TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD – 85. Rishi Yajnavalkya.

 

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Saturday 03 Mayl 2025, 11:30. 

TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD   Pertaining to the SELF-CREATION of Brahman there is a Shruti mantram… Upanishad Part-2. 

ABHAYA PRATISHTHAA  

BRAHMAANANDA MEEMAAMSAA 

Anuvaka 2.8 

A Measure of “Relative Joy” 

Mantram - 2.8.3:  ii) The ‘Joy’ of Human Gandharvas on earth.

Post-85.

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Mantram - 2.8.3:  ii) The ‘Joy’ of Human Gandharvas on earth.

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te ye shatam = If one multiplies a hundred times  

maanushaa aanandaah = this one unit of human bliss,  

sah ekah manushya = it becomes one unit of the  

gandharvaanaam aanandah = bliss of human Gandharvas. 

shrotriyasya = It is the same for one well explained in the Vedas,  

cha akaama hatasya. = and free from desires.

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THE RENUNCIATE’S JOY:

This single unit of Joy multiplied a hundred times becomes the Joy experienced by a human being who, through intense practice and Upasana, master's certain specific Arts such as music, painting, etc., and attains the status of a Gandharva on Earth. His joy is far greater than that of even the King of the Earth as described above. The Gandharva has cultivated the capacity to enjoy more refined Joy than that obtained by possession of wealth and power. The shift in the quality of Joy experienced increases its measure a hundredfold on the scale of relative Joy! 

a. This joy that is hundred times more than the King of the Earth, is also enjoyed by one who is a i) Shrotriya, i.e. learned in the Vedas; ii) who adheres to the Vedic injunctions, i.e. he is sinless; and iii) one who is Akaama or desireless. Such a rare spiritual soul also enjoys the same Joy as the Gandharva. 

b. We note that this desireless person is not mentioned in verse 2.8.2. It is because his Joy is far superior to that of the King of the Earth, so there is no need to include him there, the purpose of each level being simply to compare it with the previous. 

c. We also note at this point, that the Shrotriya’s learning and sinlessness is a constant in all the planes we are speaking of. Thus, any increase in the Joy he experiences can only be due to increase in his Desirelessness, i.e. in his RENUNCIATION. This speaks volumes for the value placed on renunciation in the Vedic culture of India. 

The single most important means for experiencing either relative Joy or Divine Bliss is to practice RENUNCIATION of Desire. 

d. This line is repeated at every level, right up to Brahmaji. By this it is meant to tell us that possessing these qualities alone is sufficient for one to experience the bliss of Brahmaji, i.e. Ishwara Himself! Once again, we see the value placed on Renunciation. 

Pujya Gurudev used to say that: HAPPINESS = Desires Satisfied / Desires Entertained. 

 This means that one’s Happiness can be increased either temporarily by satisfying one’s desires, or permanently by renouncing one’s desires, i.e. entertaining fewer and fewer desires. Such is the great principle upon which true spiritual life is founded. 

Such a seeker is able to abide completely in the Self and attain the state of knowing Brahman, as mentioned in the very first line of this Anuvaka, “Brahmavid Aapnoti Param”. 

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 Next

Mantram- 2.8.4:  iii) The ‘Joy’ of Celestial Gandharvas in Heaven

Continued

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