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Taittiriya Upanishad

Taittiriya Upanishad

By: Vedanta Society San Francisco
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 Swami Tattwamayananda’s exposition of the TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD was given at the Lake Tahoe Retreat run by the Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco (founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1900) from July 27, 2019, to August 4, 2019, in a series of 9 lectures.

The Taittiriya Upanisad comprise the 7th, 8th, and 9th chapters of the larger Taittiriya Aranyaka that belongs to the Yajur Veda tradition. The Upanishad contains 31 anuvakas (lessons): 12 in the Siksa-valli, 9 in the Ananda-valli, and 10 in the Bhrigu-valli. Sri Shankaracharya’s (788-820 CE) commented on the Taittiriya Upanishad and “the fact that he cited from it 147 times in his Brahma-Sutra-Bhashya speaks volumes for its authoritativeness.” (Sarvananda, Taittiriyopanishad 5)

Before Sri Shankaracharya, the idea of Advaita or nondualistic philosophy existed because it is as old as Rig Veda itself, but the formulation of a complete and compact philosophical structure, expounding its metaphysics, ontology, cosmology, logic, and epistemology, was entirely his contribution.

Swami Tattwamayananda, currently the Minister of the Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco, (originally founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1900) served in various centers of the Ramakrishna Order in India as editor, publisher, and teacher of Sanskrit, Advaitic texts such as Sri Shankaracharya's commentaries on the 'Prasthanatraya' (the fundamental Sanskrit texts of Vedanta philosophy), Buddhism and Indian philosophy. He underwent traditional training in Hindu scriptures, Sanskrit, Vedic and Vedantic literature for many years, from his early days. Before coming to the United States in January 2012 he was teaching Sanskrit, Vedantic scriptures and Indian philosophy at the Training center in Belur Math, the institution that trains the monks of the Ramakrishna Order at the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, Kolkata, India. Apart from his traditional education, the Swami has also received modern University education in English literature, psychology, European history, and Western philosophy. He is frequently invited for lectures on Yoga, Vedanta, and traditional Hindu scriptures and for participating in interfaith dialogues.

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All Original Content © Vedanta Society of Northern California

Works Cited:
Sarvananda, Swami. Taittiriyopanishad. Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai-4, 2015.Copyright Vedanta Society, San Francisco Spirituality
Episodes
  • 9 – Summary Part 2 | Swami Tattwamayananda

    9 – Summary Part 2 | Swami Tattwamayananda
    Aug 6 2019
    This discourse was given on August 4, 2019 at the Lake Tahoe Retreat run by the Vedanta Society of Northern California by Swami Tattwamayananda.

    -The knower of Brahman fears nothing. Swami Trigunatitananda is an example. It is not recklessness.
    -When we practice tapas, concentration and austerity, the external truth is opened in scientific investigation and spiritual truths are opened when we practice inward concentration.
    -Verses III.1 – III.5 illustrate Bhrigu’s journey to spiritual realization from gross to subtle.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 23 mins
  • 8 – Summary Part 1 | Swami Tattwamayananda

    8 – Summary Part 1 | Swami Tattwamayananda
    Aug 6 2019
    This discourse was given on August 3, 2019 at the Lake Tahoe Retreat run by the Vedanta Society of Northern California by Swami Tattwamayananda.

    -The Siksha-Valli contains various Upasanas.
    -Verse I.9 explains how to interact with all so that we will not disrupt the invisible harmonizing principle.
    -Verse I.11 is a convocation address for all graduating students, which teaches how to live life keeping these high ideals in mind.
    -When in doubt about conduct, we should consult the wise elders in our community because correct action varies according to place, time, and other factors.
    -Verse II.1 explains the nature of Brahman as satyam, existence, jnanam, knowledge, and anantam, infinity.
    -Verse II.7 explains that we become established in fearlessness, abhayam, when we are established in Ananda-svarupta, our true blissful nature.
    -There is a distinction between Ananda-maya, being full of bliss and Ananda-svarupa, our true nature of bliss.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 33 mins
  • 7 - Abhayam: Fearlessness | Swami Tattwamayananda

    7 - Abhayam: Fearlessness | Swami Tattwamayananda
    Aug 6 2019
    Verses: II.7, II.8, II.6. This discourse was given on August 2, 2019 at the Lake Tahoe Retreat run by the Vedanta Society of Northern California by Swami Tattwamayananda.
    -asat in the context of Verse II.7 means avyakrta, the state before differentiation into name and form.
    -Four forms of abhava, non-existence, from Nyaya philosophy are explained.
    -Spiritual life is a journey from many to one. When we no longer feel difference, there is no fear and we experience Ananda in the cave of the heart.
    -Three examples of saints who had experienced this oneness from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna are given. Some saints keep some ego of the teacher in order to teach mankind.
    -Without this Ananda, our life is driven by fear.
    -Shankaracharya says that those who take diversity to be the ultimate principle fight with each other but the Advaitin does not have a quarrel with anybody.
    -Verse II.8 explains that there is an invisible regulator, sakshi, that is aware and not involved but regulates the whole universe’s mutual coherence.
    -Verse II.6 explains creation in terms of a creator that has no desire to create because he is already perfect. After creation, he entered into creation and became one with it.
    -At the experience level, advaitins experience that Brahman exists in everything, and everything exists in Brahman.
    -The highest devotee, according to the Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad Gita Verse 12.8 sees God in everything and everything in God.
    -It is this experience of Ananda that grants Abhayam, complete fearlessness. Without it, our life is often driven by the fear of the loss of things that are inherently impermanent and changing.
    -Fear and anxiety can inspire us to work with a higher motive, this is not a negative feeling of wretchedness but there is joy in a higher pursuit. Buddha’s life is an example.
    -Asat as referred to in the Chandogya Upanishad should be understood in a different way than in Verse II.7, as it is brought up only to be refuted.
    -There is an inherent system in the universe which goes beyond himsa and ahimsa. The Bhagavad Gita gives a balanced picture of spirituality.
    -Vedanta does not propose that the world can be made perfect. A reply is given to a question from an agnostic.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 31 mins

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