Aitareya is one of the earliest Upanishads and is attributed to sage Mahidasa Aitareya. It consists of five sections, viz. sections 21 to 25. These sections form the 4th, 5th, and 6th chapters of the 2nd part of the Rigveda Aranyaka.
For
- the young student the मन्त्र Samhita verses.
- the householder the ब्राह्मण Brahmana verses.
- the retired the आरण्यक Aranyaka verses.
- the sannyasi the उपनिषद् Upanishad verses.
Young Student = one who is yet being cared for by parents.
Householder = one who is in the thick of earning, raising a family, or actively engaged in society.
Retired = one who is out of the grind and living on savings.
Sannyasi = one who is free in mind and light at heart.
These four phases are not separated in time or by age. These may occur in any order in a man’s life, sometimes concurrent, sometimes distinct. One may have the Sannyasa experience earlier and get thrown into the Householder struggle later. It happens. The key point to understand is that these are states of the mind, heart, intellect and emotion, and one’s relationships in society.
Using simple yet elegant words, the Rishi narrates the story of creation from the Big Bang onward. The complete paraphernalia for its functioning is described, also the biology of man’s birth. An incisive statement is made that points to the undeniable fact “Opposite Values are Complementary in Nature”.
Its mahavakya is prajñānaṃ brahma, i.e. Consciousness = the Divine = the Supreme.
सोऽस्यायमात्मा पुण्येभ्यः कर्मभ्यः प्रतिधीयते । अथास्यायमितर आत्मा कृतकृत्यो वयोगतः प्रैति । स इतः प्रयन्नेव पुनर्जायते तदस्य तृतीयं जन्म ॥ २.१.४
so’syāyamātmā puṇyebhyaḥ karmabhyaḥ pratidhīyate । athāsyāyamitara ātmā kṛtakṛtyo vayogataḥ praiti । sa itaḥ prayanneva punarjāyate tadasya tṛtīyaṃ janma ॥ 2.1.4
The soul travels through bodies. It also travels through traits and virtues. Since a Soul gets known and remembered in diverse ways
- Through physical lineage.
- Through propagation of ideals.
- Through celebration of festivals and anniversaries.
Hence that is known as the Undying Birth.
Giving the example of sage Vamadeva who attained enlightenment, a devotee is inspired and empowered to embark on an inward journey…
For the Sanskrit Enthusiast, each verse is given in Devanagari, with a Latin transliteration, and Padacheda. Many verses have vibhakti-cases and word meaning.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
PREFACE 4
BLESSING 8
PRAYER 11
CAST OF CHARACTERS 12
None Other 13
Origin – the Thought 13
Infrastructure – the 4 Planes 13
Energy – the Virāt 13
Administration – the Deities 14
Birth – the Biology 14
Need – the Want 14
Fulfillment – the Three 15
Grasping – How to Eat? How to Digest? 15
Glue – the Apana Vayu 16
Responsibility – the Balance 16
Awakening – the Indra 17
1ST CHAPTER 1ST SECTION 20
लीला Leela = the Divine Will 20
The 3 aspects of Brahman 29
QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN ASPIRANT 29
1ST CHAPTER 2ND SECTION 30
लीला Leela = Divine’s Subtle Domain 30
Cow Horse Human = Food Company Pleasure 33
1ST CHAPTER 3RD SECTION 40
लीला Leela = the Divine loves Anonymity 40
2ND CHAPTER 1ST SECTION 69
The Story becomes Personal hence Real 69
2.1.1 Genetics 71
2.1.2 Responsibility of Intimacy is Total 73
2.1.3 Specially Born to continue Legacy 75
2.1.4 The Undying Birth 77
2.1.5 Vāmadeva R̥ṣi’s Blessing 79
2.1.6 is a tour de force 81
3RD CHAPTER 1ST SECTION 82
Freedom Mukti Nirvana 82
3.1.1 In Peace, Man begins to Reflect 83
3.1.2 All Noble Qualities are Its Reflection 85
3.1.3 Maha Vakya – प्रज्ञानं ब्रह्म 87
3.1.4 O! Such fabulous wealth 91
ETYMOLOGY OF UPANISHAD 93
LATIN TRANSLITERATION CHART 94
VERSES FOR CHANTING WITH SVARA 95
SANSKRIT GRAMMAR 101
CONJUGATION PROCESS OF VERB 104
DECLENSION PROCESS OF NOUN 105
REFERENCES 106
EPILOGUE 108
Über den Autor
Ashwini is with the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ashram based in Punjab.He loves to practice Yoga, perform Homa, study Sanskrit,
and be at home.