MUNDAKA UPANISHAD - 7. Swami Advayananda.

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6 Chapters (64 Mantras)

Chapter-1.

Section-1.

1. THE ORIGINS OF KNOWLEDGE : (Mantras 1-9, 9 no.)

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Tuesday, June 28, 2022. 07:00. AM.

Mantram-7. Three Similes Explaining “Bhuta Yonim” 

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7. Mantram 1.7: Three Similes Explaining “Bhoota Yonim”

"Yatha urnanabhih srijate grihnate cha, yatha prithivyam oshadhayah sambhavanti;

yatha satah purushat kesha-lomani, tatha aksharat sambhavati iha vishvam."

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Translation :

1 yatha urnanabhih srijate grihnate cha,         =    i) As the spider projects and withdraws (unto 

itself) the web;

2 yatha prithivyam oshadhayah sambhavanti; =   ii) as from the bowels of the earth  the herbs 

and plants sprout out;

3 yatha satah purushat kesha-lomani,                =     iii) as from a living man  hairs grow on the 

head and body;

4 tatha aksharat sambhavati iha vishvam.         =    iv) so from the Imperishable Being comes out 

the universe.

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Commentary :

This mantram is an explanation of the term Bhoota Yonim  used in the last mantram. Three

examples are given of how the expansion of this universe takes place. Each of them has the

common quality of subtlety and regulated, effortless growth from within itself. The

expansion of the Samashti Prapancha is not haphazard. It obeys the laws of creation.

The examples are purely illustrative. They are not quoted to prove the creation

process. Yet, the Upanishads considers them worthwhile as they illustrate the slow and

steady growth of the universe. Effortlessness is an important feature of this growth.

Why is it necessary to give three examples? Is one not sufficient?

Each example gives a different shade of meaning to the creation process as well as

the intention behind the process.

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1.The spider’s web illustrates the spontaneous growth from within itself, but it has

the defect of implying that creation has a selfish intension of personal satisfaction.

2. This defect is avoided in the next analogy of the herbs, where no personal, selfish

intention is possible. However, it has the defect that earth, from which the herbs sprout, is

inert and could make creation appear as a ‘dead’ process.

3. So the third example of hair growing from a living being is given. This indicates that

the creation process is a process with vitality as well. In this way, all three examples have

something of their own to contribute towards the overall understanding of Bhoota Yonim,

the Cosmic process of Creation.

4.The Universe is neither selfish nor inert, but impelled by Cosmic Will or collective

Karmic forces

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Next-8. Mantram 1.8: Tapas – the Forerunner of Creation..

To be continued .....

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