Essay name: Yogatattva Upanishad (translation and study)
Author:
Sujata Jena
Affiliation: Utkal University / Department of Sanskrit
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 essay further critiques modern yoga's focus on physical exercises, advocating for its deeper philosophical and spiritual roots.
Chapter 5 - Philosophy of Life and Meditation in Yogatattva Upanisad
9 (of 61)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
these tatwas are so subtle that they affect all the systems and processes of life. Everything we do and think is under the influence of tattvas. Although these elements are known as the five basic elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether, we should not understand them as physical or chemical elements. Rather, they are to be seen as subtle results of light and sound produced by various prāṇic vibrations. Each tatwa has a specific prāṇic frequency that affects the physical process and the emergence of prāṇa. From the vibration of prāṇa, sound, light and color are produced. These prāṇic vibrations, colors and sounds indicate different tattwas. The five tattvas are part of the interconnectedness that each thing derives from the previous one. These five elements are described in descending evolutionary order. 1. Ākāśa- ether, for void and space. 2. Vāyu-air, for constant motion. 3. Agni-fire, responsible for heat. 4. Āpas- water, in charge of water. 5. Pṛthivī-world, responsible for unity and harmony. The first tattwa to evolve is ākāśa, which is an undifferentiated word with infinite amounts of potential. Ākāśa is a dormant state where energy and matter are in a dormant state within consciousness. When the energy in the akāśa part begins to vibrate, a movement is created and the vāyu tattva appears as air. Vāyu particles are very free to move and therefore Vāyu is considered as all motion everywhere. Due to the extreme movement of energy in Vāyu, the heart occurs, and this is the cause of the next tattwa, Agni or fire. In Agni tattva, the movement of breath is less than that of vāyu. This type of movement allows Agni to spread some of his bright fire and thereby cool the apas or liquid. With the birth of the apas tattwa, the complete freedom of vāyu and the freedom of Agni are lost and its elements are connected to a clear space, moving only within a small radius, the last tattva, pṛthivī or the 223
