Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Minor Upanishad
Bhasma-Jabala Upanishad
Om ! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious;
May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship !
May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,
Praising them with our body and limbs steady !
May the glorious Indra bless us !
May the all-knowing Sun bless us !
May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us !
May Brihaspati grant us well-being !
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
I am that Absolute Brahman only which, after being understood in its true aspect (as one with this Atman), entirely burns into ashes (Bhasma) the ignorance (illusion or Maya) of considering this universe to be existing (real) and separate from one’s own Self, through the destructive fire of (Supreme) Knowledge!
Once Bhusunda, a descendant of Jabali went to the Kailas Peak and prostrated before Lord Mahadeva Siva, who is the form of Omkara and who is beyond the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra.
Bhusunda worshipped Siva with great devotion again and again through fruits, flowers and leaves. Then he questioned Lord Siva: “Lord! Kindly impart to me the essential knowledge of all the Vedas, embodying the process and technique of using the Bhasma (sacred ash), because it is the only means for attaining Liberation. What is the Bhasma made of? Where should it be applied? What are the Mantras to be recited? Who are the persons fitted for this? What are the rules regarding it? Kindly instruct me, born from depressed class.”
The kind Lord Paramesvara said: At first the devotee after understanding the influence of the celestials at the prescribed time, should fetch some sacred and pure cow-dung early in the morning, keep it in the leaf of a Palasa-tree and then dry it with the Vedic Mantra ‘Tryambakam’ etc. (in the sun).
Then he should burn that dry cow-dung, placed in a convenient place, with any fire that is available, according to the rules laid down in the Grihya Sutras of his sect, and then pour Ahutis of seasamum and paddy together with ghee, with the Mantra ‘Somaya Svaha’. The number of Ahutis should be 1008, or if possible, 1 ½ times this. The instruments for pouring ghee should be made of leaf; in that case man does not commit any sin.
Then, at the end, the devotee should offer the oblation of Sveshtakruta at the time of Purna-Ahuti, with the Mantra ‘Tryambakam’ etc. With the same Mantra Bali (an offering) should be placed in the eight directions (of the fire).
That Bhasma should be sprinkled with water by the Gayatri Mantra. Then that sacred ash should be placed in a gold, silver, copper or earthen vessel and sprinkled again with the Rudra Mantras. It should then be kept in a clean and decent place.
Then the devotee should honour the Brahmins with a grand feast. Then only he will become purified. Then he should take the Bhasma from the vessel with the Pancha-Brahma-Mantras, ‘Manastoka’, ‘Sadyo Jatam’, etc., and with the idea that ‘fire is Bhasma, air is Bhasma, water is Bhasma, earth is Bhasma, ether is Bhasma, gods are Bhasma, Rishis are Bhasma, all this universe and existence are Bhasma; I prostrate to this sacred and purifying Bhasma which destroys all my sins.’
Thus, the devotee should keep a little Bhasma with the clean palm of his left hand saying, ‘Vamadevaya’ (this is to Vamadeva) sprinkling with the Mantra ‘Tryambakam’ etc., and cleaning it with the Mantra ‘Suddham suddhena’ etc. Then he should filter it nicely. Then he should apply it from head to foot, with the five Brahma-Mantras. With the first finger, middle finger and ring finger, he should apply the same to the middle of the head saying ‘to the head’ and ‘O Bhasma! Thou hast come from Agni!’
He should apply bhasma at the top of the head with the mantra ‘Murdhanam.’ On the forehead with ‘Tryambakam etc.’, on the neck with ‘Nilagrivaya etc., on the right side of the neck with ‘Tryayusham etc. and Vama etc.’, on the cheeks with ‘Kalaya etc.’, on the ‘eyes with ‘Trilochanaya etc.’, on the ears with ‘Srinavama etc.’, on the mouth with ‘Prabravama etc.’, on the heart (chest) with ‘Atmane etc.’, on the navel with ‘Nabhih etc.’, on the right shoulder with ‘Bhavaya etc.’, on the right elbow with ‘Rudraya etc.’, on the right wrist with ‘Sarvaya etc.’, on the back of the right palm with ‘Pasupataye etc.’, on the left shoulder with ‘Ugraya etc.’, on the left elbow with ‘Agre-vadhaya etc.’, on the left wrist with ‘Dure-vadhaya etc.’, on the back of the left palm with ‘Namo Hartre etc.’, and over the shoulder-blades with ‘Sankaraya etc.’.
The devotee should then prostrate to Siva with the Mantra ‘Somaya’ etc. He should wash the hands and drink that ash-water with the Mantra ‘Apah Punantu’ etc. The water should never be spilt down from any cause.
Thus, this practice of Bhasmadharana should be done in the morning, noon and evening. If he does not do this, he will become fallen. This very thing is the prescribed Dharma of all Brahmins. Without having Bhasmadharana in this fashion, he should never take any food, water or anything else. Accidentally if this practice is forgotten, that day, Gayatri should not be repeated. No Yajna should be done on that day; no Tarpana should be offered to gods, Rishis or Pitrus. This is the eternal Dharma that destroys all sins and gives the final state of Moksha.
This is the daily rite of Brahmins, Brahmacharins, Grihasthas, Vanaprasthas and Sannyasins. If this is overlooked even once, he should stand in water upto the neck, repeating Gayatri 108 times, and fast the whole day. If a Sannyasin does not wear Bhasma, even a single day, he should fast during the whole day and do 1000 Pranava Japa, for being purified once again. Otherwise, the Lord will throw these Sannyasins to dogs and wolves.
In case this kind of Bhasma is not available, any other Bhasma that may be at hand should be used with the prescribed Mantras. This kind of practice shall destroy any kind of sin that may be committed by man.
Then again Bhusunda asked Siva: What are the daily rites to be performed by a Brahmin, by neglecting which he will commit a sin? Who is to be then meditated upon? Who is to be remembered? How to meditate? Where to practice this? Please tell me in detail.
The Lord answered all in a nutshell: First of all the devotee should get up early in the morning before sunrise, and after finishing the purificatory actions, should take his bath. He should clean the body with the Rudra Suktas. Then he should wear a clean cloth. After this, he should meditate on the sun-god and apply Bhasma to all the prescribed parts of the body.
He should then wear white Rudraksha, as prescribed. Some prescribe the following way of wearing Rudraksha beads: Over the head should be worn forty rudraksha beads. One or three beads on the chest. Twelve beads over each of the two ears. Thirt-two beads around the neck. Sixteen beads around each of the upper arms. Twelve beads around each of the wrists. Six beads around each of the thumbs.
Then the devotee should observe Sandhya with the Kusa grass in his hand. He should do Japa of either Siva-Shadakshara or Siva-Ashtakshara. ‘Om Namah Sivaya’ and ‘Om Namo Mahadevaya’ are the two Mantras. This is the highest truth and the greatest instruction. I myself am that Great Lord Siva, God of all gods, the Supreme Controller of all the universes. I am that Impersonal Brahman, I am Omkara, I am the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer of all. Through My terror only, all are working properly. I am this world and the five elements. I am the Highest Truth that exists, the Brahman of the Upanishads. This is the greatest Vidya.
I am the only giver of Moksha. Hence all people come to Me for final help. That is why I absorb into My Being those creatures who leave their Pranas at Banares which is standing at the top of My Trisula (trident). Therefore, everyone should perform penance at Banares only. Banares should not be neglected under any circumstance. Everybody should try to live at Banares as far as possible. No place is better than Banares.
Even at Banares, the most celebrated is the temple of Siva, where in the East, there is the place of Wealth, in the South, the place of Vichara, in the West, the place of Vairagya and in the North, the place of Jnana. There in the middle, I, the Eternal Spirit should be worshipped. That Linga at Banares, is not illumined by the sun, moon or the stars. That self-luminous Linga called ‘Visvesvara’ has its root in Pathala. That is Myself. I should be worshipped by one who wears the sacred Bhasma and Rudrakshas in the prescribed manner. I shall deliver him from all sins and sorrows.
By performing My Abhisheka, he attains My Sayujya state. Nothing exists other than Myself. I initiate all with the Taraka Mantra. Those who want Mukti should live at Banares. I will take care of them. I am the Lord of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. The most corrupt man or woman will attain Moksha, if he or she dies at Banares. Other sinners will be fried in burning pits of live coals after death. Therefore, everybody should try to live at Banares which is My Pranalinga Itself.
Om ! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious;
May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship !
May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,
Praising them with our body and limbs steady !
May the glorious Indra bless us !
May the all-knowing Sun bless us !
May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us !
May Brihaspati grant us well-being !
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
Here ends the Bhasma-Jabalopanishad, as contained in the Atharva-Veda.
(My humble salutations to Sreeman A G Krishna Warrier for the collection)
Minor Upanishad
Brahma-Vidya Upanishad
Om ! May He protect us both together; may He nourish us both together;
May we work conjointly with great energy,
May our study be vigorous and effective;
May we not mutually dispute (or may we not hate any).
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
I proclaim the Brahman-lore, which is omniscience, which is the highest. It shows as origination and end – Brahman, Vishnu, Mahesvara.
Vishnu, working with his miraculous power becomes, at intervals, a human being through compassion. His secret, as the OM fire, lies in the Brahman lore.
The syllable OM is the Brahman. Thus, verily, teach the Brahman–knowers; Body, location, time and dying away of this syllable, I will proclaim.
I – The body or sariram of the sound OM:
There are three gods and three worlds, three Vedas and three fires. Three moras and the half mora. In that trisyllabic, blissful one.
The Rig Veda, Grahapatya. The earth and Brahman as God, that is the body of the “a” sound, as expounded by the Brahman-knowers.
The Yajur Veda and the mid-region, and the fire Dakshina, and the holy god Vishnu, this is the “u” sound proclaimed to us.
The Sama Veda and heaven, the Ahavaniya fire also, and Ishvara, the highest (or supreme) god. Thus is the “m” sound proclaimed to us.
II – The location or sthanam of the sound OM:
In the midst of the brain-conch, like the sun-shine glitters the “a”. Within it is situated, the “u” sound of moon-like splendor.
The “m” sound too, like the fire, smokeless, resembling a lightning flash. Thus shine the three moras, like the Moon, the Sun and the fire.
There upon a pointed flame, like a torch light exists. Know it as the half mora, which one writes above the syllable.
III – The terminus or kala of the sound OM:
Yet one, like a pointed flame subtle, like lotus-fiber, shines the Sun-like cerebral artery – (passing through it) penetrates (the OM).
Through the Sun and seventy two thousand arteries, breaks through the head and remains as bringer of blessings to all – pervading the whole Universe.
IV – The vanishing, fading away or laya of the sound OM:
And just as the sound of a metal utensil – or of a gong dies in silence – so he, who seeks the All lets the OM sound fade away in silence.
For that wherein the sound fades away is the Brahman, the higher. Yea, the whole sound is Brahman and conduces to immortality.
Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!
Om ! May He protect us both together; may He nourish us both together;
May we work conjointly with great energy,
May our study be vigorous and effective;
May we not mutually dispute (or may we not hate any).
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
Here ends the Brahma-Vidyopanishad belonging to the Krishna-Yajur-Veda.
Minor Upanishad
Brihad Jabala Upanishad
Translated by P. R. Ramachander
Published by celextel.org
Published by celextel.org
Om ! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious;
May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship !
May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,
Praising them with our body and limbs steady !
May the glorious Indra bless us !
May the all-knowing Sun bless us !
May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us !
May Brihaspati grant us well-being !
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship !
May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,
Praising them with our body and limbs steady !
May the glorious Indra bless us !
May the all-knowing Sun bless us !
May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us !
May Brihaspati grant us well-being !
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
First Brahmana
Busunda approached Kalagni Rudra (the fire and death like Rudra) and asked him, “Please tell me about the greatness of Vibhoothi (Sacred ash – Vibhoothi is generally prepared by burning cow dung at auspicious times. The Vibhoothi of Pazhani temple is prepared by burning cactus plants). Kalagni Rudra replied, “What is there to tell?”. Then Busunda asked, “Please tell me the importance of wearing Vibhoothi and Rudraksha’. Kalagni Rudra replied, “This has already been related along with phala sruthi (resultant effect) by sage Paippalada. There is nothing more to be told more than what he has said”. Then Busunda asked, “Tell me about the route to salvation as told in the great Jabala (Brihat Jabala)”. Kalagni Rudra agreed and started teaching. 1
From the Sadhyojatha face of Lord Shiva (he has five faces), the earth was born. From it was born the Nivruthi. From that was born the golden coloured celestial cow called Nanda. From the dung of Nanda came Vibhoothi. 2
Water was produced from the face of Vama Deva. From that, the power called Prathishtaa was produced. From that the black cow called Bhadra was produced. From its dung was produced Bhasitha (another name for Vibhoothi). 3
Fire was produced from the face of Aghora. From that was produced the power of knowledge. From that was produced the red cow called Surabhi. From its dung was produced Bhasma (literally ash but another name for Vibhoothi). 4
Wind was produced from the face of Thath Purusha. From it was produced the power of peace. From it was produced the white cow called Susheela. From its dung was produced Kshara (again another name for ash). 5
Ether (sky) was produced from the face of Eeshana. From it was produced the power of Sandhyatheetha (one who is beyond dawn and dusk). From it was produced the multi coloured cow called Sumana. From its dung was produced Raksha (literally meaning shield). 6
Vibhoothi, Bhasitham, Bhasmam, Ksharam and Raksha are five different names of the holy ash. All these are causal names. Vibhoothi – because it gives rise to plenty of wealth, Bhasmam – because it eats away all sins, Bhasitha – because it makes materials glitter (the potash is a cleaning agent of all metals), Kshara – because it protects from dangers and Raksha – because it acts like a shield in case of fears of ghosts, devils, Pisacha, Brahma Rakshas, epilepsy and diseases which are in-born. 7
Second Brahmana
Then Busunda approached Kalagni Rudra and asked him about the Bhasmam (ash) snana (bathing) procedure which involves the fire and the moon. ”Similar to the fact that ‘fire’ takes several forms depending on the form of the object, ‘ash’ which is like the soul for all objects, assumes the form according to the shape of the being and also beyond it. Fire is told as becoming the world of fire and moon. Fire is very hot and is terrible. It is cruel. The power of moon is nectar like. Even though it has the basis in nectar, it also is the hot aspect of knowledge. Among the big and tiny things, it is the only one which is nectar like in taste and light and also very hot”, he told. 1
“The shining aspect of strength is of two types – the sun aspect and the fire aspect. Similarly the nectar like strength also is full of light and heat”, he told. 2
Light resides in aspects like lightning. Sweetness pervades in tastes of extracts. And the average world works within light and taste. 3
Nectar is a part of fire. Due to nectar, the fire grows. That is why, the world which is of the form of fire and moon, is like the fire made with the fire-offering (havis-offering). 4
The moon power is above .The fire power is down below. It is because that they join together that this world is functioning continuously. 5
[Mantras 6-8 are not available.]
That Shakthi (power, strong effect, the female principle) which rises above is Shiva. That Shiva which rises above is Shakthi. There is nothing in this world which is not affected by Shiva and Shakthi. 9
The world which has been burnt several times by fire, becomes pervasive with ash (Bhasma). This is the strength of the fire. In that strength, ash becomes an integral part. 10
Thus he who understands the strength of ash and does the ash bathing ritual using mantras, “agnireethi etc”, burns all his sins and attains salvation. 11
[Mantras 12 & 13 are not available.]
For winning over death , the bath of nectar is recommended. Where is the question of death for one who has been touched by nectar of Shiva and Shakthi? 14
The one who knows this holy secret method, would purify moon and fire and will not take birth again. 15
The one whose body is burnt by the fire of Shiva and made wet by the nectar of moon and entering the path of yoga would become eligible for deathless state. 16
Third Brahmana
Now the four fold method of preparing Bhasma (holy ash) is being narrated. First is Anukalpam, second Upakalpam, third upopakalpam and fourth is Akalpam.
Anukalpam is made by use of Viraja homa manthras in Agnihothra (collecting ash from the pit of fire sacrifice). Collecting dried cow dung lying in the forest and preparing it as per the method suggested in Kalpam is upakalpam. Collecting the dried cow dung, powdering it, making it in to balls after mixing it in cow’s urine and preparing it as per method suggested in kalpam is upopakalpam. What one gets in temples of Shiva is akalpam. This is equivalent to one hundred kalpams. All Basma prepared by any of these four methods leads one to salvation, said Bhagawan Kalagni Rudra.
Fourth Brahmana
Afterwards Busunda enquired with Bhagawan Kalagni Rudra about wearing Vibhuthi in three lines. What he said was:
On the forehead, you have to apply with the mantra, “Brahmane Namah! (Salutations to Brahma)”.
On the chest, you have to apply with the mantra, “Havyavahanaya Namah! (Salutations to he who rides the horse)”.
On the stomach, you have to apply with the mantra, “Skandaya Namah! (Salutations to Subrahmanya)”.
On the neck, you have to apply with the mantra, “Vishnave Namaj! (Salutations to Lord Vishnu)”.
In the middle, you have to apply with the mantra, “Prapanchanaya Namah! (Salutations to him who pervades in the entire world)”.
On the wrists, you have to apply with the mantra, “Vasubhyo Namah! (salutations to him who is like nectar)”.
On the back, you have to apply with the mantra, “Haraye Namah! (Salutations to Lord Hari)”.
On the top, you have to apply with the mantra, “Shambhave Namag! (Salutations to Lord Shiva)”.
On the head, you have to apply with the mantra, “Paramathmane Namah! (Salutations to the great soul which is in all beings)”.
In each of these places, you have to apply in a set of three lines. When we are wearing Vibhuthi on the forehead, meditate on the great Lord who has three eyes, who is the basis of three qualities and who makes everything visible in sets as “Namah Shivaya!”. Apply Vibhuthi chanting “Pithrubhyo Namah!” below the forearm. Above that apply chanting “Eeshanabhyo Namah!” and on sides chanting “Eeshabhya Namah!” and on the forearms chanting “Swachabhyam Namah!” and on back sides chanting “Bheemaya Namah!”. On both flanks of the belly put Vibhuthi chanting “Shivaya Namah!” and on the head chanting “Neela kantaya Sarvathmane Namah!”. This would remove the effects of sins done in the previous births.
Fifth Brahmana
Those who dishonor the three rows of Vibhuthi dishonor Lord Shiva himself. Those who wear it with devotion, wear Lord Shiva himself. Similar to a village without Lord Shiva’s temple is like a desert, those who do not wear Vibhuthi on their forehead, have a deserted forehead. A life without worship of Lord Shiva is a deserted life. An education where Lord Shiva is not involved is a useless education. The greatest strength of the fire of Rudra is the holy ash. So anyone wearing the holy ash always is forever strong. The holy ash which is born out of fire, burns off the sins of all Bhasma nishtas. Bhasma nishta is one who wears holy ash and possesses clean habits.
Sixth Brahmana
During the marriage of Maharishi Gauthama, all devas became passionate in their minds on seeing Ahalya. Because of that, they lost their knowledge and approached Sage Durvasa and asked him about it. He promised them that he would help them get rid of the sin committed by them because of this and told them, “Once upon a time by giving the holy ash after chanting the Rudra mantra one hundred times, even sins like Brahma hathi (sin got by killing a brahmana) have been washed off”. After this he gave them the very blessed holy ash. He also told them, “because you have heard my words, you would become more splendorous than before”.
It is said that this holy ash can give rise to all sorts of wealth. In front of it are Vasus, on its right are Rudras, on its back are Adhithyas (suns), on its left are Viswa Devas, in the centre are Brahma, Vishnu anid Shiva, and on its sides are the Sun and the Moon. The Rig Veda mantra tells about it (holy ash) as follows,” What is the use of Vedas to a person who does not understand that thing, in whose ether like perennial form lives all devas and the worlds? Any one who understands that great matter are the people who have attained that which should be attained.”
Seventh Brahmana
The king of Videha approached the sage Yagnavalkya and asked, ”Oh, God like sage, please explain to me the way of wearing the holy ash”. Yagnavalkya replied, ”Take Vibhuthi using the five brahma mantras starting with “sathyojatham”, chant “agnirithio Basma (ash is fire)” apply using the mantra starting with “manasthoke”. Mix it with water using mantra “triyayusham” and then apply it on head, forehead, chest, and shoulders chanting the mantra “trayambakam”. If this is followed one becomes pure and suitable for getting salvation. He would get the same effect as chanting Rudra, one hundred times. This is called Bhasma Jyothi.”
He continued, “the great sages like Samvarthaka, Aarooni, Swethakethu, Durvasa, Rupu, Nidhaga, Bharatha, Dathathreya, Raivathaka, Busunda etc got freed by wearing Vibhuthi.”
Sanathkumara approached Bhagawan Kalagni Rudra and asked him, “Bhagawan, kindly explain me the method of wearing Rudraksha.” What he told him was, “Rudraksha became famous by that name because initially, it was produced from the eyes of Rudra. During the time of destruction and after the act of destruction, when Rudra closed his eye of destruction, Rudraksha was produced from that eye. That is the Rudraksha property of Rudraksha. Just by touching and wearing this Rudraksha, one gets the same effect of giving in charity one thousand cows.”
Eighth Brahmana
He who reads this Brihat Jabala Upanishad daily, would attain the purity blessed by Agni (fire God), Vayu (wind god), Surya (sun), Chandra (moon), Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. The ones who chant Brihat Jabala Upanishad would attain that world where the Sun does not dry, where wind does not blow, where moon does not shine, where stars do not twinkle, where fire does not burn, where Yama (God of death) does not enter, where there are no sorrows, which is full of peace and pure and unalloyed happiness, which is praised by Gods like Brahma, which is meditated upon by great Yogis and from where great Yogis do not return after reaching it. This Upanishad ends with the blessing ”Om Sathya!”(long live the truth).
Om ! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious;
May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship !
May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,
Praising them with our body and limbs steady !
May the glorious Indra bless us !
May the all-knowing Sun bless us !
May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us !
May Brihaspati grant us well-being !
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship !
May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,
Praising them with our body and limbs steady !
May the glorious Indra bless us !
May the all-knowing Sun bless us !
May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us !
May Brihaspati grant us well-being !
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
Here ends the Brihad-Jabalopanishad, as contained in the Atharva-Veda.
(My humble salutations to Sreeman P Ramachnder for the collection)
Minor Upanishad
The Aksha-Malika Upanishad
(about the Rosary beads)
Translated by K. Srinivasan
Om ! May my speech be based on (i.e. accord with) the mind;
May my mind be based on speech.
O Self-effulgent One, reveal Thyself to me.
May you both (speech and mind) be the carriers of the Veda to me.
May not all that I have heard depart from me.
I shall join together (i.e. obliterate the difference of) day
And night through this study.
I shall utter what is verbally true;
I shall utter what is mentally true.
May that (Brahman) protect me;
May That protect the speaker (i.e. the teacher), may That protect me;
May that protect the speaker – may That protect the speaker.
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
1. Then the Prajapàti (Creator) asked Guha: “Oh Sir, (please) tell me the rules regarding the rosary of beads. What is its characteristic ? How many varieties of rosaries are there ? How many threads (does a rosary) contain ? How should it be made ? What are its colours ? How is it consecrated ? Who is its presiding deity ? And what is the benefit (of using it) ?”
2. Guha replied: “(It is made of any one of the following 10 materials) Coral, Pearl, Crystal, Conch, Silver, Gold, Sandal, Putra-Jìvikà, Lotus or Rudràksha. Each head must be devoted and thought of as presided over by the deities of Akàra to Kshakàra. Golden thread should bind the beads through the holes. On its right silver (caps) and left copper. The face of a bead should face, the face of another head and tail, the tail. Thus a circular formation must be made.
3. The internal thread must be thought of as Brahma (the Supreme Being). The right side silver cap must be considered to be the place of Shiva and Copper caps belonging to Vishnu. The face must be thought of as Sarasvati and the tail as Gayatri. The hole is Knowledge. The knot must be thought of as nature. The Beads representing vowels must be white (since they represent Sàttvika Guna). Those which represent mutes-consonants must be yellowish (since they are the result of mixture of Sattva and Tamas). The balance must be red in complexion (since they are Ràjasic).
4. Then (after thus meditating the presiding deities in different part of the rosary) bathe it (or clean it) in the milk got from 5 types of cows (like Nanda); and then in Pancha-gavya (a sanctified liquid prepared from the cow-dung, cow’s urine, ghee, curd and milk) and darbha grass immersed in water and then in the individual Pancha-gavya (in the aforesaid 5 things separately) and in sandal water. Then sprinkle water with darbha grass uttering Omkàra. Besmear it with eight fragrant (pastes) of eight (sweet-smelling substances like Sandal, Kasturi etc.,). Place it on flowers. Meditate (all) the letters in the rosary (or each letter in each bead).
5. Om Aëkàra, the conqueror of death, Omnipresent, be established in the 1st head !
Om Àëkàra, He who of the nature of attracting, found everywhere, be established in the 2nd head !
Om Iëkàra, the giver of wealth and firmness, be established in the 3rd head !
Om Ìëkàra, the maker of clarity in speech and clear One, be established in the 4th head!
Om Uëkàra, the giver of strength, the essence of everything, be established in the 5th head!
Om Ùëkàra, One who drives away evil spirits, the intolerable, be established in the 6th head !
Om Äëkàra, One who disturbs the (the dis-order), the moving One, be established in the 7th head !
Om Íëkàra, the deluding one, the effulgent and shining, be established in the 8th head!
Om Îëkàra, the hater, the devourer of everything else (or one who conceals everything), be established in the 9th head !
Om Îëkàra, the deluding one, be established in the 10th head !
Om Eëkàra, One who attracts everyone, Suddha-sattva, be established in the 11th head!
Om Aiëkàra, the Pure and Noble (Suddha-sattvika), attracting human beings, be established in the 12th head !
Om Oëkàra, the (base) of entire speech, eternally pure, be established in the 13th head !
Om Auëkàra, of the nature of speech, capable of attracting the peaceful, be established in the 14th head !
Om Aëkàra, capable of attracting elephants etc., attracting, be established in the 15th head!
Om Aãkàra, capable of destroying death terrible, be established in the 16th head !
Om Kaëkàra, the remover of all poison, giver of auspiciousness, be established in the 17th head !
Om Khaëkàra, the tormentor (or disturber) spreading everywhere, be established in the 18th head !
Om Gaëkàra, He who puts dows all obstacles, the greatest, be established in the 19th head !
Om Ghaëkàra, the giver of ………. (sanbhasya), stupefier, be established in the 20th head!
Om Ñaëkàra, the destroyer of all poisons, the sharp, be established in the 21st head !
Om Caëkàra, the destroyer of ……… (abhichara), cruel, be established in the 22nd head !
Om Chaëkàra, the destroyer of goblins, terrifying, be established in the 23rd head !
Om Jaëkàra, the destroyer of …….. (krityas – abhichara), unstoppable, be established in the 24th head !
Om Jhaëkàra, the destroyer of ……. (bhutas), be established in the 25th head !
Om Ñaëkàra, the churner of ……… (mrityu), be established in the 26th head !
Om Âaëkàra, the remover of all diseases, the good One, be established in the 27th head !
Om Âhaëkàra, of the nature of moon, be established in the 28th head !
Om Áaëkàra, the soul of Garuda, remover of poisons, be established in the 29th head !
Om Áhaëkàra, the giver of all wealth, the good One, be established in the 30th head !
Om Åaëkàra, the giver of all successes (siddhis), the deluder, be established in the 31st head !
Om Taëkàra, the giver of wealth and grains, who pleases one, be established in the 32nd head!
Om Thaëkàra, One who yokes with dharma, faultless one, be established in the 33rd head!
Om Daëkàra, the developer of growth, with pleasing looks, be established in the 34th head!
Om Dhaëkàra, the destroyer of mundane suffering (visajvara), the expansive One, be established in the 35th head !
Om Naëkàra, the giver of enjoyment and liberation, the peaceful One, be established in the 36th head !
Om Paëkàra, the destroyer of poison and obstructions, the Evolved One, be established in the 37th head !
Om Phaëkàra, the giver of eight siddhis, like atomic form, taking capacity, the effulgent nature etc., be established in the 38th head!
Om Baëkàra, the remover of all defects, the auspicious One, be established in the 39th head !
Om Bhaëkàra, One who quietens the goblins, the terrifying One, be established in the 40th head !
Om Maëkàra, the deluder of haters, be established in the 41st head !
Om Yaëkàra, the Omnipresent, the purifier, be established in the 42nd head !
Om Raëkàra, the burning One, the odd shaped, be established in the 43rd head !
Om Laëkàra, the hearer of the world, the effulgent, be established in the 44th head !
Om Vaëkàra, the all-pervading One, the noblest One, be established in the 45th head !
Om Éaëkàra, the giver of all results, the sanctifier, be established in the 46th head !
Om Çaëkàra, the giver of righteousness, wealth and pleasure, ……….., be established in the 47th head !
Om Saëkàra, the cause of everything, the undercurrent of all letters, be established in the 48th head !
Om Haëkàra, the base of all speech, the pure One, be established in the 49th head !
Om Laëkàra, the giver of all power, the Supreme One, be established in the 50th head !
Om Kçaëkàra, the One who instructs on the main and subsidiary categories of the world, of the nature of Supreme effulgence, be firmly established in the crest gem !
Mrityu not only means death but carelessness, non-alertness consequent swerving from the path of spirituality. Hence ajnana, nescience and the bodily perils like hunger etc., too are referred to as Mrityu.
Such invocation of sacred syllables (avahana), their spirits and the deity who confers a particular boon and of the nature of a particular form must be invoked in the first head – right of central head. Invocation must be done circularly and end in crest jewel.
6. Then one must say: “Salutations to those gods who are on and move about in earth ! Be firmly established in this rosary and bless us and forefathers too after getting established in Aksha-malika permit us for auspiciousness and good !”
7. Then one must say: “Salutations to those gods who are in and move about in atmosphere! Be firmly established in this rosary and bless us and forefathers too after getting established in Aksha-malika permit us for auspiciousness and good !”
8. Then one must say: “Salutations to those gods who are in and move about in heaven ! Be firmly established in this rosary and bless us and forefathers too after getting established in Aksha-malika permit us for auspiciousness and good !”
9. Then one must say: “Salutations to seven crore mantras and 64 arts” and invoke their powers in rosary.
10. Then one must say: “Salutations to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva” and invoke their powers in rosary.
11. Then one must say: “Salutations unto the 36 Tattvas (the fundamental categories)” and invoke the presence of the best Tattvas in it, praying to them to make the rosary capable of yielding the desired fruit like a divine-cow (Kamadhenu).
12. Then one must say: “Salutations unto Hundreds of Thousands of Saivites, Vaishnavites and Saktas (and seek their blessings and permission to use the rosary); be pleased and permit me to use”.
13. Then one must say: “Salutations unto the powers of Mrityu; Let you all make me happy, happy !”
14. Then meditating on the rosary as representing everything as the form of God, should start touching eastwards, feeling grateful to its help and touch the heads (beads) 108 times.
15. Then getting up, placing it (on flowers) circumambulating utter the following incantation: “Om, Oh goddess, salutations, mother of all mantras of the forms of letters, rosary of beads; He who attracts everyone, Salutations ! Oh goddess mantra matrike, rosary of beads, stupefier of everything, Salutations ! Oh goddess, the remover of Abhicharas, Salutations ! Oh goddess, eternal One, conqueror of nescience, the illuminator of everything, protector of the all world, life giver for all world, creator of everything, ordainer of the day, ordainer of the night, mover to the other rivers, mover to other places, mover to other islands, mover to other worlds, shining everywhere always, she who illumines all hearts !
Salutations to you of the form of Parà !
Salutations to you of the form of Paéyanti !
Salutations to you of the form of Madhyamà !
Salutations to you of the form of Vaikhari !
Salutations ! Salutations to you of the nature of all Tattvas, all knowledge, of the nature of all powers, of the nature of all good, worshipped by sage Vasistha, attended to by sage Visvamitra !
16. If one studies this in morning, the sins of night are destroyed. If one studies this in evening twilight, sins done in day are destroyed. One who reads this both in the morning and evening, even if a sinner, becomes rid off sins. The mantras recited with rosary immediately gives benefits.” Thus said Guha to Prajapati. Thus ends the Upanishad.
Om ! May my speech be based on (i.e. accord with) the mind;
May my mind be based on speech.
O Self-effulgent One, reveal Thyself to me.
May you both (speech and mind) be the carriers of the Veda to me.
May not all that I have heard depart from me.
I shall join together (i.e. obliterate the difference of) day
And night through this study.
I shall utter what is verbally true;
I shall utter what is mentally true.
May that (Brahman) protect me;
May That protect the speaker (i.e. the teacher), may That protect me;
May that protect the speaker – may That protect the speaker.
Om ! Let there be Peace in me !
Let there be Peace in my environment !
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
Here ends the Aksha-Malikopanishad, as contained in the Rig-Veda.
( My humble salutations to Sreeman K Sreenivasan for the collection
