What this book is about
This new translation pf the Brihadarnyaka Upanishad
by Jayaram V brings out the mystic symbolism and the hidden
significance of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, and provides insight
into the very fundamental concepts that are now an integral
part of Hinduism and the Vedanta Philosophy. This edition includes
introduction, original Sanskrit verses in transliterated Devanagari
script, translation of each verse, explanatory notes, and bibliography.
This edition forms part of the translation of the 16 major Upanishads
by the same author.
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Table of Contents
Author's Note
Introduction
Chapter 1
The Symbolism of Horse Sacrifice
Creation and
Separation of Worlds and Beings
Gods and Demons and the
Superiority of Breath
Creation of Duality and Diversity
Seven Types of Food Created by Prajapati
Name, Form
and Action, The Threefold Diversity
Chapter 2
The Right and Wrong Knowledge of Brahman
Breath
and Other Deities in the Body
The Two Forms of Brahman
A Conversation Between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi
The
Sweetness of God Inherent in Creation
The Line of Teachers
and Students
Chapter 3
Yajnavalkya
on Sacrificial Rites
Yajnavalkya on Senses and Sense Objects
Yajnavalkya on Where Horse Sacrificers Go
Yajnavalkya
on the Unknowability of Self
Yajnavalkya on Renunciation
and Liberation
Yajnavalkya on the Worlds and Their Support
Yajnavalkya on the Inner Controller
Yajnavalkya on Imperishable,
Unseen Brahman
Yajnavalkya on Many Gods and One God
Chapter 4
Yajnavalkya on Partial Definitions
of Brahman
Yajnavalkya on the Person in the Body
Yajnavalkya
on the Light Within
The Fate of the Departing Souls
Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi
The Line of Teachers and Students
Chapter 5
Invocation to Brahman, the
Full
Prajapati's Advice to Gods, Humans and Demons
Brahman
as Hrdayam
The Heart
Brahman as the True
Brahman
as Satyam
the Truth
Brahman as the Person in the Mind
Brahman as the Lightning
Speech Symbolized as the Cow
The Digestive Fire Within the Body
The Journey of Souls
Upon Death
Death and Illness as Austerities
The Interconnection
Between Food and Breath
Breath as Ukta, the Hymn of Praise
The Four Feet of Gayatri
Prayer to Pusan and Agni by
a Dying Person
Chapter 6
Breath is
Superior to the Organs of the Body
The Path of Gods and
the Path of Ancestors
A Sacrifice for Greatness and Prosperity
Sexual Intercourse as a Sacrifice
The Line of Teachers
and Students
Bibliography
Cover Page Symbolism.
About the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad means the Secret Teachings of the
Great Forest Book. It is one of the largest and the oldest Upanishads
found in the Vedas, with three divisions, 6 chapters, 47 sections
and 427 verses, larger than the Bhagavadgita, with long passages,
esoteric symbolism, and backed by a long lineage of ancient
teachers. In the last few thousand years only a handful of people
translated this Upanishad entirely. This is probably the most
recent translation of the Upanishad in this century. In terms
of its size and the work involved to translate it, it is larger
than the Bhagavadgita, but smaller than the Chandogya Upanishad.
No translation of the Upanishads is complete without
the translations of these two Upanishads. They contain within
themselves much of what the Upanishads represent. If you are
interested in Hinduism and want to know its early development,
a critical study of this scripture is necessary and helpful.
The Upanishad contains references to early Vedic practices,
such as the horse sacrifice and procreation ceremonies, knowledge
of Brahman and Self, nature of creation, constitution of the
human personality, importance of food and breath, father-to-son
transmission ceremony, nature of sleep, and afterlife. Whoever
reads it is presented with the vision of the human body as an
universe in itself, and the hidden presence of Brahman in the
sweetness (honey) of life.
The Upanishad also brings
to light the greatness of sage Yajnavalkya, Ajatasatru, Janaka
and Pavahana Jaivali, undoubtedly the greatest seers of their
times and some of the best teachers Hinduism has ever produced.
A unique conversation between Yajnavalkya and his wife Maitreyi,
presented twice with minor variations, stands in sharp contrast
to the values we practice today in our relationships and our
attitude towards life and the world in general. This translation,
like every other translation I have done before, had been an
exercise in contemplation and self-study of Hinduism. I have
been benefited by the exercise and I intend to share my knowledge
with others.