Thirty Minor Upanishads: 17. Ṭārasāra-Upa... | Internet Sacred Text Archive

Hinduism

ṬĀRASĀRA-UPANISHAḌ 1

OF

ŚUKLA-YAJURVEḌA

Om. Bṛhaspaṭi asked Yājñavalkya: "That which is called Kuruksheṭra is the place of the sacrifice of the Ḍevas and the spiritual seat of all beings. Therefore where should one go in order that he may cognize Kuruksheṭra, the place of the sacrifice of the Ḍevas and the spiritual seat of all beings?" (To which Yājñavalkya replied:) "Avimukṭa 2 is Kuruksheṭra, the place of the sacrifice of the Ḍevas and of the study of Brahman, because it is there that Ruḍra initiates one into the Ṭāraka 3 Brahman when prāṇa (life) goes out. Through this, one becomes immortal and the enjoyer of moksha. Therefore one should always be in the midst of that place avimukṭa, and should never leave, O reverend sir, avimukṭa." Thus said Yājñavalkya.

Then Bhāraḍvāja asked Yājñavalkya: "What is ṭāraka? what is that which causes one to cross (this mundane existence)." To which Yājñavalkya replied: "Om-Namō-Nārāyaṇāya is the ṭāraka. It should be worshipped as Chiḍāṭma. Om is a single syllable and of the nature of Āṭmā. N amah is of two syllables and is of the nature of prakṛṭi (matter). Nārāyarṇāya is of five syllables and is of the nature of Parabrahman. He who knows this becomes immortal. Through Om, is Brahma produced; through Na is Vishṇu produced; through Ma is Ruḍra produced; through Nā is Īśvara produced; through Rā is the Aṇda-Virāt (or Virāt of the universe) produced; through Ya is