PUBLISHERS' NOTE
This veritable standard work on Vidyas, or Wisdom Meditations of the Upanishads, whose author is Sri Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj, is, as has been the case with Swamiji's earlier writings, endowed with the clarity of an acute scholar and the profundity of a practical saint combined in one. The Upanishads have these meditational procedures described in a scattered manner in different places and even different contexts. Swamiji has culled every one of these meditation techniques from their various locations in the Upanishads and brought into focus his illuminating commentary on each of them. The work is fairly voluminous but it has certainly the greatness of heralding similar literary and analytical projects on the philosophy and meditations embodied in the Upanishads. This publication is perhaps the only one on this subject, in this measure of width and depth, that will come to the hands of the readers and seekers of Truth.
About the Book
His Holiness Sri Swami Brahmananda Maharaj is a senior monk of the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, whose towering spiritual insights have sparked the flame of aspiration in the hearts of countless students from around the world. Swami Brahmananda radiates a peace so palpable that it touches a wellspring of joy in the hearts of all aspirants. Swami Brahmananda speaks from a depth of understanding which empowers his words to cut through the veil of ignorance. His wisdom, which is not from the intellect but from the very Source of Truth, is shared with tremendous patience and love.
Pages | ||
Publishers' Note | vii | |
Foreword | ix | |
Preface | xi | |
Introduction | xxii | |
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1 | Isa-vidya (Meditation on the Lord) | 3 |
2 | Vidya' Vidya upasana (Meditation on Knowledge-cum-Karma) | 11 |
3 | Sambhuti-asambhuti-vidya (Meditation on Hiranyagarbha-cum-Isvara) | 15 |
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4 | Nirguna-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on attributeless Brahman) | 21 |
5. | Saguna-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on with attributes) | 26 |
6. | Adesa-vidya (Meditation on Brahman with the help of analogy) | 30 |
7. | Tadvanam-vidya (Meditation on Tadvanam) | 33 |
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8. | Nachiketa-vidya (Meditation imparted to Nachiketas | 39 |
9. | Adhyatma-vidya (Meditation pm One's own Self) | 43 |
10 | Parama-Purusha (Kashtha)-vidya (Meditation on the Supreme Person, the acme of Perfection | 47 |
11. | Angushtha-matra-vidya (Meditation on the Purusha of the size of the thumb) | 52 |
12. | Ekadasa-dvara-puri-vidya (Meditation on the Atman in the city of Eleven gates) | 55 |
13. | Bhas-vidya (Meditation on the Effulgence) | 59 |
14. | Asvattha-vriksha-vidya (Meditation on Brahman as the sacred Peepul tree) | 64 |
15. | Asti-vidya (Meditation on Brahman as Existing) | 68 |
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16. | Apara-vidya-1 (Meditation on lower Brahman-1 | 73 |
17. | Purusha-vidya-1 (Meditation on the Supreme Person-1) | 78 |
18. | Pranava (Omkara)-vidya (Meditation on Pranava-Om) | 83 |
19. | Shodasa-kala-vidya (Meditation on the Entity with sixteen limbs) | 88 |
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20. | Apara-vidya-2 (Meditation on lower Brahman-2) | 93 |
21. | Para-vidya (Meditation on the transcendental Brahman) | 97 |
22. | Virat-vidya (Meditation on the Lord in the form of the manifested macrocosm) | 103 |
23. | dva-suparna-vidya (Meditation on the two birds) | 109 |
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24. | Manduka-vidya (Meditation imparted by Sage Manduka) | 113 |
25 | 'Ayam Atma Brahma' Maha-vidya-vidya (Meditation on the great sentence 'This Atman is Brahman' | 120 |
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26. | Maha-samhita-vidya (Meditation on great conjunctions) | 125 |
27. | Vyahriti-vidya (Meditation on the Vyahritis | 127 |
28. | Pankta-vidya-1 (Meditation on five membered groups-1) | 130 |
29. | Satyam-jnanam-anantam-vidya (Meditation on truth-Knowledge-Eternity) | 132 |
30. | Pancha-kosa-vidya (Meditation on the five sheaths) | 141 |
31. | Anandamaya-vidya (Meditation on the Bliss-sheath) | 148 |
32. | Asad-vidya (Meditation on the Unmanifested) | 155 |
33. | Bhargavi-Varuni-vidya (Meditation imparted to Bhrigy by Varuna) | 161 |
34. | Annam-annada-vidya (Meditation on food and food-eater) | 166 |
35. | Ksheadi-vidyas (Meditations on Safety, etc.) | 168 |
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36. | Aitareya-vidya (Meditation imparted by Sage Aitareya) | 173 |
37. | Vamadeva-vadya (Meditation practiced by Vamadeva) | 180 |
38. | 'Prajnanam-Brahma' Maha-vakya-vidya (Meditation on the great declaration 'Consciousness is Brahman') | 184 |
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39. | Udgitha-vidya-1 (Meditation on the Udgitha-1) | 191 |
40. | Udgitha-vidya-2 (Meditation on the Udgitha-2) | 195 |
41. | Udgitha-vidya-3 (Meditation on the Udgitha-3) | 198 |
42. | Udgitha-vidy-4 (Meditation on the Udgitha-4) | 200 |
43. | Udgitha-vidya-5 (Meditation on the Udgitha-5) | 202 |
44. | Udgitha-vidya-6 (Meditation on the Udgitha-6) | 204 |
45. | Prana-vidya (Meditation on Vital Force) | 206 |
46. | Stobha-vidya (Meditation on the Syllables of Stobha) | 213 |
47. | Sama-vidya (Meditation on Sama) | 215 |
48. | Madhu-vidya (Medition on the Supreme as Honey) | 222 |
49. | Sandilya-vidya (Meditation of Sage Sandilya) | 224 |
50. | Purusha-vidya-2 (Meditation on Oneself as Sacrifice | 232 |
51. | Mana-akasa-vidya (Meditation on Mind and Ether) | 235 |
52. | Aditya-vidya (Meditation on the Sum) | 240 |
53. | Samvarga-vidya (Meditation on the All-absorbent) | 244 |
54. | Satyakama-vidya (Meditation Taught to Saryakama) | 249 |
55. | Upakosala-vidya (Meditation Practised by Upakosala) | 253 |
56. | Akshi-vidya and Antaraditya-vidya (Meditation on the Eye and the Indweller in the Sun) | 256 |
57. | Vaisvanara-vidya (Meditation on the Cosmic Person) | 260 |
58. | Sad-vidya-2 (Meditation on Existence-Absolute) | 269 |
59. | 'Tat-tvam-asi' Maha-vakya-vidya (Meditation on the great sentence 'Thou art That') | 275 |
60. | Bhuma-vidya (Meditation on the Supreme Plenitude) | 281 |
61. | Dahara-vidya (Meditation on the small heart-space) | 288 |
62. | Uttan-purusha-vidya (Meditation on the Supreme Person) | 293 |
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63. | Asvamedha-vidya (Meditation on horse sacrifice) | 303 |
64. | Udgata-vidya-7 (Meditation on Udgitha-7) | 310 |
65. | 'Aham Brahmasmi' Mala-vakya-vidya (Meditation on the great sentence 'I am Brahman') | 314 |
66. | Pankta-vidya-2 (Meditation on five-membered groups-2) | 320 |
67. | Tryanna-vidya ('Not this, not this'-meditation) | 325 |
70. | Madhu-vidya-2 (Meditation on Honey-2) | 344 |
71. | Asvala-vidya (Meditation imparted to Asvala) | 349 |
72. | Ushasta Kahola-vidya (Meditation imparted to Ushasta and Kahola) | 358 |
73. | Uddalaka-Aruni-vidya (Meditation imparted to Uddalaka-Aruni) | 357 |
74. | Akshara-vidya (Meditation on the Absolute) | 361 |
75. | Sakalya-vidya-1 (Meditation imparted to sakalya-1) | 370 |
76. | Sakalya-vidya-2 (Meditation imparted to Sakalya-2) | 376 |
77. | Sakalya-vidya-3 (Meditation imparted to sakalya-3) | 379 |
78. | Chatushpada-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on Brahman with four feet) | 382 |
79. | India-vidya (Meditation on India) | 386 |
80. | Avastha-chatushtaya-vidya (Meditation on the four states of Consciousness) | 388 |
81 | Jyotisham-jyotir-vidya (Meditation on Light of lights) | 397 |
82. | Purna-vidya (Meditation on the Whole, the Infinite) | 401 |
83. | Om Kham-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on Om-space-Brahman) | 409 |
84. | Hridaya-vidya (Meditation on the heart) | 413 |
85. | satya-Brahma-vidya-1 (Meditation on Truth-Brahman-1) | 416 |
86. | Satya-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on truth-Brahman-2) | 421 |
87. | Vidyut-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on the Vaisvanara-fire) | 433 |
88. | Vak-dhenu-vidya (Meditation on the Vaisvanara-fire) | 433 |
89. | Vaisvanara' gni-vidya (Meditation on the Vaisvanara-fire) | 433 |
90. | Vyahita-vidya (Meditation illness) | 436 |
91. | Pratrida-vidya (Meditation imparted to Pratrida) | 440 |
92. | Uktha-vidya (Meditation on Uktha Hymn) | 442 |
93. | Gayatri-vidya (Meditation on Gayatri) | 446 |
94. | Panchagni-vidya (Meditation on the five fires) | 451 |
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Devatma-sakti-vidya (Meditation on Devatma-sakti) | 461 | |
96. | Brahma-chakra-vidya (Meditation on the Universe as Brahman) | 468 |
97 | Savitri-vidya (Meditation on the Indwelling Atman) | 473 |
98. | Param-brahma-vidya (Meditation on the Glory of the Supreme) | 488 |
99. | Devasya-mahima-vidya (Meditation on the Glory of the Supreme) | 488 |
|
||
100. | Paryanka-vidya (Meditation on the Couch of Brahma) | 495 |
101 | Balaki-vidya (Meditation taught by and to Balaki) | 500 |
Index for the Vidyas | 507 | |
Index to subjects | 510 |
PUBLISHERS' NOTE
This veritable standard work on Vidyas, or Wisdom Meditations of the Upanishads, whose author is Sri Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj, is, as has been the case with Swamiji's earlier writings, endowed with the clarity of an acute scholar and the profundity of a practical saint combined in one. The Upanishads have these meditational procedures described in a scattered manner in different places and even different contexts. Swamiji has culled every one of these meditation techniques from their various locations in the Upanishads and brought into focus his illuminating commentary on each of them. The work is fairly voluminous but it has certainly the greatness of heralding similar literary and analytical projects on the philosophy and meditations embodied in the Upanishads. This publication is perhaps the only one on this subject, in this measure of width and depth, that will come to the hands of the readers and seekers of Truth.
About the Book
His Holiness Sri Swami Brahmananda Maharaj is a senior monk of the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, whose towering spiritual insights have sparked the flame of aspiration in the hearts of countless students from around the world. Swami Brahmananda radiates a peace so palpable that it touches a wellspring of joy in the hearts of all aspirants. Swami Brahmananda speaks from a depth of understanding which empowers his words to cut through the veil of ignorance. His wisdom, which is not from the intellect but from the very Source of Truth, is shared with tremendous patience and love.
Pages | ||
Publishers' Note | vii | |
Foreword | ix | |
Preface | xi | |
Introduction | xxii | |
|
||
1 | Isa-vidya (Meditation on the Lord) | 3 |
2 | Vidya' Vidya upasana (Meditation on Knowledge-cum-Karma) | 11 |
3 | Sambhuti-asambhuti-vidya (Meditation on Hiranyagarbha-cum-Isvara) | 15 |
|
||
4 | Nirguna-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on attributeless Brahman) | 21 |
5. | Saguna-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on with attributes) | 26 |
6. | Adesa-vidya (Meditation on Brahman with the help of analogy) | 30 |
7. | Tadvanam-vidya (Meditation on Tadvanam) | 33 |
|
||
8. | Nachiketa-vidya (Meditation imparted to Nachiketas | 39 |
9. | Adhyatma-vidya (Meditation pm One's own Self) | 43 |
10 | Parama-Purusha (Kashtha)-vidya (Meditation on the Supreme Person, the acme of Perfection | 47 |
11. | Angushtha-matra-vidya (Meditation on the Purusha of the size of the thumb) | 52 |
12. | Ekadasa-dvara-puri-vidya (Meditation on the Atman in the city of Eleven gates) | 55 |
13. | Bhas-vidya (Meditation on the Effulgence) | 59 |
14. | Asvattha-vriksha-vidya (Meditation on Brahman as the sacred Peepul tree) | 64 |
15. | Asti-vidya (Meditation on Brahman as Existing) | 68 |
|
||
16. | Apara-vidya-1 (Meditation on lower Brahman-1 | 73 |
17. | Purusha-vidya-1 (Meditation on the Supreme Person-1) | 78 |
18. | Pranava (Omkara)-vidya (Meditation on Pranava-Om) | 83 |
19. | Shodasa-kala-vidya (Meditation on the Entity with sixteen limbs) | 88 |
|
||
20. | Apara-vidya-2 (Meditation on lower Brahman-2) | 93 |
21. | Para-vidya (Meditation on the transcendental Brahman) | 97 |
22. | Virat-vidya (Meditation on the Lord in the form of the manifested macrocosm) | 103 |
23. | dva-suparna-vidya (Meditation on the two birds) | 109 |
|
||
24. | Manduka-vidya (Meditation imparted by Sage Manduka) | 113 |
25 | 'Ayam Atma Brahma' Maha-vidya-vidya (Meditation on the great sentence 'This Atman is Brahman' | 120 |
|
||
26. | Maha-samhita-vidya (Meditation on great conjunctions) | 125 |
27. | Vyahriti-vidya (Meditation on the Vyahritis | 127 |
28. | Pankta-vidya-1 (Meditation on five membered groups-1) | 130 |
29. | Satyam-jnanam-anantam-vidya (Meditation on truth-Knowledge-Eternity) | 132 |
30. | Pancha-kosa-vidya (Meditation on the five sheaths) | 141 |
31. | Anandamaya-vidya (Meditation on the Bliss-sheath) | 148 |
32. | Asad-vidya (Meditation on the Unmanifested) | 155 |
33. | Bhargavi-Varuni-vidya (Meditation imparted to Bhrigy by Varuna) | 161 |
34. | Annam-annada-vidya (Meditation on food and food-eater) | 166 |
35. | Ksheadi-vidyas (Meditations on Safety, etc.) | 168 |
|
||
36. | Aitareya-vidya (Meditation imparted by Sage Aitareya) | 173 |
37. | Vamadeva-vadya (Meditation practiced by Vamadeva) | 180 |
38. | 'Prajnanam-Brahma' Maha-vakya-vidya (Meditation on the great declaration 'Consciousness is Brahman') | 184 |
|
||
39. | Udgitha-vidya-1 (Meditation on the Udgitha-1) | 191 |
40. | Udgitha-vidya-2 (Meditation on the Udgitha-2) | 195 |
41. | Udgitha-vidya-3 (Meditation on the Udgitha-3) | 198 |
42. | Udgitha-vidy-4 (Meditation on the Udgitha-4) | 200 |
43. | Udgitha-vidya-5 (Meditation on the Udgitha-5) | 202 |
44. | Udgitha-vidya-6 (Meditation on the Udgitha-6) | 204 |
45. | Prana-vidya (Meditation on Vital Force) | 206 |
46. | Stobha-vidya (Meditation on the Syllables of Stobha) | 213 |
47. | Sama-vidya (Meditation on Sama) | 215 |
48. | Madhu-vidya (Medition on the Supreme as Honey) | 222 |
49. | Sandilya-vidya (Meditation of Sage Sandilya) | 224 |
50. | Purusha-vidya-2 (Meditation on Oneself as Sacrifice | 232 |
51. | Mana-akasa-vidya (Meditation on Mind and Ether) | 235 |
52. | Aditya-vidya (Meditation on the Sum) | 240 |
53. | Samvarga-vidya (Meditation on the All-absorbent) | 244 |
54. | Satyakama-vidya (Meditation Taught to Saryakama) | 249 |
55. | Upakosala-vidya (Meditation Practised by Upakosala) | 253 |
56. | Akshi-vidya and Antaraditya-vidya (Meditation on the Eye and the Indweller in the Sun) | 256 |
57. | Vaisvanara-vidya (Meditation on the Cosmic Person) | 260 |
58. | Sad-vidya-2 (Meditation on Existence-Absolute) | 269 |
59. | 'Tat-tvam-asi' Maha-vakya-vidya (Meditation on the great sentence 'Thou art That') | 275 |
60. | Bhuma-vidya (Meditation on the Supreme Plenitude) | 281 |
61. | Dahara-vidya (Meditation on the small heart-space) | 288 |
62. | Uttan-purusha-vidya (Meditation on the Supreme Person) | 293 |
|
||
63. | Asvamedha-vidya (Meditation on horse sacrifice) | 303 |
64. | Udgata-vidya-7 (Meditation on Udgitha-7) | 310 |
65. | 'Aham Brahmasmi' Mala-vakya-vidya (Meditation on the great sentence 'I am Brahman') | 314 |
66. | Pankta-vidya-2 (Meditation on five-membered groups-2) | 320 |
67. | Tryanna-vidya ('Not this, not this'-meditation) | 325 |
70. | Madhu-vidya-2 (Meditation on Honey-2) | 344 |
71. | Asvala-vidya (Meditation imparted to Asvala) | 349 |
72. | Ushasta Kahola-vidya (Meditation imparted to Ushasta and Kahola) | 358 |
73. | Uddalaka-Aruni-vidya (Meditation imparted to Uddalaka-Aruni) | 357 |
74. | Akshara-vidya (Meditation on the Absolute) | 361 |
75. | Sakalya-vidya-1 (Meditation imparted to sakalya-1) | 370 |
76. | Sakalya-vidya-2 (Meditation imparted to Sakalya-2) | 376 |
77. | Sakalya-vidya-3 (Meditation imparted to sakalya-3) | 379 |
78. | Chatushpada-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on Brahman with four feet) | 382 |
79. | India-vidya (Meditation on India) | 386 |
80. | Avastha-chatushtaya-vidya (Meditation on the four states of Consciousness) | 388 |
81 | Jyotisham-jyotir-vidya (Meditation on Light of lights) | 397 |
82. | Purna-vidya (Meditation on the Whole, the Infinite) | 401 |
83. | Om Kham-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on Om-space-Brahman) | 409 |
84. | Hridaya-vidya (Meditation on the heart) | 413 |
85. | satya-Brahma-vidya-1 (Meditation on Truth-Brahman-1) | 416 |
86. | Satya-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on truth-Brahman-2) | 421 |
87. | Vidyut-Brahma-vidya (Meditation on the Vaisvanara-fire) | 433 |
88. | Vak-dhenu-vidya (Meditation on the Vaisvanara-fire) | 433 |
89. | Vaisvanara' gni-vidya (Meditation on the Vaisvanara-fire) | 433 |
90. | Vyahita-vidya (Meditation illness) | 436 |
91. | Pratrida-vidya (Meditation imparted to Pratrida) | 440 |
92. | Uktha-vidya (Meditation on Uktha Hymn) | 442 |
93. | Gayatri-vidya (Meditation on Gayatri) | 446 |
94. | Panchagni-vidya (Meditation on the five fires) | 451 |
|
||
Devatma-sakti-vidya (Meditation on Devatma-sakti) | 461 | |
96. | Brahma-chakra-vidya (Meditation on the Universe as Brahman) | 468 |
97 | Savitri-vidya (Meditation on the Indwelling Atman) | 473 |
98. | Param-brahma-vidya (Meditation on the Glory of the Supreme) | 488 |
99. | Devasya-mahima-vidya (Meditation on the Glory of the Supreme) | 488 |
|
||
100. | Paryanka-vidya (Meditation on the Couch of Brahma) | 495 |
101 | Balaki-vidya (Meditation taught by and to Balaki) | 500 |
Index for the Vidyas | 507 | |
Index to subjects | 510 |