Brahman in Taittiriya Upanishads

The dialogue between Varuna and Bhrigu

In the Taittiriya Upanishads

Is the first dissection of the concept

Of Brahman through five fold theories.

Creations are from food and become food.

Physicality of food pervades life

And is physical manifestation

Of Brahman as in Annamaya Kosha.

The vitality behind the body

Is Prana(Breathing), which is like electrify

That runs through the wire to generate power.

This is known as Pranamaya Kosha.

Beneath prana, lies mind that is the cause

Of sensual knowledge, and characterised

By the power to will, wish and desire.

This is known as Manamaya Kosha.

More subtle than mind is cognitive skill,

The intellect, characterised by faith,

Justice and power to perceive and reason.

This is known as Vijnanamaya Kosha.

This layer is the innermost realm , Brahman.

It is characterised by no hate, no fear.

Atman-Brahman is the bliss that is he.

This stage is known as Anandamaya Kosha.

Bhrigu, the student is initiated

By Varuna, the teacher and Bhrigu

In each course of tapas realizes

Each of five theories to get enlightened.

Knowing Brahman will not bring you bliss.

Realizing Brahman can put you on bliss.

Being hate-less and fearless is realization.

All the five sheaths are Brahman’s manifestation.

“Bliss is Brahman;
from bliss beings are born;
by bliss, when born, they live;
into bliss they enter at their death.”

— Sixth Anuvāka, Bhrigu Valli, Taittiriya Upanishad 3.6,

Kosha = Theory

25.09.2019