Changes

This Upanishad speaks of the rules of conduct beginning from the student life upto the fourth Ashrama i.e. Sanyasa. This explanation is in well ordered, graduated manner, revealing the depth of significance of each stage and its final culmination into the next, till a person reaches ''Brahmanandam''.<ref name=":32" />

This Upanishad speaks of the rules of conduct beginning from the student life upto the fourth Ashrama i.e. Sanyasa. This explanation is in well ordered, graduated manner, revealing the depth of significance of each stage and its final culmination into the next, till a person reaches ''Brahmanandam''.<ref name=":32" />

== Etymology ==

== Etymology (Rohit has to check 1,2,3 below) ==

The word Upanishad is derived from Upa and ni and '''shad'''. The prefixes 'upa' and 'ni' denote 'nearness' and 'totality' respectively. The sad according to Siddhanta  koumudi and Panineeya dhatu paatha has three meanings - 1. to loosen 2. to attain and 3. to destroy (Ref. 7 and 8)

The word Upanishad is derived from Upa and ni and '''shad'''. The prefixes 'upa' and 'ni' denote 'nearness' and 'totality' respectively. The sad according to Siddhanta  koumudi and Panineeya dhatu paatha has three meanings - 1. to loosen 2. to attain and 3. to destroy (Ref. 7 and 8)

But Sankaracharya interprets it in three ways. 'upa* means near, 'ni' means totality.

But Sankaracharya interprets it in three ways. 'upa* means near, 'ni' means totality.

(1) with ^sad meaning 'to loosen', 'to disintegrate', the word

(1) with '''shad''' meaning 'to loosen', 'to disintegrate', the word

'upanisad' will mean a doctrine that disintegrates or looses the bond of ignorance from the very root of the disciple who approaches the teacher (i.e. upagatasya sisyasya niscayena visaranakrt).

'upanisad' will mean a doctrine that disintegrates or looses the bond of ignorance from the very root of the disciple who approaches the teacher (i.e. upagatasya sisyasya niscayena visaranakrt).

(2) with sad meaning 'to move', it means a doctrine that certainly leads the disciple to the highest Brahman (i.e. Upagatah sisyam niscayena brahma samipam nayati).

(2) with '''shad''' meaning 'to move', it means a doctrine that certainly leads the disciple to the highest Brahman (i.e. Upagatah sisyam niscayena brahma samipam nayati).

(3) with ^sad meaning 'to destroy', it means that doctrine which puts end to the ignorance and its projections.

(3) with '''shad''' meaning 'to destroy', it means that doctrine which puts end to the ignorance and its projections.

Finally it comes to mean "the works that teach the science of Brahman", which became metaphorically famous as Upanisad .

Finally it comes to mean "the works that teach the science of Brahman", which became metaphorically famous as Upanisad .

The chief priest Hotra has an important role in the conduct of the sacrificial rites in Krishna shaka, while the Shukla shaka does not regard Hotra with much importance.   

The chief priest Hotra has an important role in the conduct of the sacrificial rites in Krishna shaka, while the Shukla shaka does not regard Hotra with much importance.   

== Structure ==

== Structure of वल्ली ॥''Valli'' ==

Each chapter of the Taittiriya Upanishad is called a वल्ली ॥''Valli'' , which literally means a medicinal climber plant that grows independently yet is intertwined and attached to a main tree.  

Each chapter of the Taittiriya Upanishad is called a वल्ली ॥''Valli'' , which literally means a medicinal climber plant that grows independently yet is intertwined and attached to a main tree.  

Advaitins consider that Taittiriya Upanishad has only three chapters:  

Advaitins consider that Taittiriya Upanishad has only three chapters:  

''Siksha Valli :'' Consists of 12 Anuvakas

शिक्षा ॥ ''Siksha Valli :'' Consists of 12 Anuvakas

''Ananda Valli'' (also called Brahmanda Valli) : Consists of 9 Anuvakas

॥ ''Ananda Valli'' (also called Brahmanda Valli) : Consists of 9 Anuvakas

''Bhrigu Valli :'' Consists of 10 Anuvakas

॥ ''Bhrigu Valli :'' Consists of 10 Anuvakas

Visistadvaitins, consider that there is a fourth chapter also - Yajniki Chapter. This fourth chapter is designated by them as तैत्तिरीय नारायणीयं.<ref name=":12">Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore, Page 20</ref>.  

Visistadvaitins, consider that there is a fourth chapter also - Yajniki Chapter. This fourth chapter is designated by them as तैत्तिरीय नारायणीयं.<ref name=":12">Insights Into the Taittiriya Upanishad, Dr. K. S. Narayanacharya, Published by Kautilya Institute of National Studies, Mysore, Page 20</ref>.  

Studies, Mysore , Page 22</ref>

Studies, Mysore , Page 22</ref>

=== One of the Earliest Texts to have Index (to check) ===

=== One of the Earliest Texts to have Index ===

The Upanishad is one of the earliest known texts where index was included at the end of each section, along with main text, as a structural layout of the book. At the end of each Vallĩ in Taittiriya Upanishad manuscripts, there is an index of the Anuvakas which it contains.

The Upanishad is one of the earliest known texts where index was included at the end of each section, along with main text, as a structural layout of the book. At the end of each Vallĩ in Taittiriya Upanishad manuscripts, there is an index of the Anuvakas which it contains.

The index includes the initial words and final words of each ''Anuvaka'', as well as the number of sections in that ''Anuvaka''.<ref name="maxmullerbv2">Max Muller, The [[Sacred Books of the East]], Volume 15, Oxford University Press, Chapter 3: Taittiriya Upanishad, [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbe15/sbe15005.htm Archived Online]</ref> For example, the first and second Anuvakas of ''Shiksha Valli'' state in their indices that there are five sections each in them, the fourth Anuvaka asserts there are three sections and one paragraph in it, while the twelfth Anuvaka states it has one section and five paragraphs.<ref name="maxmullerbv2" />

The index includes the initial words and final words of each ''Anuvaka'', as well as the number of sections in that ''Anuvaka''. For example, the first and second Anuvakas of ''Siksha Valli'' state in their indices that there are five sections each in them, the fourth Anuvaka asserts there are three sections and one paragraph in it, while the twelfth Anuvaka states it has one section and five paragraphs.  

The ''Ananda Valli'', according to the embedded index, state each chapter to be much larger than currently surviving texts. For example, the 1st Anuvaka lists ''pratika'' words in its index as ''brahmavid'', ''idam'', ''ayam'', and states the number of sections to be twenty one. The 2nd Anuvaka asserts it has twenty six sections, the 3rd claims twenty two, the 4th has eighteen, the 5th has twenty two, the 6th Anuvaka asserts in its index that it has twenty eight sections, 7th claims sixteen, 8th states it includes fifty one sections, while the 9th asserts it has eleven. Similarly, the third Valli lists the ''pratika'' and ''anukramani'' in the index for each of the ten ''Anuvakas''.<ref name="maxmullerbv2" />

The ''Ananda Valli'', according to the embedded index, state each chapter to be much larger than currently surviving texts. For example, the 1st Anuvaka lists ''pratika'' words in its index as ''brahmavid'', ''idam'', ''ayam'', and states the number of sections to be twenty one. The 2nd Anuvaka asserts it has twenty six sections, the 3rd claims twenty two, the 4th has eighteen, the 5th has twenty two, and so forth. Similarly, the third Valli lists the ''pratika'' and ''anukramani'' in the index for each of the ten ''Anuvakas''.

== Dating of Taittiriya Upanishad ==

== Dating of Taittiriya Upanishad ==

== Content ==

== Content ==

=== Shiksha Valli ===

=== Siksha Valli ===

The Siksha Valli chapter of Taittiriya Upanishad derives its name from [[Shiksha]] (Sanskrit: शिक्षा), which literally means "instruction, education".<ref>[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=zikSA&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0 zikSA] Sanskrit English Dictionary, Cologne University, Germany</ref>

The Siksha Valli chapter of Taittiriya Upanishad derives its name from [[Shiksha|Siksha]] (Sanskrit: शिक्षा), which literally means "instruction, education".

The special feature of the Shiksha Valli is that it gives a most beautiful, pithy address to young Brahmcharis, (anologous to the convocation address of modern universities), where the teacher tells the students about the virtues they should try to possess and cultivate, the ideals of life they should foster, and such other rules of conduct for the up-building of a noble character.<ref name=":32" />

The special feature of the Shiksha Valli is that it gives a straightforward direct address to young Brahmcharis, where the teacher tells the students about the virtues they should try to possess and cultivate, the ideals of life they should foster, and such other rules of conduct for the up-building of a noble character.<ref name=":32" />

The various lessons of this first chapter are related to education of students in ancient Vedic era of India, their initiation into a school and their responsibilities after graduation.<ref>CP Bhatta (2009), Holistic Personality Development through Education: Ancient Indian Cultural Experiences, Journal of Human Values, vol. 15, no. 1, pages 49-59</ref> It mentions lifelong "pursuit of knowledge", includes hints of "Self-knowledge", but is largely independent of the second and third chapter of the Upanishad which discuss [[Ātman (Hinduism)|Atman]] and Self-knowledge.  

The various lessons of this first chapter are related to education of students in ancient Vedic era of India, their initiation into a school and their responsibilities after graduation.<ref>CP Bhatta (2009), Holistic Personality Development through Education: Ancient Indian Cultural Experiences, Journal of Human Values, vol. 15, no. 1, pages 49-59</ref> It mentions lifelong "pursuit of knowledge", includes hints of "Self-knowledge", but is largely independent of the second and third chapter of the Upanishad which discuss [[Ātman (Hinduism)|Atman]] and Self-knowledge.  

Studies, Mysore, Page 21 </ref>

Studies, Mysore, Page 21 </ref>

The Siksha Valli includes promises by students entering the Vedic school, an outline of basic course content, the nature of advanced courses and creative work from human relationships, ethical and social responsibilities of the teacher and the students, the role of breathing and proper pronunciation of Vedic literature, the duties and ethical precepts that the graduate must live up to post-graduation.<ref name="pauldeussensv2">Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 220-231</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n61/mode/2up Aitareya and Taittiriya Upanishads with Shankara Bhashya] SA Sastri (Translator), pages 56-192</ref>

The Siksha Valli includes promises by students entering the Vedic school, an outline of basic course content, the nature of advanced courses and creative work from human relationships, ethical and social responsibilities of the teacher and the students, the role of breathing and proper pronunciation of Vedic literature, the duties and ethical precepts that the graduate must live up to post-graduation.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n61/mode/2up Aitareya and Taittiriya Upanishads with Shankara Bhashya] SA Sastri (Translator), pages 56-192</ref>

==== First Anuvāka (प्रथमोऽनुवाकः) ====

=== First Anuvāka (प्रथमोऽनुवाकः) ===

The first ''anuvaka'' (lesson) of Taittiriya Upanishad starts with benedictions, wherein states [[Adi Shankara]], major Vedic deities are proclaimed to be manifestations of [[Brahman]] (Cosmic Soul, the constant Universal Principle, Unchanging Reality).<ref name="maxmullerbv2" /><ref name="adishankaratu1112">[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n61/mode/2up Aitareya and Taittiriya Upanishads with Shankara Bhashya] SA Sastri (Translator), page 62</ref> Along with the benedictions, the first anuvaka includes a prayer and promise that a student in Vedic age of India was supposed to recite.  

The first ''anuvaka'' (lesson) of Taittiriya Upanishad starts with slokas, wherein states [[Adi Shankara]], major Vedic deities are proclaimed to be manifestations of [[Brahman]] (Cosmic Soul, the constant Universal Principle, Unchanging Reality).<ref name="adishankaratu1112">[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n61/mode/2up Aitareya and Taittiriya Upanishads with Shankara Bhashya] SA Sastri (Translator), page 62</ref> The first anuvaka includes a prayer and promise that a student in Vedic age of India was supposed to recite. <blockquote>''॥ शान्तिपाठः ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''ॐ शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः । शं नो भवत्वर्यमा ।''</blockquote><blockquote>''शं न इन्द्रो बृहस्पतिः । शं नो विष्णुरुरुक्रमः ।''</blockquote>

 

॥ शान्तिपाठः ॥

 

ॐ शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः । शं नो भवत्वर्यमा ।  

 

शं न इन्द्रो बृहस्पतिः । शं नो विष्णुरुरुक्रमः ।

===== '''Literal Translation'''<ref name=":32" />: =====

===== '''Literal Translation'''<ref name=":32" />: =====

उरुक्रमः all-pervasive  

उरुक्रमः all-pervasive  

May Mitra be favourable to us, and so also Varuna. May Aryaman be favourable to us. May Brihaspati and Indra be favourable to us and so also all pervasive Vishnu.  

May Mitra be favourable to us, and so also Varuna. May Aryaman be favourable to us. May Brihaspati and Indra be favourable to us and so also all pervasive Vishnu. <blockquote>''नमो ब्रह्मणे । नमस्ते वायो । त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि । त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्म वदिष्यामि । ऋतं वदिष्यामि ।''</blockquote><blockquote>''सत्यं वदिष्यामि । तन्मामवतु । तद्वक्तारमवतु । अवतु माम् । अवतु वक्तारम् ।''</blockquote><blockquote>''ॐ Shanti !!! Shanti!! Shanti!''</blockquote>नम: salutation, ऋतं: The Right thing, अवतु: Protect, वक्तारम् The Speaker (teacher)

 

नमो ब्रह्मणे । नमस्ते वायो । त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि । त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्म वदिष्यामि । ऋतं वदिष्यामि ।

 

सत्यं वदिष्यामि । तन्मामवतु । तद्वक्तारमवतु । अवतु माम् । अवतु वक्तारम् ।

 

ॐ Shanti !!! Shanti!! Shanti!  

 

नम: salutation, ऋतं: The Right thing, अवतु: Protect, वक्तारम् The Speaker (teacher)

Salutation to Brahman, salutation to thee, O Vayu. You are the visible Brahman. I will declare you as the visible Brahman.  

Salutation to Brahman, salutation to thee, O Vayu. You are the visible Brahman. I will declare you as the visible Brahman.  

In above translation done by Paul Deuseen , there is a deliberate attempt to "secularize" and remove the sacred element. The "that" is no longer the Brahman, but it is the abstract "Truth" and not the sacred Brahman that is the embodiment of truth and what is right.  

In above translation done by Paul Deuseen , there is a deliberate attempt to "secularize" and remove the sacred element. The "that" is no longer the Brahman, but it is the abstract "Truth" and not the sacred Brahman that is the embodiment of truth and what is right.  

==== Second Anuvāka (द्वितीयोऽनुवाकः) ====

=== Second Anuvāka (द्वितीयोऽनुवाकः) ===

ॐ शीक्षां व्याख्यास्यामः । वर्णः स्वरः । मात्रा बलम् । साम सन्तानः । इत्युक्तः शीक्षाध्यायः ॥ १ ॥

<blockquote>''ॐ शीक्षां व्याख्यास्यामः । वर्णः स्वरः । मात्रा बलम् । साम सन्तानः । इत्युक्तः शीक्षाध्यायः ॥ १ ॥''</blockquote>शीक्षां: The principles of phonetics, व्याख्यास्यामः (we) shall explain, वर्णः letters स्वरः vowels / accent, मात्रा quantity or measure बलम् effort or strength, साम:modulation, सन्तानः conjunction, इति: Thus, उक्त: is told शीक्षाध्यायः the chapter on the study of phonetics.<ref name=":32" />

 

शीक्षां: The principles of phonetics, व्याख्यास्यामः (we) shall explain, वर्णः letters स्वरः vowels / accent, मात्रा quantity or measure बलम् effort or strength, साम:modulation, सन्तानः conjunction, इति: Thus, उक्त: is told शीक्षाध्यायः the chapter on the study of phonetics.<ref name=":32" />

===== Literal Translation =====

===== Literal Translation =====

The whole efficacy of a mantra lies in its proper chanting. The ''mantrashakti'' or the power of the mantram is in the sound of the mantram. It is further believed that there is an inseparable connection between the ''shabda'' or a particular sound and its ''artha'', the object for which the sound stands. So any mis-pronunciation of any mantra would rob away all its efficacy and thus fail to obtain the desired object. So the Siksha Valli begins with this important instruction to students that they are supposed to utter the mantrams properly.<ref name=":32" />

The whole efficacy of a mantra lies in its proper chanting. The ''mantrashakti'' or the power of the mantram is in the sound of the mantram. It is further believed that there is an inseparable connection between the ''shabda'' or a particular sound and its ''artha'', the object for which the sound stands. So any mis-pronunciation of any mantra would rob away all its efficacy and thus fail to obtain the desired object. So the Siksha Valli begins with this important instruction to students that they are supposed to utter the mantrams properly.<ref name=":32" />

Taittirĩya Upanishad's emphasizes, in its later anuvakas, ''{{IAST|svādhyāya}}'', a practice that served as the principal tool for the oral preservation of the Vedas in their original form for over two millennia. [[Svādhyāya]] as a part of student's instruction, involved understanding the linguistic principles coupled with recitation practice of Indian scriptures, which enabled the mastering of entire chapters and books with accurate pronunciation.<ref name="gavinflood2">{{Cite book|editor-last=Flood|editor-first=Gavin|year=2003|title=The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism|publisher=Blackwell Publishing Ltd.|isbn=1-4051-3251-5|pages=68–70}}</ref> The ancient Indian studies of linguistics and recitation tradition, as mentioned in the second anuvaka of Taittiriya Upanishad, helped transmit and preserve the extensive Vedic literature from 2nd millennium BCE onwards, long before the methods of mass printing and book preservation were developed. [[Michael E. J. Witzel|Michael Witzel]] explains it as follows,<ref name="gavinflood2" />

Taittirĩya Upanishad's emphasizes, in its later anuvakas, ''{{IAST|svādhyāya}}'', a practice that served as the principal tool for the oral preservation of the Vedas in their original form for over two millennia. [[Svādhyāya]] as a part of student's instruction, involved understanding the linguistic principles coupled with recitation practice of Indian scriptures, which enabled the mastering of entire chapters and books with accurate pronunciation.<ref name="gavinflood2">{{Cite book|editor-last=Flood|editor-first=Gavin|year=2003|title=The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism|publisher=Blackwell Publishing Ltd.|isbn=1-4051-3251-5|pages=68–70}}</ref> The ancient Indian studies of linguistics and recitation tradition, as mentioned in the second anuvaka of Taittiriya Upanishad, helped transmit and preserve the extensive Vedic literature from 2nd millennium BCE onwards, long before the methods of mass printing and book preservation were developed.  

==== Third Anuvāka ॥ तृतीयोऽनुवाकः ॥ ====

==== Third Anuvāka ॥ तृतीयोऽनुवाकः ॥ ====

==== Graduating student's acknowledgment - Twelfth Anuvāka ====

==== Graduating student's acknowledgment - Twelfth Anuvāka ====

The last ''anuvaka'' (lesson) of Taittiriya Upanishad, just like the first anuvaka, starts with benedictions, wherein Vedic deities are once again proclaimed to be manifestations of Brahman (Cosmic Soul, Unchanging Reality).<ref name="maxmullerbv2" /><ref name="adishankaratu11212">[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n99/mode/2up Aitareya and Taittiriya Upanishads with Shankara Bhashya] SA Sastri (Translator), pages 94-96</ref> Along with the benedictions, the last anuvaka includes an acknowledgment that mirrors the promise in first anuvaka,

The last ''anuvaka'' (lesson) of Taittiriya Upanishad, just like the first anuvaka, starts with benedictions, wherein Vedic deities are once again proclaimed to be manifestations of Brahman (Cosmic Soul, Unchanging Reality).<ref name="maxmullerbv2">Max Muller, The [[Sacred Books of the East]], Volume 15, Oxford University Press, Chapter 3: Taittiriya Upanishad, [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbe15/sbe15005.htm Archived Online]</ref><ref name="adishankaratu11212">[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n99/mode/2up Aitareya and Taittiriya Upanishads with Shankara Bhashya] SA Sastri (Translator), pages 94-96</ref> Along with the benedictions, the last anuvaka includes an acknowledgment that mirrors the promise in first anuvaka,

=== Ananda Valli ===

=== Ananda Valli ===

{{Quote box|width=26em|bgcolor=#FFE0BB|align=right|salign=right|quote=<poem><nowiki>ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥</nowiki>  Om! May it (Brahman) protect us both (teacher and student)! May we both enjoy knowledge! May we learn together! May our study be brilliant! May we never quarrel! Om! Peace! peace! peace! </poem>|source=—Taittiriya Upanishad, Anandavalli Invocation<ref> *Original Sanskrit: [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/तैत्तिरीयोपनिषद् Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1] Wikisource; *'''Translation 1''': [https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n109/mode/2up Taittiriya Upanishad] SS Sastri (Translator), The Aitereya and Taittiriya Upanishad, pages 104-105 *'''Translation 2''': Max Muller, The Sacred Books of the East, Volume 15, Oxford University Press, Chapter 3: Taittiriya Upanishad, see Ananda Valli Invocation</ref>}}

{{Quote box|width=26em|bgcolor=#FFE0BB|align=right|salign=right|quote=<poem><nowiki>ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥</nowiki>  Om! May it (Brahman) protect us both (teacher and student)! May we both enjoy knowledge! May we learn together! May our study be brilliant! May we never quarrel! Om! Peace! peace! peace! </poem>|source=—Taittiriya Upanishad, Anandavalli Invocation<ref> *Original Sanskrit: [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/तैत्तिरीयोपनिषद् Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1] Wikisource; *'''Translation 1''': [https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n109/mode/2up Taittiriya Upanishad] SS Sastri (Translator), The Aitereya and Taittiriya Upanishad, pages 104-105 *'''Translation 2''': Max Muller, The Sacred Books of the East, Volume 15, Oxford University Press, Chapter 3: Taittiriya Upanishad, see Ananda Valli Invocation</ref>}}