Hamsa Upanishad
Hamsa | |
---|---|
Shukla Yajurveda | |
Chapters | 11[1] |
Philosophy | Tantra, Shaktism, Yoga |
The Hamsa Upanishad (
The Hamsa Upanishad is structured as a disorganized medley of ideas, in the form of a discourse between Hindu sage
Several versions of the Hamsa Upanishad exist, of which the Calcutta and Poona editions have been most studied. It is also called the Hamsopanishad.
Etymology
According to Paul Deussen, Hamsa in Indian tradition can refer to the migrating "goose, swan or flamingo", and symbolizes the "migrating soul" or reincarnating soul.[9]
The word Hamsa as a symbolism for Atman and moksha appears in numerous ancient texts of Hinduism. Vogel suggested in 1952, that Hamsa in Hindu texts could be symbolism for goose, rather than swan.[10] Dave, in 2005, stated that the hymns of Rigveda, and verses in Hindu Epics and Puranas mention a variety of birds with the root of hamsa (हंस), such as Maha-hamsa, Raj-hamsa, Kal-hamsa and others, most of which relate to various species of swans particularly mute swan, while some refer to geese.[11] Dave's identification is based on the details provided in the Sanskrit texts about the changes in plumage over the bird's life, described voice, migratory habits, courtship rituals and flying patterns.[11] Some Sanskrit texts, states Dave, distinguish between Hamsa and Kadamb, the former being swan and latter as bar-headed goose.[11] Regardless of whether it is goose or swan, the word in the title is symbolism for something that migrates, is transcendent.[11][12][13]
The text title likely refers to it being a treatise for individual soul, seeking the highest soul (Paramahamsa).[7]
Contents
The text opens with Gautama asking Sanatkumara to distill the knowledge of all Vedas for him. Sanatkumara states that Shiva pondered over the Vedas and answered the same question from Parvati.[14][6] It is the knowledge of Yoga, the shrouded mystery of yogins, the path of the Hamsa, which he will share with Gautama.[15]
Sanatkumara states this knowledge is meant for those Yoga students who are self-restrained, have abandoned craving for the worldly pleasures and are devoted to learning from a Guru (teacher).[14]
The arrival of Hamsa
Breath is sound, states the text, and one that stays in all human bodies all their life, filling them with energy.[14]
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.— Hamsa Upanishad, Translated by Jean Varenne[16]
Hamsa, states Jean Varenne, is the symbolism for Atman (soul).[16]
The chakras
Chapter 3 of the text describes a tantra process to energize the
Hamsa is an aphorism
Hamsa is part of the aphorism, namely Hamso Hamsa, states the text, where Hamsa (soul) is the poet, the Pankti is the
Hamsa is the lotus in one's heart
Hamsa must be meditated upon, states chapter 6 of the Upanishad, in the eight petal (a lotus flower) in the heart.[6][18] The bird should be visualized, translated Paul Deussen, with Agni and Soma as his wings, the Om as his head and neck, the Anusvara (the curve and dot above the Om sign) its beak with eye, Rudra as his one feet and Rudrani the other, Kala as his left side and Agni the right, his sight is set above and is homeless below him.[18]
This Hamsa is that Paramahamsa (the highest soul), states chapter 7, that pervades the universe and shines like ten million suns.[21]
Each petal of the lotus, which a yogi meditates on, is then mapped to actions of the yogi, in chapter 8 of the text.[6] East facing petal represents noble actions; the petal in south eastern direction denotes sleep and indolence; petal facing south west should remind him of evil actions; the west facing petal of play; the petal facing north-west creates urge to walk and other actions; petal facing north indicates enjoying love and lust; the north east facing petal shows ambition to amass wealth.[6][21]
The center of the lotus flower, asserts the text, represents renunciation.
Hamsa has will
The Turya state is reached, states the Upanishad, when the Hamsa within is merged in the reverberation of the Om, not because of Manas (mind), but because of the will of the Hamsa (soul).[21]
Hamsa is music
There are ten stages of "inner nada" which are heard successively as sounds; first "chini", then "chini-chini", third a
The destination of Hamsa
One must avoid the first nine, states the text, and seek the tenth music because it relates to Hamsa. It is in tenth state where the yogi realizes Brahman, his Atman and Brahman become one,[24] the duality vanishes.[25] The yogi then shines, his doubts destroyed, his desires vanish, calmness, enlightenment, bliss becomes him.[24]
See also
References
- ^ Deussen 1997, pp. 718–721.
- ISBN 81-208-2086-X
- ISBN 978-85-348-0040-2.
- ^ Deussen 1997, pp. 717 with introductory notes on page 718.
- ^ a b Deussen 1997, pp. 717–718.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Hamsa Upanishaḍ of Śukla-Yajurveḍa". Sacred Texts.
- ^ a b Deussen 1997, p. 717.
- ^ Deussen 1997, p. 556.
- ^ a b Deussen 1997, p. 963.
- ^ Jean P Vogel, The Goose in Indian Literature and Art (Arts & Letters, Vol. XXVII, 1952; Reprinted Leiden, 1962), pages 1–2
- ^ ISBN 978-8120818422, pages 422-447
- ISBN 978-0028657332, page 8894, Quote: "In Hindu iconography the swan personifies Brahman-Atman, the transcendent yet immanent ground of being, the Self."
- ISBN 978-0415556231, page 697
- ^ a b c Deussen 1997, p. 718.
- ^ Ayyangar 1938, pp. 492–493.
- ^ ISBN 978-0226851167, pages 67-68
- ^ a b c Aiyar 1914, pp. 212–213.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Deussen 1997, p. 719.
- ^ Hattangadi 1999.
- ^ Ayyangar 1938, p. 499.
- ^ a b c d e f Deussen 1997, p. 720.
- ^ Ayyangar 1938, p. 500.
- ^ Ayyangar 1938, pp. 499–501.
- ^ a b Deussen 1997, p. 721.
- ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9.
Bibliography
- Aiyar, Narayanasvami (1914). "Thirty minor Upanishads". Archive Organization. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
- Ayyangar, TR Srinivasa (1938). The Yoga Upanishads. The Adyar Library.
- Deussen, Paul (1997). Sixty Upanishads of the Veda. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-8120814677.
- Hattangadi, Sunder (1999). "हंसोपनिषत् (Hamsa Upanishad)" (in Sanskrit). Retrieved 8 January 2016.