New Vision

 The Mandala Brahmana Upanishad  (the Sacred Interplay of Ritual and Spiritual Wisdom) Devotion to one's guru, love of true path, enjoyment of objects producing happiness, internal satisfaction, freedom from association, living in a retired place, the controlling of the manas, not longing after fruits of action, and a state of vairagya, all these constitute Niyamas. The Mandala Brahmana Upanishad, one of the 20 Yoga Upanishads attached to the Shukla Yajurveda, represents a confluence of Vedic ritualism and philosophical inquiry, serving as a bridge between the ritualistic Brahmanas and the mystical Upanishads. Its teachings shed light on the transition from external rituals to internal contemplation and self-realization. This Upanishad seamlessly weaves together the profound insights of spiritual wisdom and the intricate rituals of the Brahmanas. It  emerges from the rich tapestry of the Vedic period, which spanned from around 1500 BC to 500 BC. The text describes Yoga as...

 The Hamsa Upanishad  (The Inner Divinity through the Supreme Breath) At our birth it enters into us, the migratory bird! like the fire, invisibly present in the wood, like the oil hidden in the sesame seed, it dwells in the deepest depth of us: to know that (the bird) is to free oneself from death. The Hamsa Upanishad, one of the 20 Yoga Upanishads attached to the Shukla Yajurveda, stands as a beacon of light, guiding seekers on a journey of discovering the inner divinity through the supreme breath. The Upanishad derives its name from the word “Hamsa,” which represents the divine swan or the symbol of the supreme soul. Its precise origins and authorship remain uncertain, but it is believed to have been composed between the 15th and 16th centuries AD. The Upanishad is structured as a disorganized medley of ideas, in the form of a discourse between Hindu sage Gautama and the divine Sanatkumara, on the knowledge of Hamsa-vidya as a prelude to Brahmavidya. The text describes the ...

 The Advaya Taraka Upanishad  (The Non-Dual Essence of Reality) Know then that Yoga is two fold, in the relationship of priority and posteriority. The former should be known Taraka (mind), the latter Amanaska (non mind). The Advaya Taraka Upanishad, one of the 20 Yoga Upanishads attached to the Shukla Yajurveda, offers deep insights into the nature of reality and the realization of non-duality. This Upanishad explores the concept of Advaita (non-dualism) and provides practical guidance for seekers on the path to self-realization. Advaya Taraka is a composite Sanskrit word, consisting of advaya which means “nondual, identity, unity, not two, without a second”, and taraka which means “star, pupil of the eye” and figuratively “deliverer, rescuer.” Its exact origins and dating are uncertain because it draws upon the philosophical principles expounded by great sages and teachers like Adi Shankaracharya. The Upanishad presents the principle of Advaita, emphasizing the non-dual natur...

  The Tara Sara Upanishad  (The Supreme Goddess and Her Cosmic Essence) That which is Om is the indestructible, the supreme, and the Brahman. That alone should be worshipped. It is this that is of the eight subtle syllables. The Tara Sara Upanishad is classified as one of 14 Vaishnava Upanishads attached to the Shukla Yajurveda. This Upanishad delves into the worship, symbolism, and spiritual significance of Goddess Tara Sara, guiding seekers on the path of spiritual awakening and liberation. Rooted in the ancient Vedic tradition, this Upanishad continues to hold enduring significance as it unveils the divine mysteries of the cosmic feminine principle. Goddess Tara Sara is revered as the Supreme Goddess, transcending the dualities of existence and representing the ultimate reality. The origins of this Upanishad can be traced back to the ancient Vedic period which dates back to approximately 1500-500 BC. The text is notable for its discussion of Om for yogic meditation as Tarak...

 The Paramahamsa Upanishad (The Path of the Supreme Renunciate) By knowing that the highest Self (Brahman) and the lower self (Atman) are one, the difference between them dissolves into oneness. This knowledge is his twilight worship. The Paramahamsa Upanishad, one of the 19 Sannyasa Upanishads attached to the Shukla Yajurveda,  holds a significant place within this tradition, focusing on the life and teachings of the Paramahamsa, the highest order of renunciates. It emerged within the broader framework of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practices. It reflects the deep reverence for renunciation and the ascetic way of life, prevalent during the time of its composition. The Upanishad, in its opening and concluding hymns, emphasizes the primacy of infiniteness of the Brahman and the Universe, with the Brahman representing the infinite. Its theme is presented in four hymns as an explanation by Lord Brahma to Narada's query on the aspect of the path of the Paramahansa Yogis. The Up...

 The Satyayaniya Upanishad  (The Eternal Truth Within) Overcoming lust, anger, greed, delusion, deceit, arrogance, envy, egotism, conceit and the like, shunning honor and dishonor, praise and blame, let him stand like a tree and when hacked, not utter a word. Those who know this become immortal in this very world.  The Satyayaniya Upanishad, one of the 19 Sannyasa Upanishads attached to the Shukla Yajurveda, explores the essence of Satya (truth) and the path to self-realization. It expounds the timeless wisdom of the Vedic tradition, seeking to unravel the profound mysteries of existence and consciousness. Its name draws from Satyayani, the Goddess of Truth, symbolizing the quest for absolute truth and knowledge. The origins and its datings are uncertain however it is believed to have composed between 800 and 200 BC. The text identifies four types of (Vaishnava) renouncers – Kuticaka, Bahudaka, Hamsa and Paramahamsa. All of them carry a symbol or sign of Vishnu, internall...

  The Yajnavalkya Upanishad (The Profound Wisdom of Sage Yajnavalkya) One even sees renoucers who are careless, whose minds are set on outward things, who are backbiting and quarrelsome, and whose designs are condemned by the Veda. The Yajnavalkya Upanishad, one of the 19 Sannyasa Upanishads attached to the Shukla Yajurveda, unveils the profound wisdom and spiritual insights of Sage Yajnavalkya. The Upanishad presents the profound spiritual insights and philosophical dialogues between Sage Yajnavalkya and other learned scholars of the time. Its exact origins and dating are uknown, but it is belived to have composed between 1st and early 2nd millennium BC. The Upanishad describes the state and expected behavior from a sannyasi as he leads the monastic life after renouncing all material and social ties. The first three of four chapters of the text are identical to chapters 4, 5 and 6 of the Jabala Upanishad. The last chapter of the text declares that the verses that follow are from o...