Taittiriya Upanishad Totally Explained

Everything about Taittiriya Upanishad totally explained

The Taittireeya Upanishad is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. It is associated with the Taittireeya school of the Black Yajurveda. It figures as number 7 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads. Black Yajurveda is also called Taittireeya Samhita. Like all vedas Black Yajurveda consists of Samhita, Brahmana and Aranyaka parts. The eighth and ninth chapters of Taittireeya Aranyaka form the Taittireeya Upanishad. The tenth chapter is famous as Mahanarayana Upanishad or Yajnikee.
It is divided into three sections called Vallis. the Siksha Valli, the Brahmananda Valli and the Bhrigu Valli. For the convenience of study, each Valli is subdivided into smaller verses called Anuvak.

Shiksha Valli

The Siksha Valli deals with the descipline of Shiksha(which is the first of the six Vedangas or "limbs" or auxiliaries of the Vedas). It is concerned with phonetics and pronunciation. Main intention of starting Upanishad with Shiksha seems to be that, though meaning of vedic Mantras is important, one shouldn't give any less importance to the right pronouciation and phonetics of mantras. If Mantras are pronounced correctly then meaning becomes clear to recitor. Also there's a belief that Mantras uttered with incorrect pronouciation lose their power.

First Anuvaka of this Valli starts with Shanti Mantra (Peace Prayer) "OM Sham no Mitra ..". Purpose of having shanti mantra in the beginning is to please the gods and remove any obstacles during the study of Upanishads.
Second Anuvaka lists the contents of Shiksha discipline.
Third Anuvaka tells about the intimate connection between the syllables using five examples and implicitly tells that one should meditate on those examples to realise connections told in them. Each of these examples are called a Maha Samhita. Each Syllable is called a Samhita. There is also a method of reciting Vedic Mantras where each syllable of mantra is recited separately of preceding and next syllables known as "Samhita Patha". This anuvak also declares that one who realises connection between syllables, will get good fruits including heaven. One of the example used under the heading of Self or Adhyaatmaa tries to make point that the connection between syllables is as intimate and innate as speech and elements producing it. "Lower jaw is former form (or first syllable), upper jaw is next form (next syllable), speech is union or connection, tongue is connector"
Fourth Anuvaka consists of Mantras and rituals to be done by those who aspire for Divine Knowledge (Medha Kama) and Wealth (Shree Kama). In this anuvak teacher prays that "As water flows from high land to low land, as months join to become year, let good disciples come to me from everywhere"
Fifth and Sixth Anuvakas try to describe Brahman in the form of Vyahrutis. The words "Bhooh", "Bhuvah", "Suvah", "Mahah", "Janah", "Tapah" and "Satyam" arecalled seven Vyahruti's or Sapta Vyahrutis. These denote different worlds in Puranas. The term "Vyahruti" means pronunciation, since these above mentioned words are pronounced in Vedic rituals like Agnihotra, these are called Vyahruti's. Fifth Anuvaka states that the fourth Vyahruti "Mahah" was discovered by a Rishi called "Mahachamasya" and "Mahah" is Brahman all other Vyahrutis are its organs. This Anuvak says that "Bhooh" denotes earth, fire, Richa's and Prana. "Bhuvah" denotes space, air, Sama's and Apana. "Suvah" denotes heaven, sun, Yajus and Vyana. "Mahah" denotes sun, moon, Holy Syllable OM and food. This way, each of first four Vyahrutis become four each and in total they're 16. So all these four Vyahrutis should be meditated as all of their sixteen manifestations, this is known as famous vedic term Shodasha Kala Purusha in vedic literature. Finally this anuvak says that one who knows all sixteen manifestations of Vyahrutis knows Brahman and all gods bring gifts to him.
Sixth Anuvaka tells that in the space inside the heart there exists an immortal golden being (Hiranmaya Purusha) and states that there's a subtle route through the middle of the head through which a self realized Yogi travels when he/she leaves the body and joins the all pervading Brahman.
The Seventh Anuvaka describes a meditation called Paanktha Upasana, where Brahman is meditated upon as a Set Of Five called Paanktha. There is also a vedic meter of five lines called Paanktha. Outer world seen is classified into 3 set of five things called "AdiBootha" and also inner body world into 3 sets of five things called "Adhyaathma". This inner-outer grouping is then meditated upon and meditator realizes both inner and outer paankta are one and the same Brahman and every thing is Paanktha. This Anuvak states that Earth (Prithvi), Space (Antariksha), Heaven (DyuLoka), Directions (North, South etc), Subdirections (South-East, North-West etc..) (Worldly set of Five or Loka-Paankta) and Fire (Agni), Air(Vayu), Sun(Aditya), Moon(Chandra), Stars(Nakshatra) (Divine-Five or Deva-Paanktha) and Water, Herbs(Oshadhi), Trees, Sky(Akasha), Body of meditator (Elemental Five or Dhaatu-Paanktha) are called Adibhuta or Outer Elements. further it states that Prana, Vyana, Apana, Udana, Samana (all these are Five inner pranas of the body) and Eye, Ear, Mind, Speech(Vaak), Outer-Skin(Tvak)(Sensory-Five or Indriya-Paanktha) and Inner-Skin (Charma), Flesh, tendon-Ligaments, bones, Fat or Bone-Marrow (Elemental Five or Dhaatu Paanktha) are called Adhyaatma or Inner Elements. The Rishi who realized oneness among these says "Thus everything is Paankta". It further says that one who realized everything as Paanktha, completes Paanktha with Paanktha itself.
Eighth Anuvaka states the greatness of Holy Syllable OM. It says that OM is Brahman and everything.
Ninth Anuvaka explains a pious way of life to be lead by persons aspiring realization of Brahman. see a prescription for an ideal life
Tenth Anuvaka is a Mantra for self practice (Swadhyaya) or meditation. It is stated by a Rishi called Trishanku as an exclamation of awe after he realized that he's one with Brahman. It is also called Mantramnaya of Trishanku.
Eleventh Anuvaka is a set of instructions that teacher(Acharya) gives to his disciple after completion of vedic education. The ninth and eleventh Anuvaks collectively define a prescription for an ideal life.
Twelfth Anuvaka concludes the Shikshavalli with Shanti Mantra "OM Sham no mitra.." expressing gratitude toward gods who removed obstacles for study of Upanishad as prayed for in first anuvak of this Valli.

Brahmananda Valli

The statement "Brahmavida Apnoti Param" which means "The one who knows Brahman becomes one with Brahman" is the formula (Sutra-Vaakya) to get the high level gist of this Valli. First Anuvak starts with Shanti Mantra "OM sham no mitra" and "Sahana vavatu" pleasing gods and removing obstacles for study of Upanishad being the objective of these Mantras.
   Second Anuvak starts with formula sentence "Brahmavida Apnoti Param" as stated above and also tries to define brahman succinctly as "Truth, Divine Knowledge and Infinite " (Satya Jnyanam Anantam Brahma).
   Anuvaks Second to Fifth describe that Five sheaths subtle bodies or (Five Atmans) reside in one another in human body. Starting with grosser, tangible human body called "Annamaya" or "Formed out of Food" to "Pranamaya" or "formed out of Vital life force" to "Manomaya" or "Formed out of Mind" to "Vijnyanamaya" or "One who is of Knowledge" to Final and subtle most being "Anandamaya" or one who is full of Joy.
   In Sixth and Seventh Anuvaks, some of the questions asked by a disciple are answered. such as
   "Brahman being equal to both knower and ignorant, who gets the Brahman after death, knower or ignorant and why? "
   Eighth Anuvak, compares happiness of various evolved beings starting from Man to that of next higher level till Happiness of Brahman itself.
   Ninth Anuvak describes that knower of Brhaman doesn't repent for not having done any good because for him/her, the terms good and bad loose their meaning and he/she has equalled them with Brahman since it's the only one which is really existing.
   With this completes the "Brahmanada Valli"

Bhr.gu Valli

This Valli describes how son of Varuna(The Water God) Bhr.gu obtained realization of Brahman through repeated Tapas under his fathers guidance.
Rest of the part of Valli describes greatness of donating food, that's feeding the hungry. It also emphasises on greatness of Food. It says that since food is support of all life, food shouldn't be insulted, food shouldn't be declined.

Conclusion

Of all the three Valli's of this Upanishad, Brahmananda Valli stands out in its philosophical depth and substance.

Way of Life as prescribed by Taittireeya Upanishad

The ninth and eleventh anuvaks of Shiksha Valli of this Upanishad prescribe a Religious way of life which a person aspiring for self realization or divine knowledge follow. This way of life is combination of moral and religious values and since it's elaborated in Upanishad, these are regarded as divinely ordained duties by Hindus. Ninth Anuvak emphaises heavily on learning, studying and teaching (Swadhyaya and Pravachana) and ordains that this should be done althrough the life of an individual. Accoding to this anuvak, following are the duties to be performed.
Observing truth always, observing perseverance, controlling indulgence in sensory organs or sensory pleasures(Shama), controlling external flow of mind (Dama), performing mandated vedic rituals like Agnihotra etc, hospitality to guests, facing worldly odds and pleasures with even mind, procreation and begetting children and grand children (family life emphasised). Further this verse says, According to truthful Raathithara, he says, truth must be observed as priority. According to great penance performer Paurushishti, perseverance/penance (Tapas) should be observed. According to Naka the son of Mudgala, studying/learning-teaching of Vedas (Swadhyaya and Pravachana)should be observed.
So there seems to be three teachers emphasizing on one of the aspects of ideals of pious life. This part of the verse lead some scholars think that there was a difference of opinions on way of life leading to divine knowledge/realization at time of composition of this Upanishad.(External Link

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   All through this anuvak, emphasis is laid on continuous study, learning and teaching of Vedas to students. This is termed as Swadhyaya and Pravachana.
   Eleventh Anuvak is a set of instructions that teacher(Acharya) gives to his disciple after the completion of vedic education and the disciple is about to start a household life. In this anuvak we find famous saying "Matrdevo bhava" which emphasizes on reverence to ones mother, father, teacher and guests. Here teacher ordains disciple as follows.
   Tell truth always, observe Dharma or (eternal divine laws), continue progeny, never leave truth, never leave Dharma, never abandon care of your health, never abstain from good rituals ordained in scriptures, never leave study/learning and teaching, never abandon worshipping gods (Deva's) and revering ancestors (Pitru's). Treat mother with as much reverence as you'd treat god. Treat father with as much reverence as you'd treat god. Treat your teacher with as much reverence as you'd treat god. Treat guests with as much reverence as you'd treat god. Those deeds, rituals that are good and lauded by people should be done. have reverence for great men, sages and wise ones.
   Engage in charity work with diligence, donate according to your wealth, donate with faith, donate with humility. Donate with friendliness (not belittling the receiver) in case of any doubts about performing these duties follow as do the selfless, kindhearted sages do. Finally to emphasize that these duties to be performed with greater importance and due care, this verse says that, This is divine ordain and divine commandment. Form the gist of these two Anuvaks, one can guess what kind of life a house holder, aspiring divine knowledge tried to lead at the time of this Upanishad.

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