Full Course: The Taittiriya Upanisad
The Taittiriya Upaniṣad is one of the most beautiful of the Upanisads, but the text is extremely difficult to understand. In this course we will study it from the viewpoint of Prabhupada's teachings.
Verses of the Taittiriya Upanisad are often quoted by Srila Prabhupada. Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana also quotes several verses in the Govinda Bhasya and explains their conclusions. It is considered one of the eleven principal Upaniṣads. Although a relatively small book, it brings very deep knowledge about the nature of the absolute truth and our relationship with Him.
The name "Taittiriya" comes from the Sanskrit word "tittiri", which means "partridge". This is connected with the story of the disciplic succession of the Yajurveda after Vyasa transmitted it to Vaisampayana.
Somehow, Vaisampayana became guilty of killing a Brahmana, which led his disciples to study the Atharva Veda and execute strict vows in order to free their guru from the sin. This led to the pastime of part of the mantras being vomited and collected by his disciples in the form of partridges
The Yajurveda is divided into two main sections, the shukla (white) Yajurveda and the krsna (dark) Yajurveda. These names don't have to do with the topics discussed, but just with the organization. The white Yajurveda consists of sections of verses that are well-organized and categorized, while the dark Yajurveda is composed of verses that are not so well-organized and often appear to have little connection with each other. The Taittiriya-Samhita mentioned in the pastime is one of the four Samhitas that compose the dark Yajurveda.
:. Taittiriya Upaniṣad #1: An introduction to the Taittiriya Upaniṣad
The Taittiriya Upanisad is composed of three chapters. The Śikṣā-vallī transmits spiritual knowledge in the context of the education of students in the Vedic gurukulas. The Ānanda-vallī is centered around the description of the anna-maya, prāṇa-maya, mano-maya, vijnana-maya, and ananda-maya, discussing the evolution of consciousness of the conditioned soul, going from being absorbed into the basic needs of the body, all the way up to the platform of pure devotional service, and the Bhṛgu-vallī gives additional clarification and the conclusions of the text.
:. Taittiriya Upaniṣad #2: The teaching of connecting links
There are many other sets of interdependent things in the material creation. The fact everything depends on something else leads to the conclusion there is someone independent, who controls all.
:. Taittiriya Upaniṣad #3: The sacred syllables
The vyāhṛti are sacred syllables or mantras which are very foundational in the Vedic tradition. They are found in the Gayatri mantra and recited in all kinds of sacrifices and ceremonies.
:. Taittiriya Upaniṣad #4: Positive spiritual identity
Although being a husband or a wife is not the svarūpa of the soul, these positive identities can help for the time being, helping one to perform his or her duties and thus gradually progress.
Taittiriya Upaniṣad #5: How the soul meets the Lord at the end of every day
During deep sleep, the soul meets the Lord in His form as Paramātmā at the end of each day. Being the eternal part and parcel of the Lord, the soul can't remain separated from Him. How does this happen, and what makes these meetings different from liberation?
:. Taittiriya Upaniṣad #6: Five levels of consciousness
Understanding the different levels of consciousness: anna-maya, prana-maya, mano-maya, vijñāna-maya, and ānanda-maya, which are the essence of the teachings of the Taittiriya Upanisad.
Taittiriya Upaniṣad #7: The ānanda-maya: reaching ultimate bliss
"He who knows the bliss of that Supreme Lord, the ananda-maya, whom the mind fails to find, fears nothing. Material thoughts don't affect him. He doesn't rejoice with the good or lament for the evil"
:. Taittiriya Upaniṣad #8: The source of all existence
The final part of the course on the Taittiriya Upanisad, revealing the ultimate conclusions of the text, and how they can be applied in our practical life.
