243:1 Maṇdala means sphere. As the Purusha in the maṇdala or sphere of the sun gives out this Upanishaḍ to Yājñavalkya, hence it is called Maṇdala-Brāhmaṇa. It is very mystic. There is a book called Rājayoga Bhāshya which is a commentary thereon; in the light of it which is by some attributed to Śri Saṅkarāchārya, notes are given herein.

244:1 Comm.: Rising above the seven Prāṇas, one should with introvision cognise in the region of Ākās, Ṭamas and should then make Ṭamas get into Rajas, Rajas into Saṭṭva, Saṭṭva into Nārāyaṇa and Nārāyaṇa, into the Supreme One.

244:2 Ṭāraka is from tr., to cross, as it enables one to cross samsāra. The higher vision is here said to take place in a centre between the eyebrows—probably in the brain.

245:1 The commentator puts it as 12 digits above the root of the palate—perhaps the Ḍvāḍasānṭa or twelfth centre corresponding to the pituitary body.

246:1 The commentator to support the above that anṭarlakshya, viz., Brahman is jala- or water-jyoṭis quotes the Prāṇāyāma-Gāyaṭrī which says: "Om Āpojyoṭī-raso’amṛṭam-Brahma, etc."—Apo-jyoṭis or water-jyoṭis is Brahman.

247:1 Comm.: Śukla is Brahman.

247:2 The original is, 'Vajra-Ḍarpaṇam.'

247:3 Shaṇmukhi is said to be the process of hearing the internal sound by closing the two ears with the two thumbs, the two eyes with the two forefingers, the two nostrils with the two middle fingers, and the mouth with the remaining two fingers of both hands.

248:1 In this paragraph, the higher or secret meaning is given of all actions done in the pūjā or worship of God in the Hinḍū houses as well as temples. Regarding the clothing of the idol which is left out here, the commentator explains it as āvaraṇa or screen.

248:2 Here also the commentator brings in nīrājana or the waving of the light before the image. That is according to him, the idea, "I am the self-shining."

249:1 The Triputi are the three, the knower, the known and the knowledge. Comm.: Ḍhyāna and others stated before wherein the three distinctions are made.

249:2 Ūha and apoha—the consideration of the pros and cons.

252:1 This is a reference to the secret way of imparting higher truth.

Next: 29. Nāḍabinḍu-Upanishaḍ of Ṛgveḍa

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