TAITTAREYA UPANISHAD: Sheeksha Valli: Science of Vedic Chanting”: Post-5. - Rishi Yajnavalkya

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Sunday 07, December 2025, 06:25.
TAITTAREYA UPANISHAD – 
1: Sheeksha Valli:  
Science of Vedic Chanting” - 
MAHA-SAMHITAA UPASANAS Anuvaka 1.4 
The “Great Word-Junctions
Rishi Yajnavalkya 
on the Series of 14 Lectures by  Swami Advayananda. 
Reflections:  SWAMI GURUBHAKTANANDA.
Post-5.

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Introduction to Upasanas:

Each of the five Upasanas above is an exercise to be practised by the student. In an Upasana a symbol is used upon which the mind is focussed in order to be exercised. The symbol could be an object or an event. Through the present Upasanas, parrot-style repetition gives way naturally to a recitation with full awareness of meaning there develops an understanding of the sequence. In addition in which actions have to occur in order to obtain the desired results. Meaning and sequence are the objectives of the Upasanas. 

As the student recites the words for each Upasana, he is forced to think of their meaning. He visualizes the first letter, last lonnect their meanings and grasp what is being meant by these “Sandhees” in Nature. 

Upasana 4 is particularly significant: The students addressed are the Brahmacharis living in the Guru’s hermitage. They have not yet entered the householder’s stage. In spite of that, we see that the Upasana for progeny is taught to them with no reservations. Pujya Gurudev sees in this a wholesome attitude towards sex education, which prepared the Brahmacharis for the next stage of their life. He writes: “Instructions on sex, the most vital urge in man, were given out freely. Under a healthy social environment, this cannot bring about any deterioration in the moral life of the student.” The love, trust and openness prevailing in the Gurukula system is worth noting. We know that the student would be‘meditating’ on this topic with intense visualization. The teacher had the faith that his students will not be disturbed by sensual thoughts while doing such an Upasana. 

By engaging in these Upasanas, the student’s mind becomes very agile, imaginative, focused on meaning and naturally he gains the fruit of the exercises. 

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Mantram -1.3:7:The Fruits of these Upasanas 

21 iti imaa mahaa-samhitaah = These are the “Great Word Junctions”.  2 

22 ya evam etaa mahaa-samhitaa = Upon these, anyone who 

vyaakhyaataa veda; = meditatesas explained;  

23 sandheeyate = Becomes enjoined with (or bestowed with) 

prajayaa = i) progeny,   

pashubhih, = ii)   animals,  

brahma-varchasena, = iii)  the splendour of Holiness,  

annaadyena, = iv)  edible Food,  

suvargyena lokena; = v)   and the Heavens.

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Next
The Components of an Upasana
Continues

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