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The Taittireeya Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. Literature regarded as central to the Hindu literary tradition was predominantly composed in Sanskrit, Indeed much of the morphology and linguistic "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. The Rigveda ( Sanskrit sa ऋग्वेद ṛgveda, a compound of ṛc "praise verse" and veda "knowledge" The Yajurveda ( Sanskrit यजुर्वेदः, a Tatpurusha compound of yajus "sacrificial formula' + veda The Samaveda ( Sanskrit: सामवेद sāmaveda, from sāman "melody" + veda "knowledge") is third (in the usual The Atharvaveda ( Sanskrit: अथर्ववेद atharvaveda, a Tatpurusha compound of {{IAST|atharvan}}, an ancient Rishi The oral tradition of the Vedas ( Śrauta) consists of several pathas, "recitations" or ways of chanting the Vedic Mantras Such traditions The Brāhmaṇa s ( Devanagari: sa ब्राह्मणं are part of the Hindu śruti literature The Aranyakas (Sanskrit आरण्यक āraṇyaka) are part of the Hindu śruti, the four Vedas these religious texts were composed in The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the older "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. The Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad ( Sanskrit: बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद् is one of the older "primary" ( Mukhya The Isha Upanishad ( īśa upaniṣad, otherwise Ishopanishad īśopaniṣad or īśāvāsya upaniṣad) is one of the shortest of the Upanishads The Chandogya Upanishad is one of the "primary" ( Mukhya) Upanishads Together with the Jaiminiya Upanishad Brahmana and the Brihadaranyaka The Kena Upanishad (kenopaniṣad is one of the older "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. The Muṇḍaka Upanishad is one of the older "primary" ( Mukhya) Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. Māndūkya Upanishad is the shortest Upanishads - the scriptures of Hindu Vedanta. The Kaṭha Upanishad is one of the older Mukhya "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. Prashna Upanishad ( IAST praṣnopaniṣad is one of the older "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. The Shvetashvatara Upanishad (Sanskrit Śvetāśvatara) (400 - 200 BCE is one of the older "primary" Upanishads It is associated with the Black The Vedanga ( vedāṅga, "member of the Veda" are six auxiliary disciplines for the understanding and tradition of the Vedas. See Shiksha (NGO for the Indian non-governmental organization The main principle of Vedic meter is measurement by the number of syllables The Sanskrit grammatical tradition of vyākaraṇa is one of the six Vedanga disciplines Nirukta ("explanation etymological interpretation" is one of the six {{IAST|Vedānga}} disciplines of Hinduism, treating Etymology, particularly Jyotiṣa ( Sanskrit jyotiṣa, from jyótis- "light heavenly body" also spelled Jyotish and Jyotisha in English Kalpa is one of the six disciplines of Vedanga, treating Ritual. Indian epic poetry is the Epic poetry written in the Indian subcontinent. The Rāmāyaṇa ( Devanāgarī: sa रामायण is an ancient Sanskrit epic attributed to the Hindu sage ( Maharishi) Valmiki The following is a bibliography of Hindu scriptures and texts. Smriti (Sanskrit स्मृति " that which is remembered " refers to a specific body of Hindu religious Scripture If you are looking for the singer see Shruti Haasan. For other meanings see Śruti (disambiguation. For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times" Darśana ( Darshan, दर्शन is a Sanskrit term meaning "sight" (in the sense of an instance of seeing or beholding from a root Pāñcarātra are Vaishnavite devotional texts dedicated to a single deity Sriman Narayana who manifests in different forms Tantras (" Looms " or " Weavings " refers to numerous and varied scriptures pertaining to any of several esoteric traditions In Hinduism a Stotra is a hymn of praise These hymns praise aspects of the divine such as Devi, Siva, or Vishnu. Dharmaśāstra is a genre of Sanskrit texts and refers to the śāstra, or Indic branch of learning pertaining to Hindu Dharma, religious The Nalayira Divya Prabandha (or Nalayira Divya Prabhandham) is a collection of 4000 verses (Naalayira in Tamil means 'four thousand' composed before 8th century The Tevaram ( Tamil: தேவாரம் Teva means "God" aram means "garland") denotes the first seven volumes of the Śrī Rāmacaritamānas ( Devanāgarī: hi श्री राम चरित मानस ( Hindi / Avadhi) is an Epic poem composed by the The Shikshapatri ( Devanagari: शिक्षापत्री is a text of two hundred and twelve verses written in Sanskrit by Bhagwan Swaminarayan The Vachanamrut of Bhagwan Swaminarayan is the most sacred and foundational scripture of the Swaminarayan faith. Ananda Sutram is the basic scripture of modern Yoga composed in Sanskrit by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti (1921-1990 in the year 1961 The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings The Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads is headed by 10 Mukhya Upanishads It is associated with the Taittireeya school of the Black Yajurveda. The Yajurveda ( Sanskrit यजुर्वेदः, a Tatpurusha compound of yajus "sacrificial formula' + veda It figures as number 7 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads. The Muktikā ("deliverance" see Mukti) Upanishad is the final Upanishad of the Hindu canon of 108 texts of the Advaita Black Yajurveda is also called Taittireeya Samhita. The Taittiriya Shakha is a notable Shakha ("rescension" of the Black Yajurveda. Like all vedas Black Yajurveda consists of Samhita, Brahmana and Aranyaka parts. "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. The Brāhmaṇa s ( Devanagari: sa ब्राह्मणं are part of the Hindu śruti literature The Aranyakas (Sanskrit आरण्यक āraṇyaka) are part of the Hindu śruti, the four Vedas these religious texts were composed in The eighth and ninth chapters of Taittireeya Aranyaka form the Taittireeya Upanishad. The tenth chapter is famous as Mahanarayana Upanishad or Yajnikee.

It is divided into three sections called Vallis. the Siksha Valli, the Brahmananda Valli and the Bhrigu Valli. For the convenience of study, each Valli is subdivided into smaller verses called Anuvak.

Contents

Shiksha Valli

The Siksha Valli deals with the descipline of Shiksha( which is the first of the six Vedangas or "limbs" or auxiliaries of the Vedas). See Shiksha (NGO for the Indian non-governmental organization The Vedanga ( vedāṅga, "member of the Veda" are six auxiliary disciplines for the understanding and tradition of the Vedas. It is concerned with phonetics and pronunciation. Main intention of starting Upanishad with Shiksha seems to be that, though meaning of vedic Mantras is important, one should not give any less importance to the right pronouciation and phonetics of mantras. See Shiksha (NGO for the Indian non-governmental organization A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language If Mantras are pronounced correctly then meaning becomes clear to recitor. Also there is a belief that Mantras uttered with incorrect pronouciation lose their power.

  1. First Anuvaka of this Valli starts with Shanti Mantra ( Peace Prayer) "OM Sham no Mitra ..". The Shanti Mantras or "Peace Mantras quot are Hindu prayers for peace ( Shanti) from the Vedas. Aum (also Om) ॐ is a mystical or sacred Syllable in the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religions The Shanti Mantras or "Peace Mantras quot are Hindu prayers for peace ( Shanti) from the Vedas. Purpose of having shanti mantra in the beginning is to please the gods and remove any obstacles during the study of Upanishads.
  2. Second Anuvaka lists the contents of Shiksha discipline. See Shiksha (NGO for the Indian non-governmental organization
  3. Third Anuvaka tells about the intimate connection between the syllables using five examples and implicitly tells that one should meditate on those examples to realise connections told in them. Each of these examples are called a Maha Samhita. Each Syllable is called a Samhita. There is also a method of reciting Vedic Mantras where each syllable of mantra is recited separately of preceding and next syllables known as "Samhita Patha". The oral tradition of the Vedas ( Śrauta) consists of several pathas, "recitations" or ways of chanting the Vedic Mantras Such traditions This anuvak also declares that one who realises connection between syllables, will get good fruits including heaven. One of the example used under the heading of Self or Adhyaatmaa tries to make point that the connection between syllables is as intimate and innate as speech and elements producing it. "Lower jaw is former form (or first syllable), upper jaw is next form (next syllable), speech is union or connection, tongue is connector"
  4. Fourth Anuvaka consists of Mantras and rituals to be done by those who aspire for Divine Knowledge (Medha Kama) and Wealth (Shree Kama). A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language In this anuvak teacher prays that "As water flows from high land to low land, as months join to become year, let good disciples come to me from everywhere"
  5. Fifth and Sixth Anuvakas try to describe Brahman in the form of Vyahrutis. Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism. The words "Bhooh" , "Bhuvah", "Suvah", "Mahah", "Janah", "Tapah" and "Satyam" arecalled seven Vyahruti's or Sapta Vyahrutis. These denote different worlds in Puranas. For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times" The term "Vyahruti" means pronunciation, since these above mentioned words are pronounced in Vedic rituals like Agnihotra, these are called Vyahruti's. Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्र is a Vedic Yajña (ritual or sacrifice performed by Orthodox Hindu communities Fifth Anuvaka states that the fourth Vyahruti "Mahah" was discovered by a Rishi called "Mahachamasya" and "Mahah" is Brahman all other Vyahrutis are its organs. A rishi (ṛṣi denotes a Vedic poet by whom Vedic hymns were composed or according to post-Vedic tradition a "sage" to whom they were "originally revealed" (Ṛṣis Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism. This Anuvak says that "Bhooh" denotes earth, fire, Richa's and Prana. Richa (Rucha refers to a shloka (couplet or Mantra, usually two to four sentences long found in the Hindu religious scriptures, the Vedas Prana (प्राण) is the Sanskrit for " Breath " (from the root prā "to fill" cognate to Latin plenus "full" "Bhuvah" denotes space, air, Sama's and Apana. "Suvah" denotes heaven, sun, Yajus and Vyana. The Yajurveda ( Sanskrit यजुर्वेदः, a Tatpurusha compound of yajus "sacrificial formula' + veda "Mahah" denotes sun, moon, Holy Syllable OM and food. This way, each of first four Vyahrutis become four each and in total they are 16. So all these four Vyahrutis should be meditated as all of their sixteen manifestations, this is known as famous vedic term Shodasha Kala Purusha in vedic literature. Finally this anuvak says that one who knows all sixteen manifestations of Vyahrutis knows Brahman and all gods bring gifts to him. Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism.
  6. Sixth Anuvaka tells that in the space inside the heart there exists an immortal golden being (Hiranmaya Purusha) and states that there is a subtle route through the middle of the head through which a self realized Yogi travels when he/she leaves the body and joins the all pervading Brahman. A yogi ( Sanskrit, feminine root Yogini) is a term for a male practitioner of various forms of the path of Yoga, maintaining Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism.
  7. The Seventh Anuvaka describes a meditation called Paanktha Upasana, where Brahman is meditated upon as a Set Of Five called Paanktha. Uapasana in Sanskrit literally means "Sitting near" but normally the term is used in Hinduism to denote a prescribed method for approaching a Deity or God Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism. There is also a vedic meter of five lines called Paanktha. Outer world seen is classified into 3 set of five things called "AdiBootha" and also inner body world into 3 sets of five things called "Adhyaathma". This inner-outer grouping is then meditated upon and meditator realizes both inner and outer paankta are one and the same Brahman and every thing is Paanktha. Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism. This Anuvak states that Earth (Prithvi), Space (Antariksha), Heaven (DyuLoka), Directions (North, South etc), Subdirections (South-East, North-West etc. . ) (Worldly set of Five or Loka-Paankta) and Fire (Agni), Air(Vayu), Sun(Aditya), Moon(Chandra), Stars(Nakshatra) (Divine-Five or Deva-Paanktha) and Water, Herbs(Oshadhi), Trees, Sky(Akasha), Body of meditator (Elemental Five or Dhaatu-Paanktha) are called Adibhuta or Outer Elements. further it states that Prana, Vyana, Apana, Udana, Samana (all these are Five inner pranas of the body) and Eye, Ear, Mind, Speech(Vaak), Outer-Skin(Tvak)(Sensory-Five or Indriya-Paanktha) and Inner-Skin (Charma), Flesh, tendon-Ligaments, bones, Fat or Bone-Marrow (Elemental Five or Dhaatu Paanktha) are called Adhyaatma or Inner Elements. Prana (प्राण) is the Sanskrit for " Breath " (from the root prā "to fill" cognate to Latin plenus "full" The Udana (udāna is a Buddhist scripture part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. Prana (प्राण) is the Sanskrit for " Breath " (from the root prā "to fill" cognate to Latin plenus "full" The Rishi who realized oneness among these says "Thus everything is Paankta". A rishi (ṛṣi denotes a Vedic poet by whom Vedic hymns were composed or according to post-Vedic tradition a "sage" to whom they were "originally revealed" (Ṛṣis It further says that one who realized everything as Paanktha, completes Paanktha with Paanktha itself.
  8. Eighth Anuvaka states the greatness of Holy Syllable OM. It says that OM is Brahman and everything. Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism.
  9. Ninth Anuvaka explains a pious way of life to be lead by persons aspiring realization of Brahman. Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism. see a prescription for an ideal life
  10. Tenth Anuvaka is a Mantra for self practice (Swadhyaya) or meditation. The Taittiriya Upanishad is one of the older " primary " Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language It is stated by a Rishi called Trishanku as an exclamation of awe after he realized that he is one with Brahman. A rishi (ṛṣi denotes a Vedic poet by whom Vedic hymns were composed or according to post-Vedic tradition a "sage" to whom they were "originally revealed" (Ṛṣis Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism. It is also called Mantramnaya of Trishanku.
  11. Eleventh Anuvaka is a set of instructions that teacher(Acharya) gives to his disciple after completion of vedic education. The ninth and eleventh Anuvaks collectively define a prescription for an ideal life. The Taittiriya Upanishad is one of the older " primary " Upanishads commented upon by Shankara.
  12. Twelfth Anuvaka concludes the Shikshavalli with Shanti Mantra "OM Sham no mitra. The Shanti Mantras or "Peace Mantras quot are Hindu prayers for peace ( Shanti) from the Vedas. . " expressing gratitude toward gods who removed obstacles for study of Upanishad as prayed for in first anuvak of this Valli.

Brahmananda Valli

The statement "Brahmavida Apnoti Param" which means "The one who knows Brahman becomes one with Brahman" is the formula (Sutra-Vaakya) to get the high level gist of this Valli. First Anuvak starts with Shanti Mantra "OM sham no mitra" and "Sahana vavatu" pleasing gods and removing obstacles for study of Upanishad being the objective of these Mantras. The Shanti Mantras or "Peace Mantras quot are Hindu prayers for peace ( Shanti) from the Vedas. A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language

Second Anuvak starts with formula sentence "Brahmavida Apnoti Param" as stated above and also tries to define brahman succinctly as "Truth, Divine Knowledge and Infinite " (Satya Jnyanam Anantam Brahma).

Anuvaks Second to Fifth describe that Five sheaths subtle bodies or (Five Atmans) reside in one another in human body. Starting with grosser, tangible human body called "Annamaya" or "Formed out of Food" to "Pranamaya" or "formed out of Vital life force" to "Manomaya" or "Formed out of Mind" to "Vijnyanamaya" or "One who is of Knowledge" to Final and subtle most being "Anandamaya" or one who is full of Joy. Prana (प्राण) is the Sanskrit for " Breath " (from the root prā "to fill" cognate to Latin plenus "full"

In Sixth and Seventh Anuvaks, some of the questions asked by a disciple are answered. such as

"Brahman being equal to both knower and ignorant, who gets the Brahman after death, knower or ignorant and why? "

Eighth Anuvak, compares happiness of various evolved beings starting from Man to that of next higher level till Happiness of Brahman itself.

Ninth Anuvak describes that knower of Brhaman doesn't repent for not having done any good because for him/her, the terms good and bad loose their meaning and he/she has equalled them with Brahman since it is the only one which is really existing.

With this completes the "Brahmanada Valli"

Bhr. gu Valli

This Valli describes how son of Varuna(The Water God) Bhr. In Vedic religion, Varuna or Waruna ( Devanagari:वरुण IAST: varuṇa) is a god of the Sky, of Rain and gu obtained realization of Brahman through repeated Tapas under his fathers guidance. Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism. For the spritual concept see Tapas (Sanskrit; for the Spanish film see Tapas (film.

Rest of the part of Valli describes greatness of donating food, that is feeding the hungry. It also emphasises on greatness of Food. It says that since food is support of all life, food should not be insulted, food should not be declined.

Conclusion

Of all the three Valli's of this Upanishad, Brahmananda Valli stands out in its philosophical depth and substance.

Way of Life as prescribed by Taittireeya Upanishad

The ninth and eleventh anuvaks of Shiksha Valli of this Upanishad prescribe a Religious way of life which a person aspiring for self realization or divine knowledge follow. This way of life is combination of moral and religious values and since it is elaborated in Upanishad, these are regarded as divinely ordained duties by Hindus. The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical Ninth Anuvak emphaises heavily on learning, studying and teaching (Swadhyaya and Pravachana) and ordains that this should be done althrough the life of an individual. Accoding to this anuvak, following are the duties to be performed.

Observing truth always, observing perseverance, controlling indulgence in sensory organs or sensory pleasures(Shama), controlling external flow of mind (Dama), performing mandated vedic rituals like Agnihotra etc, hospitality to guests, facing worldly odds and pleasures with even mind, procreation and begetting children and grand children (family life emphasised). Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्र is a Vedic Yajña (ritual or sacrifice performed by Orthodox Hindu communities Further this verse says, According to truthful Raathithara, he says, truth must be observed as priority. According to great penance performer Paurushishti, perseverance/penance (Tapas) should be observed. According to Naka the son of Mudgala, studying/learning-teaching of Vedas (Swadhyaya and Pravachana)should be observed. "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation.

So there seems to be three teachers emphasizing on one of the aspects of ideals of pious life. This part of the verse lead some scholars think that there was a difference of opinions on way of life leading to divine knowledge/realization at time of composition of this Upanishad. [1]

All through this anuvak, emphasis is laid on continuous study, learning and teaching of Vedas to students. "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. This is termed as Swadhyaya and Pravachana.

Eleventh Anuvak is a set of instructions that teacher(Acharya) gives to his disciple after the completion of vedic education and the disciple is about to start a household life. In this anuvak we find famous saying "Matrdevo bhava" which emphasizes on reverence to ones mother, father, teacher and guests. Here teacher ordains disciple as follows.

Tell truth always, observe Dharma or (eternal divine laws), continue progeny, never leave truth, never leave Dharma, never abandon care of your health, never abstain from good rituals ordained in scriptures, never leave study/learning and teaching, never abandon worshipping gods (Deva's) and revering ancestors (Pitru's). The Sanskrit term ( Devanāgarī: धर्म Pali transliteration dhamma) is an Indian spiritual and religious The Sanskrit term ( Devanāgarī: धर्म Pali transliteration dhamma) is an Indian spiritual and religious Treat mother with as much reverence as you would treat god. Treat father with as much reverence as you would treat god. Treat your teacher with as much reverence as you would treat god. Treat guests with as much reverence as you would treat god. Those deeds, rituals that are good and lauded by people should be done. have reverence for great men, sages and wise ones.

Engage in charity work with diligence, donate according to your wealth, donate with faith, donate with humility. Donate with friendliness (not belittling the receiver) in case of any doubts about performing these duties follow as do the selfless, kindhearted sages do. Finally to emphasize that these duties to be performed with greater importance and due care, this verse says that, This is divine ordain and divine commandment. Form the gist of these two Anuvaks, one can guess what kind of life a house holder, aspiring divine knowledge tried to lead at the time of this Upanishad.

References

  1. Outlines Of Indian Philosophy by M. Hiriyanna. Motilal Banarasidas Publishers.
  2. Kannada Translation of Taittireeya Upanishad by Swami Adidevananda Ramakrishna Mission Publishers. Kannada (kn [[wiktಕನ್ನಡ ಕನ್ನಡ]] Kannaḍa) is one of the major Dravidian languages of India, spoken predominantly in the state Swami Adidevananda (1912-1983 was a monk of the Ramakrishna Mission.

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