MUNDAKOPANISHAD1

                                                                        

Embedded in the Adharva Veda, MUNDAKOPANISHAD is one of the ‘mukhya’—primary Upanishads and ranks FIFTH in the 108 Upanishads. It has 64 poetic verses called ‘mantras’ but these are not used in the rituals. The Upanishad contains THREE MUNDAKAS or parts, each with two sections. The first   defines the science of Higher Knowledge and Lower knowledge and asserts that acts of oblations and pious gifts are foolish and fail to reduce unhappiness. The Upanishad starts with the question from Saunaka who wants to know “that which being known,  everything else will be known” The sage Angiras replies  that there are two kinds of knowledge---the higher and the Lower according to those who have realized the

Brahman! Lower knowledge comprises the four Vedas, the shadangas like grammar, prosody and astrology. Higher Knowledge is ‘that by which the imperishable is apprehended.’

         Angiras further explains that this imperishable is the source of all beings. It is formless, cannot be grasped, has no origin nor attributes, or organs. It is eternal, all pervading, omnipresent and subtle to the extreme. How does the imperishable bring about creation? Angiras says that like the spider that releases its thread and withdraws it by its own volition, and like the plants coming out of the earth and also like hairs from the head,  the entire creation issues forth from the eternal Brahman! The thought of the eternal resulted in the creation of matter from which life, mind, the elements, worlds, actions or all karmas and their consequences followed. It is from this all knowing, brooding, and perceiving thing  that matter, world, soul, names and  forms are born!

           Commending the rituals contemplated by the sages, Angiras points out that they take the person to heaven when performed with faith and dedication. But these are frail boats and signify Lower Karma! It is only fools who praise it as the highest good. Such people cannot escape the cycle of birth and death. They are like the blind led by another blind person! Ritualists live in ignorance and never know the truth because of their attachments. They sink down and become miserable once the effects of their deeds are exhausted! They are deluded and think sacrifices as most important and come back to the lower world “ kshine punye marthya loke visanthi.” Those that practice austerities in the forest with faith, the ascetics, are free from passion and reach the imperishable through the Sun! Angiras wants the aspirant to examine the two worlds gained by Karma or rituals and free himself from desires. Karma can never lead you to the Imperishable! He has to approach a qualified and deserving Guru who has realized the Brahman for the knowledge of the Brahman!           ( continued)