Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
by Arpita Chakraborty | 2013 | 33,902 words
This page relates ‘Pancabrahma Vidyaâ€� of the study on the Shaiva Upanishads in English, comparing them with other texts dealing with the Shiva cult (besides the Agamas and Puranas). The ±«±è²¹²Ô¾±á¹£a»ås are ancient philosophical and theological treatises. Out of the 108 Upanishads mentioned in the Muktikopanishad, 15 are classified as Saiva-Upanisads.
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8. ±Ê²¹Ã±³¦²¹²ú°ù²¹³ó³¾²¹ ³Õ¾±»å²âÄå
[...] ±Ê²¹Ã±³¦²¹²ú°ù²¹³ó³¾²¹ ±«±è²¹²Ô¾±á¹£a»å verse 24
Deluded by the mayic (illusory) powers of Åšam. bhu, all the ³§³Ü°ùÄå²õ (denizens of Svargaloka) do not know the world preceptor, the prime cause of all causes, ²Ñ²¹³óÄå»å±ð±¹²¹, Super abundant radiance, the ±Ê²¹°ù²¹³¾²¹±è³Ü°ù³Üá¹£a that transcends the transcendent and has the entire ³Õ¾±Å›±¹²¹ (universe) as his abode. The form of this radiance does not stand within the range of vision of persons deluded on account of their ignorance of the real character of the Parabrahman. Through which alone the Universe stands revealed, wherein alone it meets with dissolution, that Brahman is tranquillity par excellence, it being immune from the conception of things apart from itself. He who knows “I am that Brahman, the supreme stateâ€� attains immortality of Brahman. He who knows Brahman thus becomes liberated without doubt. With the knowing of the five fold Brahmans consisting of ³§²¹»å²â´ÇÂáÄå³Ù²¹ and others as the preliminary step, one should know that all this phenomenal world is the Parabrahman, Åš¾±±¹²¹, of the character of the five fold Brahmans, nay he should know whatever is seen or heard of or falls within or lies beyond the range of his inner and outer senses as Åš¾±±¹²¹ of the character of the five fold Brahmans alone. On knowing the real character of that phenomenal world of the five fold character (made of the five elements), known as the creature of the Brahman, but really superimposed on the Brahman out of misconception, that very moment the seeker surrenders himself ³Ü²Ô³Ù´ÇĪśÄå²Ô²¹, the ±Ê²¹°ù²¹³¾Äå³Ù³¾²¹²Ô, and attains the exalted character of ĪśÄå²Ô²¹ alone. After causing everything of the character of the five fold Brahman to dissolve in his own innermost Ä€³Ù³¾²¹²Ô which is non differentiated from the Brahman, the knower should realize Åš¾±±¹²¹, the Brahman of the five fold character in the attitude, “I am heâ€� and attain the immortal state of the Brahman of the form of Åš¾±±¹²¹.
He who realizes the Brahman of this character stands liberated. There is no doubt about it.
[...] ±Ê²¹Ã±³¦²¹²ú°ù²¹³ó³¾²¹ ±«±è²¹²Ô¾±á¹£a»å 30,31
Knowing Åšam. bhu, of the five syllabled Mantra as of the real character of the Parabrahman, knowing the five syllable Mantra beginning with the syllable â€�Naâ€� and ending with the syllable â€�Yaâ€�, (the full Mantra being, â€�Namaá¸� ÅšivÄyaâ€�), he should repeatedly utter that Mantra as Japa. One should know all things of the Phenomenal world as of a five fold character, for the reason that the eternal verity of Åš¾±±¹²¹ is of the character of the five fold Brahman. He who studies the ³Õ¾±»å²âÄå relating to the five fold Brahman with true devotion, himself attaining the five fold character, shines forth of his own accord as the five fold Brahman alone.[1]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid verse 24-32 [...]