Kathopanishad - 1

Introduction & Shanthi Mantra

The word  ‘Upanishad’ is interpreted to mean that knowledge, which destroys the ignorance of Brahman of those who approach it with shraddah and mumukshutvam and steadfastly abide by its teaching, in short BrahmaVidya, knowledge of Brahman, the Cosmic Supreme. The word ‘Upanishad’ primarily refers to the knowledge of  Brahman, and secondarily to the book that contains the knowledge of Brahman. Upanishads form the end portion of Vedas, Veda anta bhaga, and so are called Vedanta as well. Since this portion deals with the knowledge of Brahman and its realization and gives the knowledge of jeeva, the individual, jagat, the universe and their relationship with each other and with Brahman, this is the philosophical portion of Vedas and is called the jnana khanda.  The earlier portion of Vedas, Veda purva bhaga, deals only with karmas and upasanas and is called the karma khanda.

Vedas are divided into sakhas. Each sakha contains an Upanishad.  Originally the Vedas had 1180 sakhas, of which many are lost now.  So we are now having 108 upanishads instead of 1180.  Out of these 108, Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada had written commentaries for 10 upanishads.  These ten upanishads are also referred to in Brahma Sutras of Veda Vyasa.  So these ten Upanishads are considered as mukhya Upanishads.  They are Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna,  Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittriya, Aitareya, Chandoya and Brihadaranyaka Upanishads.  There is a sloka connecting the ten which runs as:

Isa kena kaṭa prasna munḍa mandukya Tiithri I

Aitareyanca chandokyam Brihadharaṇyakam tatha. II

These ten cover all the four Vedas as follows:

Rig Veda – Aitareya Upanishad

Yajur Veda – Isa, Katha, Taittriya, Brihadaranyaka, Upanishads.                 

 Sama Veda – Kena, Chandogya Upanishads

Atharva Veda – Mundaka, Mandukya, Prasna Upanishads

Yajur Veda has two divisions (recensions or schools) – Krishna Yajur Veda and Sukla Yajur Veda.  Kathopanishad belongs to the kataka-sakha of Krishna Yajur Veda.   As this upanishad is revealed by Katha rishi, it is called Kathopanishad.  As this Upanishad belongs to Kataka sakha of Krishna Yajur Veda, it is also known as Katakopanishad.  It has 119 Mantras spread over six vallis (sections), with 29 Mantras in first valli, 25 in second, 17 in third,15 in fourth, 15 in fifth, and 18 in sixth.  The six vallis are grouped in two adyayas (chapters) of three vallis each. Swami Ranganathananda in ‘The message of the Upanishads’ states ” The Katha is a happy blend of charming poetry, deep mysticism, and profound philosophy; it contains a more unified exposition of Vedanta than any other single Upanishad.”

The upanishad starts with a Shanthi Mantra which is unique to Krishna Yajur Veda.  Shanthi Mantra is recited as a prayer to Lord for  the removal of obstacles to the successful pursuit of study of Upanishad.    The Mantra is:

Om saha naavavatu I saha nau bhunaktu I saha veeryam karavaavahai I 

tejaswi naavadheetamastu maa vidvishaavahai I Om shanti, shanti, shanti II

May He protect us both (teacher and the taught)! May He cause us both to enjoy the bliss of Mukti ! May we both exert to discover the true meaning of the sacred scriptures! May our studies be fruitful! May we never quarrel with each other! Om peace, peace, peace!

This Shanthi Mantra is a popular Mantra and is recited in school prayers as well, as it prays for good rapport between the teacher and the student besides praying for the good health of both. So let us see the meaning of the different segments of the Mantra separately as well.

ॐ, stands for Brahman . 

saha naavavatu - May the  Supreme  protect us both the teacher and taught.

saha nau bhunaktu -  May He bless us both to enjoy the fruits of this knowledge.

 saha veeryam karavaavahai - May we both put forth efforts together  to find out the true meaning of the Scriptures.

tejaswi naavadheetam-astu - May our studies be fruitful, i.e. it should be available when needed.

maa vidvishaavahai - May we not misunderstand each other as persons and as communication wise.

Om shanti, shanti, shanti - Here Om is the sound representation of Brahman.  shanti stands for the peace that comes from the removal of obstacles to the successful pursuit of study of Upanishad.  The word shanti is repeated thrice as the obstacles are of three fold nature. They are:

1. Adhyathmikam – Obstacles arising from within oneself like one’s personal ill-health, negative mood etc.  i.e. obstacles arising from oneself.
2. Aadhi bauthikam – Obstacles arising from other known sources or external situations like ill-health of a family member, noisy neighbourhood etc. i.e. obstacles arising from one’s environs.
3. Aadhi daivikam – obstacles arising from unseen sources like floods, storm etc. obstacles arising from nature

In short, through this Shanthi Mantra the student prays for unobstructed assimilation of the knowledge with total shraddha in guru and scriptures.  As one reads this Shanthi Mantra it becomes one’s prayer as well for the successful reading and understanding of the work.

After Shanti Mantra, the Upanishad opens with an elaborate story that introduces the guru and sishya and sishya’s fitness for receiving this knowledge, BrahmaVidya, which let me take up in the next blog. 

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