Maithreya Upanishad (Chapter 1)

Maithreya Upanishad - Chapter 1

                Maithreya Upanishad occupies a very significant position among the 108 Upanishads of India. It tells the story of a King called Brihadathan who understood that his body was perishable and he decided to abandon this material world. So he entrusted his kingdom to his son and went into the forest and started a terrible meditation facing the Sun. It is said that his meditation continued for 1000 years. As a result of this a glorious sage named Sakyayam appeared before him. He said: “Rise up rise up – you may ask for any other blessing”.

                                The King bowed down before him and said: “Hey Bhagavan, I am not as enlightened as you. I am not an aatmajnani. You are a great philosopher. I know this and you have to teach me about the meaning of life. But the sage said that was the most difficult thing and encouraged him to ask for any other boon (we are reminded of the story of Nachiketas before Yama Raja). Here at this stage Brihadradhan expressed his angst in the following words:

“The great seas dry up; the mountains collapse. The stars fall and the earth disappears in water. Even the Gods lose their position. So what is the point in pursuing a life of worldly pleasures in this mortal world? All those caught up in this journey have to take different lives as part of the cycle. I am like a frog in the well. So you are my refuge and kindly help me.  

               

                We are reminded of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago address where he uses this story of the frog in the well. The King says that Saakyananan is the only one who is able to raise him up to a sublime position.

Stanza three of part I gives a detailed description of the perishable nature of the human body. All the body parts are described in great detail and sage was so pleased. He says as follows:

“Oh King, You are great and you have knowledge about the importance of aatman. You are well known by the name ‘Maruth’.  Such is the self. Here the King asks the Sage to impart him the great wisdom about the soul and the Sage gives the following answer:

“Sabdhasparshamayayartha anarthaa iva thee

Sthithaayeshaam saktastu

Bhutaatmaa na smarachee param param”

[All things related to Shabha(word) and Sparsha(touch) will lead to temptations and a soul entangled in these will find it difficult to attain moksha.]

   The essence of his teaching is given in the following words (No:6)

“Thapasaa prapyathee sathwam sathaat samprapyathe mana:

Manassaa prapyathe hyaatmaa pathyaa nivarthathe"

[One gains wisdom through thapas(deep meditation). Through wisdom one gains equanimity of the mind. Through controlling the mind one attains realization about the aatman. Through realization one becomes free from Universe]

               

“Chithameevahi samsaarastatprayatnena soodhayet” 

The muni continues his elaborations and says that just as fire calms down in itself when the fuel is exhausted, the mind becomes stable when all the activity is rounded up. Then comes a very

Important lesson from the mouth of this great sage. The mind itself is the Universe. So one has to purify it through determined actions. The world appears as coloured by the mind. This is a sanadhana dharma or eternal truth. One enjoys inexhaustible bliss due to the total control of one’s mind. One who is absorbed to Brahma becomes freed from all other compulsions.

                The last part of this section gives an exemplary picture of the Over Soul which is free from al illusions and which is eternal and holy. It is an entity non-pereil. It is an ocean of aananda or rapture.      

                Sorrow will never touch anyone who becomes dependent on the paramaatman and frees himself from all delusions (maya). First chapter concludes with a warning that one should not be overjoyed in the might of one’s progeny (children)

“Putraadideheshwabhimaana suunyam”.

Dr, Karickam