Upanishads of India - 17

Mukthikopanishad – Part III

Sri Rama continues his advice to Hanuman about the dimensions of true emancipation. One who follows the true course of righteous actions and one who meditates on me will be eligible for the above said dimensions of mukthi or salvation. One who is contemplating on the name of Sri Rama eternally will free himself from his own individuality and will become Sri Rama himself. Such a process is called Sayugya Mukthi.

Hanuman is not satisfied with this answer. He again persists in knowing the real meaning of Kaivalya mukthi and the process of attaining the same. To this query Sri Rama gives the answer that Mundakopanisnad alone will be enough for one who is really craving for deliverance. If one doesn’t attain wisdom because of that, he can study the ten principal Upanishads. If real wisdom eludes one still, he has to peruse 32 Upanishads. If one is really craving for videhamukthi let him follow 108 Upanishads which are to be mastered and he states that if any one listens to all these Upanishads at least once in his life will definitely attain salvation. He also warns that these Upanishads are to be given only to the real devotee and not to atheists and people without real devotion.

It is from Mukthikopanishad that we learn about the names of 108 Upanishads as Sri Rama teaches Hanuman about all these. We learn the importance of Kashi also from this because of Sri Rama’s advice about reciting Tharakamantra at Kashi. He opines that if anyone is able to hear these 108 Upanishads at least once will attain moksha.

Towards the concluding part of this Upanishad we get a description about ‘Santhipata’ (lessons for peace). Each Upanishad has one Santhipata. It is after the perusal of this Santhimantra that one has to learn that Upanishad. There follows a description about the Upanishads and their Santhipatas. He concludes with the statement that wisdom is most essential for eternal bliss and for that learning of Upanishads is a must.

Dr. Karickam