Essentials of Hinduism - Eeshavasya Upanishad

Essentials of Hinduism

Eeshavasya Upanishad

SUMMARY:

This Upanishad starts with the mantra “Eeshaavasyam Idam Sarvam” and thus got the name Eeshaavasya Upanishad.” This is a small Upanishad. Realize that Paramatma exists everywhere. Detaching ourselves from all the Desires, performing Karmas without desiring fruits for our Performance, as well as, by dedicating to Him is the proper way to Live. By seeing everything in Atma, and, Atma in Everything, a Person will not hate anything and will not discriminate Anyone. There are eighteen Slokas and salient ones will be discussed.

DETAILS:

The Paramatma is Whole. This Universe is Whole. From this Whole Paramatma, this Whole Universe is born. After removing the Whole from the Whole, what remains is the Whole too. These Statements are conveying the meaning that even after Universe comes out of Him, Him the Paramatma, remains Wholesome. These Statements may appear to be not believable. Several examples can be provided to prove these Statements, but just one example will be provided – There is a lamp with a wick. There is no limitation that we can light certain number of wicks only. Therefore, from one flame multiple flames are created. Yet the Wholeness of the first flame remains the same as it was to begin with, and so also, each and every flame that was created subsequently. Om Shantihi is repeate d thrice to protect us from three possible obstructions – first, our own personal obstruction due to the sickness and so on; second, obstruction that might come from some other person(s); or, third, possible obstruction from natural disasters like Thunder, Lightning, Rain and so on.

Sloka 1 –

Om Eeshaavaasyam Idam Sarvam...dhanam

– he who contemplates on the Self as the Paramatma, or pure Brahman, will surely renounce the desires of Son, Wealth, Name and Fame. As the World is unreal and the objects are worthless, there is no use of coveting (desiring) others’ Wealth when you can get the Supreme, imperishable Wealth of Atma by Self-Realization. There is nothing wrong enjoying life with your Wife. However, you have to see the Atma inside Her too. See Atma inside your Children too.

Sloka 2 –

Kuruvannaiveha...Lipyate Naraihi

– performing verily (confidently) Karmas in this World, one should wish to live a hundred years. Atma is inside us – this is the Truth. Realizing our Self is considered as the first step to know about the Paramatma Everywhere. There is no Re-birth for one who has Realized the Self.

Sloka 6 –

Yastu Sarvani...Vijugupsathi

the meaning of this Mantra is quite powerful and one should try to Practice this in Life. One who sees in all Beings the Atma, who sees Atma in all Beings, he is a Perfect Person and he does not hate Anyone.

Sloka 8 –

Sa Paryaakaachukra...Samaapyaha –

A Person who has acquired “Atma Anubhooti” looks at the inside of Everything like he has the X-ray eyes. He has extra talent – Buddhi. Every common Man does not have this extra talent. One who does Prayers deeply, performing a lot of Gayatri-Japas, who has Learned about the Self gets this Buddhi. Paramatma has the Self-Illumination; you cannot point out at some one and say He is the Atma; because, He has no gross Physical Body; He is Whole; He has the Self- Illumination; He is Pure and no sins can come close to Him.

Sloka 9 –

Andham Tamaha... Rataaha –

Avidya means here Karmas or Vedic Rites such as the Agnihotra etc., that are performed with the expectation of fruits. They go to the Pitrulokas and after the fruits of their Karmas are exhausted, they return to the Bhuloka. Also, the People who return to this Loka are those who have the Vidya (inferior Knowledge) of the Deities after exhausting their fruits of Worship at the Devaloka. A combination of Karma and Vidya is recommended in this verse – those who know Lord Narayana in His True Form as free from all evils, as well as, correct the mistakes of others – they know the Truth, whose nature is Joy and Knowledge and they too attain such Joy and Knowledge.

Sloka 15 –

Hirannmayena...Drushtaye –

The face of Truth is covered by a golden shield. Man due to his avidya, his inside is darkness. He Prays – Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya – take me away from the darkness Path to the brightness Path. But Truth is beyond the darkness-brightness, sadness-happiness. The man prays to Sun God to reduce His form and appearance so he can see Atma inside the Sun.

Sloka 18 –

Agnay Naya...Ukthim Vidhema –

O Agni Deva! You know about all our Karmas. Remove the sins from within us. We offer You our best Salutations (Greetings)! Take us by the good Path, that is, by the Northern Route (Uttarayana) by the Path of the Light from which there is no return.

We have to Pray to the Paramatma Everyday and try to obtain His Grace – so advises the Eeshaavasya Upanishad!

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.