Hayagriva Upanishad
Hayagriva Upanishad | ||
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Veda Atharvaveda | | |
Chapters | 2 | |
Verses | 20 | |
Philosophy | Vaishnavism |
Part of a series on |
Vaishnavism |
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Hayagriva Upanishad or Hayagrivopanishad (
In a
The Hayagriva Upanishad presents mantras to know the nature of the supreme reality Brahman.[5][6]
Date
The composition date of the text is unknown. Given the Vishnu avatar-oriented sectarian nature, and the description of tantric mantras in the text, it is likely a relatively late Upanishad. Sectarian Upanishads with tantra mantras were likely composed after the 10th century, states Douglas Brooks.[7] Patrick Olivelle states that sectarian Upanishads attached to Atharvaveda were likely composed in the 2nd-millennium, until about the 16th century.[8]
Name
The word Hayagriva means "horse necked".[9] The term also refers to several different mythological characters found in all three major ancient Indic religions – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.[10][11][12]
Hayagriva refers to a horse-themed avatar, also known as Ashvamukha, Ashvasirsa and Hayashirsa. In one legend, Hayagriva is the persistent horse who brought back the
Content
The Hayagriva Upanishad has 20 verses and is divided into two chapters. It is narrated as a sermon by the god
Narada asks Brahma to grant him the knowledge of Brahman, which saves one from sins and grants spiritual and material wealth. Brahma declares that one who "masters" the mantras of Hayagriva learns the wisdom of the scriptures Shrutis ("heard knowledge"), Smritis (memorized knowledge), Itihasas (Hindu epics, literally "history"), and Puranas and is bestowed with wealth. Brahma then starts narrating the various mantras that are used in Hayagriva's worship.[15][16]
The first mantra salutes Hayagriva as Vishnu, the ruler of knowledge. He is praised beyond the material universe and as a saviour. The second mantra identifies Hayagriva as the manifestation of the three
The second chapter begins with Brahma telling about the one-syllable mantra (bija) of Hayagriva: Lhoum.[15][16] The mantra Amritam kuru kuru svaha, asserts the text, grants control over words, wealth and the eight siddhis. Another mantra Lhoum sakala-samrajyena siddhim kuru kuru svaha through which, claims the text, in life the reciter gains pleasures and after death, salvation. This helps one realize the true spiritual meanings of the Vedic maxims (Mahavakya):
- Prajnanam Brahma (Brahman is wisdom),
- Tat tvam asi (You are that)",
- Ayam atma brahma (My soul is Brahman),
- Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman).
Four supplementary Vedic mantras are then recited, which are "Yad Vak Vadanthi ...", "Gowrimimaya...", "Oshtapidhana ..." and "Sa Sarpareeramathim ...".[15][16]
In tradition of Upanishads, the Hayagriva Upanishad ends by mentioning the merits of the text. The canon declares that one who recites the Hayagriva Upanishad on ekadashi (11th lunar day, which is sacred to Vishnu) would be blessed with Hayagriva's grace and attain salvation. The text ends with a prayer that this knowledge of the Brahman may remain with the devotee.[15][16]
See also
- Ganapati Upanishad
- Mahanarayana Upanishad
- Nirvana Upanishad
- Varaha Upanishad
References
- ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
- ISBN 81-208-2086-X
- ^ Deussen, Bedekar & Palsule 1997, p. 557.
- ^ Deussen, Bedekar & Palsule 1997, pp. 561–564.
- ^ Vedic Literature, Volume 1, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, p. PA589, at Google Books, Government of Tamil Nadu, Madras, India, pages 579-580
- ^ Hattangadi 2000.
- ISBN 978-0-226-07570-9.
- ISBN 978-0-19-954025-9.
- ^ Hayagriva Sanskrit English Dictionary, Koeln University, Germany (2012)
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7017-316-8.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7017-368-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-3-11-085256-1.
- ISBN 978-0-7914-0363-1.
- ^ Mahadevan 1975, pp. 221–222.
- ^ a b c d e f P.R.Ramachander. "Hayagriva Upanishad". Vedanta Spiritual Library. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-223-1020-7.
Bibliography
- Deussen, Paul; Bedekar, V.M.; Palsule, G.B. (1 January 1997). Sixty Upanishads of the Veda. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1467-7.
- Hattangadi, Sunder (2000). "हयग्रीवोपनिषत् (Hayagriva Upanishad)" (PDF) (in Sanskrit). Retrieved 7 March 2016.
- Mahadevan, T. M. P. (1975). Upaniṣads: Selections from 108 Upaniṣads. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 978-81-208-1611-4.
External links
- Hayagriva Upanishad in Sanskrit