MUNDAKA UPANISHAD - 28. Swami Advayananda.

Chinmaya Mission :

Chinmaya Naada Bindu Gurukula, organized two captivating musical events, designed primarily for music students. The first event took place in Hyderabad on May 27, 2023, in collaboration with Tatvaa Arts and Badruka College of Commerce & Management. Pt. Rupak Kulkarni, a renowned Bansuri player and professor at CVV, mesmerized the audience with his rendition of Raga Madhuvanti, accompanied by talented artists such as Sri Jaykishan Hingu on Bansuri, Sri Aashay Kulkarni on Tabla, and Sri Upkar Godboley on Harmonium. Vid. Manjusha Patil, another esteemed professor at CVV, graced the stage for the second concert. Supported by Sri Tanishq Arora's soulful vocals, Aashay on Tabla, and Upkar on Harmonium, she showcased the beauty of Raga Bhoop, concluding with an enchanting abhang. The audience erupted in a standing ovation when Rupakji and Manjushaji performed a captivating thumri in Raga Bhairavi.

In the packed 180-seater auditorium of Badruka College, Smt. Pramodini Rao, the Head of the School of Kalayoga, introduced the programs offered at the Kochi campus while emphasizing the unique Gurukula + University model at CNBG. Jaykishan and Tanishq, aspiring musicians who have pursued their passion at the Gurukula, shared their inspiring experiences with the enthralled audience.

The second event, held on May 28, 2023, in collaboration with the 'Traimasik Sangeet Sabha,took place in the Raghukul Mangal Karyalay in Udgir. Drawing an audience of around 350 music enthusiasts from nearby cities, the evening commenced with an enthralling performance by Sri Jayateerth Kulkarni, an Assistant Professor at CVV, playing the Bansuri with grace and elegance, accompanied by the talented Tabla player Dr. Atul Kamble. The grand finale was delivered by Vid. Manjusha Patil, a beloved artist in the region, who captivated the audience with her rendition of Raga Puriyadhanasri, accompanied by Dr. Atul Kamble on Tabla, Sri Upkar Godboley on Harmonium, and Tanishq providing vocal support. This performance was a dream-come-true for the audience, some of whom had traveled over 100 kilometers to attend the concert, and it left them spellbound.

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6 Chapters (64 Mantras)

Chapter-2.

(Mantras - 23-32, 10 no.

Section-1 : THE SUPREME PURUSHA)

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Thursday,  25 May,  2023. 07:30.

 3. THE SUPREME PURUSHA

(Mantras - 23-32, 10 no.)

Thus begins the first Section of the Second Canto.

28 Mantram - 3.6 : Origin of Karma Kanda Rituals

Post - 28.

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28 Mantram - 3.6 : Origin of Karma Kanda Rituals

1 

tasmaad richah, saama,  =  From Him come the hymns of the Rig & Sama Vedas,

yajoomshi,  =  and the sacrificial formulae of the Yajur Veda,

2 

deekshaa yajnaah cha sarve  =  used in the preliminary rites. Then come the sacrifice:

kratavah, dakshinaash-cha;  =  the sacrificial post, the sacrificial gifts, etc,

3

samvatsarah cha yajamaana  = the time of sacrifice, the sponsor of the sacrifice;

cha lokaah,  =  and the worlds (to be gained by the sacrifice);

4 

somah yatra pavate yatra sooryah.  =  purified by the lunar and solar paths.

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The origin of what is called the Karma Kanda of the Vedas is being explained in this 

verse. The Karma Kanda contains descriptions of various sacrifices or rituals that have to be 

conducted in order that the performer obtains their respective desired fruits. 

There is great precision and order in how the cosmos is governed. Nothing just 

happens by chance. For a thing to be executed in the Cosmos, it has to be taken in detail

through every “Departmental office” of the Governing agency. From planning to execution 

is a long string of events each of which has to be done at the proper time, and each one to 

be performed in a particular manner. Then the final result is guaranteed.

The Detailed Ordering Procedure :

Some idea of the procedure, protocol, time factors, and ‘payment’ methods is given 

in this verse, and this sort of Requisition Format is to be followed precisely, not 

lackadaisically:

1a i) Richah, Saama, Yajumshi: The Vedic Mantras have to be chanted with precision 

with regard to their meter, intonation, letters, feet, regulated length etc, such as Gayatri 

and other meters. There is the Sama Veda, in which the meters are divided into five or 

seven parts, and embellished with various tunes. In the Yajur Veda are Mantras which do 

not have any fixed patterns. They are prose sentences.

1b ii) Deekshaa: this concerns the initial ceremonies like wearing a girdle of munja

grass on the finger, as well as the preparatory observances like sipping water, applying 

sandal paste, etc, which the sacrificer does prior to the actual ritual.

2a iii) Yajnaah: Then come all the detailed sacrifices. There could be a string of 

them, one following the other.

2b iv) Kratavah: This determines whether the ritual is to be done with or without an 

animal sacrifice. A stake driven in the ground near the site of the ritual would indicate that 

an animal sacrifice is included.

2c v) Dakshinaa: The proper procedure for making the offerings has to be followed.

3a vi) Samvatsarah: The time of the ritual. Many rituals are governed by the time of 

the year, the position of the moon and sun, and so on.

3b vii) Yajamana: The sacrificer, the performer or recipient of the results. 

3c viii) Lokaah: The particular world, which could be this earth or any of numerous 

heavenly worlds that the Yajamana desires to attain, is specified.

4 ix) Yatra Soma, Yatra Soorya: These worlds are attainable through two paths, the 

southern and northern; also known as the lunar or the solar respectively. The lunar is for 

desire-prompted actions; the solar is for desireless actions. 

Some Related Points :

1. The Bhashyakara emphatically states that rituals of this sort which are the subject 

of the Karma Kanda, are for people who are not concerned with the ultimate purpose of 

life, and who are happy just to live according to their sensory needs and desires.

2. This entire procedure is very similar to how internet shopping is done. The order is 

placed on-line, all the payment details are given, the items requested are ticked and sent. 

After a short waiting time, the delivery van arrives at your door with all the goods!

3. The Supreme Purusha is the owner of this bountiful “Cosmic Superstore”!

4. With the desire for higher values, the list of “Requests” or the shopping list 

changes accordingly, as we note in the next verse . . .

*****

Next

29 Mantram - 3.7 : Origin of Upasana Kanda Rituals

To be continued

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