Taittriya Upanishad – 10

 Chapter 2, Anuvaka 7

Mantra 2-7-1

asadva idamagra asit I tato vai sadajayata I

tadatmanagm svayamakuruta I

tasmattatsukrtamuchyata iti I

“In the beginning all this (universe) was non—existent. From It (Brahman) was born what exists. That (Brahman) created Itself by Itself; therefore, It is called the Self-creator. Thus (ends the Sruthi Mantra”).

            Before manifesting, this universe of sentient and insentient was non-existent i.e. was in an unmanifest state. From that came the existent with names and forms. Brahman transformed Itself by Itself into this universe of sentient and insentient objects. Therefore, It is known as sukrita, the Self- creator.

Mantra 2-7-2

yadvai tatsukrtam I raso vai sah I

rasagmhyevayaṃ labdhvanandi bhavati I

ko hyevanyatkah pranyat I

yadesa akasa anando na syat I esa hyevanandayati II

That (Brahman), which is indeed the Self-creator, is Aananda. Having attained this Aananda alone, one becomes happy. Who will indeed inhale and who will exhale, if this Aananda were not there in the (inner) space? This (Brahman) alone pleases (all).

            The Paramatma who is referred to as sukrita is really the Aananda itself because the jiva who undergoes the miseries of birth and death becomes happy only after realizing Brahman. All beings make movements and act only with the support of Brahman, the bliss itself. All physical actions in the world are made possible only because of Brahman. Here the act of breathing is mentioned.  Normally breathing is taken for granted, and one will not argue if it said that without breathing one cannot live. However, the point brought out here is that even the act of breathing happens only because we feel the Joy of Brahman within our being, in core of our heart. This Joy is given greater importance than breathing itself!  This implies that if we do not experience this Joy, then we will not desire to breathe. We would rather die than live without the Joy experienced within.  All joy certainly comes from Brahman within. Once we are plugged to the Joy within, every act gets filled with it, not only breathing. When we find inner joy in life, then everything we do brings us joy!

Mantra 2-7-3

yada hyevaisa etasminnadrsye'natmaye'nirukte'nilayane'bhayam pratisthaṃ vindate I

atha so'bhayam gato bhavati I yada hyevaisa etasminnudaramantaram kurute I

atha tasya bhayam bhavati I tattveva bhayam viduso'manvanasya I

tadapyesha sloko bhavati II

When indeed one attains the fearless oneness with this (Brahman) which is invisible, bodyless, undefinable (and) supportless, then he attains fearlessness.  If he makes the slightest differentiation in It, there is fear for him. That becomes the source of fear for the learned one who does not reflect. In this regard there is the following Sruthi Mantra

            In this Mantra, the teacher says that only by knowing that I am Brahman (aham brahma asmi), the sense of insecurity will totally go away.  Insecurity is the fundamental expression of samsara and ignorant person is afflicted with it.  When one realises the oneness with Brahman that is formless, invisible, indefinable, requiring no support from any other source and is one without a second, the sense of insecurity that causes fear will be totally destroyed and he becomes completely fearless and totally fulfilled for ever. Though Brahman is the Self of both ignorant and the wise, the ignorant not knowing the nature of Brahman, looks upon Him with fear as one who would punish him for his wrongs and short-comings while the wise knowing His true nature enjoys the eternal bliss in him.  With regard to the statement of Brahman being a cause of fear there is a Sruthi Mantra which is quoted in the next anuvaka.  This anuvaka ends with this Mantra.

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