TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD – 30. Rishi Yajnavalkya.

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Wednesday, 14 Jun,  2023. 08:25.

“PANKTI” UPASANAS

Part-1.

Chapter-1.

PRANAVA (“OM”) UPASANA

Post-30.

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SWADHYAYA PRASHAMSAA :

Anuvaka 1.9 :

Principles of Study & Teaching :

THE BHASHYA LINK TO this Anuvaka envisages the possibility that people may 

misunderstand the Vedic insistence on knowledge for the attainment of Liberation. Some 

may be led to believe that other considerations such as one’s duties to the community are 

being relegated to the level of insignificance. This is not so.

In order to avoid such misunderstanding, this Anuvaka takes up the cause of these 

duties enjoined upon each individual, and emphatically asks everyone involved in the 

practice of Vedic Dharma to “Study and Teach” the Vedic science. All are asked without any 

exception to become the ambassadors of this Vedic way of life, so that the culture is perpetuated amongst the people of the community.

This Anuvaka is split into four sections: i) Vedic Culture; ii) Obligatory Duties; iii) 

Perpetuation of Culture; iv) Examples Set by Sages.

Mantram - 1.9.1: Vedic Culture :

1 ritam cha swaadhyaaya pravachane cha;      =  Relative Dharma; truthfulness;

2 satyam cha swaadhyaaya pravachane cha;   =  Absolute Dharma; Truth;

3 tapah cha swaadhyaaya pravachane cha;     =  Penance; austerity;

4 damah cha swaadhyaaya pravachane cha;    =  Sense Control; external checks;

5 shamah cha swaadh-yaaya pravachane cha;  =  Tranquillity; mental check;

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Lines 1-5 concern mainly the Brahmacharya Ashrama, i.e. students. In all the lines,

Swadhyaaya (study), and Pravachana (propagation) is to be practised sincerely together :

1. Ritam comes first. We should know first and foremost what should be done. 

Dharma is to be studied and then taught.

2. Satyam is the source or principle behind Ritam. Ritam is the expression or 

manifestation of the principle of Satyam or Absolute Truth.

Tapas, Dama and Shama are part of Sadhana Chatushtaya, which comprises the 

basic qualifications for the person engaged in study and propagation of the Vedas

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Next

Mantram - 1.9.2: Obligatory Duties

To be continued

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