Introduction
Pasupatha Brahma Upanishad is also called as Pasupathbrahmopanishad. It is the seventy-seventh Upanishad of Muktika Upanishad order and found attached to Atharva Veda. It has two sections namely Poorva Khandaand Uttara Khanda. Poorva Khanda contains 32 verses mainly dealing with Hamsa Vidya. Uttara Khanda contains 46 verses mainly dealing with Para-Vidya, the philosophy of Atman and Paramatman. (Note: Poorva Khanda means the initial Section and Uttara Khanda means the final section).
Poorva Khanda
When Svayambhu (who originates on his own) Brahman happened to be filled with desires, he became the creator. Then Kamesvaraand Vaisravana came into being. Vaisravana belonged to the class of Rishis called Valakhilya who were of the size of the thumb.
Vaisravana asked Brahman seven questions.
What is the Vidya (philosophy and practice) of the Worlds?
Who is the deity? Who is the deity of the Jagrat (waking state) and Turya [the fourth state beyond Jagrat, Swapna (dream) and Susupti (deep sleep)]?
Who controls all these? How long is the time duration?
Who controls the shining of the Sun, Moon and other planetary bodies?
Whom belongs to the vastness of the sky?
Brahman answers the questions.
Matruka Vidya is the Vidyaof the worlds which is of two types with two letters and with three letters. Omkara of four Matra is the deity. It is my (Brahman) own Atman. I (Brahman) am the Ruler of the three worlds. All duration of time like Yugas, days, night and the like are in my control. The radiance of the Sun, moon, planets and the stars are in my control only. The vastness of the sky is my form of three powers (Sakthi) of illusion. (Iccha Sakthi, Kriya Sakthi and Jnana Sakthi). Nothing beyond that is mine. Lord Rudra has the illusory characteristics of Tamas. Lord Vishnu has the illusory characteristics of Sattvaand Lord Brahman has the illusory characteristics of Rajas. Lord Indra and others possess the characteristics of Tamasand Rajas. No one has the characteristics of Sattva (except Lord Vishnu).No one has calm characteristics. And very ordinary form.
Lord Pasupati is the performer of all Yagas (sacrifices) and Lord Rudra is the deity of sacrifices. Lord Vishnu is the protector who removes the defects. Lord Indra is the Conductor. Lord Brahmanis the Witness. Brahman is Maheswara.
The application of the mind in the sounds of Hamsa, Soham, and Hamsa are the mental sacrifices performed. The Jiva becomes transformed by this.
Hamsa has the form of Paramatman. Hamsa goes on moving and out. Having gone inside and finding not enough space inside, Hamsa takes the form of Suparna.
Brahma Sutra is the thread of 96 Tattvas. (Sutra=thread. Tattva = principle). Brahma sutra is one bundle of consciousness which consists of Jagrat (waking), Swapna (dream), Susupti (deep sleep), Turya (the fourth state), Turyaturya (the mingled state of Turya and Non-Turya), and Avikalpa (objectless consciousness). It contains nine truths. It is made up of three coils of three threads each. It indicates the three-fold fires of three Lords. It indicates three time durations (Present, Past and Future) fastened by the knot of consciousness. It is fastened by the knot of Para-Brahman. The common feature of the Yagnya is the shining external in case of external Yagnya and internal in case of internal Yagnyas. (Note: The Brahma Sutra is compared with Yagnya Sutra that is worn by Brahmins at the time of performing Yagnyas. External Yagnya is referred to the sacrifice performed by Brahmins and the internal sacrifice is performance of the Hamsa. While performing the internal Hamsa Yagnya, Brahma Sutra should be worn as like the wearing of Yagnya Sutra in external rites. This is the underlying point here). Hamsa is the index of the internal sacrifice that leads of Brahman
Sacrificial rites are done by Brahminswho wears the thread that forms the Upavita. The sacrificial threads are worn only by those who are permitted by the scriptures. Likewise, Brahma Sutra (Hamsa) also is worn by those who are permitted to perform the internal rites. The Brahma Yajna (the internal sacrifice) is related Yajna Sutra (here Hamsa) that leads to Brahman. This is the correct way to attain liberation.
The act of merging the Atmanwith Paramatman is the mental sacrifice. For this Hamsa is the Yanja-Sutra.
The Pranava is the sacrificial thread. One who engages himself in the observance of Brahma Yajna is the Brahmin. Those engaged themselves in the path of Brahman are Gods.
Hamsa is indicated by the observances of internal rites or sacrifices. There is no difference between Pranavaand Hamsa. There are three approaches to Hamsa. The present, past and future are the three letters (AUM). The maintenance of the three fires is the internal rite. The application of mind to Hamsaor Pranava with the characteristics of the three fires is the internal sacrifice. The form of consciousness is the form of Turya, the fourth state of Consciousness. Hamsa radiates like the internal Sun. The sacrifice is the instrumental to the attainment of Brahman. For those who meditate on Brahman through Pranava, there is the knowledge that only the Brahman exists.
Now the Sage Vaisravana asked Svayambhu (Brahman): “How many are the Hamsathreads?” “What is the extent?”
There are ninety six beams of the Sun that resides in the heart. The exhalations issued through nostrils are of the length of six Angulas, through the Cit-Sutra (heart) are of ten Angulas and by the Pranava are of eighty Angulas (totalling to ninety six).
The Paramatman in the form of Hamsa moves from the right arm to the left hip internally and externally like the sacrificial thread. It is the secret that you cannot find anywhere. He knows this reap the fruit of immortality. Hamsa does not manifest on its own. Liberation is possible only to those who meditate on Hamsa-Pranava and Hamsa as the same.
Having known even the nine threads, one can attain Brahman. The Intern Sun is known to all. Having known the Sun that shines internally and addressing prayers to the internal Sun, the men and Gods have recourse to the supreme truth.
The Vajapeya Sacrifice is the killer of sacrificial animal (false knowledge). Lord Indrais the conductor of the sacrificial rite.
The Dharma Sacrifice leads to Non-violence. Paramahamsa is the conductor of the rite. Pasupati who is the Paramatman himself is the deity.
The scriptures of Brahmanconstitute the Brahma Sacrifice. The Brahmins equipped with Vedas and Vedangas take part in them.
Asva-medha Sacrifice is a most popular of the sacrifices. Those who are disciplined in Brahmacaryaand gain the favour the kings doing the sacrifice take part in the sacrifice.
The liberation is possible only to those who are on the path of Brahma Sacrifice mentioned above. (Vajapeya, Asva-medha and others are external rites whereas the Brahma Sacrifice is the internal rite).
Then the Sage Vaisravana said, “Hamsa has manifested”. Sage Vaisravana and Svayambhu disappeared. Lord Rudraassumed that Pranava, the radiance of Hamsa that is the lost resort of Brahmopanisad is Lord Pashupati who is himself.
Uttara Khanda
Hamsa that is in the form of the cluster of letters is God. The knowledge that God is Paramatmanleads one Brahmahood. This is the procedure to attain Paramatman. Mere talk makes no avail.
The light of knowledge of Brahman is known as twilight, the meeting point of darkness and daylight. (Note: the meeting point of inner radiance and outer darkness of Illusion). The enlightened spends his time there. When Hamsa meets his own God (Atman), how can be any progeny there, arising out of the philosophy of Atman?
Hamsa known as Pranava Natha(the lord of Pranava) is the bestower of knowledge. The internal consciousness is the hidden stalk of the lotus of knowledge. The form of the union of Lord Siva and Sakthi is revealed as the form of the consciousness of bliss.
Nada, Bindu and Kala are the outcomes of the actions of the waking world. Also the three bodies (gross, subtle and casual), the three tufts on the crest, and the five external elements in their varied forms are the outcomes. Hamsa which is in the form of internal consciousness of all beings manifests externally as Brahman. Scriptures are the evidence.
Hamsarka Pranava Dhyana is the meditation upon Brahman as indicated by Brahman alone which is evidenced by scriptures. He who has resorted to this meditation engrosses in the ocean of wisdom. He reaches the other shore of the ocean.
Lord Siva known as Pashupati is the witness of all things always. According to his directions, the mind of all goes towards the functions. The Prana moves towards the intended course. The organ of speech performs its functions. Eyes see. Ears hear. Other sense organs perform their functions continuously by his directions. The directions are not naturally inclined, but happen out of illusion.
While Pashupati enters the ears and Siva gives the capacity to hear. Parameswara entering the mind gives the mind the capacity to function and regulates its functions. He alone what is known and unknown. Isvara regulates the other functions of senses and their motor actions.
The eyes, speech, mind and other functions of senses and their motor actions do not resort to the self-radiant Paramatman. Brahman keeps himself beyond their range and shines internally which is not subject to any logical reasoning and testimony. The real knower knows this.
The innermost Atman is radiant one whereas the Maya (Illusion) is darkness. Hence the Atman is free from Maya. The existence and non-existence of Maya is the conception of the mind and not real. In reality it does not exist at all. Truth alone exists. The misconception is only due to improper perception of light. The no-dual light alone exists. Non-duality is mentioned here because of the inadequate perception of light. Light alone exists always.
Silence alone is the right attitude to be assumed in case of controversies regarding this. This knowledge will manifest on its own. For him, no humans. No Brahman. Not for any other beings. For him, no castes. For him, no Asramas (stages of life). No Dharma (righteous paths) and Adharma (immoral ways). For him, neither prescription nor prohibition. As long as Brahman is revealed unto him, so long imbalances like misery and the like won’t appear.
The knower of Paramatman sees the forms of Jiva and others not as mere forms but as the forms of consciousness being the substance of Brahman alone. For him, even the concept of Dharma(virtuous acts) and Dharmin (who is doing Dharma) is cut asunder.
For him, there could not be any differences and non-differences and the distinctions between them, because he sees everything as Paramatman only. Beyond Atman (Self), only his own Atman exists (non-dual nature of Paramatman). Brahman alone exists in substances and non-substances. For him, what else is there to take or renounce? It is the same type as the consciousness which is beyond the range speech and mind, which cannot be seen, which cannot be perceived, and which has no form or lineage.
It is beyond the range of eye, ear and significance. It has no hands or feet. It is eternal and omnipotent. It transcends all. It is the subtlest of the subtle. It is imperishable and immortal. It is Brahman alone. It is the supreme bliss of Brahman which is affront to it, behind it, on the sides to it.
When one sees his own Atmanas such, he is liberated. He is also not liberated in the sense that liberation comes only to those who are under bondage.
This is the process of attaining Para-Vidya. It is attained by means of truthfulness, austerity, penance, and adhering to the codes of conduct like Brahmacarya (celibacy) as laid down in the Upanishad. It is possible for those who get their imperfections fade away and not for those immersed in the illusion. They see their own bodies in the form of self-radiant highest truth.
For him, who has grown to be a full yogi and attained the wisdom of highest truth, there exists nothing to resort to. The glorious knower of Supreme Atman or Brahman does not move anywhere as like ethereal sky does not move.
The heart (mind) becomes pure by avoiding the prohibited food. By doing so, the clarity of mind comes on its own. With clear mind one achieves wisdom. The knots open on their own.
The prohibition of food applies only to the mortals devoid of the knowledge of Brahman. Not to him who knows Brahman. Not to him who has the wisdom of knowing everything as Atman. “I am the food as well as the eater” is the knowledge of Brahman. He swallows everything as Brahman.
The world, by being in the form of Brahman, becomes worthy of being eaten up. When it becomes worthy of being eaten up, it shines as the character of Atman. Brahman is eternal in the character of Atman. Hence everything becomes worthy of being eaten. When the world is in the noticeable form, it becomes worthy of being eaten. The lustre of Atman when it resembles any form measurable becomes worthy of being eaten. It is nothing but Atman eats its own form on its own accord.
There exists nothing beyond Atman fit to be eaten up. Any form of existence is Brahman only.
The quality of being is the existence. Existence is Brahman only. Nothing exists beyond Brahman. The existence of Mayais not real.
Maya is the creation of Atmanitself when it betakes to meditation and shines in the form a witness being affected by the knowledge of Brahman. The yogi endowed with the knowledge of Brahman, always see everything in the world as nothing apart from Brahman.
Om Tat Sat
