Taittiriya upanishad and the environment

In case of the Universe, Brahman is both the Upadana Karana and the Nimmita Karana. Shastras term this as вЂњUpadana Karana/material causeвЂќ and вЂњNimmita Karana/Intelligent or Efficient causeвЂќ. To accomplish any work (Karya) - For example creating a pot, a base material (Soil) called as вЂњUpadanaвЂќ in scriptures and a person (the potter) who accomplishes the task called as вЂњKartaвЂќ is needed. Brahman is both the material and intelligent cause for this universe. The world/cosmos with all its multiplicities are not separate from God but have their origin in him and they sustain in him and merge back into him.

вЂњFrom which all the creatures (bhUta) are born, being born by which they sustain and into which they merge back, Know that as BrahmanвЂќ. The same has been more explicitly mentioned in Taittiriya Upanishad. All the existence, the entire cosmos, everything that ever existed is nothing but Brahman. In other words, God is the sum total of all existence.Д¬handogya Upanishad proclaims вЂњSarvam Khalvidam Brahma(2)вЂќ meaning вЂњEverything is Brahman/GodвЂќ. In the Vyavahrika plane(1) (the Mundane/Relative), the Man, World and the God appear and function as distinct from one another, but in Paramarthika plane (The Absolute plane) there is only One, call it God or Brahman or Atman. God and World, the Creator and the Created are not two distinct entities but only they appear to be so. To understanding about the Creation/Origin of the Universe, it is important to understand the relationship between World and God according to Hindu philosophy. It is only in Hindu religion that one finds a comprehensive analysis and explanation of various aspects and realms of Cosmos and its origin. The views vary from our Universe coming out of Big Bang to creationist views of world being created one fine day by God. Son meditated and revealed one by one and at the end realized the blissful all pervaded atman.One of the questions that seekers, philosophers, scientists and theologianвЂ™s world over have involved themselves from time immemorial is about the origin of the universe. He said that food, vital air, eye, ear, mind and speech are Brahman. He also gave the order in which ultimate reality is pervaded. Father gave instruction to son to perform tapas to reveal Brahman.

Brahman is that from which all this is born, in which all these are residing and that into which all these merge in the end. For getting his mind purified the father first said the nature of Brahman. Once bhrugu approached his father and requested him to reveal the secret of ultimate reality, Brahman. Bhrguvalli (3 rd chapter) вЂ“ This chapter repeats the idea of second chapter through a story about sage Brigu. It asserts that soul exists, and realizing it is the highest, empowering, liberating knowledge.It also asserts that knowing oneвЂ™s Self is the path to freedom from all concerns, fears and to a positive state of blissful living.This chapter also discusses about concentric layers(five sheats) of knowledge seeking.ДЈ. Anandavalli (2 nd chapter)-This chapter focuses on the theme of the eternal soul. He imparts to them rules of right conduct or right living in order to prepare themselves for the attainment of the knowledge of the self.Дў. This Upanishad was named after him and become taittiriyopanishat.ДЎ.Siksavalli (1 st chapter) вЂ“ In this chapter the teacher gives clear instructions to the aspirants on character building. вЂTittiriвЂ™ was the name of a Vedic sage who extracted the Upanishad. It comprises of three chapters which contain several philosophical discussions about enlightenment. Taittiriyopanishat is one of the ten major Upanishads. The most important lines of this major Upanishad will be throughly studied, syllabus and supported material will be provided in advanced for aВ comprehensiveВ understanding of the words. The next several months will be dedicated to the study of the Taittiriya Upanishad.

Taittiriya upanishad and the environment