The Mundaka Upanishad:15 - ( END) Swami Krishnananda.

 

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Thursday 14 Aug 2025, 05:40.
Books
The Mundaka Upanishad: 14 
The Third Mundaka: 
Second Khanda
Mantras No. 9: to 11:
Swami Krishnananda.
Post-15.

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Mantra No. 9:

He who knows the Supreme Brahman becomes Brahman Itself. In his family none devoid of the Knowledge of Brahman is born. He crosses over sorrow, he crosses over sin. Freed from the knots of the heart he becomes Immortal.

It may be thought that the knower of Brahman may be obstructed by Devas, etc., from attaining perfection. But, this is not possible in the case of a knower of Brahman or even an aspirant after the knowledge of Brahman. Obstacles are possible only in the case of those whose effort is put forth for the attainment of something which is particularised. Whenever one struggles to obtain something which is not universal but particular, there is a reaction from the other particulars, or rather the other aspects of reality, which resist the onward march of the mind towards its own limited end. The Knower of the Self, on the other hand, becomes the Self of the Devas and, therefore, he cannot have opposition from any side. Knowledge simply consists in the removal of ignorance. The moment ignorance is dispelled or duality is cancelled, Moksha is experienced without any opposition whatsoever. Oppositions are the reactions to selfish desires and not to the aspiration for Brahman as there cannot be reaction to an impersonal being or impersonal thought or aspiration. The Impersonal Being is eternal and is always identical with one's own Self. In fact, an aspirant after Brahman is helped by the universe in the pursuit of the same, because what he aspires for is the common reality of all. No opposition can be of any avail in his case. He transcends all obstacles, conquers sorrow and sin through the power of Knowledge, frees himself from the pairs of opposites like virtue and vice, purifies his family with his knowledge, breaks the knots of his heart, is liberated ultimately from relative experience and becomes Immortal.

Mantram - 10:

Those who have performed their duties well, who are learned in scriptures, who intensely aspire for Brahman, who faithfully worship the sacred fire called Ekarshi, who have undergone the vow of the head, to them alone this Brahma-Vidya should be told.

Those who have performed the works prescribed in the previous stages of life, purify themselves through such works and become fit for higher aspirations. Erudition in the sacred lore makes them undeluded and clear-minded. Further, they should have already performed the Upasana of Saguna Brahman, through which alone their minds can rest in the Nirguna Brahman. Ekarshi is a fire worshipped by Atharva Vedins. The meaning is that one should perform the works and the worships enjoined in the section of the Veda of which he forms a member. The vow of the head is either a particular kind of sacrifice in which fire is carried on the head or Sannyasa which is connected with the vow of the head, viz., shaving. The drift of the Mantra is that one should have already performed what he considers as his duty in life and renounced everything later on, so that he may have true aspiration for Brahman. When Brahma Vidya is imparted to such people, it becomes fruitful.

Mantram - 11:

This highest truth was declared in ancient days by the Rishi Angiras. This Vidya should not be studied by one who has not followed the prescribed rules. Prostration to the great Rishis. Prostration to the great Rishis.

Om Santih, Santih, Santih.
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