qÉÑhQûMüÉåmÉÌlÉwÉiÉç MUNDAKA UPANISHAD For the “Shaven-Headed” “THE SANDEEPANY EXPERIENCE” Reflections by TEXT SWAMI GURUBHAKTANANDA 29 Sandeepany’s Vedanta Course List of All the Course Texts in Chronological Sequence: Text TITLE OF TEXT Text TITLE OF TEXT No. No. 1 Sadhana Panchakam 24 Hanuman Chalisa 2 Tattwa Bodha 25 Vakya Vritti 3 Atma Bodha 26 Advaita Makaranda 4 Bhaja Govindam 27 Kaivalya Upanishad 5 Manisha Panchakam 28 Bhagavad Geeta (Discourse -- ) 6 Forgive Me 29 Mundaka Upanishad 7 Upadesha Sara 30 Amritabindu Upanishad 8 Prashna Upanishad 31 Mukunda Mala (Bhakti Text) 9 Dhanyashtakam 32 Tapovan Shatkam 10 Bodha Sara 33 The Mahavakyas, Panchadasi 5 11 Viveka Choodamani 34 Aitareya Upanishad 12 Jnana Sara 35 Narada Bhakti Sutras 13 Drig-Drishya Viveka 36 Taittiriya Upanishad 14 “Tat Twam Asi” – Chand Up 6 37 Jivan Sutrani (Tips for Happy Living) 15 Dhyana Swaroopam 38 Kena Upanishad 16 “Bhoomaiva Sukham” Chand Up 7 39 Aparoksha Anubhuti (Meditation) 17 Manah Shodhanam 40 108 Names of Pujya Gurudev 18 “Nataka Deepa” – Panchadasi 10 41 Mandukya Upanishad 19 Isavasya Upanishad 42 Dakshinamurty Ashtakam 20 Katha Upanishad 43 Shad Darshanaah 21 “Sara Sangrah” – Yoga Vasishtha 44 Brahma Sootras 22 Vedanta Sara 45 Jivanmuktananda Lahari 23 Mahabharata + Geeta Dhyanam 46 Chinmaya Pledge A NOTE ABOUT SANDEEPANY Sandeepany Sadhanalaya is an institution run by the Chinmaya Mission in Powai, Mumbai, teaching a 2-year Vedanta Course. It has a very balanced daily programme of basic Samskrit, Vedic chanting, Vedanta study, Bhagavatam, Ramacharitmanas, Bhajans, meditation, sports and fitness exercises, team-building outings, games and drama, celebration of all Hindu festivals, weekly Gayatri Havan and Guru Paduka Pooja, and Karma Yoga activities. This series is an effort to promote the learning of Vedanta; it does not replace the Course, but hopes to inspire young people to spend two years of their life for an experience that is sure to make a far-reaching spiritual impact on their personal lives. Sandeepany is an all-round spiritual course that gives proper direction to the youth and to those approaching retirement. Hinduism is in dire need of a band of systematically trained teachers or Acharyas who can serve this Eternal Religion. – The Author, 16th July, 2019, Sacred Guru Purnima Day Om Namah Shivaaya! Text 29 || qÉÑhQûMüÉåmÉÌlÉwÉiÉç || MUNDAKA UPANISHAD “For the Shaven-Headed” Reflections by Swami Gurubhaktananda on the Series of 54 Lectures by Swami Advayanandaji Acharyaji of the 15th Batch Sandeepany Vedanta Course held at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Powai, Mumbai. th th From 16 December, 2012 – 13 February, 2013 Adi Shankaracharya Swami Sivananda Swami Tapovanji Swami Chinmayananda SERVE LOVE GIVE PURIFY MEDITATE REALISE Copyright & Author’s Details Author: Swami Gurubhaktananda (ex Krishna Chaitanya, born Bipin R. Kapitan in Durban, South Africa) Email: [email protected] © 2018 All Rights Reserved. Copyright held by Swami Gurubhaktananda. About This Edition: Web Edition: 16th July, 2019, Sacred Guru Purnima Day Day Website: Chinmaya International Foundation: www.chinfo.org Series Title : The Sandeepany Experience Series Subject: Vedanta & Supportive Subsidiary Texts Declaration by the Author: The material in this series is under inspiration of the Sandeepany Vedanta Course, but largely consists of the Author’s reflections on the Course. He is deeply indebted to the Chinmaya Mission for its excellent presentation of the Course by their renowned and dedicated Acharyas. Personal Dedication 1. To my Late Parents, Smt Sharadaben & Sri Ratilalbhai Kapitan who inspired me to study in life, to stick to the path of Dharma and pursue the highest ideals; and swamped me with their abundant Love; 2. To Pujya Sri Swami Vimalanandaji Maharaj (1932-2019) the Late President of the Divine Life Society of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India, who constantly encouraged and supported this effort; 3. To Pujya Sri Swami Tejomayanandaji (Guruji) for his boundless vision and inspiration to create a vibrant organisation; 4. To Sri Swami Advayanandaji and Sri Swami Sharadanandaji my Acharyaji and Upa-Acharyaji at Sandeepany, who imparted their bountiful knowledge and wisdom with rare selfless Divine Love, just as the Rishis of yore would wish to see them do. ***** MUNDAKA UPANISHAD “For the Shaven-Headed” MUNDAKA UPANISHAD “The Upanishad of the Shaven-Headed” CONTENTS: The Peace Invocation 4 1. THE ORIGINS OF KNOWLEDGE 1 Verse 1.1: Guru Parampara: Lineage of Teachers 5 2 Verse 1.2: Lineage of Teachers (contd.) 6 3 Verse 1.3: Shaunak’s Question to Angiraa 7 4 Verse 1.4: Angiraa’s Answer to Shaunaka 9 5 Verse 1.5: Definitions of Higher & Lower Knowledge 10 6 Verse 1.6: Nature of Higher Knowledge 11 7 Verse 1.7: Three Similes Explaining “Bhoota Yonim” 12 8 Verse 1.8: Tapas – the Forerunner of Creation 13 9 Verse 1.9: Thorough Knowledge – in Totality & in Detail 15 2. A CLOSE LOOK AT RITUALS 10 Verse 2.1: A Close Look at the Karma Kanda 17 11 Verse 2.2: Description of Agnihotra 18 12 Verse 2.3: The “Terms and Conditions” 19 13 Verse 2.4: The Seven Tongues of Fire 20 14 Verse 2.5: The Flames Lead One to Heaven 21 15 Verse 2.6: Enticements to Reach Heaven 22 16 Verse 2.7: A. Rituals – Their Inherent Undependability 23 17 Verse 2.8: B. Rituals – Gloating Over Ignorance 24 18 Verse 2.9: C. Rituals – Delusion of Reaching the Goal 25 19 Verse 2.10: D. Rituals – When Merits Get Exhausted 26 20 Verse 2.11: What is the Alternative? 26 21 Verse 2.12: Guru Upasadana – Approaching the Guru 28 22 Verse 2.13: The Role of the Guru 29 3. THE SUPREME PURUSHA 23 Verse 3.1: Sparks From the Flaming Fire 33 24 Verse 3.2: Absolute Nature of Brahman 34 25 Verse 3.3: Brahman as Hiranyagarbha – the Subtle Macrocosm 35 26 Verse 3.4: Brahman as Virat – the Gross Macrocosmic Person 36 1 27 Verse 3.5: The “Panchagni” – The Five Fires in the Cosmos 37 28 Verse 3.6: Origin of Karma Kanda Rituals 39 29 Verse 3.7: Origin of Upasana Kanda Rituals 40 30 Verse 3.8: The Secret of “Groups of Seven” 41 31 Verse 3.9: Our Physical Environment 42 32 Verse 3.10: Brahman & Universe Are One 43 4. PENETRATING BRAHMAN 33 Verse 4.1: Brahman’s “Business Card” 45 34 Verse 4.2: “On Your Marks” – Eyeing the Target 46 35 Verse 4.3: “Get Set” – Preparing to Shoot 48 36 Verse 4.4: “Go!” – Hitting the Target 48 37 Verse 4.5: To Attain Totality, Abandon Individuality 49 38 Verse 4.6: Meditation: From Centre to Circumference 50 39 Verse 4.7: Meditation: From Circumference to Centre 51 40 Verse 4.8: The Criteria of Realisation 54 41 Verse 4.9: The Knower of Brahman 55 42 Verse 4.10: Self-Luminous Nature of Brahman 55 43 Verse 4.11: World is Indeed Brahman 57 5. THE “TWO BIRDS” METAPHOR 44 Verse 5.1: The “Two Birds” Analogy 59 45 Verse 5.2: The Metaphor Expanded & Explained 58 46 Verse 5.3: The Benefits of Holy Company (Satsang) 61 47 Verse 5.4: Accessories on the Path – 1 to 2 62 48 Verse 5.5: Accessories on the Path – 3 to 6 64 49 Verse 5.6: The Path Ascending to Truth 65 50 Verse 5.7: A Beckoning Call to the Supreme Abode 66 51 Verse 5.8: Purification Done; Meditation Begun 67 52 Verse 5.9: Purification – the Pre-Condition for Illumination 69 53 Verse 5.10: Adorations to Such a Jnani! 70 Table Chap 5: Auxilliary Sadhanas on the Spiritual Path 72 6. QUALITIES SEEN IN A SAGE Table Chap 6: Auxilliary Sadhanas on the Spiritual Path 73 54 Verse 6.1: Desireless Service Offered to the Jnani 74 55 Verse 6.2: Effects of Desire & Desirelessness 74 56 Verse 6.3: Aspiration Brings Revelation 75 57 Verse 6.4: More Qualities that are Needed 76 58 Verse 6.5: Jivanmukti: At the “Moment of Realisation” 77 2 59 Verse 6.6: Kramamukti: Attainment of Brahmaloka 78 60 Verse 6.7: Videhamukti: Dissolution of the Body 79 61 Verse 6.8: Videhamukti: As “Rivers into the Ocean” 81 62 Verse 6.9: Knower of Brahman Becomes Brahman 82 63 Verse 6.10: Transfer of the Supreme Wisdom 83 64 Verse 6.11: Conclusion 84 ***** 3 || qÉÑhQûMüÉåmÉÌlÉwÉiÉç || MUNDAKA UPANISHAD 6 Chapters (64 Verses) For the “SHAVEN-HEADED” INVOCATION Á pÉSìÇ MühÉåïÍpÉÈ ´ÉÑhÉÑrÉÉqÉ SåuÉÉ pÉSìÇ mÉzrÉåqÉɤÉÍpÉrÉïeɧÉÉÈ | ÎxjÉUæU…¡æûxiÉѹÒuÉÉaÉçÇxÉxiÉlÉÔÍpÉÈ urÉzÉåqÉ SåuÉÌWûiÉÇ rÉSÉrÉÑÈ | xuÉÎxiÉ lÉ ClSìÉå uÉ×®´ÉuÉÉÈ xuÉÎxiÉ lÉÈ mÉÔwÉÉ ÌuɵÉuÉåSÉÈ | xuÉÎxiÉ lÉxiÉɤrÉÉåï AËU¹lÉåÍqÉÈ xuÉÎxiÉ lÉÉå oÉ×WûxmÉÌiÉSïkÉÉiÉÑ| || Á zÉÉÎliÉÈ zÉÉÎliÉÈ zÉÉÎliÉÈ || µ° bhadra¯ kar³£bhi¦ ¾ru³uy¡ma d£v¡ bhadra¯ pa¾y£m¡k½abhiryajatr¡¦ | sthiraira±gaistu½¿uv¡g¯sastanÀbhi¦ vya¾£ma d£vahita¯ yad¡yu¦ | svasti na indrµ v»ddha¾rav¡¦ svasti na¦ pÀ½¡ vi¾vav£d¡¦ | svasti nast¡rk½yµ ari½¿an£mi¦ svasti nµ b»haspatirdadh¡tu| || µ° ¾¡nti¦ ¾¡nti¦ ¾¡nti¦ || 1 om bhadram karnebhih Om. What is always auspicious, with our ears shrunuyaama devaah; may we hear, O ye Gods. 2 bhadram pashyema What is always auspicious, may we see akshabhih yajatraah; with our eyes, O Worshipful Ones. 3 sthiraih angaih tushtu- With our limbs hale and hearty, may we live vaagam sah; offering our praises unto Thee. 4 tanoobhih vyashema With our body, may we have our devahitam yad aayuh. full lifespan (to live) for the benefit of the Gods. 5 swasti nah indrah vriddha-shravaah; May Indra, the ancient and famous, bless us! 6 swasti nah pooshaa vishwa-vedaah; May the Sun (Pooshan), the all-knowing, bless us! 7 swasti nah taarkshyah arishtanemih; May the Lord of Wind save us from all harm! 8 swasti nah brihaspatih dadhaatu.