Section 13 (8.13.1), section 14 (8.14.1), and section 15 (8.15.1)
Vedantic teaching is over with section 12 of the chapter 8. Sections 13 to 15, each containing one mantra, are sort of miscellaneous.
A meditator longs for krama-mukti prays. He has practised meditation on space in the heart as Isvara. Space is one of the five elements. But here space is considered as a symbol of Isvara for meditation. It is revealer of name and form. By practice of meditation, he has reduced papas (demerits) like a horse shakes the dust off his body and the moon comes out of the grip of Rahu. Meditation has purified the mind and sense organs. He is desirous of going to the abode of Brahmaji to realize Atma so that he attains freedom from the cycle of life and death.
After enumerating of lineage of teachers, i.e., Brahmaji, Prajapati, Manus and his descendants, the Upanishad concludes with an assurance. He who serves his teacher, lives as prescribed by the Vedas and has control over mind and body, practices non-injury except otherwise ordained by scriptures, reaches the abode of Brahmaji and does not return. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Krama mukti
Brihadarankya Upanishad (Part 13)
Chapter 4 Section 1 (4.1.1 and 4.1.7)
Janaka tells Yajnavalkya that he has learnt from a teacher that fire deity is Brahman. Yajnavalkya says that it is only one aspect of Brahman and there are three more aspects. Organ of speech is its abode; ether is its support, and it should be meditated as intelligence. Organ of speech is intelligence because through organ speech, the meditator knows his relatives, learns different types of knowledge. His speech never deserts him. And people come to him to learn. The dialogue continues in the same pattern.
Chandogya Upanishad ( Chapters 6 to 8) Part 12
Chapter 8 Section 6 [8.6.1 to 8.6.4] By practicing meditation, a jiva after death goes to Brahm- loka where he has two choices. He may enjoy the available pleasures, take rebirth. Alternatively, he may choose to get Self-knowledge from Brahmaji and be liberated. It is krama mukti. It is not of much relevance to a seeker of liberation in the current life. Therefore, it is briefly discussed. Death is fall of physical body and separation of subtle body from it. The jiva is in the form of subtle body. As the death approaches, the subtle body is gradually withdrawn from gross body towards heart. From the heart through a special capillary (susuma nadi), it reaches a subtle aperture in the head and leaves the gross body. Thereafter, it travels through shukla gati (bright path) and reaches Brahm loka.
ChAndogya Upanishad (Chapters 6 to 8) Part 11
Chapter 8 Section 2 (8.2.1 to 8.2.10)
A person who practices dahAropAsana goes to Brahm Loka after death where he has two choices: one of liberation and other of enjoyment. In the former choice, he can enjoy the pleasures of higher qualities which last until the end of one cycle of creation and he takes rebirth in the next cycle of creation. Additionally, he gets extraordinary powers. He can enjoy the pleasures of all 14 worlds. It is the greatest material pleasure which cannot be acquired by physical effort. One view is that by meditation, the mind acquires extraordinary powers and can project and enjoy such experiences in the waking state. No physical effort is required. Any experience is effectively in the form of a thought, and a powerful mind can create thoughts. Meditation on Isvara gives powers of Isvara except the power of creation. A seeker of liberation is not interested in enjoyment and special powers. He has the choice to get the Vedantic teachings from Brahmaji, become enlightened and be liberated
Eight Upanishads (Topic-wise) Part 24
Chapter 6 JnAna and MokshA
6-5 Katha Upanishad
6-5-33 Katha 2.3.7 to 2.3.11 A refined mind is needed for Self-knowledge. Refining is gradual. The mountaineers gradually go from base to base as they climb higher so that they get used to the rarified atmosphere. From the grossest state, the mind cannot comprehend the subtle AtmA. Therefore, the withdrawal takes place one step at a time. It is Arundati Darsana method. The principle is that the controller is subtler and more powerful than the controlled. The steps in sequence are: – Withdraw from the world and identify with the body. Then withdraw from the body and identify with the sense organs. Withdraw from the sense organs and identify with the mind; the latter is subtler and more powerful and therefore controls the former. The intellect is subtler than the mind. The mind represents the doubting faculty. The intellect rationally analyses and removes the doubt. Therefore, the intellect is stronger than the mind. Now expand the mind by identifying with Hiranyagarbha, the total intellect by understanding that the individual does not exist separate from the total. Beyond Hiranyagarbha is the cosmic causal body which is unmanifest.