Yogatattva Upanishad (translation and study)
by Sujata Jena | 2024 | 72,363 words
This study explores the philosophical and yogic concepts within the Yogatattva Upanishad—an ancient Sanskrit text wihchi s part of the Vedic literature that delves into the essence of yoga and meditation, linking mental control to spiritual enlightenment. The thesis also emphasizes the importance of eightfold path (or Ashtanga Yoga) and the integra...
Introduction to Upanisad
The Upanisads are my source of power. There is enough energy to energize the entire world; the entire world can make it alive, make it strong, and give energy thanks to them. They will use the trumpet to call the weak, the afflicted and the oppressed of all races, creeds and groups, to stand up and be free; independence. Physical freedom, mental freedom and spiritual freedom are the hallmarks of the Upanisads. Yoga is often described as union: the union between the higher self (jiva) and the self (atman). Without trying to argue further, we would like to point out that there is an anomaly in this explanation. In order for there to be a purpose or goal of unity, there must first be a state of separation. And of course this division does not exist. Now you are connected to cosmic consciousness. Even this statement is not true, because you are actually cosmic consciousness. Therefore, the goal of yoga is not really unity. It's about realizing your identity with a greater being, making yourself known and being in tune with your inner nature. Yoga (which means connection) is so called because it is seen and explained in the context of everyday life, where everyone feels different from or does not understand space of highness. In other words, yoga is seen as a union from the point of view of self-identity. At a higher level of consciousness, there is no separation or difference between the so-called person and consciousness. It is our low level that masks the problem and prevents us from realizing this identity. There is a wonderful and often quoted Indian story that illustrates this point. The general theme is that of a large elephant that is held by many blind people in different parts of its body. Each of the blind men tries in turn to describe the elephant. One of them grabbed the tail and said: "Elephants are like snakes". The second man 1
grabbed one of the legs and shouted: "No, that elephant is like a big pillar". "You two are wrong," said the third man holding the ear, "the elephant is like a big fan." The fourth man, who was resting his hand on one of the hips, shrugged his shoulders and said, "This elephant is nothing like the description you gave him; it looks like a horn. "You're all crazy," said the fifth man, pulling the trunk, "the best description of an elephant is that it looks like a banana trunk." These five men saw the elephant in different ways. The elephant itself has not changed, but if the blind had vision, they would have understood the reason for the different interpretations; they would have understood that they were talking about different aspects of the same thing. It is the same idea that many of us have about our identity. We see division; we see ourselves as isolated from our surroundings and others, because we are like blind people indeed, not seeing ourselves and not knowing ourselves and our surroundings as they of course. In summary, we can say that yoga is not really a union. It is actually a concretization of the already existing unity. This is the end of yoga. At the same time, yoga as it is commonly known and understood is a way or a way for a person to achieve the realization of yoga, of true human identity. So yoga has two meanings; it includes both process and endpoint. The meaning of yoga can also be covered by the words unity and harmony; because the practice of yoga aims to eliminate the ego, that part of our unity that reinforces the feeling of separation from our environment. Once the money passes, the person becomes himself and realizes his true inner nature. The definition of yoga that we have given so far is only spiritual. There are many other definitions that apply to all levels of existence and consciousness. For example, on a physical level, most people have bodies that are often in a state of chaos. The functions of different parts of the 2
body, muscles and nerves are no longer coordinated and do not help each other. Instead, they block and often resist. For example, the endocrine system becomes abnormal; the effectiveness of the nervous system decreases, because the disease manifests itself in one form or another. Yoga seeks to coordinate all these different functions properly, so that they work for the whole body's well-being. Therefore, another definition of yoga can be said to be physical harmony and health. Many people have mental problems in the form of conflicts, neuroses, phobias, etc., which make them unhappy and depressed in life. Yoga aims to soften and eliminate all mental problems, big and small, obvious and subtle. Yoga can also be defined as mental balance and peace of mind. Another definition of yoga is the combination and harmony between mind and body, as our body responds well to our mental, emotional and unconscious commands. Swami Sivananda explained this succinctly when he said, "Yoga is the union and harmony between thoughts, words and actions, or the integration between head, heart and hands." Through the harmony of thoughts and physical parts of man (including of course the pranic or bioplasmic body and our emotions) flow again good qualities as by-products. From this flow many other definitions of yoga. The following are selections from the classic yoga text, the Bhagavad Gita. Yoga is equal to success and failure (2:48) Yoga is an art and practice (2:50) Yoga is the supreme secret of life (4:3) Yoga gives immense happiness (5:2) Yoga is stillness (6:3) Yoga is the destroyer of pain (6:17) 3
There are other interpretations in the Bhagavad Gita, few of which are fundamental. The sage Patanjali, author of the classic yoga text, the Yoga Sutras, defines yoga as: collective control over the various forms or transformations of consciousness. In other words, yoga involves controlling the knowledge, ignorance and unconsciousness of our life. One becomes an observer of these various advanced people and comes to know more about them. Yoga can be defined as a science to develop creativity; as a science to reveal the deeper aspects of humanity; as a science from the beginning; as the science of consciousness. In fact, the definition of yoga can be a little different for each person who practices it, as the person will connect to the yogic experience and therefore interpret them in different ways. One thing is clear, whatever definition of yoga is chosen, and what it means for everyone's life is great, because yoga cares about the heart of our life: body, mind and consciousness. With this in mind, we leave it to the reader to develop an interpretation of yoga through their own experience. What are Upanisads? The Upanisads are the last part of the Vedas. These are the cream of the Vedas. This is why these people are properly called "Vedanta". The Upanisads are the highest works of the Indian mind. The Upanisads are the exposition of the last part of the Vedic literature. According to Apt., "The Upanisads are mystical writings associated with the Brahmanas whose purpose is to discover the secrets of the Vedas." Upanisad words:The word Upanisad comes from the root "sad" which meansSit down � Destroyed � Loose 4
The Sanskrit root "sad" has various meanings: visarna (destruction), gati (to go) and avasadana (hard treatment). Then two prefixes "Upa" and "Ni" are added to this root for the coin of Upanisad words. Upa- discipline should be in the hands of the teacher and should do anything with him. Ni- discipline during the movement and the teacher must have a goal set in his mind strives to do the same. Sad- This is the main part of the speech that can be translated in three ways. i. Visarana- Discipline should destroy all his earthly passions relating to the world in order to enable him to learn competently. ii. Gati- the admonition will follow the path of being with his teacher to reach Brahmapada, the world of eternal truth. iii. Avasadana- It should be treated with strict discipline and treatment i.e. it should follow strict system of sama-dama etc. warning as well as the fiery aspect of yoga-yama-niyama etc. In all, the word "Upanisad" means that the disciple sits close to his teacher in a strict way to receive instructions and the highest truth that removes all doubts and destroys ignorance. His disciple gradually, the word came to describe any secret teaching about truth and the Upanisads used it in this sense. (rahasya or guhya vidya) Thus the words of the Upanisad mean: * Esoteric or secret teachings * Scientific knowledge * True knowledge of the Supreme Spirit * Sacred or religious traditions, etc. 5
The language of the Upanisads is closely related to that of the Vedas. So it is not only ancient but also full of Vedic sentences and symbols. Most of the Upanisads are in verse in the standard Vedic meter. Some like the Mandukyas, Taittriyas and Aitareyas are graduates. Some have a combination of both. One of the remarkable features of the Upanisadic literature is the use of beautiful metaphors and metaphors. The comparison of two birds (jivatman and Paramatman) in the same tree (human body) is found in many Upanisads: Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka. Mundaka gives the comparison of bow and arrow to describe meditation on atman. Katha compares the world to a tree turned to a human body and a city with eleven gates. Isavasya compares the orb of the sun to a golden disc that hides the Lord's face. Katha compares the body to the chariot, the mind to the horse, the mind to the back, the intellect to the charioteer, and the atman to the owner of the chariot. Mundaka compares the transformation of the world by Brahman to a spider weaving a web and hair growing on a body or grass emerging from the earth. He compares Vedic sacrifices to flowing water since they cannot give liberation. The rivers flowing into the ocean and becoming one is another smile given to show the union of Atman and Brahman. The Brhadaranyaka is filled with many examples: the Vedas came out of Brahman even as the smoke from a burning tree glows. Just as the spokes of a wheel are fixed, so all things find their support in the Paramatman. Jivatman moves from waking state to dream like a big fish swimming in water from one bank to another. As it dies, the Jiva takes hold of the next soft body, just as the bamboo takes hold of the leaves of the next neighboring tree, before letting go of the old support. A liberated soul cleans its body like a snake cleans its mouth. The merciful state of the common man leaving his body is compared to traveling in a heavy and weak ship. 6