Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is one of the oldest Upanishads and often referred to as the greatest both in substance, length, and theme. It is estimated that Brihadaranyaka Upanishad was compiled about 2.700 years ago from much older, now lost, material. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad means “Upanishad of the great forests” and it centers around the fundamentals of the Atman, Soul, or Self.
It is in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad we first see the written conceptualization of Karma and non-duality and other foundations for Hinduism and Buddhism. The work consists of six chapters dealing with such comprehensive themes as the Vedic theories of the creation of the Universe to metaphysical, spiritual, and psychological matters.
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Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Nonduality is not taught by the buddha in the first place in the pali canon.
There should be a scientific study of all Upanishads so as to find the real path shown in these highly powerful thoughts and concepts .
Dear Sirs,
Please translate in English to Upanisad in Strong English and flowing language so that the readers can study well like the Original one.
Best Regards,
Mrityunjaya Sharma, Learner of Vedanta philosophy.
We can meditate on the sloka of thaithariyopanishd ,Ananda valli, 7-3 ( yadha hyevaisha yethsminnadrusye, anathme ….). This world is is net . we have fallen into it. we have to attain that state where we become pure consciousness.
Very grateful for your efforts,,
Thanks for giving us this precious opportunity to read this book for free.
This kind of knowledge is hard to find
for reading
Good commentary.
Sri Krishna left this World before Kaliyuga entered.people say kaliyuga is 5200 years old.by that time vedas and vedangas were already there.hence the exact age of the ageof vedas may be much older than Krishna’Dwarka.
Vedas are called Apaurusheya, ie, not given by people. Though it is difficult to accept it in these days of rationalistic approach to things, we have to accept that it is difficult to date their origin. Periayawal swamiji of Kamakoti Peetham has said that Vedas are part of the atmosphere and one has only to discern or experience it. That takes us to a totally different world of meditation which needs sadhana under spiritual masters.
Understanding the superior intelligence is the first step. It is not just mind, or brain. You have intelligence, but some thing tells you that you have it. That “it” must be understood well.
Dear Nair ji,
Excellent way of putting it.
Jai Sriramakrishna.
Thanks
Surya
Hyderabad
Dear Ones,
For beginners it may be difficult initially but sincere seekers those who want to know Atma Vidya and Brahma vidya study of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad along with Tatwa Bodha of Sri Adisankara are the best ones.
These prayers will be very useful :
1. OPEN YOUR HEART : Pray to Avyakta Brahman as ….
“My Atman is praying to Avyakta Brahman to enlighten me regarding the Jnana in existence from the date of creation to till the end of creation from which what I have to learn teach me in the form of “sruthi, smriti, spurana, prakatitam along with sa Chandra swa swaroopam now and forever.” Avyakta Brahman guide me to attract abundance and take right decision every moment in my day to day life and guide me to solve all of my problems in this physical world now and forever.”
( observe silence for few minutes and experience the joy within ) then .. observe your breath in and out as long as you can.
Then recite .. Avyakta Brahman guide me and enlighten me the essence of Tatwa Bodha, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad relating to Atma Vidya and Brahma Vidya now and forever and forever.
2. RECITE THE PRAYER TO AWAKEN AVYAKTA BRAHMAN .. “I am awakening the “True Master” thumb size Avyakta Brahman residing within my hridaya grandhi ( heart knot ) now. My heart is filled with abundant divine love, joy, peace, prosperity and brahmananda now. “I am in Avyakta Brahman, Avyakta Brahman is in me. I know as I am not the physical body but Atman, Atman and Avyakta Brahman are one and the same.” continue to recite this prayer and observe your breath in and out, during the silence experience the joy within.
3. “I am in Avyakta Brahman; Avyakta Brahman is in me. I know as I am not the physical body but Atman; Atman and Avyakta Brahman are one and the same.” ( recite and observe your breath in and out ) .. then ..
4. “Aham Avyakta Brahmasmi. My Atman is attuned with Avyakta Brahman now and forever and forever.” ( recite this prayer and observe your breath in and out by absorbing within)
Ultimately we have to unite with Avyakta Brahman ( beeja roopa sthithi of God or Unmanifested God ) while we are alive on this earth, after our death at one point of time our prana will leave from our physical body with the help of Vayu.
The subtle issue will be understanding the true nature of five elements .. Akash, Vayu, Tejas, Apus and Pridvi. Once you understand their role you will know the essence of Avyakta Brahman as original source of all Gods and Goddess.
Another issue is .. at the end of the Upanishad a procedure was described to invite holy atmans to take birth on this earth. How the couple have to feel within during the time of mating. Then the seeker will know the essence of mating for the purpose of continuation of creation.
Method of Study of this Upanishad .. First read the entire original text, next meaning of the said slokas, next read the commentary in your mother tongue, next compare the said commentaries as commented by different scholars.
The process is Sravana, manana, nidhi dhyasa.
If you meditate in the above said manner you need not go for any Master or Guru or Monk or Sannyasi. About Atma and Brahma Vidya what has to be known by every seeker was already revealed by Yagnavalkya in the form of Samvada between Yagnavalkya and different non-God-realized Scholar, Sakalya, Sage Gargi, and the most interesting discussions are between on Atma Vidya Yagnavalkya and his wife Maitreyi, Yagnavalkya and Rajarshi King Janaka ( father of Sita).
After reading the above your portion will be Sadhana only.
Wish Avyakta Brahman will bless you all and show the right path always