Taittiriya upanishad quotes
Thus is explained the lesson on pronunciation.Īlthough the purpose of reading the Upanishad is to get at its meaning, we may miss that meaning if we do not know the pronunciation of each of its words because Sanskrit is a phonetic language where the spoken and written letters and words (sound and its illustration) produce the same effect without any difference inter se (unlike English language where written words may be similar but their pronunciation differ e.g. It deals with sound, pitch, quantity, force, modulation and combination.
We will expound siksha, or the science of pronunciation. SECTION 2 – VARNASVARADI SIKSANAM - LESSON ON PRONUNCIATIONĪum shixam vyakhyasyamah. It is an invocation to certain deities to remove the obstacles to acquire spiritual wisdom. Thus the first section of the Upanishad opens with a set of invocation Mantras which together constitute Isvara Upasana which is a necessary prerequisite for gaining antah karana shuddhi, purity of mind and intellect for becoming fit for gaining spiritual wisdom and ultimately moksha - total fulfillment in life. The word ‘shanti’ is uttered thrice in order to ward off the obstacles emanating from one’s own self, from the other living beings and from the natural forces.
If the student is dull he cannot learn and if the teacher is dull he cannot teach.
He then prays for his own protection and that of the teacher also as both the teacher and the taught should be mentally and physically fit for attaining the spiritual goal. He is referred to as the visible because of his being direct, immediate, nearer than the sense organs and he can be felt.Īddressing Vayu, the student says ‘ ritam vadishyami, satyam vadishyami’ –‘I will call you the moral order, I will call you the truth’ because no society can flourish without moral order and the rule by truth. All actions and their fruits are under the control of Vayu who is identified with prana. Praise and salutations are offered to Vayu (air) by the student seeking knowledge of Brahman so that obstacles to the attainment of such knowledge may be removed. Vishnu – The deity who pervades the universe and is identified with the feet. Indra – The deity identified with strength.īrihaspati – The deity identified with speech and intellect. Varuna – The deity identified with apana, the downward breath and the night.Īryaman – The deity identified with the eye and the solar orb. Mitra – The deity identified with the prana and the day the deity controlling the sun. The deities to whom the prayers offered are: The word ‘sam’ in Sanskrit means propitious, be kind, be helpful. So we need the blessings, support and good wishes of all the deities. This is a prayer to various deities as we begin to embark upon a grueling journey of the study of Vedanta which at the same time is the most covetable undertaking. May It protect me! May It protect the teacher! May It protect me! May It protect the teacher! Thee indeed I shall proclaim as the true (satyam). Thee indeed, O Vayu, I shall proclaim as the right (ritam). Thee indeed I shall proclaim as the visible Brahman. Salutation to Brahman! Salutation to Thee, O Vayu! Thou indeed art the visibleīrahman. May Vishnu, of wide strides, be propitious unto us! May Mitra be propitious unto us! May Varuna be propitious unto us! May Aryaman be propitious unto us! May Indra and Brihaspati be propitious unto us!