Upanishad-Mundak

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Mundak Upanishad-Prolog
[Taken from "Wisdom of the Ancient Sages: Mundak Upanishad / by Swami Rama. Honesdale, PA, The Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy of the USA. 1990.]

This writing was inspired by the above mentioned book. This book has been written in very simple language and explains many words, ideas, concepts so that the new readers of Hindu religious books can understand Hindu scriptures clearly. It is not a reproduction of the book, still many sentences have been copied just to make the meaning as clear as the author wants to express. I feel fortunate that I found this book as it helped me a lot to understand Upanishad literature. I hope that this writing will help others also. It is in no way the replacement of the book.

Mundak Upanishad

Mundak Upanishad belongs to Atharv Ved and presumably to the Shaunakeeya Shaakhaa (branch). Its teachings were taught to Shaunak Jee by Aangiras who learned this Vidyaa (knowledge) from Satyavaha Bharadwaaj, the disciple of Atharv, the eldest son of and pupil of Brahmaa Jee. This Vidyaa is called Paraa Vidyaa (knowledge related to other shore) and is considered be Sarv Vidyaa Pratishthaa - the source of all Vidyaa. This Paraa Vidyaa removes the cover of ignorance from Aatmaa. There are 64 verses or Mantra in this Upanishad. These verses are divide in three chapters, each chapter comprising two Cantos.

The etymological meaning of Mundak means is a shaving razor and a person with shaven head - meaning a Sanyaasee or a monk. The Mundak and Prashn Upanishad, being originated from Atharv Ved are complementary - what is taught in one, is elaborated upon in the other one. Vyaas Jee also used the first through the sixth verses of the Mundak Upanishad in composing the first aphorism of the Vedaant Sootra.

Like other Upanishad, this Upanishad is also in the form of dialog between the preceptor and his disciple. Aangiras is the preceptor and Shaunak is a totally prepared disciple. Brahmaa Jee taught this knowledge to Atharv, Atharv taught it to Angir, Angir taught this to Satyavaha Bharadwaaj and Satyvaha Bharadwaaj taught this to Aangiras, and Aangiras taught this to Shaunak - a householder.

It contains three chapters and each chapter is divide in two Cantos

Contd...

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