MUNDAKA UPANISHAD ( “For the Shaven-Headed” ) - 1.

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Reflections by Swami Gurubhaktananda on the Series of 54 Lectures by Swami Advayananda ji Acharya mji of the 15th Batch Sandeepany Vedanta Course held at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Powai, Mumbai. From 16th December, 2012 – 13th February, 2013

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Adi Shankaracharya Swami Sivananda Swami Tapovanji Swami Chinmayananda

SERVE  LOVE  GIVE  PURIFY  MEDITATE  REALISE

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Thursday, February 03, 2022. 20:00.

MUNDAKA UPANISHAD : 6 Chapters (64 Mantras)

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1.INVOCATION : (Santhi Mantram):

1 om bhadram karnebhih shrunuyaama devaah;  2 bhadram pashyema  akshabhih yajatraah; 

3 sthiraih angaih tushtu- vaagam sah;                 4 tanoobhih vyashema  devahitam yad aayuh. 

5 swasti nah indrah vriddha-shravaah;                6 swasti nah pooshaa vishwa-vedaah;   

7 swasti nah taarkshyah arishtanemih;                8 swasti nah brihaspatih dadhaatu.   

9 om shantih! shantih! shantih!   

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Translation :

1 om bhadram karnebhih shrunuyaama devaah;  =  Om. What is always auspicious, with our ears  may we hear, O ye Gods.

2 bhadram pashyema  akshabhih yajatraah;        =   What is always auspicious, may we see  with our eyes, O Worshipful Ones.


3 sthiraih angaih tushtu- vaagam sah;                  =   With our limbs hale and hearty, may we live offering our praises unto Thee.

4 tanoobhih vyashema  devahitam yad aayuh.     =   With our body, may we have our  full lifespan (to live) for the benefit of the Gods.


5 swasti nah indrah vriddha-shravaah;                 =    May Indra, the ancient and famous, bless us!

6 swasti nah pooshaa vishwa-vedaah;                 =    May the Sun (Pooshan), the all-knowing, bless us!

7 swasti nah taarkshyah arishtanemih;                  =    May the Lord of Wind save us from all harm!

8 swasti nah brihaspatih dadhaatu.                       =    May Brihaspati protect our spiritual wealth!


9 om shantih! shantih! shantih!                             =    Om Peace, Peace, Peace!


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"Om brahmane namah prathama mundake, prathamah khandah = Salutations unto Brahman! Here begins the first Section of the First Canto."

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2. INTRODUCTION :


THREE OUT OF THE 10 Major Upanishads are from the Atharvana Veda. They are Prashna, Mundaka and Mandukya. Mundaka is usually studied before Prashna because the former gives the Mantras and the latter explains their usage. On this Course this was not possible.


Shaunaka is the student and Angiras is the Teacher in this text. This is one Upanishad that is named after the disciple, not teacher. Munda means “head”; it literally means “shaving of the head”. This sometimes is taken to suggest that it is for Sannyasins only. The shaven head certainly signifies a sincere, well-qualified seeker to be the Adhikari (qualified student) for this text. It also has a spiritual significance: even as a razor removes the hair on the head, this Upanishad “removes the superimposed veil of Ignorance” obscuring the Atman through a direct and penetrating exposition of the Higher Knowledge!

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Sri Adi Shankaracharyaji has written a detailed Bhashya on this Upanishad, which makes it a ‘Major’ Upanishad. The commentary contains the points covered in the Bhashya.

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The Parampara or lineage has a special significance – it glorifies the knowledge. It carries a sense in it that it is something that is obtained and maintained with great effort. A responsibility, like that felt by each member of a relay team, is felt in the student to perpetuate this knowledge which is coming directly from God Himself. The student also learns to appreciate what is being taught when it is known to him that the source is so authentic and hallowed.

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Next : 1- Mantram - 1.1: Guru Parampara : Lineage of Teacher :

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To be continued ....



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know the self, know the self in Nature, know the self in Jiva, Further Oneness.

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