Vajra Suchikopanishad
This is a very important Upanishad which deals with the
question, who is a real Brahmin. It is said that there are four divisions among
people :
1. Brahmanan
2. Kshatriyan
3. Vaishyan
4. Sudran
The question here is, who is a Brahmin ?. It is prana or
jeeva? Is it deha or body? Is it caste? Is it knowledge or wisdom? Is it
karma or dharma?
This
Upanishad analyses all these points one by one and negates all.
(a) Is it jeeva or prana?
All the
jeeva (aatman) is the same in all beings. It takes different bodies as per the
rulers of karma. So we cannot say that it is the sign of a Brahmin.
(b) Is it body (deham)?
The answer is no. All bodies of all
types of people are made of panchabhuta (five elements). Old age, death, dharma
and adharma are all the same. There is no colour difference among the classes
of people. There is no rule that a Brahmana should be white, Kshatriya should
be reddish etc.
Is it then,
the caste that decides a Brahmana? Again the answer is no. So many rishis have
been born from different classes of people . Rishia Sringan was born from
Mrighu. Kaushikan was born out of Kusha.
Jambukan was born of Jaambukan. Valmeeki organized from Valmeekam. The
great sage Vyasan was the son of virgin Kaivarthaka virgin. Vasishtan
originated from Urvashi. So there was no caste or class difference among such
great sages. So caste is not a deciding factor.
Is it njana
or knowledge that makes a Brahmin? Here also the answer is negative because so
many Kshatriyas have been great and wise people.
Is it then
the karma that makes the difference? The answer is no. we can find parallels in
the karma of all types of people . Prana or life is inspired by the Karma of
each individual. So it is not karma that decides the life of a Brahmin.
Is
it then the dharma or virtue that makes the difference? Here also the answer is
negative, because so many Kshatriyas and other classes of people distribute
gold and such wealth to all people.They are generous and kind hearted.
So the
question is who a real Brahmin is? Then we get a beautiful description about the
qualities of a real Brahmin:
1. Jaathi guna kriya rahithan -
One who is
free of all caste and creed feelings.
2. Sarva dosha rahithan –
He is free
from all doshas (evils). He will be free from the fear of shadurthi ( Hunger,
thirst , old age , death, sorrow, desire etc). He will also be free from the clutches
of shadbhava (self, birth, growth, stage difference, destruction)
3. Satyajnanaananda Swaroopan –
One who
finds ultimate aananda or pleasure in truth.
4. One who keeps his soul as the most precious object.
5. Kaamadoshahirahidam – Kaamadosharahithan
One who is free from lust .
6. Maatsaryatrishna viheenan –
One who is
above the tough world of competitions.
7. Dambha ahankaradi viheenan – one who is free from pride
and arrogance.
One who is
endoved with all such great qualities can be estimated as a true Brahmin. He is
a Sachidananda Swaroopan- who finds real
solace in truth and his self.
Dakshimurthi Upanishad
This
is an Upanishad which deals with longevity. This reminds me of the story of Tithonus
in Greek mythology, who was mad in love with Eos (Aurora in Roman Mythology). Tithonus
asks Eos for a blessing of immortality in this life, which was immediately
granted by Eos. The pity was that he did not ask for immortal youth and became
older and older as years passed by which resulted in a very pitiable condition.
In
Brahmavritha (land of Brahma) under a big banyan tree many sages including
Shaunaka assembled for a maha yajna which lasted for long. The purpose was to
attain longevity. They approached the great sage Markandeya who had the great
blessing of immortality. This was the plea: “Oh Prabho , please teach us the
secret of your immortality and eternal bliss. How have you won over death?”
This was his reply: “Paramarahasya Siva tatwajnan nethi saho vacha”
[My secreat is that great philosophy of Lord Parama
Siva, who is the Dakshinamurthy.]
The sages were thrilled and they
were anxious to learn that secret. We find so many people who are ready to
offer anything for blessings in life. They will offer all riches and visit all
pilgrimage centers for the same. Here the sages ask the following questions:
1. What is the
great secret principle for immortality?
2. Who is the
preceding deity?
3. What mantra or
prayer is the best?
4. What kind of
thapas?
5. What is the emblematic design?
6. What sadhana to
be followed?
7. What is the best practice for the same?
8. What is the
best sacrifice?
9. What is the
most auspicious time?
The sage revealed the following
truth.
By what secret
does Lord Shiva remains unseen, that is the truth behind this riddle? For the
question, who is to be worshipped, the answer given was the following:
“He who
encompasses the whole Universe in him and he who draws every atom towards him
is the one to be worshipped”.
In stanza VI and VII we get a
detailed description of the prayer to be recited for attaining eternal life. We
also get a beautiful description about Lord Shiva, who is Dakshinamurthi.
Towards the end of this
Upanishad we get answers to several questions asked by sages in the beginning.
1. One has to
understand I am Parabrahma (Brahmanishta)
2. Sadhana – One
has to chant the prayers continuously with the feeling of oneness.
3. Sacrifice –
That is the surrender of all body parts.
One who follows these principles
will become a Chiranjeevi or without death.
4. Pooja- The real
pooja is presenting our limbs in fulfilling God’s purposes.
5. Place of
worship- Ones heat is the real place of worship.
Wisdom is the real lamp;
renunciation is the oil. The wick is the real devotion and the vessel is the
state of full consciousness (wake up stage). One who understands this real
philosophy will wash away all sins and attains moksha.
Dr. Karickam
No comments:
Post a Comment