The Taittiriya Upanishad

Translation by Jayaram V

Section I

May Mitra be kind to us.
May Varuna and the blessings of Aryama.
May also the grace of Indra and Brahaspati.
And Vishnu the strider of the world.
Salutation to Brahman, and Vayu, who alone I deem as Brahman visible.
I declare that you are right and you are good.
May that Brahman protect me and protect the speaker

Section 2

The science of pronunciation we shall now expound
The sounds, the tone, the measure, and the force for articulation
The uniformity and continuity in their pronunciation are all important.
The chapter on pronunciation is thus explained.

Section 3

Having heard the basics of pronunciation from the teacher the students invoke Brahman and pray for the glory of both.

And the teacher then explains the secrets of conjunction of words using the five perceptible objects: the Universe, the light, the knowledge, the people and the body. These are known as the five great aggregates.

 
Regarding the universe, the teacher explains like this: the earth is the first form, the heaven the second, and the space in between is the middle. The air is the connecting element. This is it should be about the universe.

 
Regarding light the teaching is like this: fire is the first form, the sun is the second. Water is the middle. Lightening is the connecting element. This is how it should be about light.

Regarding knowledge the teaching is like this: the teacher is the first form, the taught is the second. Learning is the middle. The instruction is the connecting element. this is how it should be about knowledge.

Regarding people the teaching is like this: Mother is the first form, father is the next. The progeny is the middle. Procreation is the connecting element. This is how it should be about the people.

 
Regarding an individual the teaching is like this: the lower jaw is the first form, the upper jaw is the second form. Speech is the middle. Tongue is the connecting element. This is how it is about the individual.

 
These are called the great combinations. And he who understands them as explained here, becomes associated with progeny, with cattle, with the luminosity of Brahman, with food etc.,and with the worlds of golden hue.

Section - 4

He who is found eminently among the hymns of the Vedas, who has originated from the immortal hymns of the Vedas, may that great Indra fill me with intelligence. May I become a possessor of that which gives me immortality. May my body become strong and able. May my tongue yield the nectar of honey. May my ears listen abundantly. You, who are the intellect and the sheath of Brahman, may you preserve my learning.

May hairy animals and cattle come to me abundantly. Svaha! May they bring me prosperity. Svaha! May, He bestow upon me clothes, cows, food and drink. Svaha! May they all multiply without delay. Svaha! May the students of Brahman come to me in large numbers from all directions for sturdy. Svaha! May the students of Brahman practice self-control and remain ever peaceful. Svaha!

May I become prominent among men. Svaha ! May I become distinct among the rich. Svaha! Lord of Luminosity (Sun God), may I enter into you. Svaha! May You too enter into me. Svaha! Among your innumerable branches (Sun rays) may I become purified. As water flows downwards, as months move towards years, may the students of Brahman come to me from all places. Svaha! You are the refuge. Transmit Your power to me and possess me.

Section-5

Bhu, Bhuva and Suvah are the three words of mystical importance. Above these there is another called Maha, declared to us by sage Mahachamasya. This verily is Brahman. It is the body, while the other three divinities are its limbs.

Bhu is this world. What is called Bhuva is the firmament. Suvah is the world beyond. What is called Maha is Aditya,the sun. It is by Aditya that the worlds are nourished.

What is known as Bhu is fire. What is known as Bhuva is air. What is known as Suvah is Aditya, the sun. What is known as Maha is the moon. It is by the grace of moon that all the vitalities are nourished.

What is known as Bhu is Rik. What is known as Bhuva is Sama. What is known as Suvah is Yajumsi. What is known as Maha (OM) is the Brahman. It is by the grace of Brahman that the Vedas are nourished.

What is known as Bhu is prana. What is known as Bhuva is apana. What is known as Suvah is vyana. What is known as Maha is food. It is because of food that the pranas are nourished.

The above mentioned four are again four each in number. He who knows these four verily knows Brahman. All the Gods carry their offering to Him.

Section-6

That which is with in the heart is the space where in lives Purusha of the mental, immortal and golden sheaths. Between the two palates where lies the small tongue, where the hair is parted (while combing) and the skull is divided into two equal halves, is the place of Indra's origin.

With the word "bhuh" he becomes established in fire. With the word" bhuvah" he is established in the air. With the word "suvah" he is established in the sun. With the word "mahah" he is established in Brahman. He attains self-illumination, control over the minds, becomes the Lord of Speech, the Lord of the eyes, the ears and the knowledge. After that he becomes Brahman, whose body is space, whose nature is truth, who plays with the vital airs, whose mind is bliss and who is filled with peace and who is immortal.

(To be continued...)