Chandogya Upanishad Bhashyam

अत्युद्रिक्तविदोषसस्सुखमहाज्ञानैकतानप्रभा-

सर्वप्राभवशक्तिभोगबलसत्सारात्मदिव्याकृतिम्  । 

सृष्टिस्थाननिरोधनित्यनियतिज्ञानप्रकाशावृति-

ध्वान्तामोक्षविमोक्षदं हरिमजं नित्यं सदोपास्महे ।।

The Upanishads are like the nectar of the Vedic fruit. Each of the Upanishads is unique in transforming the seeker through a process of inner-awakening. They lay bare many esoteric truths about this Universe and its creator. Chandogya Upanishad, which is one of the ten principal Upanishads, belongs to the Thaandi Brahmana of Sama Veda. This Upanishad is neatly arranged into eight chapters which are in turn divided into various parts called Khandas. This Upanishad is rich both in its philosophical as well as theological teachings. Some of the very important passages of philosophical thought such as Tat Tvam Asi occur in this Upanishad. This is one of the most discussed and debated Upanishad among the three Vedantic schools.

Bhashya of Sri Madhwacharya

Sri Madhwacharya has composed a detailed Bhashya of this Upanishad. At the outset, the context of the Chandogya Upanishad is not very clear to the reader. Sri Madhwacharya quotes the Mahasamhita to bring forth the exact context of this Upanishad.

Rishi and Devata

Goddess Mahalakshmi extols Lord Vishnu through the Chandogya Upanishad passages which emanated from the breath of Lord Hayagreeva. Hence Goddess Mahalakshmi is the seer of this Upanishad. Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity.

Contemplation of Udgitha

The Upanishad instigates the contemplation of Lord Vishnu as Udgitha. He also known by the syllable OM. Some of the important teachings of the Upanishad in the light of the Bhashya of Sri Madhwacharya are as follows -

» The etymology of the word Udgitha is clearly explained.

» The etymology of OM is explained through the syllables अ, उ, and म.

» There is a tradition to ask permission of the learned before commencement of any work. The learned reply by saying OM. This means – Let the Lord who is known as OM fulfill the seekers desires. OM also is a symbol of fulfillment. Thus saying OM is a symbolic way of blessing for the fruitful completion of the task at hand.

» The knowledge of the Gradation of the Deities is essential to attain liberation. Lord Vishnu is to be known to be at the top of the hierarchy of the deities.

» Lord Vishnu is to be primarily worshipped. All other deities are to be worshipped as the servants of Lord Vishnu.

» The deities accept worship performed in their name only when the offerings are made to Lord Vishnu who is their indweller. The deities are pleased and bless the seeker only if they are worshipped in the status of servants of the Lord and not otherwise.

» Devotion towards Lord and His servants, detachment to worldly pleasures are the chief paths to liberation.

» For this purpose, the Upanishad introduces the hierarchy of the deities from Prithivi to Udgitha.

» The presiding deities of Prithivi etc., are not mentioned in the Upanishad. Sri Madhwacharya quotes from a work called Sara Nirnaya to give the names of the presiding deities.

» Giving the Vedic etymology of many Upanishadic words is a very important characteristic of Madhwa Bhashya. This is done my quoting several passages from texts like Shabda Nirnaya.

» The subjective meaning of the word Upanishad is uniquely revealed in the Bhashya. The knowledge that seeker is eligible for is known as the Upanishad to him.

» Contemplation of Lord Vayu as Udgitha – Supreme among the deities and Lord Vishnu to be even more superior to Lord Vayu is a means to fulfillment of all desires.

» The nature of the Samaveda is explained as Sama sung on top of Rik Mantras. Sa in Sama represents Goddess Bharati and Ama represents Lord Vayu. Sama is the Ardha Nara Nari form of Lord Vayu and Goddess Bharati.

» The Supremacy of Lord Vishnu is firmly established from the Pravahana, Dalbhya and Jaibili episode.

» Sri Madhwacharya, in his Bhashyam, categorically denies the identity of souls with Brahman. Advaita is not valid. If it were to be true where form does this diverse universe appear? That it appears due to Maya is not proper.

» Meaning of the passage Prapancho Yadi Vidyeta is beautifully explained to expound the eternality of the five-fold difference between the sentient and the insentient.

» OM is the essence of all Vedas.

» Conceptualization of one hundred and sixteen years of human life span as a holy sacrifice.

» Lord Vasudeva is the Madhu in Madhu Vidya.

» Lord Vayu and Lord Brahma are equal in status.

» One who knows the Supremacy of Lord Vayu becomes a leader among his equals.

» Controlling of the Prana in turn controls the Mind and Sense Organs.

» Knowing about Prana leads one to liberation.

» Meaning of the Panchagni Vidya is nicely elucidated.

» Devas are eligible for the Upasana of Vyshwanara Vidya. Others can merely know about it. Vyshwarana is Vishnu.

» Meaning of Pranahuti and the presiding deities of Prana etc., are clearly explained.

» Confusion over the age of Shwetaketu when he returned home is cleared. He was 24 years old. By that time, he had completed 12 years of education in Gurukula.

» Eka Vignanena Sarva Vignanam – all the examples given point out the fruits of knowledge about Vishnu. For the one who knows Vishnu all the fruits that can be accrued by knowing the Universe are obtained by default.

» Several inconsistencies in the Advaita position are pointed out with respect to Eka Vignanena Sarva Vignana shruti

» Ekameva Advitiyam Brahma Shruti does not propound identity of souls.

» The Universe is dependent on Vishnu through Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vayu.

» Knowing everything is dependent on Lord Vishnu, one should shed his ego.

» Lord Aniruddha is mentioned as Jeeva in the Upanishad and not the ordinary souls.

» The soul is dependent on the Lord in all three states – Jagrut, Swapna and Sushupti.

» God is only the instrumental cause of this Universe and not the material cause.

» Instruction of Guru is essential for attaining God.

» The Advaita doctrine of Identity of souls is against the position of all authentic scriptures. » Upasana of the Lord in the heart is necessary for liberation.

» Inspite of instruction eligibility decides. Story of Indra and Virochana.

Conclusion

Acharya signs off his Upanishad Bhashyam with a beautiful verse which extols the Hanuma, Bheema and Madhwa avataras of Lord Vayu.The work is submitted with salutations to Lord Vishnu who is very dear to Sri Madhwacharya.

आनन्दतर्थ इति तु यस्य नाम तृतीयकम् ।

पूर्णप्रज्ञेन तेनेदं कृतं भाष्यं हरेः प्रियम् ।।

नित्यानन्दो हरिः पूर्णो नित्यदा प्रीयतां मम ।

नमस्तस्मै नमस्तस्मै नमस्तस्मै च विष्णवे ।।