TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD – 82. Rishi Yajnavalkya.

 

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Thursday 10, April 2025, 11:00. 
TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD   Pertaining to the SELF-CREATION of Brahman there is a Shruti verse… panishad Part-2. 
ABHAYA PRATISHTHAA  
Anuvaka 2.7 Established in “Fearlessness”  
Post-82. 

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THE SEVENTH PROOF 7. 
Bhaya-Abhaya Hetutwat
Mantram 2.7.4 7-8: Being in contact with Him, we become Fearless;  when we separate ourselves from Him, we are filled with terror.
Mantram - 2.7.4: The Experience of Fearlessnes

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Mantram - 2.7.4: The Experience of Fearlessnes:

7. adrishye, anaatmye, anirukte, = Unperceivable, incorporeal, inexplicable,

anilayane abhayam = unsupported – free from fear becomes

pratishthaam vindate; = he who attains such a vision of Oneness;

8. atha sah abhayam gatah bhavati = He then reaches the state of Fearlessness,

yada hi eva eshah etasmin. = whomsoever, indeed, turns solely to Him within.

9. u daram antaram kurute; = But if the slightest “Otherness” is allowed to enter,

atha tasya bhayam bhavati; = then he is smitten with fear;

10. tat tu eva bhayam = Indeed, that very same Being becomes a terror

vidushah manvaanasya. = to the so-called learned man who is unreflective. 

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In this, the seventh and final reason to show that Brahman IS, the Rishi focuses on an

everyday aspect of life, an aspect that draws everyone’s attention daily, perhaps even

minute by minute – it is the Fear syndrome. The discussion is pitched purely at the

fundamental level. We look at the very springs of fear and fearlessness. The whole

philosophy of Fear is covered by the principle that is highlighted in this verse.

Fear draws our attention daily because of the desire in man to live forever and,

therefore, to fear every perceived threat to that existence.

Fear draws our attention daily because of the desire in man to live forever and,

therefore, to fear every perceived threat to that existence.

Depending on what we view as the most important aspect of our life, we will have

various kinds of fear. If the body is considered to be ‘me’, then physical attacks become the

primary source of fear. If we believe we are the mind, then mental attacks become the main

source of fear. In the latter case, the person avoids all situations and people who may

threaten his peace of mind.

7-8 The positive side is described in this Pada. A vision of Oneness in all beings is the

sole condition that brings fearlessness. Oneness lies beyond sense perception, beyond

consciousness of one’s body, it cannot be explained, and has no dependency. These four are

listed here to guide us towards the vision of Oneness. A person who finds refuge solely in

the Lord within, is eligible to be blessed by fearlessness.

9-10 However, the opposite of Oneness is “Otherness”. This is the opposite vision.

One who has this vision will naturally be “smitten with fear”. The slightest distinction

between oneself and others becomes a source of fear. The greater the distinction we see,

the greater the sense of fear. And if the distinction one makes between his Ego and the

world becomes too large, the world appears to one as a “Terror”! This message is clearly

driven home in the few lines of this verse.

The proud, unreflective, learned man is especially targeted. Pride and Oneness

cannot co-exist. In spite of his learning, if a person still succumbs to pride, he sees the world

as a huge threat to him – everything appears to be acting against him.

The Bhashya on Fear:

“Fearlesslessness comes as a result of taking refuge in the sole Reality that exists;

whereas fear cannot cease by resorting to the Unreality that never exists.”

In another place it says: “A person gets afraid of only of someone else, not himself. It

is not logical that one should be afraid of oneself. It follows that Brahman is the only source

of bestowing fearlessness.”

The ignorant man sees with ignorance. His vision of the world is like the one who has

the eye disease called timira, by which he sees everything doubled. Even the slightest

distinction or blurred vision brings great fear in him. Since everything is the Self in reality, it

is the Self alone that is responsible in generating fear as well as fearlessness.

In this regard the Bhashya says, “Anyone who considers himself destructible

becomes struck with fear at the very sight of a destructive agency. If there be no cause for

destruction, there should also be no fear for any destructive agency.”

How does this become a proof of Brahman’s existence? The whole world is seen to

be stricken with fear. From this fact we deduce that there must exist ‘some Indestructible

agent’ because of which the world shudders! That indestructible agent is Brahman.

This is the SEVENTH PROOF, the last one, that proves “Brahman does exist”

*****

Next

Mantram - 2.7.5: Announcing the Shruti Quotation on Wholesome Fear

Continued

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