "A", "U", "M", bindu, nada, kala (era, present time), kalatita (beyond present era, or future), and the last subtle sound element is what is beyond kalatita.[10][17][18]

Rama with bow, flanked by Lakshmi and Sri in Prambanan Hindu temple, Indonesia. They are mentioned in this text.

In chapter 2, the Upanishad describes the same Om mantra in terms of the characters of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The "A" is the source of Brahma who became Jambavat, from "U" came Vishnu who became Surgriva, from "M" of AUM mantra came Shiva who manifested as Hanuman, states the text.[19] The bindu of Om became Shatrughna (third brother of Rama), the nada became Bharata (elder brother of Rama), kala resonance became Lakshmana (younger brother of Rama), the kalatita became Lakshmi who manifested as goddess Sita (a Shakti, wife of Rama), and beyond all this is the last subtle part of Om which is Supreme Self manifesting as Rama.[19][20]

The text next presents eight mantras, asserting them to be a means to realize the Atman. These repeat the mapping of elements of Om mantra to the characters of the Ramayana,[20] calling Rama as Paramatman, Narayana and supreme Purusha (cosmic man),[19] the ancient Purushottama, the eternal, the liberated, the true, the highest bliss, the one without a second.[21] The mantra reciter should meditate, states the text, "Brahman is myself, I am Rama".[21] This is the path of inner purification, this is the way to see the supreme seat of Vishnu, states Tarasara Upanishad.[22][23]

See also

References

  1. ^ Sir Monier Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages, Oxford University Press (Reprinted: Motilal Banarsidass), ISBN 978-8120831056, Article on Tarasara
  2. ^ a b Aiyar 1914, p. viii.
  3. ^ a b c d Tinoco 1996, p. 88.
  4. ^ a b c d e Aiyar 1914, p. 124.
  5. ^ a b c Aiyar 1914, pp. 124–125.
  6. ^ a b c Aiyar 1914, pp. 124–127.
  7. ^ a b c d Vedic Literature, Volume 1, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, p. PA385, at Google Books, Government of Tamil Nadu, Madras, India, pages 270, 385
  8. ^ Hattangadi 1999.
  9. ^ Deussen 1997, pp. 556–557.
  10. ^ a b c Aiyar 1914, p. 125.
  11. ^ Hattangadi 2000.
  12. ^ Hattangadi 2000, p. section 1.
  13. ^ Jabala Upanishad, Tr: Sunder Harrangadi (2000), SanskritDocuments.Org Archive, Section 1
  14. ^ Aiyar 1914, p. 124 with footnote 2.
  15. ^ a b Olivelle 1992, pp. 141–142 with footnotes.
  16. ^ Deussen, Bedekar & Palsule 1997, p. 758.
  17. ^ a b Daniélou 1991, p. 339.
  18. ^ Hattangadi 2000, p. part 2, प्रथमः पादः.
  19. ^ a b c Daniélou 1991, p. 174.
  20. ^ a b Aiyar 1914, pp. 125–126.
  21. ^ a b Aiyar 1914, p. 126.
  22. ^ Aiyar 1914, pp. 126–127.
  23. ^ Hattangadi 2000, p. chapter 3.

Bibliography

  • Daniélou, Alain (1991). The Myths and Gods of India: The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series. Inner Traditions. ISBN 978-0-89281-354-4. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Deussen, Paul (1997). Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. ISBN 978-8120814677. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Hattangadi, Sunder (2000). "तारसारोपनिषत् (Tarasara Upanishad)" (PDF) (in Sanskrit). Retrieved 6 February 2016. {{cite web}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Olivelle, Patrick (1992). The Samnyasa Upanisads. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507045-3. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Tinoco, Carlos Alberto (1996). Upanishads. IBRASA. ISBN 978-85-348-0040-2. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
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