MANDUKYA UPANISHAD : INTRODUCTION-2.

Very early photo of Swami Cinmayananda


MANDUKYA UPANISHAD

INTRODUCTION-2.

"Mandukya"  is  a  word  in  Samskrtam  meaning  'Frog.'

So  Mandukya  Upanishad  would  becomen  'froggish' scripture,  if  I  may  be  permitted  to  use  such  a  word.

The  reason,  why  of  all  the  creatures,  this  particular  creature,  frog,  has  been  given  this  great  dignity  as  to  be  in  the  very  title  of  the  Upanishad,  was  explained  to  me  by  a    Mahatma,  and  his  words  were,  indeed,  very  appealing  both   to  the  head  and  heart.

The  explanation  is  as  follows : -

Frog  is  an  animal  that  remains  for  about  nine  to  ten  months  in  a  year  hibernating  either  in  the  mud  at  the  bottom  of  tanks  and  water  pool  or  among  accumulated  dirt  and  rubbish.

They  thus  remain  the  major  part  of  the  year  in  seclusion  and  quietude,  seemingly  meditating  upon  themselves,  renouncing  all  activities,  all  desiring,  demanding,  procuring,  consuming  or  wanting.

They  come  out  in  the  rainy  season  to  croak  their  message  which,  though  harsh,  certainly  lends  a  charm  of  its  own,  to  the  wet  and  the  rainy  days.
  
To be continued  ....

Centenary celebration -Chinmaya Vidyalaya-Telco-Jamshedpore.