MUNDAKA UPANISHAD - 29. Swami Advayananda.

Chinmaya Mission

Sevak from Chinmaya Mission Yuvakendra and Chinmaya Setukari from various parts of North America came together for the annual retreat of CHYK DC, held from July 7th to July 9th. Guided by Vivekji from Niagara Falls, and blessed by Swami Dheeranandaji, the attendees delved into the teachings of the Yaksha Prashna, a profound dialogue between Raja Yudhisthira and a mysterious Yaksha found in the Vana Parva of Srimad Mahabharata. Throughout the retreat, they actively engaged in fruitful discussions with Vivekji and fellow participants, while also taking time for personal reflection on the profound lessons contained within the ancient text.

Apart from exploring the Yaksha Prashna, the retreat offered ample opportunities for communal bonding, participating in activities such as athletics and glow-in-the-dark garba. The "Fireside Chats," an intimate evening group discussion, allowed everyone to share reflections on personal topics, fostering openness and honest exchanges.

Gratitude filled the hearts of the attendees as they acknowledged the transformative knowledge gained from the Yaksha Prashna, setting the stage for positivity and growth as they moved forward.

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6 Chapters (64 Mantras)

Chapter-2.

(Mantras - 23-32, 10 no.

Section-1 : THE SUPREME PURUSHA)

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Friday,  28 Jul  2023. 07:30.

 3. THE SUPREME PURUSHA

(Mantras - 23-32, 10 no.)

Thus begins the first Section of the Second Canto.

29 Mantram - 3.7 : Origin of Upasana Kanda Rituals

Post - 29.

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29 Mantram - 3.7 : Origin of Upasana Kanda Rituals

1 

tasmaat cha devaa  =  From Him also the Gods 

bahudhaa samprasootaah,  =  of various hierarchies are born:

2 

saadhyaa, manushyaah,  =  There are the celestials, the men, 

pashavah, vayaamsi;  =  the animals and the birds;

3 

praana-apaanau,  =  There are the in-breath and out-breath, 

vreehi-yavau tapah cha,  =  the corn and barley, and power of thought;

4 

shraddhaa, satyam,  =  there are faith (devotion), truthfulness, 

brahmacharyam, vidhi cha.  = sexual abstinence, and all the values of life.

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Here we see the level aimed for is raised in the person who begins thinking of 

selectively determining what is worth striving for and what he should avoid. Desires are still 

present, but they are filtered through the sieve of Dharma or Cosmic Law. Only what is 

legitimate and acceptable to God is considered worth striving for.

As soon as he develops his intellect sufficiently to be able to grasp the good from the 

bad, the desirable from the undesirable, he needs to visit a more “Specialist Store” which 

caters for his requirements. That is what this verse introduces – the Upasana Kanda.

However, those that engage in this kind of relationship with the Cosmos, should 

know that they also are still within the realm of transmigration or Samsara. In other words, 

this stage is not for those who seek to be liberated. That comes only in the Jnana Kanda.

1 

Devah Bahudha: These are the various Deities being worshipped. They are divided 

into a number of groups or pantheons.

2a Saadhyaah: The highest class fall under the category of Deities or celestials.

2b Manushyah: Then come the human beings, who undertake these rituals.

2c Pashava and Vayaamsi: These are animals and birds.

3a Prana – Apana: The breathing in and out done as part of the rituals. This signifies 

the various orders of life, all of which require Prana to live.

3b Vreehi and Yavau: Rice and barley offerings. These represent one’s food needs.

3c Tapas: This could mean either the part of a ritual where personal purification is 

done, or it could be the austerity that is prescribed for the performer after which he gets 

the desired result. In either case, some form of self-restraint is being prescribed.

4 

Shraddha, Satya, Brahmacharya and Vidhi: These are further personal 

observances of the same nature as Tapas, and are prescribed in varying degrees of intensity 

to acquire various merits and mental capacities.

The procedure is more or less the same as above, but a higher order of things are 

needed. The ideas contained in verses 3.6-7 may be compared in the following way: 

i) Karma Kandis: This is like buying at a Supermarket – money is the only criterion to 

get whatever one wants;

ii) Karma – Upasana: This is like applying for a job – one needs, in addition to money, 

some skill or some very unique talent to get his desire granted.

However, all these things originate in the Supreme Purusha. This is the undercurrent 

that runs throughout this Chapter.

*****

Next

30 Mantram - 3.8: The Secret of “Groups of Seven”

To be continued

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