TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD----SIKSHAVALLI

                                                                            

                                                                        

                                                                           
 

I have in my possession a very old edition of one of the most important UPANISHADS—TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD. The beauty of the book is that it is in Telugu language with each and every word meaning as well as the gist of the individual mantras in the Upanishad. The author of this classic is one Sri Kanuparthi Markandeya Sarma, a great Telugu scholar and researcher. My interest in Philosophy and the Upanishads took me through this book and I was very much impressed with the meanings, explanations and references given by the renowned author. I felt that it is a treasure house of knowledge that every student of the Vedas and the Upanishads should be familiar with.

      In these days of mere bookish knowledge and parrot learning where mantras are recited mechanically without understanding their meaning and significance, the explanations given by the editor are an eye opener to the readers. In an attempt to enlighten the readers who do not know the Telugu language, I have taken the onerous responsibility of giving a simple translation of the  mantras  and their meaning in English, chapter or ‘ anuvakawise’. The idea is to bring the Upanishad to the door of the common reader who generally thinks that the Upanishads are abstruse and cannot be read or understood. I will be writing on some of the important anuvakas in Taittiriya Upanishad which every one of us is expected to know and understand. Having completed my Blog series on the Bhagavadgita it is a wonderful   opportunity  for me to render this service to the readers interested in the Vedas, the Upanishads and spirituality

      My purpose will be served if at least a few readers are able to understand and appreciate the meaning and significance of these mantras.

     Upanishads---Definition.

“ Upanishaditi  Brahmavidya”

According to the school of vaiyakarana three definitions are given.

1         The word Upanishad means Brahma Vidya. It is called so because it destroys the karma and the cycle of birth and death of vidwans or learned people.

2          It is called Brahma Vidya because it totally annihilates the cycle of birth and death.

3          It is also called Brahma Vidya because it enables man to attain the Brahman.

There are four types of Karma.

1 Vihita Karma----Ordained or allowed

2 Kamya karma---Expecting some reward

3 Prayascittha karma-----atonement

4                                  (Continued)

Nishiddha karma-----prohibited