Rama Rahasya Upanishad
Rama Rahasya Upanishad | ||
---|---|---|
Veda Atharvaveda[2] | | |
Chapters | 5 | |
Philosophy | Vaishnavism, Vedanta[3] |
Part of a series on |
Vaishnavism |
---|
The Rama Rahasya Upanishad (राम रहस्य उपनिषत्) is a minor
This is a late Upanishad exclusively devoted to the Hindu god
Development
Neither the author nor the date of composition of this text is known. Moriz Winternitz makes a passing mention in a footnote stating that it belongs to the same period as the other Rama-related Upanishads.[6]
Not much is known about this text, states Ramdas Lamb, and it is to a large extent different from the other Rama-related Upanishads.[8] The Ramarahasya Upanishad, along with the Rama tapaniya Upanishad, presents Rama as an avatar of Vishnu, and these are therefore classified as Vaishnava Upanishads.[9] The Christian missionary in colonial British India, Farquhar included it in the list of 123 Upanishads.[6] The Vedanta philosophy had a major influence on this and other Rama-related Upanishads, states Lamb, along with the 12th century Rama-related Agastya Samhita text.[6]
In the
The first chapter of the text, states Paul Deussen, is also known as Hanumadukta-Ramopanishad.[10]
Contents
Who is Rama
I Think of that Rama
Who lives in Ayodhya
Who is decorated with gems
Who sits beneath a golden canopy
Whose doorways are festooned with mandana flowers.
He, who is seated on a throne
Surrounded by celestial vehicles
Who is revered by rishis
Who has Sita on the left
Who is served by Lakshmana;
Who is the blue complexioned,
Whose face is tranquil,
Who is adorned with ornaments
—Rama Rahasya Upanishad.[12]
The narration of the text is presented as replies by Hanuman to the questions posed to him by many
Rama is, asserts the text, same as other major
Hanuman advocates the importance of reciting the six syllabled Rama Mantra, Rama Ramaya namah. In section 1.13, states Lamb, Hanuman informs
The text enumerates many
The Upanishad text has verses that relate to dhyana or the contemplation of Rama.[12] The text, states Dalal, asserts that the "rahasya" or secret of "energising the body" (Nyasa) is to recite Rama mantra it discloses while touching different body parts.[12]
The Upanishad, states Dodiya, asserts that the roots of syllables "र, आ, मा" or "r+aa+ma" form the word Rama.
See also
References
- ^ a b Tinoco 1997, p. 87.
- ^ a b Prasoon 2008, p. 82.
- ^ a b Lamb 2002, pp. 191–193.
- ^ Dalal 2010, p. 60.
- ^ Catherine Ludvik 1994, p. 10.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lamb 2002, p. 193.
- ^ a b c d e Dodiya 2001, p. 118.
- ^ Lamb 2002, pp. 191, 193.
- ^ Lamb 2002, pp. 191–192.
- ^ a b Deussen 1997, pp. 556–557 with footnote 5.
- ^ Deussen 1997, pp. 561–564.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dalal 2010, p. 61.
- ^ Dalal 2010, p. 60-61.
- ^ Catherine Ludvik 1994, p. 10, 13.
- ^ Lamb 2002, p. 191.
- ^ Mahadevan 1975, p. 220.
Bibliography
- Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
- Deussen, Paul (1997). Sixty Upanishads of the Veda. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1467-7.
- Dodiya, Jaydipsinh (1 January 2001). Critical Perspectives on the Rāmāyaṇa. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 978-81-7625-244-7.
- Hattangadi, Sunder (2000). "श्रीरामरहस्योपनिषत् (Ramarahasya Upanisad)" (PDF) (in Sanskrit). Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- Lamb, Ramdas (29 August 2002). Rapt in the Name: The Ramnamis, Ramnam, and Untouchable Religion in Central India. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-5386-5.
- Catherine Ludvik (1994). Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-8120811225.
- Mahadevan, T. M. P. (1975). Upaniṣads: Selections from 108 Upaniṣads. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1611-4.
- Prasoon, Prof.S.K. (1 January 2008). Indian Scriptures. Pustak Mahal. ISBN 978-81-223-1007-8.
- Tinoco, Carlos Alberto (1997). Upanishads. IBRASA. ISBN 978-85-348-0040-2.