Atharvan Up Mundaka Up

Sri Madhvacharya
Bhashya on
Atharvan Upanishad
(Mundaka Upanishad)
With Explanatory Notes
Nagesh D. Sonde
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Atharvan Upanishad
(Mundaka Upanishad)
INTRODUCTION
Atharvan Upanishad or the Mundaka Upanishad belongs to Atharvaveda,

and is addressed to the one who is keen to be wise in Wisdom of sa%ya, the
resplendent Prime Existence. The Wisdom contained in the Upanishad being
mystical needs some preparatory foundation before it can be communicated as
Knowledge, since only he who has renounced the pleasures of senses and have
offered their hair as a mark o submission and becoming receptive with clarity
of mind to the Knowledge reflects and meditates on the Knowledge
communicated to become well-established in the Wisdom of Brahman
Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad (I.4.17) clarifies the importance of each
organs as centers of energy – “mana evaasyaa%maa, vaagjaayaa, pàNa: p`jaa:, caxaumaa-nauYaM iva<aM caxauYaa ih
tiWndto, Eaao~M dOvaM Eaao~oNa ih tcCRNaaoit, Aa%maOvaasya kma- Aa%manaa ih kma- kraoit |”. The Individual
Self is verily what the Mind makes it to be; speech is not what is only spoken but
also the words which came to be formed ere they come to be expressed; breath is
what gives expression to the words; perception, verily, is the true wealth of a
person because what he perceived is what he gains. The hearing the resonance of
his perception is what makes him luminous; his (individual) self is his Karma, for
the self, verily, is what performs actions. The mystical becomes known only
when the Immutable is experienced. As A.N.Whitehead, mentioned even after
describing the sunrise and the composition and character of the morning Sun
rising on the horizon, on will still miss something of the grandeur of the Sun.
Brahma Vidya, the supernal knowledge is what leads one to the supreme state of
bliss.
Though Vedas declare that sa%ya, the Prime Existence it is “… etM puruYaM mahantma\ |
Aaid%yavaNMa- tmasa: prastat\ |” and “na tsya pìtmaa|ist yasya naama mahd\ yaSa: |” since the Prime
Existence is beyond the reach of mind and speech – “yatao vaacaao inat-nto ApàPya manasaa sah
|” seers are required to use anthropomorphic imagery as the foundation to
communicate the inconceivable.
Realizing the incapacity of human mind to conceive the inconceivable,

Sri Madhva declares that Brahman should not be conceived as one without
body, -“na ca td\ba`*maNaao|SarIr%vaadott\ klpyama\ |” having been described by seers to
possess body, of Blissful form, of Golden Glow, to be meditated in the form
abiding in the inner space, though how can there be Golden Form for one who
is formless? how can He be meditated as one abiding in the inner space, having
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one's own form, referred as Purusha having thousands of heads, as the Sun-
coloured transcending Darkness, One having hands and feet in all directions
and universal sight - “tsyaaip SarIrEavaNaat\ - Aanand$pmamamaRtma\, sauvaNa-jyaaoit:,
dharao|ismannantrakaSa: [%yaaidYau | yaid $pM na syaat\, Aanandma\ [%yaova syaat\, na tu Aanand$pma\ [it | kqaM
ca sauvaNa-$p%vaM syaad\ A$psya? kqaM ca dhr%vama\? dharsqaSca koicad\ svadoh [%yaadaO $pvanaucyato |
sahsa`SaIYaa- puruYa:, rugmavaNMa- kta-rma\, Aaid%yavaNMa- tmasa: prstaat,\ sava-t: paiNapadM tt\, ivaSvatScaxau:
[%yaaidvacanaat\ ivaSva$paQyaayaadoSca $pvaanavasaIyato ||.
Sri Madhva, however points out that though Scriptures speak the
Supreme Lord to be both, possessed of body as well devoid of body, His body
is not constituted from the elements of the Nature – “s~IpuMsaamalaOiBayaao-gaa%maa dohaoivaYNaaona-
jaayato | ikMtu inadao-YacaOtnya svaakaM tnaUma\ |”, “Adohao dohvaaMsScaOk: pàocyato prmaoSvar: |
ApàkRtSarIr%vaaddoh [it kqyato ||”. There exists nothing distinctive, which can be
called His body; therefore he is called Adoh: - “svasmaannanyaao ivaga`hOsya ttScaadoh: ]cyato
||”. Other than Sri Vishnu, none else is competent to think of His form. There
never ever is for Him the coming together as body or becoming severed as a
body – “sa ca ivaYNaaona-caanyaao|ist yasmaat\ saao|ican%yaSai>maana\ | dohyaaogaivayaaogaidsttao naasya kqaHcana
||”. Vishnu has no gross body made up of flesh, corpulence or bones. His body
is ever blissful, not created by Nature, being Complete in all respects and all
pervading, therefore Narayana Himself. By Impulse (as it were), all these
distinct forms are shown as by inherent Power. He was neither born from the
womb of Devaki, nor was He born of Vasudeva, Dasharatha nor Jamadagni –
“taina ca savaa-Nyanyaaonyasva$paiNa – iva&anamaanandM ba`*ma, AnandM ba`*maoit vyajaanaat\ | … dohao|yaM mao
sadanandao naayaM p`kRitinaima-t: | pirpUNa-Sca sava-~ tona naarayaNaao|ssyahma\ || … | tdova laIlayaa caasaaO
piricCnnaaid$paiNa dSa-yait maayayaa - na ca gaBao-|vasa_ovyaa nacaaip vasaudovat: | nacaaip raGavajjaatao nacaaip
jamadignt: |”.
In Mahabharata, sage Sanatsujati says that Veda reveal supra-sensory
experience of the seers which if one does not understand then such one cannot
be said to be truly a man of Wisdom – „CMdaMisa naama xai~ya tanyaqavaa- pura jagaaO mahiYa-sa=\Ga
eYa: | CMdaoivadsto ya ]t naaQaItvaoda na vaodvaoVsya ivaduih- t%vama\ ||‟. Those who think they know
vedic scriptures neither know nor are wise – „na vaodanaaM vaoidta kiSacadist kiScat\ %vaotana\
bauQyato vaaip rajana\ | yaao vaod vaodana\ na sa vaod vaoVM sa%yao isqatao yastu sa vaod vaoVma\ || na vaodanaaM vaoidta
kiScadist vaoVona vaodM na ivaduna- vaoVma\ | yaao vaod vaodM sa ca vaod vaoVM yaao vaod vaoVM na sa vaod sa%yama\ || yaao vaod
vaodana\ sa ca vaod vaoVM na tM ivaduvao-divadao na vaoda: | tqaaip vaodona ivadint vaodM yao baà*maNaao vaodivadao Bavaint ||‟.
The imperishable source of all manifested things, the resplendent sa%ya, the
Prime Existence should be experienced through contemplative power or
energised Will and not necessarily through physical austerity and penance. It is
often maintained that by emphasizing the para vidya, this Upanishad opposes or
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subordinates performance of sacrifices to the intellectual response. That would be

mis-appreciation of the intent of these teachings, because it is also observed that
the performance of sacrifices lead one to the abode of the Lord, along with the
luminous rays of the sun, which beckon the sacrificer assuring that „eYa va: puNyaao
saukRtao ba`*malaaok:‟. Those who do not understand the secret teachings are pramudhah
– deluded persons, abiding in ignorance considering sacrificial acts alone lead
one to spiritual worlds.
Scriptures are read not out of curiosity or as the instruments for enjoyment
and diversion from the travails of the primordial world but for becoming
enlightened on the Path to Perfection to reach the mutable Brahman. For that
purpose this Upanishad brings out clearly the distinction between &ana, the
Knowledge of the Vedas, Upanishads and subsidiary scriptures accessible
through organs of senses and iva&ana, the Wisdom of That Immutable One
accessible through supra-sensory consciousness, the former in no manner less
important, but in reality important steps to access the latter. sa%ya, the Prime
Existence never creates travesty, expressions and opinions about sa%ya, the Prime
Existence often create perverse orthodoxy and dogmas. If perverse expressions
and opinions, orthodoxy and dogmas do not distract one‟s attention from sa%ya, the
Prime Existence then neither the map, nor the Paths, nor the sign posts will
confuse or delay one astray from the promised Land.
Mundaka Upanishad lays down the manner how an aspirant should live,
being instructed by a qualified Teacher, learned in scripture and established in
Brahman, who dwells with the heart of each creature as blazing fire issuing
innumerable sparks of various forms and intensity. The one who becomes aware
of Brahman cuts the bonds of ignorance and in its effulgent luminous light
everything becomes crystal clear – “tsya Baasaa sava-imadM ivaBaait |”.
*****
Atharvan Upanishad
(Mundaka Upanishad)
Shanti Mantra
! Bad`M kNa-oiBa: SauEauyaama dovaa Bad`M pSyaomaaxaiBaya-ja~a: |

isqarOr=gaOstuYTuvaasastnaUiBavya-Saoma dovaihtM yadayau: ||
svaist na [ndào vaRwEavaa: svaist na: pUYaa ivaSvavaoda: |
svaist nasta@yaao- AirYTnaoima: svaist naao baRhspitd=Qaayau: ||
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Hymn of Peace
O Gods ! Auspicious be my ears to listen what is luminous;

Auspicious be my eyes to see what is spacious ;
With my limbs and the body strengthened,
Let me enjoy what is ordained as Willed by the Lord.
O Gods ! Auspicious be Indra, grown mature
Auspicious be Pushan, encompassing the whole creation,
Auspicious be Garuda, the divine eagle, vanquisher of lowly creatures,
Auspicious be that which is bestowed by Brihaspati.
Let there be Peace, peace, peace.
The Commentators Invocation to the Supreme Lord.
AanandmajarM ina%yaM Ajamaxarmaucyautma\ | AnantSai>M sava-&M namasyao puruYaao<amama\ ||
One who has Bliss as the form, eternal, unborn, immutable, unshakeable,
immeasurable energy, universally wise to such best of the Persons, I offer my
obeisance.
*****
Aqava-NaaopinaYad\ BaaYya
p`qama: KND:
First Chapter.
Upnishad :
! ba`*maanaaM dovaanaaM p`qama: saMbaBaUva ivaSvasya kta- Bauvanasya gaaoPta |

sa ba`*maivaVaM sava-ivaVapìtYzamaqavaa-ya jyaoYzpu~aya pàh || 1 ||
Brahma, the first born among the gods, creator of the universe and protector of
the worlds, arose first, he taught Atharva, the eldest of his sons, Brahamvidya
(the supreme wisdom), the foundation of all wisdom.
Bhashya :
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“manaaovaOvasvatsyaa|davaqavaa- ba`*maNaao|jaina | ima~ScavaruNaaScaaqaao p`hoitho-itrova ca | ba`*maNa: p`qamao klpo

iSava: p`qamaja: saut: | sanakaVastu vaaraho ba`*maa ivaYNaao: sautao|ga`ja: | [it ba`*maaNDo |” – Manu,
Vaivasvata, Atharva were born to Brahma Prajapati, Thereafter were born
Mitra, Varuna, Praheti and Heti. In Brahma’s first Padma creation Shiva was his
eldest son, in his second Varaha creation Sanaka and other brothers were born,
thus in Brahmand Purana.
Upanishad :
Aqava-Nao yaaM p`vadot ba`*maa|qavaa- taM puraovaacaai=garo ba`*maivaVama\ | sa BaarWajaaya sa%yavahaya pàh
BaarWajaao|i=garsao pravarma\ || 2 ||
What was told in ancient times by Brahma to Atharva, the Wisdom of the
Supreme Brahman, the same was communicated by Atharva to Angira, by
Angira to Satyavaha the son of Bharadvaj.
SaaOnakao h vaO mahaSaalaao|i=garsaM ivaiQavadupsanna: pp`cC | kismannau Bagavaao iva&ato sava-imadM iva&atM BavatIit || 3 ||
Shaunaka the great sacrificer approached Angira, according to tradition and

asked – “By knowing what, verily, O honored one, does all this becomes
known?”
tsmaOo sa haovaaca Wo ivaVo vaoidtvyao [it h sma yad\ ba`*maivadao vadint pra caOvaapra ca || 4 ||
To him he answered : Two kinds of knowledge should be known, thus the one
wise in Brahman have declared – pra, the esoteric and Apra, the exoteric.
t~apra ?gvaodao yajauvao-d: saamavaodao|qava-vaod: iSaxaa klpao vyaakrNaM inaru>M Cndao jyaaoitYaimait | Aqa pra yayaa
tdxarmaiQagamyato || 5 ||
Of these, Apra, the exoteric. comprises the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda

Atharvaveda, phonetics, ritual, grammar, etymology, metrics and astrology. – pra,
the esoteric is that by which the immutable is experienced.
Bhashya :
“?gaaVa Apra ivaVa yada ivaYNaaona- vaacaka: | t eva prmaa ivaVa yada ivaYNaaostu vaacaka: || [it prmasaMihtayaama\
|| ?igQahaO-~oNa SaMsaMit tqaaOd\gaa~O: stuvaMiMt yao | ivaYNaumaova tqaa tsmaO yaujauiBa-rip jau*vait | stuvaMTyaqava-NaOScaOnaM
saoitpuraNakO: | na ivaYNusadRSaM ikiHca%prmaM caaip manyato | savaa-<amaM tM jaanantsto ih Baagavaao<amaa: ||” - Rig and
other Vedas are Apra, the exoteric Knowledge when they do not speak of Vishnu,
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but the same are pra, the esoteric supreme Wisdom when they speak of Vishnu,
thus in Parama Samhita. The sacrifices in which Vishnu is invited, those who
sacrifices for Vishnu with Yajurvedic mantras or those who laud Vishnu singing
Sama chants, similarly narrating the historical and puranic legends, those who
considering nothing else similar to Vishnu, worship him alone are known as the
best of the devotees of the supreme Self.
“vaodo ramaayaNao caOva puraNao Baarto tqaa | AdavaMto ca maQyao ca ivaYNau: sava-~ gaIyato || etdnto ca naQyao ca
ba`*maovaao>\vaa ivajaanatama\ | ?gaaid pMcaQaa saMsqaM Sabdba`*map`Saamyait || yaM vaakoYvanauvaakoYau inaYa%saUpinaYa%sau ca |
stuvaMiMt sa%yakmaa-NaM sa%yaM sa%yaoYau saamasau || „savao- vaoda ya%pdmaamanaint tpaMisa savaa-iNa ca yaWdint | yaidcCntao
ba`*macayMa- carint | t<ao pdM saMga`hoNa p`vaxyao ||‟, vaodOSca savaO-rhmaova vaoVao vaodaMtkRWodivadova caahma\ |‟ [%yaaid ca
Baarto |” - Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabarat, Puranasa, from beginning to the end
all revere Vishnu alone. Thus in the end and in the middle Brahman alone is
eulogized variously through luminous words through Rig,Sam-Yajurvedas,
historical legends and puranas, Vak, anuvak commentaries and Upanishads,
Lord‟s great deeds have been described. Further by many declarations like that
word which all the Vedas declare, which all the austerities proclaim, desiring
which the seekers of Brahman live their life, that word will be spoken in brief
and from Vedas the Lord alone is to be known in Mahabharat, the supremacy of
the Lord is spoken.
“catud-Sa mahaivaVasqaaina vaoidtvyaaina BavaMit | [it ca ma>Ula Eauit: | pMcara~maRgaaVaSca sava-maokM
pura||Bavat\ | maUlavaod [it (a#yaa kalao kRtyaugao tda | naOvak-saamaaidnaamaaina tda vaodsya caaBavana\ | naOva caondàid
naamaaina ivaYNaaornya~ ku~icat\ | ba`*marudònd` pUvaO-stu naamaiBa: pàocyato hir: |” - In ancient period,
Pancharatra and the Veda existed being considered as the primary scriptures
during Krita era. Then they were not separated as four scriptures and except
Vishnu no one else existed, Brahma, Rudra and others spoke of Hari alone.
“dovata%vaona caojya: sa: ba`*maaVa manaunaamaka: | vya>\ya%vaona iptR%vaona kair%vaonaOva caadrat\ | [jyanto dovata:
savaa- na tu dovatyaa @vaicat\ | Ananyayaaijanasto tu tsmaa%kat- yaugaa janaa: | pàPnauvaint hirM tM ca tsmaaWodo na
ikMcana | paravayMa- hroya-smaadui%qatasturgaananaat\ | ?gaaVanauvyaa#yaaMtastsmaa%savaO-h-irM yajaot\ || - tsmaad\ba`*madayassava-o
manavaao maanavastqaa | yajaint sava-vaodOstM jaanaint ca ivainaScayaat\ | ASa>: pHcara~oNa ?gaad\vaOvaa-qa tM yajaot\ |
?gaad\vaOrova ~Otostu iBannaOirYTao janaOh-ir: | WaprIyaOja-naOiva-YNau: pHcara~Ostu kovalaO: | klaaO tu naamamaa~oNa pUjyato
Bagavaana\ hir: ||” – Earlier Brahma and others were not worshipped in Krita era as
divine beings, but only with enormous respect and unshaken decisive devotion as
great teachers, great fathers or as great devotees of Vishnu, by every means
without any distinction as primary vedic or subsidiary scriptures. Brahma and all
others were of human origin and like human beings worshipped Vishnu alone,
knowing him through the entirety of the Vedic Wisdom. Those who were weak in
intelligence worshiped with the help of Rigvedic and Pancharatra scriptures. In
Treta era, Vishnu was worshipped using one or the other part of the vedic
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scriptures. While Vishnu was worshipped in Dvapar era through Pancharatra

scripture in Kali era Hari was worshipped through constant recitation of his
names.
“ekao vaod: kRto (asaIt\ ~otayaaM sa i~QaaNavat\ | sa eva pMcaQaa jaataoWaprM pàPya vaO yaugama\ | ]%sanna: sa
kilaM pàPya vaod: pàyaoNa sava-t: | mau#yaao Qama-: kat-yaugaao vait-tvya: klavaip | ~tadaO tdSa@%yaa ih Qamaao-|nya:
samp`vait-t: || kRto Baagavatassvao- vaodaSca puruYaastqaa | ~otayaaM iBannaivaYayaa: tts~OivaVtaM gata: | tsmaadok: sava-
vaodO&ao-yaao ivaYNau sanaatna: | pUjyaao ya&O: saaopcarOQyao-yaao vaMVSca sava-da | [%yaaid naarayaNa saMihtayaama\ |
vaodvaadaScaanauyaugaM h`saMtIit ih nau Eauit: | [it Baarto | vaodOSca pMcara~OSca Ba@%yaa ya&O:stqaOva ca | dRSyaao|hM
naanyaqaa dRSyaao vaYa-kaoiTSatOrip || [%yaaid vaaraho |” – In Krita era Veda – Wisdom was
singularly One, in Treta era it became divided three-fold, in Dvapara era it
became divided five-fold and when Kali era dawned it became increasingly lost
sight of. Dharma in Krita and Kali era was primarily same, but in Treta and
other eras for the feeble ones simple principles of Dharma were communicated.
In Krita era, all being devotees of Vishnu,Veda and human beings were alike. In
Treta era, people had different inclinations; therefore there were different source
to Wisdom. Therefore, considering Vishnu alone as the eternal One to be known
through all the vedic scriptures, one should propitiate him though adoration,
sacrifices or through various services, thus has been spoken in Narayanasamhita.
In later eras due to divergent dissertation and conflicting contention, vedic
scriptures became increasingly obscure, thus is spoken in Mahabharata. The
Lord is perceived only through the Wisdom contained in Vedas and Pancharatra,
performance of enlightened actions, sacrifices and never through any other
means, even though tried for hundreds and thousands of years., thus in
Varahapurana.
“A~aip tdot%sa%yama\ | man~oYau kmaa-iNa kvayaao yaanyapSyana\, [%yaaidnaa kma-ivaYayaamaprivaVamau@%vaa yaonaaxarM
puruYaM vaod sa%yaM pàovaaca taM t%vatao ba`*maivaVaM, [%yaaVarByaaqava-Naanaova man~ana\ pr ivaVa%vanaah | catvao-d
saMskarvatamaova ca ivaVayaaM AiQakar ]>: | toYaamaovaOtaM ba`*maivaVaM vadot iSaraova`tM ivaiqavaQaOstu caINa-:, [it |
iSaraova`tima%yauplaxaNa%vaona | svavodva`tyau>sya sava-vaodgatasvaip | AiQakarao|ist ivaVasau naavaodvaìtna: @vaicat\ ||” –
This verily is Satya, (the Prime Existence), the things communicated and actions
performed through mantras spoken by the seers, and such other words and Seer
Atharvan’s statement that the Knowledge by which the immutable One, the
Purusha is known is primarily the Wisdom of Brahman, makes the distinction
between the Wisdom of Brahman and Knowledge about Brahman. Seer Angiras
says that only for those who are knowledgeable through various disciplines alone
are qualified to receive the Wisdom of Brahman. Shirovrata means the
established traditions, which are subsidiary disciplines. Following any of the
prescribed disciplines one can be qualified to receive the Wisdom of Brahman
and those who do not follow the prescribed disciplines are neither qualified nor
entitled to receive the Wisdom of Brahman.
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Further Explanations:
This extended clarification by Sri Madhva not only sets out the
foundational principles as enunciated in Vedic scriptures but the primacy of the
symbol Vishnu, which was first used in Rigveda and which became universally
accepted as the appropriate description of Satya, the Prime Existence, as
manifest in various forms. Vedic scriptures are the primary documents which
the sensitive seers documented not only the Wisdom of supra-sensory
experiences but also became the important instrument to disseminate the
Knowledge by which that Wisdom could become experience of the others.
All the divinities or the hymns contained in Rigveda do not necessarily
reveal the mystery of Satya, the Prime Existence, some divinities and hymns
being preliminary instruments or steps to be taken in traversing the Path to
Perfection. Sri Aurobindo makes an important observation: “The importance of
Vedic gods has not to be measured by the number of hymns devoted to them or
by the extent to which they are invoked in the thoughts of the Rishis, but by the
functions which they perform. Agni and Indra to whom majority of the hymns
are addressed, are not greater than Vishnu and Rudra, but the functions which
they fulfill in the internal and external world were the most active, dominant
and directly effective for the psychological discipline of the ancient Mystics;
this alone is the reason for their dominance”. He also says in other context
that, “…Vishnu the all pervading, who in Rigveda has a close but covert
connection and almost an identity with …Rudra. Rudra is a fierce and violent
godhead with a beneficial aspect which approaches the supreme blissful reality
of Vishnu; Vishnu‟s constant friendliness to man and his helping gods is
shadowed by an aspect of formidable violence, - „like a terrible lion ranging in
evil and different places‟.
Dr. A. F. Whitehead, one of the most respected western philosophers
rightly says, “The notion of the complete self-sufficiency of any item of finite
knowledge is the fundamental error of dogmatism. Every such item derives its
Truth and its meaning from un-analyzed reverence to the background which is
the unbounded Universe . . . Every scrap of our knowledge derives its meaning
from the fact that we are factors in the universe, and are dependent on the
universe for every detail of our experience . . . Whenever there is the sense of
self-sufficient completion, there is germ of vicious dogmatism„. Sri Madhva has
undoubtedly used Vishnu in communicating his experiences as the most robust
and vibrant symbol to describe the all-pervading and all-enveloping
comprehensive reach of Satya, the Prime Existence, based on the definition of
the word Vishnu, as “ivaSait [it ivaSvaM ba`*ma |” and “vaovaoiYT vyapnaaotIit ivaYNau:”. It must be
understood that Madhva’s identification on empirical level dos not limit his all-
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pervading and all-enveloping comprehensive reach of Satya, the Prime

Existence or as Brahman as existential reality.
Upnishad:
ya<adodòSyamagaà(magao~mavaNa-macaxau:Eaao~M tdpaiNapadma\ | ina%yaM ivaBauM sava-gatM sausaUxmaM tdvyayaM yad\BaUtyaaoinaM pirpSyaint
QaIra: || 6 ||
That which is unperceivable, ungraspable, without any source or description,
without sight or hearing, without hands or feet, perennial, all-pervading,
omnipresent, exceedingly subtle, immutable, which wise ones see as the source
of all beings.
yaqaaoNa-naaiBa: saRjato ga*Nato ca yaqaa pRiqavyaamaaoYaQaya: samBavaint | yaqaa sat: puruYaat\ koSalaaomaaina tqaa|xarat\
saMBavatIh ivaSvama\ || 7 ||
As a spider sends forth and draws within, as herbs sprout from the earth, a hair
grows on the head of man, so does immutable becomes the creation.
tpsaa caIyato ba`*ma ttao|nnamaiBajaayato | Annaa%pàaao mana: sa%yaM laaoka: kma-sau caamaRtma\ || 8 ||
By meditative penance Brahman becomes reproductive, from Brahman food
becomes productive; from food breath becomes productive; from breath mind
becomes productive; from mind the worlds becomes productive; from the worlds
the actions becomes productive; and from actions, verily, immortality.
ya: sava-&: sava-ivaVsya &anamayaM tp: | tsmaadotba`*ma naama$pmannaM ca jaayato || 9 ||

From the all-knowing, all-wise One, whose austerities are perfect with Wisdom,
from Him come to be produced Brahma, with essence and form and food as well.
Bhashya :
“etd\ ba`*ma catumauK: |” – Brahma is the four-faced Prajapati.
Further Explanation:
The temporal process by which the Wisdom of sa%ya, the unmanifest Prime
Existence becomes the form of Brahma with the divine essence of the unmanifest
Prime Existence posited within that form to be productive as Prajapati – the
father of creation and creatures.
[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao p`qama: KND:

Thus ends the First Chapter of the Atharvanopanishad.
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iWtIya KND:
Second Chapter
Upanishad :
tdott\ sa%yama\
That verily is sa%ya, the Prime Existence.
Bhashya :
tdott\ sa%yama\ Bagavaana\ - sa%ya, the Prime Existence, verily is the resplendent Lord.
Vishnu.
Upanishad :
“man~oYau kmaa-iNa kvayaao yaanyapSyaMstaaina ~otayaaM bahuQaa santtaina | tanyaacarqa inayatM sa%yakamaa eYa va: pnqaa
saukRtsya laaoko || 1 ||”
The performance of actions which the seers saw in the hymns were variously
spread in Treta era. You seekers of sa%ya, the Prime Existence should assiduously
strive on that Pat which leads to worlds of good deeds.
Bhashya :
“t%kamaa: kmaa-Nyaacarqa tda saaip privaVa | Anyaqaa Plavaa (oto AQaRZa ya&$paL ||” – desiring
that (sa%ya, the Prime Existence) if performance of actions is propitious then privaVa-
superior Wisdom or else the performance of actions are likened to uncertain
boats.
Further Explanation:
The world is full of conflicting attractions – Eaoya (Proper) and pòya (Pleasant)
demanding attention of human beings whose mind is influenced by the forces of
sense organs. The ordinary unenlightened person influenced by senses prefers the
pòya (Pleasant) and rues but the enlightened mam of Wisdom using his sense of
discrimination chooses the Eaoya (Proper) and rejects the pòya (Pleasant).
Upanishad :
“yada laolaayato (ica--: saimawo hvyavaahnao | tda||jyaBaagaavantroNaa||hutI: pìtpadyaot\ || 2 ||”
When the flames shoot up after being set ablaze, one should offer with full
receptivity the oblation in the middle at the centre of the flames.
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“yas%yaaignahao~madSa-mapaONa-maasamacaatumaasyamanaaga`yaNamaitiQavaika-tM ca | AhutmavaOSvadovamaivaiQanaa hutmaasamaaPtmaaMstsya

laaokana\ ihnaist || 3 ||”
He whose Agnihotra sacrifice is not followed by sacrifice of the new Moon, four
month‟s sacrifice, rituals, honoured guests, oblations propitiation of divinities,
traditional offerings or giving offerings contrary to traditions, his seven worlds
are destroyed.
“kalaI kralaI ca manaojavaa ca saulaaoihta yaa ca sauQaUBa`vaNaa- | sfuillai-=ganaI ivaSvarucaI ca dovaI laolaayamaanaa [it
saPtijavha: || 4 ||”
Dark, terrifying, swift as mind, red, smoke coloured, splitting spark are the seven
flaming tongues.
“etoYau yaScarto BaàjamaanaoYau yaqaakalaM caahutyaao (addayana\ | tM nayan%yaota: saIya-sya rSmayaao ya~ dovaanaaM
pitrokao|iQavaasa: || 5 ||”
Whoever performs when these flames are flashing and at the proper time
sacrifices and offers offerings for him the offerings becoming e like rays lead him
to the world where the Lord of the gods dwell.
“e(ohIit tmaahutya: sauvaca-sa: saUya-sya riSmaiBaya-jamaanaM vahint | ip`yaaM vaacamaiBavadn%yaao|ca-yan%ya eYa va: puNya:
saukRtao ba`*malaaok: || 6 ||”
Welcoming the sacrifice with pleasing words and offering him adoration they
lead him on the Path, illumined by the scintillating rays of Sun, saying this is
your well-earned world of Brahman.
Bhashya :
“BagavaiWYaya%vaona kRt: eYa va: puNya: saukRt: ba`*malaaok:, prba`*malaaok: | inaYkamaM &anapUvMa- ca
inavaR<aimait caaocyato | inavaR<aM saovamaanastu ba`*maByaait sanaatnama\ || sa ya Aa%maanaova laaokmaupasto na (asya kma- xaIyato
|| [it ca Eauit: |” - Whatever action is performed for the sake of Lord is the merit.
Performance of propitious actions is the path that leads to the world of Brahman,
ie the supreme abode of Brahman. Performance of actions without any desires for
fruits and with full awareness (of Lord‟ssupremacy) is said to be proper
renounced action. One who performs such renounced actions reaches the eternal
Brahman, thus in Vyasa smriti . One who performs his worldly actions for the
sake of the Self, his actions will never be exterminated, thus in scriptures.
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“sahya&a: p`jaa: saRYT\vaa, [%yua>\vaa evaM p`vait-tM cakM̀ naanauvat-yatIh ya: | AGaayauirind`yaaramaao maaoGaM pàqa-
sa jaIvait | yaaint maVaijanaao|ip maama\, [it ca | AhM ih sava-ya&anaaM Baao>a ca p`Baurova ca | na tu maamaiBajaanaint
t%vaonaatScyavaMit | [it ca | yas%vaa%marit: [%yau>\vaaip kuyaaiWWaMstqaa|sa>: [%yaovaao>%vaacca | yao %vaotdByasaUyantao
naanauitYzint mao matma\ | sava--&anaivamaUZaMstaainvaiw naYTanacaotsa: ||” - With sacrifies the creatures
having been created, saying thus and he who does turn the wheel thus
eastablished, and cautioning that they traverse to the meanest of the worlds, and
assuring that those who perform sacrifices will ubdpoubtedly reach Him alone,
since he is the Lord initiating and consuming the fruits if sacrifice, though people
are not aware traverse to the menest worlds, those who are ever in the Bliss of the
Self, they indeed need perform no actions. Therefore, those who perform without
complaining or quibbleing actions they please the Lord, not those who without
proper awareness, due to misguided intelligence.
“laaokoismana\ iWivaQaa inaYza pura pào>a mayaa|naGa | [%yau>%vaacca naa|EamaaMtrivaraoQa: | ~otayaaM bahuQaa
saMttaina | kRto %vaokp`karoNa saMttaina | AignaYTaomaaidiBaya-&O: sava-dovaisqatM hirma\ | yajaMit
taa<Scakair%vaaWsaustsmaa<aqaa|yajat\ | pRqak\ pRqak\ tu ~otayaaM yajanto dovatagaNaana\ | yaqaa kRto tqaa pà&as~tayaaM
bahuQaa tt: | yaimand`maahuva-ruNaM yamaahu: | yaM ima~maahuya-mau sa%yamaahu: | yaao dovaanaaM dovatmaao jain~M vaayaaostsmaO saaomamaoByaao
jauhaoima | evaM vaayaao: iptrM ivaYNaumaova yajaint dovyaO: sah yao kRto janaa: | evaM ~otayaaM koicadnyao
pRqa>ainaYT\vaaivaYNaavapva-yanto na caanyao || [it ba`*maaNDo ||” – The Lord had established two
dislines in the old days, one not in opposition to the other. In Treta era, people
propitiated the Lord variously (according to their attributes and inclinations). In
Krita era, however, they were propitiating the Lord in similar way. (In Krita era)
Agnishtoma sacrifices were performed considering all other gods as dwelling in
Hari. In Treta era, people propitiated each of the gods separately, though men of
Wisdom propitiated Hari alone as was done in Krita era. In Krita era Hari was
alone propitiated, referring him as Indra, Vruna, Yama, Mitra, Vayu etc. Because
Hari was the source, the origin from where others were sourced. Therefore,
propition to Vayu and others was done offering them oblations. In fact
worshipping Vayu and others verily the source, orgin Hari alone is propitiated.
Hece worshipwas offered in Treta era to many gods in realit all those worship
reached Hari alone, thus has been spoken in Bramaand purana..
Further Explanations :
Thes are all restratement of Madhva’s principal proposition which speaks
of the singular supremacy of Vishnu as the unmanifest source, Satya, the Prime
Existence over all other divine manifestation, who are all sourced with different
and distinct forms the common essence dwelling within all the forms being the
fragment of the divine enrgy posited in them according to the need and extent
required to fulfill the Divine purpose and intent. The Divine manifestation can
only discharge their duties according to the divine enrgy posited in them and
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since their divine enrgy is souced from Satya, the Prime Existence, the original
unmanifest source the credit goes ultimately t the Source and to none other.
Upanishad :
“Plavaa (oto AdRZa ya&$pa AYTadSaao>mavarM yaoYau kma- | etcC/oyaao yao|iBanandint maUZa jaramaR%yauM to punarovaaip
yaaint || 7 || ”
Unsteady are these boats of eigtenn sacrificial forms, said to be performance of

inferior actions. The misguided ones succumb to miseries of old age and death
taking delight in performing these actions considering them as those tht lead to
the the desirable goals.
“AivaVayaamantro vat-maanaa: svayaM QaIra: piNDtM manyamaanaa: | ja=Ganyamaanaa: piryaint maUZa AnqaonaOva naIyamaanaa
yaqaa|nQaa: || 8 ||”
Abiding in ignorance, wise in their own esteem and considering themselves to be

learned, these misguided ones suffering misfortunes go around like blind being
ked by blind.
“AivaVayaaM bahuQaa vat-maanaa vayM kRtaqaa- [%yaiBamanyaint baalaa: | ya%kima-Naao na p`vaodyaint ragaat\ tonaa||tura:
xaINalaaokaScyavanto || 9 ||”
Dwelling generally in ignorance, imagining themselves as successful in

achieving their goal, these simpletons perform rituals without understanding the
essence sunk down in despair because of attachment when the fruits of their
actions become exhausted.
“[YTapUtM- manyamaanaa vairYzM naanyacCoyaao vaodyanto p`maUZa: | naaksya pRYzo to saukRto|nauBaU%vaomaM laaokM hInatrM vaa ivaSaint
|| 10 || ”
Conidering the sacrifices which grant desired fruits to be more important,

misguided people do not know any other propitious path; Having enjoyed the
heavenly worlds by performance of goods deeds they return back to the this
world or sink even to lower worlds.
Bhashya :
“ivaYNaao: savao-Bya: ikMcadu<vaM jaanant [maM laaokmaaivaSaint | saamyaM hIna%vaM vaa jaanantao hInatrM tma eva
ivaSaint | dovaoBya: ]<amaM ivaYauM rajavaVstu manyato | yaajaI sa maanauYaM yaaot saamyahIna%vaiva<ama: | [it ca | ~OivaVa maaM,
14
[it tu yao|PyanyadovataBa>a … | to|ip maamaova kauntoya yajaunt …, AhM ih sava-sya ya&anaaM Baao>a ca p`Baurova
ca, [%yau>%vaad&ana pUva-yaaijanas~OivaVa: ||” – Those who consoder Vishnu is some what
superior return back to this world; those who who consoder Vishnu similar or
inferior go to the most obscure worlds. Those who perform sacrifices for Vishnu
considering him superior to all others lik a King donot come back to these
worlds, while others who consifer Vishnu similar or inferior go to the most
obscure worlds, thus in Bamand purana. Those who propitiate through three
instruments og Knowledge, or those who worship other divinities they also
propitiate Me alone, I am verily the enjoyer of all sacrifices and also the
presiding deity, saying thus he indicates those who propitiate through the three
instrument of Knowledge
Further Explanation :
Madhva re-emphasizes the supremacy of Vishnu over other divine
entities emphasizing that the the manifest fragmentary forms can never claim
similar or equal prominence with the unmanifest entirety of the essence, even
though the manifest fragmentary forms become conscously awrae of the divine
essence posited in their manifest forms. The differentiation among the manifest
fragmentary forms is due to the difference of their awareness of the effulgence
of the divine essence posited within their forms. It is Madhva’s firm proposition
that manifestation by its very effulgence is not similar or alike, but evolves
gradually according to the attributes abd inclination born of nature and the
power of influence on theor cpnsciousness. Therefore Madhva’s concept
tartamya differentiates every manifested creation – non-material or material,
animate or inanimate, spiritual or temporal, in a gradual gradation in terms of
their nature and capacities, the Supreme God Vishnu being the top most called
sarvottama, who pervades every thing in Existence - „ivaYNaao: vyaapnaSaIlasya -
vyaapksya|‟, „vaovaiYT vyaaPnaaotIit ivaYNau: |‟, „yasmaad\ ivaSvaM [dM savMa- tsya Sa@%yaa maha%mana: |‟ and „tqaa|xarat\
samBavatIh ivaSvama\ |‟, „yasmaad\ ivaSTM [dM sava-M vaamanaona maha%manaa tsmaat\ sa vaO smaRtao ivaYNaaor\ dohao p`vaoSanaat\ |‟,
Lakshmi, Brahma, Vayu, Shesha Garuda, Shiva all others, whether enllightened
ones like Gods and Seers or unenlightened human beings, being gradaed
according to the principles of Taratamya .
One would be advised to be guided by Sri Aurodindo who said, „All
existence is a manifestation of God because He is the only existence and
nothing can be except either a real figuring or else a figment of that one
reality. Therefore every conscious being is in part or in some way a descent of
the Infinite in to the apparent finiteness of name and form. But it is veiled
manifestation and there is a gradation between the supreme being of the Divine
and the consciousness shrouded partly or wholly by ignorance of self in the
finite‟. As George Santayana remarks in his book The Sense of Beauty,
15
„Religion is human experience interpreted by human imagination. The idea that

religion contains a literal, not symbolic representation of truth and life is
simply an impossible idea. Whoever entertains it has not come within the
region of profitable philosophizing on that subject‟. Just as one who is
conscious of the Whole, Entirety of Wisdom becomes aware of even the
fragmentary, partial Knowledge, even so one who is conscious of the all-
pervading, all enveloping comprehensive Satya, the Prime Existence, becomes
aware of even the Supreme God Vishnu who as „ivaSait [it ivaSvaM ba`*ma |‟ has
pervaded, enveloped comprehensively Whole, Entirety of of the worlds –
“sahsa`SaIYaa- puruYa: sahasaàxa: sahasa`pat\ | sa BaUimaM ivaSvatao vaR%vaa|%yaitYz_Saa=\gaulama\ |||”.
Attention may be drawn to the Kena Upanishad wherein the superiority
of Indra among other gods has been mentioned due to his become aware of the
Supreme Self earlier than others. We find shiva informing in Mahabharata that
whoever desires to propitiate Brahma Prajapati or Shiva could do so
meditating on Sriman Narayana, and vecoi9ng aware of him one may be said
that that one has become aware of even Brahma Prajapati and Shiva declaring
– “iptamahadip var: SaaSvat: puruYaao hir: | ... ?Yayaao dohsamBaUtastsya laaokaSca SaaSvata: | iptamahgaRhM
saaxaat\ sava-dovagaRhM ca sa: || ... sa ih dovavar: saaxaad\ dovanaaqa: prMtp: | sava-&: sava-saMiSlaYT: sava-ga: sava-
taomauK: || ... ba`*maa vasait gaBasqa: SarIro sauKsaMisqat: | Sava-: sauKM saMiEatSca SarIro sauKsaMisqaqt: || ... yaao
ih maaM d`YTuimacCit ba`*maa ca iptamahma\ | d`YTvyastona Bagavaana\ vaasaudova: p`tapvaana\ || dRYTo tismannahM dRYTao naa
maovaaist ivacaarNaa | iptamahao vaa dovaoSa [it iva<a tpaoQanaa: ||”.
Upanishad :
“tpEawo yao (upvasan%yarNyao Saanta ivaWaMsaao BaOxacayaMa- carnta: | saUya-WroNa to ivarjaa: p1yaaint ya`~amart: sa puruYaao
(vyayaa%maa || 11 ||”
Those who practice in forests through austerities and receptive mind they with
tranquil mind live a life of recluse and depart freed from his demerits through the
gateway provided by the rays of the Sun to the place where the immortal,
imperishable Person dwells.
“prIxya laaokana\ kma-icatana\ baà*maNaao inavao-dmaayaannaas%yakRt: kRtona | tiW&anaaqMa- sa gaurumaovaaiBagacCot\ saima%paiNa:
Eaaoi~yaM ba`*mainaYzma\ || 12 ||”
Having scrutinized the worlds won by performance of action, the man of Wisdom
arrives to the state of non-attachment, sonce the worlds that are sought are not the
worlds won by performance of actions. Therefore, for this knowledge let him,
approach respectfully a teacher who is knowledgeable in scriptures and wise
being establidhed in Brahman.
16
“tsmaO sa ivaWanaupsannaaya samyak\ p`Saantica<aaya Samaainvataya | yaonaaxarM puruYaM vaod sa%yaM pàovaaca taM t%vatao
ba`*maivaVaama\ || 13 ||”
For such one who has thus approached with tranquil and peaceful mind let the
teacher wise in wisdom communicate the wisdom of Satya, the Prime Existence,
the imperishable Bahman.
Mundaka is one who has shaven his head, where every strand of hair
symbolizes attchment to the body-form. Shaven head symbolizes the preliminary
step being severance from the attachments to the body-form. The preliminary step
has to followed by living a secluded life in forests away from all attachents of the
worlds so that the mind may remain tranquil and receptive to the luminouis rays
of the Sun taking him to the place where the immortal, imperishable Person
dwells. Even as the Upanishad lays down the preparatory disciplines to be
followed by the seeker, even so it lays down the obligation of the Teacher wise in
Wisdom to coominucate to such seeker the Wisdom of Satya, the Prime
Existence, the imperishable Bahman.
Therefore, the present Upanishad is not meant to be only for those who
choose to shave their head symbolically as sign of their detachment from worldly
attachments and live a secluded life in forests but alo could be applicable to
those who do not choose to shave their head and yet could remain detached from
worldly attachments, living not necessarily a secluded life in forests but living a
life in the primodial world, but remaining detached from the inherent attraction of
the primodial world. It is the Mind that bindsone to the primodial world and it is
the Mind that delivers one from the primodial world.
[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao iWtIya KND:

Thus ends the Second Chapter of the Atharvanopanishad.
tRtIya KND:
Third Chapter
Upanishad :
“tdott\ sa%yama\ | yaqaa saudIPta%pavakaiWsfuilla=gaa: sahasa`Sa: p`Bavanto sa$pa: | tqaa|xaraiwivaQaaL saaOmya
Baavaa: p`jaayanto t~ caOvaaip yaint || 1 ||”
17
This verily is Satya, the Prime Existnce. Even as from a blazing fire thousands of
similar sparks issue forth, even so, O the receptive one, do many similar
tendencies, situations issue forth from the immutable and similarly reappear.
“idvyaao (mat-: puruYa: sabaa(aByantarao (ja: | ApàNaao (manaa: SauBaào (xara%prt: pr: || 2 ||”
Luminous and formless is the Person, exterior or interior, unborn, unmoving and
without mind, pure and higer than the highest imutable.
Bhashya :
“AprM (xarM yaa saa p`kRitja-D$ipka | AprM prma,M EaIstu prt: prmaxarma\ | vaasaudova: prmaanand [it
i~ivaQamaxarma\ ||” - Transcendental is the (unmanifest) Immutable, whereas the
(manifest) Prakrti is of the gross form. Supremely transcendental is Shree but
transcendental to Shree is the form of the Supreme Immutable. Vasudeva is the
transcendental form of Bliss. Thus are the three immutable forms.
This verily is Satya, the Prime Existnce., thus the Upanishad speaks,
having earliercommunicated the distibction between Knowledge sourced from
scriptures and the Wisdom of the Brahma, which is the final goal to be achieved.
Sa%ya, is the unmanifest Prime Existnce, the word derived from the root Asa\ to be,
to exist. Prakrti is is dual in manifestation – the gross form and the
transcendental form as Shree. Vasudeva as the supreme bliss is transcendental to
Shree, both as the gross form and the transcendental form. Krishna explains
variously in Bhagavad Gita the three fold creative process by which the
(unmanifest) Immutable becomes manifest – “i~iBagau-NamayaOBaa-vaOroiBa: sava-imadM jagat\ |”,
“WaivamaaO puruYaaO laaoko xarScaaxar eva ca | xar: savaa-iNa BaUtaina kUTsqaao|xar ]cyato || ]<ama: puruYas%nya;
prmaa%moa%yauda)t: | yaao laaoko~yamaaivaSya ibaBa%ya-vyaya [-Svar: || ysmaa%xarmatItao|hmaxaradip caao<ama: | Atao|isma
laaoko vadoca pìqat: puruYaao<ama: ||”.
Upanishad :
“etsmaajjaayato pàNaao mana: savao-ind`yaaiNa ca | KM vaayajyaao-i-trap: pRiqavaI ivaSvasya QaairNaI || 3 ||”

From Him are born breaths, mind and all other sense organs, ether, light, water
and earth as the supporters.
“AignmaaUQaa- caxauYaI cand`saUyaao- idSa: Eaao~o vaaigvavaRtaSca vaoda: | vaayau: pàNaao )dyaM ivaSvamasya pd\ByaaM pìqavaI (oYa
sava-BaUtaantraTmaa || 4 ||”
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Fire is His head, Sun and the Moon are His eyes, Space becomes His ears, Veads
become his speech, Air becomes His breath and the Heart becomes the expressed
worlds, Earth becomes his feet and verily He is the Self of all beings.
Bhashya :
“ivaYNvaMgaanaaM ih naamaaina VuBvaadIina tu sava-Sa: | kÌDaidSai>$%vaa<ajja%vaadnyavastuYau || [it ca ||” -
The various limbs of Sri Vishnu are variously described as space, earth etc. very
much like spontaneous effulgence even as energy which issued forth in a play
Upanishad :
“tsmaadigna: saimaQaao yasya saUya-: saaomaa%pja-nya AaoYasQaya: pRiqavyaama\ | pumaana\ rot: isaHcait yaaoiYatayaaM ba*vaI: p`jaa:
puruYaa%saMp`saUta || 5 ||”
From Him issue forth the fire whose fuel is the Sun, fro Moon the rains pour,
from earth springs the sprouts, from creatures semen flows, from semen poured
in thefire of the womb creaturesare born of the Person.
Bhashya :
“vaasaudova: pumaannamnaa pUNa-%vaat\ sa svayaaoiYait | rmaayaaM gaBa-madQat\ p`jaastsmaat\ p`jai&roo ||” – Since
Vasudeva Complete He is refereed as Purusha, posited his essence in Ramaa,
creatures come to be produced.
Upanishad :
“tsmaadRcaao saama yajaUMiYa dIxaa ya&aSca sava-o k`tvaao dixaNaaSca | saMva%sarSca yajamaanaSca laaoka: saaomaao ya~ pvato ya~
saUya: || 6 ||”
From Him issue fort ro Rik, Sama and the Yajus, sacraments, sacrifices and
ceremonies, all the gifts, the year, the sacrificer, the worlds where the Moon
purifies and the Sun illumines.
“tsmacca dovaa bahuQaa saMp`saUta saaQyaa manauYyaa: psavaao vayaaMisa | pàNaapanaaO vaÌihyavaaO tpSca Eawa sa%yaM ba`&macayMa-
ivaiQaSca || 7 ||”
From Him are born the divinites in mamifild ways, celestials, humans, cattles,
birds, the in-breaths and the out-breaths, rice and barley, austerity, receptivity, the
truths, practicing Wisdom of the Brahman and Righteousness.
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“saPt pàNaa: p`Bavaint tsmaat\ saPtica-Ya: saimaQa: saPt haomaa: | sapt [mao laaoka yaoYau carint pàNaa gauhaSayaa
inaihta: saPt saPt || 8 ||”
From Him comes seven breaths, seven energies. seven works, seven oblations,
seven worlds in which move the kife breaths, seven and seven which dwell in the
concealed place within.
Bhashya :
“saPtaica-Ya: vaR<aya: | haomaa saMbaMQaa: | laaoka: gaaolaka: | gauhaSayaaM bauWaO | laaop: samaanao [it saU~at\
ekayakarlaaop: | pìtpuruYaM saPt saPt |” – seven fires are the seven sense organs,
sacrificial hole in the ground shows the relationship between the senses and the
sense-organs, the worlds are the sanctuary, mind is the abiding place, extinction
of the earlier new sevenfold like forms emerge.
Upanishad :
“At: samaudà igaryaSca savao-|smaa%syandto isanqava: sava-$pa: | AtSca savaa- AaoYaQayaao rsaSca yaonaOYa
BaUtOistYzto (ntra%maa || 9 ||”
From Him emerge all the oceans and the mountains, rivers stream and the herbs
sprout wit juice, all together supporting the self within.
As was done in Vedic scriptres – “sahsa`SaIYaa- puruYa: sahasaàxa: sahasa`pat\ |,
padao|sya ivaSvaa BaUtaina i~padsyaamaRtM idiva ||, baà*maNaao|sya mauKmaasaId\ baahU rajanya: kRt: |, }$ tdsya
yaWOSya: pd\ByaaM SaUdào Ajaayat ||, cand`maa manasaao jaatScaxaao: saUyaao- Ajaayat |. mauKaidnd`ScaaignaSca
pàNaaWayaurjaayat ||, naaByaa AasaIdntirxaM SaIYNaao- VaO: samavat-t | pd\ByaaM BaUimaid-Sa: Eaao~at\ tqaa laaokâM
Aklpyana\ ||” so the upanishadic seers explained the creative procesa by using the
human limbs and the things in nature to describes the spontaneous divine
effulgence. Brahman is the effulgence of sa%ya – the Prime Existence, ‘dova’
derived from the root ‘idva\’ are luminous (saai%vak) centres of energy, initiating
and energizing the manifest gross forms, activating the inactive and removing
the dormant or obscure in fulfilling the Divine Intent and Purpose. Among the
gods, Lakshmi, Brahma, Vayu, Shesha Garuda, Shiva are comprehensively
energized and enlightened while all other Gods, Seers and human, non-human,
animate and inanimate gross forms being energized, enlightened, activated and
graded according to the principles of Taratamya .
Therefore, in reality what becomes energized and enlightened, initiated
and activated is nothing but the subtle Divine Essence posited in the gross forms,
20
becoming luminouis in the world of manifestation is nothing else than sa%ya – the
Prime Existence. Brihad Aranyak Upanishad (I.5.3) identifies this body is
identified with Mind, Speech and Priml Breath.
Therefore, the seer says further –
Upanishad :
“puruYa evaodM ivaSvaM kma-tpao ba`*ma pramaRtma\ | etVao vaod inaihtM gauhayaaM saao|ivaVagaìnqaM ivaikrith saaomya
|| 10 ||” -
Purusha is all this Universe, the performance of actions, austerity and the
effulgence, the supreme immortal. The persons who become aware of the One set
within, the secret cave, he cuts asunder the the knots that bind him to ignorance.
Bhashya :
“Bagavat: kma- caoYTa tpao &anaM ca paramaRtba`*maa#ya: puruYaao Bagavaanaova | yaOYaa caoYTa Bagavatao yacca &anaM
pra%mana: | t%savMa- Bagavaanaova yao ca Qamaa- balaadya: | [it ca || svaaBaaivakI &anabalaik`yaa ca put EaRit: ||” -
The actions of the resplendent One is the performance of actions like austerity
and Wisdom. Purusha is fully independent sa%ya – the Prime Existence
sa%ya – the Prime Existence is the One described in Rigveda as “ya Aa%mada
balada yasya ivaSva ]pasato pìSaYaM yasya dovaa: | yasya CayaamaRtM yasya maR%yau: ksmaO dovaaya hivaYaa ivaQaoma || ya: pàNatao
inaimaYatao maih%vaOk [dàjaa jagatao baBaUva | ya [-Sao Asya iWpdScatuYpd: . . .|| yasyaomao ihmavantao maih%vaa yasya
samaudM̀ rsayaa sahahu: |yasyoamaa: pìdSaao yasya baahU . . || yaona VaOrugaà pRiqavaI ca dRLha yaona sva: stiBatM yaona naak:
| yaao Antirxao rjasaao ivamaana: ksmaO dovaaya hivaYaa ivaQaoma || yaM k`ndsaI Avasaa tstBaanao AByaOxaotaM manasaa rojamaanao |
ya~aiQa saUr ]idtao ivaBaait ,. . . ||” and “sahsa`SaIYaa- puruYa: sahasaàxa: sahasa`pat\ | sa BaUimaM ivaSvatao
vaR%vaa|%yaitYz_Saa=\gaulama\ ||” and in Upanishad as “” . He is, the puruYa: - “sa vaa AyaM puruYa:
savaa-sau pUYau- puirSaya:; naOnaona ikMcanaanaavaRtma\, naOnaona ikMcanaasaMvaRtma\ ||, Vishnu „ivaSait [it ivaSvaM ba`*ma |‟,to be
known when breathing as primal breath, when speaking voice, when seeing eye,
when hearing ear, when thinking the mind.- „AkR%snaaoih sa:, pàNannaova pàNaao naama Bavaint, vadna\
vaak\, pSyaMScaxau:, EauNvana\ Eaao~ma\, manvaanaao mana:, tanyasyaOtaina kma-naamaanyaova | sa yaao|t ekOkmaupasto na sa vaod,
AkR%snaao (oYao|t ekOkona Bavait; Aa%mao%yaovaaopasaIt, A~ (oto sava- ekM Bavaint | tdit%pdnaIyamasya sava-sya
yadyamaa%maa, Anaona (ot%savMa-vaod |‟. These merely denote his actions. One may meditate on
one or the other but he is not known from the incomplete. Becoming was not as
important as Being is. Therefore, Self is to be meditated since in him all these
have become one, the Self becoming the foot-print of all of them, for by Self
alone one knows all fragments
21
[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao i~tIya KND:

Thus ends the Third Chapter of the Atharvanopanishad.
catuqa- KND:
Fourth Chapter
Upanishad :
“Aaiva: saMinaihtM gauhacarM naama mah%va%pdM |

A~Ott\ samaip-tmaoja%pàNainnayacca yat\ || 1 ||”
Manifest comprehensively established is the supreme abode which a refuge for

all this which is created, that which moves, breathes and winks.
“etjjaanaqa sasaWroNyaM prM iva&anaVWirYzM p`jaananaama\ |

yadica-mad yadNauByaao|Nau ca yaismana\ laaoka inaihta laaoiknaSca || 2 ||”
One should be aware of that as the One that is Existence and non-Existence as
well and beyond human understanding being the supreme goal to be desired.
Bhashya :
“iva&anaat\ ba``*maNaM prma\ | naaiBah`daidh sataMo|Baisa yasya puMsaao iva&anaSai>dhmaasamanaMtSa>o | [it Baagavato ||” –
Being wise in Wisdom Brahma Prajapati is superior. From the navel of sa%ya, the
Prime Exsitence, reposing in the ocean, I was born, thus having been said in
Bhagavat Purana.
Upanishad :
tdotxarM ba`*ma sa pàNastdu vaa=\mana: |

tdot%sa%yaM tdmaRtM tdoWvyaM saaomya ivaiw || 3 ||
That verily is Brahman, the imperishable. He is the prime BNreath,the speech,

the Mind.
Bhashya :
22
“pàNa: p`NayanaaiWYNau: va@tR%vaagaudIirt: | manaao mantR%vatao ivaYNau: sava-jaIvainayaamak: ||” - Vishnu is PaàNa,
the Prime Breath, that energizes, moves, vaak\, the Speech that communicates, mana,
the Mind that thinks. Vishnu is is the controller of all the jaIvas, lives.
sa%ya, The Prime Existence is being described as Vishnu, who as the prime
Breath, the Speech and the Mind is immutable essence within pervading and
enveloping each consciousness energizing, intiating the performance of their
actions and thoughts. pervading and enveloping comprehensively. Brihad
Aranyak Upanishad (I.5.3) says that “~INyaa%manao|kurut [it manaao vaacaM pàNama\ . . manasaa *yaova
pSyait, manasaa SaRNaaoit | kama: saMklpao ivaicai@sata EaWa|EaWa QaRitrQaRithÌ-QaI-BaI-ir%yaot%sava- mana eva . . ya:
kSca Sabdao vaagaova saa . . pàNaao|paanaao vyaana ]dana: samaanaao|na [%yaotsava- pàNa eva | etnmayaao vaa Ayamaa%maa
vaa=mayaao manaaomaya pàNamaya:” – The three Annama\ the foods Mind, Speech and Primal Breath,
the Lord assigned for himself. From Mind, verily, does one sees and listens.
Desire, resolve, doubt, receptivity, absence of receptivity, steadfastness,
unsteadfastness, shame, intellegenc, fear – all these are but the Mind . . Sound is
but the Speeh . . are all but the Primal Beath.
Upanishad :
“QanaugaR-hI%vaaOpinaYadM mahas~M SarM (upasaainaiSatM sanQayaIt |

Aayasya td\Baavagatona caotsaa laxyaM tdovaaxarM saaomya ivaiw || 4 ||”
Seizing Upanishada as a great weapon and perfected with constant practice one
should aim the arrow with Mind concentrated target that immutable Brahman
“p`Navaao Qanau: Sarao (a%maa ba``*ma tllaxyamaucyato |

Ap`ma<aona vaoQavyaM Sarva<anmayaao Bavaot\ || 5 ||”
P`Nava,the soundless Sound, verily, is the bow, one‟s self the arrow, with Brahman
spoken as the target, one should shoot without any error.
“yaismanVaO pRiqavaI caantirxamaaotM mana: sah pàNaOSca savaO-: |

tmaovaOkM janaqa Aa%maanamanyaa vaacaao ivamauHcaqaamaRtsyaOYa saotu: || 6 || ”
In whom the sky, earth and the mid-regions, the Mind with the Breaths are
woven, know Him to be the very Self, Set aside all uterances, since this is the
bridge to immortality.
23
Bhashya :
“AmaRtsya mau>sya saotu: | mau>aopsaRPyavyapdoSaat\, mau>anaaM prmaa gait: - [%yaado: |” – For the delivered
this was the bridge, this being the perfect refuge for deliverance, for the delivered
this was the supreme destination.
Upanishad :
“Ara [va rqanaaBaaO saMhta ya~ naaD\ya: |
sa eYaao|ntSacarto bahuQaaa jaayamaana: || 7 ||”
Where the arteries are brought to the heart like the spoke to the hub of the
wheel,there the self moves becoming manifold.
Bhashya :
“)dyasqa: sada ivaYYNauba-huQaa caOkQaa Bavana\ | carit svaocCyaOvaant: sava- jaIvaana\ inayamaayana\ || [it p`vaR<ao |
- Vishnu, dwelling in the heart becomes manifest in many ways or singularaly,
arranging the Jivas, thus in Pravrutti scripture.
“Aaoima%yaova Qyaayata%maanaM svaist va: praya tmasa: prstaat\ || 8 ||”
May one meditating on ! as the self be successful transcending beyond

obscurity.
Upanishad :
“ya: sava-&: sava-ivaVsyaOYa maihmaa Bauiva: |

idvyao ba`*mapuro (oYa vyaaomnyaa%maa pìtiYzt: || 9 ||”
He who is all wise in Wisdom, all- knowing, who is illustrious in the worlds, in
the luminous worlds of Brahman and in the space of the self well-established.
“manaaomaya: pàNaSarIrnaota pìtYztaonnao )dyaM sainnaQaaya | tiW&anaona pirpSyaint QaIra Aanand$pmamaRtM yaiWBaait ||
10 || ”
Consisting of Mind as the presiding deity over the Prime Breaths and the body in
the heart and being wise in Wisdom of Him the men of Wisdom become blissful
and immortal, shining forth.
“iBaVto )dyagaìnqaiCVnto sava-saMSayaa: |

xaIyanto caasya kmaa-iNa tismana\ dRYTo pravaro || || 11 ||”
24
The knots that bind the heart are cut, all doubts are dispelled, performance of
actions become reduced, when one experience the higher spiritualand ther lower
temporal worlds.;
Bhashya :
“pra APyavara yasma%sa ih ivaYNau: pravar: |” – since Lakshni, Brahma,Vayu and
others are less significant than Vishnu, he is known supreme than the rest.
Upanishad :
“ihrNmayao pro kaoSao ivarjaM ba`*ma inaYklama\ |

tcCuBaM̀ jyaaoitYaaM jyaaoit: tVda%maivadao ivadu: || 12 ||”
In the supreme golden sheath is Brahman neither with stains nor with parts. The
men of Wisdom know that as the pure ligt of the lights.
Bhashya :
“ba`*maaMDmaQyagaao ina%yaM tp%yaot rvaaO isqat: || [it ca |” – Vishnu dwelling within the Suns‟s orb
ever energizes the worlds.
Upanishad :
“na t~ saUyaao- Baait na cand`tarkM naoma ivaVutao BaaMit kutao|yamaignaL |

tmaova Baantmanau Baait savMa- tsya Baasaa sva-imadM ivaBaait || 13 ||”
The Sun does not shine there, nor the moon nor the stars, where there could fire
be? Every thing shines after That One shines. His luminous light illumines the
whole worlds.
Bhashya :
The Sun verily illumines the luminouis things.
Upanishad :
“ba`*maOvaodmamaRtM purstad\ba`*ma pScaad\ba`*ma duxaNatScaao<aroNa |

AQaScaaoQvMa- ca p`saUtM ba`*maOvaodM ivaSvaimadM vairYzma\ || 11 ||”
25
Brahman verily is the Immortal, in the front and in the rear, to the right and to the
left, high above and low below. Brahman verily is the universe, the superior.
Bhashya :
“[dM ba`*maOva ivaSvaM pUNa-ma\ | [dmaova vairYzma\ savaao-<ama\ | [dMSabdanaaM bahu%vaad\ ba`*maicaYaya evaodM Sabd: ||” –
This Brahman, verily is the World in entirety. This verily is the supreme, best
among all. With the word This, the manifold character of Brahman is indicated
by using words This verily.
[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao catuqa- KND:

Thus ends the Fourth Chapter of the Atharvanopanishad.
pMcama KND:
Fifth Chapter
Upanishad :
“Wa saupNaa- sayaujaa saKayaa samaanaM vaRxaM pirpsvajaato |

tyaaornya: ipPplaM svaaW<yanaSnannanyaao AiBacaakSaIit || 1 ||”
Two birds ever together as companions cling tp the same tree. Of the two, one
eatds the sweet fruit while the other looks without eating.
Bhashya :
“svaaduvat\ sava-da|i<a: nato svaaWova | tsyaodahu: ipPplaM svaaWgaò tnnaaonnaSaV: iptrM na vaod [%ya&anaaM
svaaduinaYaoQaat\ || jaIvaaVmaova naaSnaait Bagavaana\ na tu naaSnaa%yaova | tsyaOdahu: ipPplaM svaadu: [%ya>u%vaacca |
svaatn~\yaoNaOva Baao@tR%vaad\ du:KaBaaogaaSca sava-da | ABaao>a caOva Baao>a ca Bagavaana\ ivAUYNaurvyaya: | [it t%vasaaro
||” – In primordial life Jiva eats as fruits of one‟s performance of action though
tasteless and unsavory, which truly not in good taste. That the supreme Lord eats
neither the meritorious nor demerorious fruits of his action is mentioned in the
statement - AnaSnannanya:, not that he does not eat anything, it having been
clarified that he eats the fruits of the noble deeds. Since he alone is the
immutable existence, he is independently the eater of every fruits of
action the statement tsyaOdahu: ipPplaM svaadu: is made in scriptures, thus in Tatvasar
scripture..
Upanishad :
26
“samaanao vaRxao puruYaao inamagnaao|naISayaa Saaocait mau(maana: |

jauYTM yada pSya%yanyamaISamasya maihmaainait vaItSaaok: || 2 ||”
On the same tree, one immersed in delusion reflects and grieves and when he
sees the other and worships then he becomes delivered.
Bhashya :
“naastISaao|syaa yatao|nyaao ih ttao|naISaa hroma-it: | tyaa mau(it jaIvamastnyaM &a%vaa ivamaucyato ||
jaIvaadnya: svatn~ao yaao yatao|t puruYaao<ama: | [it ba`*masaaro ||” - since there is no one else who
can restrain Him, he is know as Hari. Jiva who is in delusion becomes delivered
knowing the eternal truism that the other one being independent is the supreme
Lord, thus in Brahmasara.
Upanishad :
“yada pSya: pSyait ru@mavaNMa- kta-rmaISaM puruYasM ba`*mayaaoinama\ | tda ivaWanpuNyapapo ivaQaUya inarHjana: prmaM
saamyamaupOit || 3 ||”
When the Seer sees the golden-coloured the supreme creator, the Person, the
source of Brahma, then the being knowledgeable shakes both the merits and
demerits and being freed from all imperfections attain similarity with the
supreme Self.
Bhashya :
“puNyaM ca AinaYTM ivaQaUya |” – terminating all the merits and imperfections.
The eternal concepts need to be interpreted in renewed terminology. pap
need refreshed terminology, delivered from the burden of sin as an eternal
blunder. pap is a bckward step to imperfection even as puNya is a step forward to
perfection. One‟s spiritual advancement is ecided by oneself, having been
provided ivavaokbauiw, the sense of discrimination, even though limited independence
according to his attributes (gauNa) and inclination (svaBaava) to choose between the
Proper (Eaoya) and the Pleasant (pòya). Therefore, the role of the supreme Lord is not
to interefere with performance of his actions (kma-s) but only determine is future as
a judge and dispnsor of justice. A person in primordial life influenced by the
forces of senses is likely to be confused and deluded, with redeeming avenue to
be delivered from such confusion and delusion being enlightened with the
Wisdom of the golden-coloured the supreme creator, the Person, the source of
27
Brahma. The choice is of the human being, many avenues having been provided
by the supreme Lord for being delived from pap, imperfection becoming
enlightened to gather puNya, perfection.
Upanishad :
“pàNaao (oYa ya: sava-BaUtOivaBaa-it ivajaanainvaWanBavato naaitvaadI | Aa%makÌD Aa%marit: ik`yaavaanaoYa ba`*maivadaM
vairYz: || 4 ||”
Truly it is Breath that illumines all creatures. Knowing the man of Wisdom does
not speak of any thing else. Revelling in the self, delighting in the self,
performing actions such one becomes the supreme among all knowers of
Brahman.
“sa%yaona laByastpsaa (oYa Aa%maa samyag&anaona ba`*macayao-Na ina%yama\ | Ant:SarIro jyaaoitma-yaao ih SauBaào yaM pSyaint
yatya: xaINadaoYaa: || 5 ||”
With truth and through austerity, by comprehensive Knowledge and constant

practice of the Wisdom of Brahman, verily is attained the self of the nature of
light and pure within the body, whom the ascetics with their imperfections
terminated behold.
“sa%maova jayait naanaRtM sa%yaona pnqaa ivattao dovayaana: | yaonaa||k`maint ?Yayaao (aPtkamaa ya~ t%sa%yasya prmaM
inaQaanama\ || 6 ||”
The Prime Existence alone succeeds, not non-Existence. By Prime Existence is

laid the Path that leads to the luminous perfection, by which the seers fulfill their
desires where that Prime Existence has its abode.
Bhashya :
“sa%yaao ih BagavaainvaYNau: sad\gauNa%vaat\ p`kIitit: | AsaurastiWruw%vaadnaRta: pirkIit-ta: | tsya
ivaYNaaoina-QaanaM tu vaOkNu zao laaok ]<ama: ||” – Resplendent Vishnu, verily is The Prime
Existence, extensively known by his primary attributes. Asuras – the
unenlightened ones likewise are the non-Existence, infamous being opposed to
the Prime Existence. Being his abode Vaikuntha is best of the worlds.
sa%ya derived from the root Asa\ to be, to exist is the Prime Existence.
Therefore, the non-Existence is the Asaur, the unenlightened ones opposed to the
28
Prime Existence. While as the enlightened ones the Prime Existence. Is possessed
with noble attributes; as the unenlightened ones the Asaurs are possessed with
ignoble attributes opposed to the Prime Existence. ?t is what conforms with the
Prime Existence; AnaRt is what is opposed to the Prime Existence.
Upanishad :
“baRhcca ti_vyamaican%ya$pM saUxmaacca t%saUxmatrM ivaBaait | dura%saudUro tidhaMitko ca pSyai%svahOva inaihtM gauhayaama\ ||
7 || ”
Comprehensively vast, resplendent, of inconceivable form, subtler than subtle, it

shines variously farther than farther yet nearer that near, dwelling in the centre of
the body in the cavity of the heart.
Bhashya :
“sava-gat%vaat\ dUro AMitko |” – being all oervading far as well as near.
Upanishad :
“na caxauYaa gaR(to naaip vaacaa naanyaOdo-vaOstpsaa kma-Naa vaa |

&anap`saadona ivaSauwsa%vasttstu tM pSyato inaYklaM Qyaayamaana: || 8 ||”
He is not grasped by the eyes; nor even by speech nor by any other sense organs,
nor by austerities nor by performance of actions but when one purifies his nature
in the light of Knowledge then through meditation He is seen without parts.
Bhashya :
“naanaOdo-vaOh-irM pSyao&ana$poNa vaayaunaa | ba`*maNaa prma&ana$poNa hirNaa tqaa | p`sannaonaOva tM
pSyaodnyao|nau&ap`daiyana: || YaDSaklaaSarIrao na BavatOit ina:ykla: | yada pSya: pSyato ru@mavaNMa-, AanaMd$pmamaRtM
yaiWBaait, [%uyau>\vaat\ ||” – Not through the deities presiding over instruments of senses
can wisdom of Vishnu can be experienced but only through Brahma and Vishnu
as the embodment of Wisdom can the self experiences sa%ya, the Prime Existence,
the deities presiding over instruments of senses only facilitating the experience.
Because the sixteen klaas, the fragments can ever be the One without klaas, the
fragments. It having been said that when the sees sees the golden-coloured one
and when the form of bliss and immortality shines.
29
Sri Madhva taking into consideration that sa%ya, the Prime Existence is
„AkR%snaaoih sa:, incapable of being indicated not being within the range of vision - „na
saMdRSao itYzit $pmasya na caxauYaa pSyait kScannaonama\ |‟, not accessible to speech, mind, nor to the
sight – „naOva vaacaa na manasaa pàPtuM Sa@yaao na caxauYaa |‟ except by him who says, It exists - „AstIit
baùvatao|nya~ kqaM tduplabQato ||‟ clarifies that the examples given in scriptures should not be
taken on their face values drawing meaning on empirical level but understood the
spiritual significance suggestions provided by the empirical instances. Therefore,
he says that when the seer says “na caxauYaa gaR(to naaip vaacaa naanyaOdo-vaOstpsaa kma-Naa vaa |”. It is
not the empirical instruments that are suggested but the deities presiding over
instruments of senses, they can pnly be the instruments or agencies which
facilitate the aspirnt‟s enterprise. By way of further clarifications the instruments
of senses are only the frgments and sa%ya, the Prime Existence is without
fragments, ina:ykla: described as the golden-coloured one and when the form of
bliss and immortality shines. Therefore not only the fragments could be the
means of exoeriencing the entirety of experience but also since the supreme Lord
himself has been shown as the instrument of experiencing the objective.
Upanishad :
“eYaao|Naura%maa caotsaa vaoidtvyaao yaismanpàNa: pHcaQaa saMinavaoSa |

PàaNaOiSca<aM sava-maaot p`jaanaaM yaismainvaSauwo ivaBava%yaoYa Aa%maa || 9 ||”
This subtle self is to be known by consciousness, wherein are centred the five
breaths. Individual‟s thoughts are all pervaded by breaths. When they are purified
this self shines forth.
“yaM yaM laaokM manasaa saMivaBaait ivaSawsa%va: kamayato yaaMSca kamaana\ |

tM tM laaokM jayato taMSca kamaaMstsmaada%majaM (ca-yaod\BaUitkama: || 10 ||”
Whatever worlds man of purified mind thinks and whatever desires he desires all
those worlds and desires he fulfills. Therefore let one worship for prosperity
those who are wise in wisdom of the self.
[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao pHcama KND:

Thus ends the Fifth Chapter of the Atharvanopanishad.
YaYz: KND:
Sicth Chapter
Upanishad :
30
“sa vaodOt%prmaM ba`*ma Qaama ya~ ivaSvaM inaihtM Baait SauBa`ma\ | ]pasato puruYaM yao ()kamaasto Sauk`maotditvat-int QaIra:
|| 1 ||”
He verily knows that supreme abode where worlds become luminously

enlightened. Therefore the men wise ib Wisdom, freed from desires worshipping
the Person transcend beyond.
Bhashya :
“sa Aa%ma&aca-kao ba`*maNaao Qaama pàNM vaod | ya~ ivaSvaM pUNaM - ba`*ma inaohtma\ | p`QaanaM Qaama ivaYNaaostu pàNa eva
p`kIit-t: | ]payaOyaao- ivajaanaIyaa%pàNasqaM prmaoSvarma\ | tsya pàNao hirina-%yamaaivaYnaao Bavait Qa`vaNa\ | ina%yaM
pàNaisqatsyaOva ivaYNaaoravaoSa eva ih | pàNaWaroNa ya&ana dIpnaM &ainana: sada | sainnaQaanaM yaqaa pàPta: ipSaacaa:
puruYaoYvaip | t~ isqa%vaaip Baujant AaivaYaoyau: punaSca to | man~aiBastqaa ivaYNau: sada pàNaisqatao|ip sana\ |
&anadIP%yaaidkM kuyaa-&ainana: punarova tu | [it ca | etcCukM̀ p`tnyaditvat-nto | savMa- tI%vaa- hirM SaukM̀ pìt vyai<aBa-
bao%puna: | &ainana: saa ih maui>: syaat\ tnnaOvaa%yaoit kScana ||” – He the aspirant worshipping the
one wise of the self, and abode of Brahman is the Primal Breath, where in the
world Brahma dwells. Primal Breath is celebrated as the principal seat where
Vishnu abides. Knowing thus if one meditates on the Prime Existence dwelling in
the Primal Breath, then Hari will assuredly be accessible always to him in
Breath.Because Hari ever dwells in close proximity with breath, making himself
luminous through thepassage of the breaths. Abiding always in Primal Breath,
Vishnu granting wisdom intiates performance of actions making breaths the
instruments. When evil forces take shelter in one‟s body the power of mantras
used to drive them is said to be Vishnu’s effulgence. Even though Vishnu always
dwells in the body, he becomes the light that enlightens the person with Wisdom.
The person performs noble virtues means he trascends all sufferrings to attain
Vishnu’s pure state, which alone is considered deliverance.
Upanishad :
“kamaanya kamayato manyamaana: sa kamaiBajaa-yato t~ t~ |

pyaa-Ptkamasya kRta%manastu [hOva sabao- p`vaIlayaint kamaa: || 2 ||”
He who entertains desires is born again here and there thinking of these desires.
But he whose desires are fulfilled he becoming a perfect soul all his desires
become terminated here itself.
“naayamaa%maa p`vacanaona laByaao na maoQayaa na bahunaa Eautona |

yamaovaOYa vaRNauto tona laBya: tsyaOYa Aa%maa ivavaRNauto tnaUM svaama\ || 3 ||”
31
Not through instruction nor nor through intellectual power, nor even through
much learning can the self attaind. To him whom the self chooss to such one it
reveals its true nature.
“naayamaa%maa balahInaona laByaao na ca p`maada<apsaao vaa|Pyaila=gaat\ |

etO$payaOya-tto yastu ivaWaMstsyaOYa Aa%maa ivaSato ba`*maQaama || 4 ||”
The self cannot be attained by one who his weak in streangth nor by one who is
unmindful nor through austerity nor through disassociation. The self can be
attained only by one who equipped with Knowledge through these means enters
the abode of Brahman.
“saMpàPyaOnamaRYayaao &anatRPta: kRta%manaao vaItragaa: p`Saaanta: | to sava-gaM sava-t: p`Pya QaIra yau>a%maana: sava-
maovaaivaSaint || 5 ||”
Having attained the self, the seers satisfied with their Knowledge and perfected in
self, devoid of passion, tranquil in mind, experiencing the omnipresent self on all
sides, with mind concentrated enter in the entirety.
Bhashya :
“sava-tao dohado: mau>assant: | sava-gaM BagavaMtM pàPya tmaovaaip yaint | dohadossava-tao mau>a: sava-gaM puruYaao<amma\ |
pàPya tismana\ pìvaSyaaqa maaodntoM|tBa-ihsqata ||” - sava-t means delivered from attachments to
the body. sava-gaM BagavaMtM pàPya means experiencing the resplendence of the Prime
Existence in every existence in creation. Delivered form every bodily attachments
and becoming conscious of the supreme Lord everyhere, attaining Him and
entering Him rvels in the Bliss of Beatitude within and without.
Upanishad :
“vaodantiva&anasauinaiScataqaa-: saMnyaasayaaogaaVtya: Sauwsa%vaa: |

too ba`*malaaokoYau prantkalao pramaRta: pirmaucyaint savao- || 6 ||”
Fortified with vedic Wisdom and purified through renunciation the ascetics at the
end of time abding in Brahman become liberated to immortal life.
Bhashya :
“ba``*malaaokoSau isqa%vaaprantkalao pirmaucyaint |” – abiding in the world of Brahman at
the end of their life they become liberated.
32
Upanishad :
“gata: klaa pHcadSa: pìtYza dovaaSca savao- pìtdovatasau |

kmaa-iNa iva&anamayaSca Aa%maa pro|vyayao sava- ekIBavaint || 7 ||”
Gone are the fifteen parts to their respective sources, all the radiance to the
respective presiding deities, the actions performed and the self being one in the
presence of the supreme immutable Being.
Bhashya :
“AivaraoQaSca saadRSyamaokdoSaisqaitstqaa | ekIBaavais~Qaa pào>ao naOkIBaava: sva$pyaao: || kutao|BaUtsya
BavanaM sva$pmaO@yamaova ih | Atao nadInaaM jaIvaanaaM ivaruwanaaM naRNaamaip | aibdnaa hirNaa caOva tqaOva ca narantrO: |
ekIBaavastu saMSlaoYaao ivaraoQasya ca vaja-nama\ | sva$pO@yaM kutstoYaaM ina%yaiBannasva$ipNaama\ | hrorip
sva$paNaamaokIBaavaao yadaocyato | saMSlaoYa eva isaw%vaat\ sva$pOksya naao Bava: ||” – non-contradictory,
singularly and similarly perceived state of the supreme Lord, one characteristic
spoken in three-fold manner not of one nature or forms. Therefore, an individual
self becoming one with the supreme Self is like the river becoming one with the
ocean, two disputing elements coming together, similar is the case of individual
self. Becoming one means eschewing separation. Or else how can two eternally
separate entities become of one form? When one refers to Lord‟s descents
becoming one with the Supreme being what is meant that the descent reverts
back to the original, since separation between Lord and his descents being an
eternally established fact, there being no merger of the forms.
“gata: mau>a: | pàNaaidpMcaadSaklaa$pa dovata Anyao ca pìtdovatasau dovata pìt ibambaBaUtasau p`jaasau pìt
pìt isqata dovaa: kmaa-iNa iva&anamayaao jaIvaSca prmaa%maina pìvaSaint || pìtibambaao hro: pàNastsya caanyaa: klaa:
k`maat\ | klaanaaM dovata Anyaa dovatanaaM nara Aip | tsmaa%savao-|ip mau>oYau naroYvaip inayaamaka: | itYzint naa~
saMdoh: prmaa%maina caaiKlaa: || [it mau>ivavaoko ||” - gata: means liberated ones. The deities that
preside over the Prime Breath and others are the klaas the reflected luminous
fragments as in a mirror presiding over in the supervisory role These presiding
supervisory deities as well as the other enlightened Jivas enter the supreme Prime
Existence, thus in Muktaviveka scripture.
“klaaByaScaanyadovaoBya: kma- p`%yavarM yat: | klaaBya: pRqagau>M tt\ puYkr: kma- caaocyato || [it ca |
Anyaqaa gata BaivaYyantI%yaQuaaharao daoYa: | na ca maUla$paiNa pìtdovata [%yaucyanto dovaanaama\ | pìt$pSabdvai-_
pìtdovataSabd: || iva&aanaa%maa sah dovaOSca savao-: pàNaa BaUtaina sampìtYzint ya~, [maa YaaoDYaklaa: puruYaayaaNaaM puruYaM
pàPyaastM gacCint, [it yaqaa saaOmyaomaa: samaud`yaNaa: [it nadIdRYTntpUva-kM puruYapàiPt kqaanaacca mau>a dovata
evaaocyanto | sa pàNamasaRjat\ [%yaadoSca puruYaao Bagavaana\ ||” – Inferior than the presiding deities over
the Prime Breath and others is Pushkara, the deity presiding over the
performance of actions. Thus he has been mentioned in distinct manner in
33
Upanishads. The deities presiding over the different manifest elements are
reflected similar or become equated to the Original, would be unwarranted
interpretation. The deities presiding over the different manifest elements are only
the reflections of the Original, is the correct maning. The deities presiding over
the different manifest elements and also all the over Jivas from where they had
taken shelter, from there they together with their sixteen klaas reach in the
company of the Purusha. Even as the rivers reach the Ocean even so the
delivered souls are spoken as reaching the Purusha attaining him. The one who
energises the Jivas is theresplendent Lord.
Upanishad :
“yaqaa naV: spndmaanaa samaudò|stM gacCint naamarUpo ivahaya |

yaQaa ivaVannaama$paiWma>: pra%prM puruYamaupOit idvyama\ || 8 ||”
Bhashya :
“Agamyanaama$p%vaadmauu>Omau-i>gaa nara: | ivahInanaama$pastu na tu tdìht%vat: | evaM naV: samadàqaa
saamaanyaagamya$pt: | [it ca || svakIyamaudkM naV: samaud`naOva jaanato | vaayaustu ttRqaga\ &a%vaamaoGgao kR%vaa p`vaYa-it ||
[it ca ||” – Essence and the forms of the liberated ones is not possible to be
known, knowing those not liberated ones, even as the essence and the forms of
the rivers entering the Ocean generally is not possible to be known. Even though
the rivers entering the ocean cannot identify ther own waters Vayu, The deities
presiding over Air, knowing them as different making the clouds form pours as
rains.
“ivamau> [%yamau> [%yaqa-: ivaip`ya: [itvat\ | Aivahayait ca | Anant vaO naama, [it ca Eauit: ||” –
ivamau> also is understood as Amau>, even as ivaip`ya is understood as Aip`ya: |
Similarly Aivahayait also is understood as ivahayait, because many are the names,
even so many are the assumptions.
To understand the meaning of this verse and especially of the words “Aa%maa
pro|vyayao sava- ekIBavaint |“ - the self being one in the presence of the supreme
immutable Being one must try to understand few basic principles contained in
Pancharatra, which Sri Madhva considers as maUlavaod, the original divine luminous
scripture. According to Pancharatra in the beginning the Creator- Brahman,
Creative power Shakti - as Lakshmii and the Creation, jaIva and jagat\ all existed in
potential form. The Creator before he became effulgent as Brahman was
indicated as That One tt\ ekma\ Narayana dwelling in amorphous ever turbulent
and ever evolving waters naar. On becoming effulgent he flashing like lightening
34
and exploding like thunder – „sadIPtM xaaoBaiya%vaa tu ivaVutsa%vaona tojasaa | p`kaSarUpI

BagavaanacyautaSca?iWja: ||‟ enveloped as Vasudeva, further evolving as Sankarshana,
Pradyumna and Aniruddha– „vaasaudovaao naama prma%amaaocyato saMkYa-Naao naama jaIva: p`Vumnaao mana: Aaina$wao
AhMkar:‟.
Pancharatra, which Madhva describes as maUlavaod, described the stage prior to
manifestation as of That One, „AnaVvantM prM ba`*ma yat\ tdhrNaVyayaM Anaama A$p AsaMBaoV
AmavaMgamamanasahaocarM sava-Sai> samaa#yaM sad\gauNyamajarM Qaùvama\ ||‟ and „AanandlaxaNaM ba`*ma sava-hoyaivavakRtM
svasaMvaoVMmanaaOpmanyaM prakaSTa pragait: sava-ok`yaivainamau->M sava-saMEayaM p`Bau: ||‟. Visualizing it with
emphasis on anthropological identification, That One was designated as
Narayana-Vishna-Vasudeva, abiding in tranquil state - „ivaEaamamaya:‟ endowed with
six-fold signs and resplendent energy - „sad\agauNyaivagàhM dovaM tdRSaa ca EaIyaa yau>a%maa‟, with EaI
as his supreme energy resplendent like gold – „tsya yaa prmaa Sai>jyaao-%snaa ihmaQaIBaato‟, or
abiding as fragrance in the flower –„SvasanavaoVM tu td\ ivaiw ganQaM puYpaidgao tqaa‟. The state
was indistinct and inconceivable as windless sky - „Asamaormbar$pma\‟, of non-existent
form – „SaUnyasva$ipiNa‟, non-turbulent – „saima%ya$pa‟.
As Sankarshana he takes an indeterminate form as Hiranyagarbha the
form of a golden womb, „ihraNyagaBa-: samavat-tagaò BaUtsya jaat: pitrok AasaIt\ | sa daQaar pRiqavaIM Vama\ ]tomaama\
|‟, which Yajnavalkya in Brihad Aranyaka Up.equates with the indeterminate and
amorphous entity, jaIva: along with His shakti, held together like two halves of a
split pea, showing the embryonic form of the creation, the faint of the universe in
state of becoming as faint dark spot – „itlakalaaokcaiWSvaM tnnavaitYzto‟, some thing like
the modern concept of the Black Hole.
Pradyumna as the mind to perform the task of creating world of name and
form, bodies with two and four feet, creatures of air and of waters, the seasons
and the hymns along with the human beings - Brahmins as the mouth which
imparts wisdom through speech, Kshatriyas as the shoulders, which stand for
pride and valour, Vaisyas as the thighs, on which rests the social enterprise and
economic wellbeing, Shudras as the feet, which suggest the sense of service and
dwells therein becoming a bird himself he entered the bodies, defined as
Purusha – “sa vaa AyaM pu$Ya: savaa-sau pUYau- puirSaya: naOnaona ikMacanaanaavaRtma\ naOnaona iMkMcanaasaMvaRtma\ ||‟.
Pradyumna having performed the task of creating world of name and form, hands
over to inayait (desitny), kala (Time) and gauNa (attributes) which had originated from
his forehead, eyebrows and ears - „p`Vumnasya lalaaTcca BaRvaao: kNaa-duidrt pu$Ya:
Sai>ir%yaocaotnaacaotnaa%makaM vaQa-yao%yainairwaya p`VumnaonaaoppVto |‟ for further evolution.
Aniruddha as the ego-sense, thereafter, strides the universe, abiding
therein as Viraj, indweller of those who eat not and those who eat – „ttao ivaYva=
vyak`maa%sasaanaaMsanao AiBa |‟ and as sava-inayaamak: takes up the supervision of the empirical,
existential stage of evolution where every is diverse in essence, form and action;
35
every experience being influenced and regulated noy by one‟s form but by one‟s
gauNa - attribute and svaBaava – attitude, during one's life-time. In any particular form, as
in human or as in non-human forms. kala regulates and directs every human
activity, even as river banks control the flow of water. gauNas emanating and svaBaava
are also controlled and regulated by inayait. Vishnu symbolizes sa%va - luminous lord,
four-faced Brahma symbolizes rajasa - enterprise and Rudra, symbolizes tamasa –
obscrurity. In all-comprehensive creation, light is as important as darkness,
shadows showing imprint of the contours.
Even as the source the Creator is perennial – „jagat\ t%vatao sanaatna:‟ even so
Creation is perennial, Madhva refering it in Bhagavat Tatparya Nirnaya as
spontaneous effulgence flowing as a stream – „jaga%p`vaah: sa%yaao|yama\ naOva imaqyaa kqaacana |”. In
Creation, jaIva and jagat\ are not imaginary or illusory but real and eternal as the
Supreme Being is, factual and logical, though the fragments, Jiva or Jagat,
cannot be expected to have same potency as that of the Orginal.
According to Madhva Jivas they are bequeathed with five mutually
distinctive traits – „p`kRYT: pMcaivaQaao Baod: p`pMca‟ viz. The distinction between the
Supreme Lord and jaIva, between jaIva and jaIva, between jaIva and jagat\, between jagat\
and jagat\ and finally between jagat\ and the Lord. Therefore, neither the Jivas,
whether they be luminous like the Gods, enlightened like the liberated Seers or
distinct entities as animate beings like the humans, animals that roam on two feet
or four, or as birds that fly or as the vipers that crawl nor the Jagat identical with
nor similar in any manner to the Lord. Jivas. Human beings though endowed
with ivavaok, the capacity to discriminate between the Eaoya and pòya are entirely
dependent on the Lord, who dwelling within their heart as vaamana energises them in
performance of their actions and leaving their body he takes the senses and mind
even as breeze carries the perfume from their places. When Madhva refers the
jaIvaas as hrornaucara, he does not mean as menial servants but as subservient ones
following him as the leader or energizer, the word made up of Anau meaning
following or in furtherance of and car meaning to traverse the path shown,?t, the
cosmic law and Qama-, the Path of Righteousness. Vishnu one who maintain the path
of righteousness - „ivaYNaugaao-pa AdaBya: ttao Qamaa-ina Qaaryana\‟, following which course alone
would human beings would be evolved to luminous state and deliverance from
non-luminous state.
jaIvas are either ina%ya, eternal in existence or mau>, liberated from the repeated
births and deaths in saMsaar. Eternal ones are the luminous ones like SaOYa, ga$D and
ivaSva@saona, who being pure and free of infirmities participate in effulgence of the
divine omniscience fulfilling His intent. They incarnate at his Will and fulfill the
purpose as determined by him. They are possessed of subtle bodies, similar to the
one possessed by Narayana and not with all the attributes and attitudes. Though
they can wander in the worlds at will they do not interfere in the affairs of world.
36
The mau> jaIvas on the other hand, are those who were once bound in the travails of
saMsaar and are now liberated. jaIvas are essentially the centres, wherein the divine
energy is abides but of which they are un-aware due to tmasa, obscurity over their
mind and A&ana ignorance of their true status. They are delivered only when they
becomes enlightened of their true relation to the Supreme Essence. The jaIvas are
called eternal and real in absolute forms as the Lord because what evolves from
the source has to exist in the similar measure in potential form in the source.
Madhva describing their numerous moments gone in the past or those yet to
come – „Anaagata AtISaaSca yaavat: saiht: xaNa: | AtItaanaagataSvaOva yaavant: prmaaNava: ||
ttao|PyanaotagaNaIta jaIvaanaaM raSaya: pRqak\ | prmaanaup`doSaoip tataoPyaanaotagaiNata jaIvaanaaM raSaya: pRqak\ | prmaaNau
p`doSaoip (nanta jaIvaraSaya: ||”.
Creative activity does not end with bringing forth the universe.
Therefore, “kmaa-iNa iva&anamayaSca Aa%maa pro|vyayao sava- ekIBavaint ||” does not mean that the self
becomes one with the supreme Lord but becomes one with other liberated
selves one in the presence of the supreme immutable Being. Even as a river
does not cease to be with entering with the Ocean, even so Creative activity
does not end with bringing forth the universe. Creative activity continues with
intervening period of dormant state when the Creator rests in the midst of
xaIrsaagar, the ocean of milk waters symbolizing the continuity of motion, in deep
sleep - yaaogainadà, on SaoYa – the remainder of the previous creation after
dissolution, for Anant, eternal period of Time. In that state, the Lord was SaantM -
ever tranquil, inaiYk`yaM - non-active, inarMjanaM – without defects, inavaoVM – beyond
speech, sad\gauNaivaga`hma\ – embodiment of all attributes. In Bhagavad Gita Krishna
says, “sava-BaUtaina kaOntoya p`kRitM yaaint maaimakama\ | klpxayao pinastaina klpadaO ivasaRjaamyahma\ ||”
following Rigvedic revelation - ?tM ca sa%yaM caaiBawa<apsaao|Qyajaayat | ttao ra~\ya jaayat ttao
samaudào ANa-va: || samaudàdNa-vaao diQa saMva%sarao Ajaayat | Ahaora~aiNa ivadQaiWSvasya imaYatao vaSaI || saUyaa-
macand`masaaO Qaata pUva-maklpyat | idvaM ca pRiqavaIM caantirxamaqaao sva: || - From fevour kindled by
austerities, the Cosmic Law and the Prime Existence become established. Then
nebulous nights are formed and so are the turbulent oceans. From the turbulent
oceans the seasons are formed. Ordaining the nights and days Lord rules those
who wink and wink not. Sun and Moon are conceived by the supreme Creator
as were they were earlier, similarly, the heavens, the worlds and the space in
between. The cycle which was briefly at a standstill commenced again its
movement.
Upanishad :
“sa yaao h vaO t%prmaM ba`*ma vaod ba`*maOva Bavait naasyaaba`*maiva%kulao Bavait |
trit SaaokM trit paPmaanaM gauhagaìnqaByaao ivamau>ao|maRtao Bavait || 9 ||”
37
He who knows the supreme Brahman he verily becomes similar to Brahman. In

his family no one whoknows not Brahman, is born. He assuredly transcends
sorrows, transcends his demerits and delivered from the shackles of samsara
attains immortality,
Bhashya :
“prM ba`*ma ivaid%vaa tu baRMiht: syaat\ svayaaogyat: | naayaaogyaM ikMicadaPnaaoit kut eva hrogau-Naana\ | [it ca ||
ba`*ma%vaM baRMiht%vaM syaajjIvaanaaM na pra%mata | AsvatM~sya jaIvasya kutao ina%yasvatM~ta || [it skando || yaqaamaRt: sa
puruYaao (vyayaa%maa, ya~ t%sa%yasya prmaM inaQaanama\, AmaRtsyaoYa saotu:, Sarva%<anmayaao Bavaot\, ba`*ma tllaxyamaucyato
inarMjana: prmaM saamyamaupaOit [%yaaidnaaM mau>sya sava-~ Bagava%sakaSaat\ BaodsyaOvaao>%vaacca || mau>aopsaRPya vyapdoSaat\,
jagaW\yaaparvajya-ma\, p`krNaadsainnaiht%vaat\ [%yaaidnaa Bagavata sava-~ BaodsyaOva sauicat%vaat\ ||” - Being wise
in Wisdom about the supreme Being one becomes effulgent according to one‟s
own eligibility. How can one then be entitled to become effulgent havin Hari’s
divine attributes? Becoming effulegent means for Jivas to become effuget
according to their attributes and becoming possessed with supreme divine
attributes. Because how can one who dependent become eternally inde[pendent,
thus in Skanda Purana. Eternally immortal consciousness is the supreme Person;
where exists ge supreme abode of the Prime Existence; He is the bridge that
leads to immortality, like arrowreaching the goal, one who without de-merits
become similar to the Prime Existence, with such other statements the liberated
one having been spoken as distinct and different from the supreme Lord. In
liberated state (Jiva) being distinct and different. Jiva being ineligible the power
to create etc. are not available to him, thus in varuous ways the distinction and
difference having been pointed out by the resplendent (Badarayana)
“na to maih%vamanvaSnauvaint, saao|Snauto savaa-nkamaana, sah ba`*maNaa ivapiScata, ba`*maoSaanaaidiBado-vaOya-~aPtuM naOva
Sa@yato tV%sa%yaBaava: kOvalyaM sa Bavaana\ kovalaao hro: | [%yaadoSca || mau>oByaao|ip manauYyaoByaao dovaa eva gauNaaiQaka: |
toByaao vaayausttao ivaYNau: pirpUNa- gauNa: sada | yao %vaotdnyaqaa ivaVu: to ioh yaan%yaQarM tma: | yao %vaotdovaM jaanaint to
yaaint prmaM hirma\ || [it ca ||” – No one can equal the greatness of the supreme Lord.
The one attains the Wisdom of Brahmman enjoy the supreme bliss in the
company of the supreme Lord after being delivered. Brahma, Shiva and others
can never have the same greatness which Hari alone can experience. Even in
deliverance, the divine persons possess superior attributes than the human beings.
Superior are the attributes of Vayu than those of the human beings, attributes of
Vishnu being all comprehensive are superior to the attributes of Vayu. Those who
think otherwise go to the obscure regionsand those understand properly go the
region of the supreme Lord, Hari, thus also ha ving been said.
“dovaanaaM saMttaO jaata: pàyaSaao &ainana: kRto | balavawotutScaanyao yasmaad\ba`*maivad: saura: | na saMttaO
ba`*maivadao naraNaaM &ainanaamaip | pàyaSa: syau: sauraNaaM ca inayamaao|yaM kRto yaugao ||” – In Krita era, theone‟s
born to the gods were all men wise in Wisdom, some may be ignorant of Wisdom
38
having been born to due curses. But among human beings though some are wise
in Wisdom, there is no certainty that men wise in Wisdom will be born. Generally
the ones wise in Wisdom are scarcely born; this is the rule established in Krita
era.
Upanishad :
“tdotdRcaa|Byau>ma\ | ik`yaavant: Eaaoi~yaa ba`*mainaYza: svayaM jau*vat ekYaI- Eawvant: |

toYaamaovaOtaM ba`*maivaVaM vadot iSaraova`tM ivaiQavaVOstu caINa-ma\ || 10 ||”
Therefore, it is spoken here in this verse : Those who follow the prescribed
discipline, who are devoted listeners, who are well-establised in Brahman, who
personally offer oblations with full receptivity to the singular ever observant
energizing power, who observe supreme sacrifices with devotion, to them alone
these Wisdom of Brahman should be revealed.
“tdot%sa%yamaRiYari=gara: puraovaaca naOtdcaINa-va`tao|QaIto | nama: prma?iYaByaao nama: prma?iYaBya: || 11 ||”
This verily is the Prime Existence, which seer Angira declared in days yore,
(therefore) let no one who has not perfrormed the rites as prescribed, read this.
Obesisance to the supreme seers, . obesisance to the supreme seers.
Bhashya :
“tsmaat\ sa Bagavaana\ ivaYNau&o-ya: savaao-<amaao<ama: | sada sava-gauNaO: pUNaao- yaao|nant: puruYaao<ama: | [it ca ||” –
Therefore every one should propitiate that resplendent Lord as the supreme
anong all sumpreme ones, endowed with the entirety of attributes, the one who is
eternal and supreme among Persons.
“ip`yataM Bagavaanya(M pòYzpòYztma: sada | mama ina%yaM namaamyaonaM prmaaodarsad\gauNama\ ||” – Let the
resplendent Lord ever dear to me, among all the most desirable of the desired
ones. I offer my obeisances to supreme Lord, who is the object of reverence of
this Upanishad
Atharvanopanishad which is popularly knwn as Mundaka Upanishad is
primarily addressed to those who having renounced the pleasures of senses being
experienced in primordial life and having surrendered to the respledent Lord and
have offered their hair as a mark o submission. Shaven head is only a symbol,
clarity of mind to be receptive to the Knowledge contained in the scriptures,
reflection and meditationon the Wisdom contained therein abecoming the
initiatory rites to become well-establed in Brahman. Therefore those who study
39
the Upanishad out of curiocity, without any earnestness or anu commitments to

be receptive to the Wisdom contained therein, for them the secrets will not be
revealed and he will seeing will not perceive, hearing will not listen the
resonance of the Anaaht Qvaina, the concealed soundless Sound, !. That surely is the
meaning.,
[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao YaYT: KND:

Thus ends the Sixth Chapter of the Atharvanopanishad.
|| [it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao saMpUNa-ma\ ||
Thus ends the Commentary on the Atharvanopanishad.
*****

Atharvan Up Mundaka Up

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Sri Madhvacharya

With Explanatory Notes

Atharvan Upanishad or the Mundaka Upanishad belongs to Atharvaveda,

Realizing the incapacity of human mind to conceive the inconceivable,

subordinates performance of sacrifices to the intellectual response. That would be

! Bad`M kNa-oiBa: SauEauyaama dovaa Bad`M pSyaomaaxaiBaya-ja~a: |

O Gods ! Auspicious be my ears to listen what is luminous;

Let there be Peace, peace, peace.

The Commentators Invocation to the Supreme Lord.

AanandmajarM ina%yaM Ajamaxarmaucyautma\ | AnantSai>M sava-&M namasyao puruYaao<amama\ ||

! ba`*maanaaM dovaanaaM p`qama: saMbaBaUva ivaSvasya kta- Bauvanasya gaaoPta |

“manaaovaOvasvatsyaa|davaqavaa- ba`*maNaao|jaina | ima~ScavaruNaaScaaqaao p`hoitho-itrova ca | ba`*maNa: p`qamao klpo

Shaunaka the great sacrificer approached Angira, according to tradition and

Of these, Apra, the exoteric. comprises the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda

scriptures. While Vishnu was worshipped in Dvapar era through Pancharatra

pervading and all-enveloping comprehensive reach of Satya, the Prime

ya: sava-&: sava-ivaVsya &anamayaM tp: | tsmaadotba`*ma naama$pmannaM ca jaayato || 9 ||

[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao p`qama: KND:

That verily is sa%ya, the Prime Existence.

“yas%yaaignahao~madSa-mapaONa-maasamacaatumaasyamanaaga`yaNamaitiQavaika-tM ca | AhutmavaOSvadovamaivaiQanaa hutmaasamaaPtmaaMstsya

Unsteady are these boats of eigtenn sacrificial forms, said to be performance of

Abiding in ignorance, wise in their own esteem and considering themselves to be

Dwelling generally in ignorance, imagining themselves as successful in

Conidering the sacrifices which grant desired fruits to be more important,

„Religion is human experience interpreted by human imagination. The idea that

[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao iWtIya KND:

“etsmaajjaayato p`aNaao mana: savao-ind`yaaiNa ca | KM vaayajyaao-i-trap: pRiqavaI ivaSvasya QaairNaI || 3 ||”

[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao i~tIya KND:

“Aaiva: saMinaihtM gauhacarM naama mah%va%pdM |

Manifest comprehensively established is the supreme abode which a refuge for

“etjjaanaqa sasaWroNyaM prM iva&anaVWirYzM p`jaananaama\ |

tdotxarM ba`*ma sa p`aNastdu vaa=\mana: |

That verily is Brahman, the imperishable. He is the prime BNreath,the speech,

“QanaugaR-hI%vaaOpinaYadM mahas~M SarM (upasaainaiSatM sanQayaIt |

“p`Navaao Qanau: Sarao (a%maa ba``*ma tllaxyamaucyato |

“yaismanVaO pRiqavaI caantirxamaaotM mana: sah p`aNaOSca savaO-: |

“Aaoima%yaova Qyaayata%maanaM svaist va: praya tmasa: prstaat\ || 8 ||”

May one meditating on ! as the self be successful transcending beyond

“ya: sava-&: sava-ivaVsyaOYa maihmaa Bauiva: |

“iBaVto )dyaga`inqaiCVnto sava-saMSayaa: |

“ihrNmayao pro kaoSao ivarjaM ba`*ma inaYklama\ |

“na t~ saUyaao- Baait na cand`tarkM naoma ivaVutao BaaMit kutao|yamaignaL |

The Sun verily illumines the luminouis things.

“ba`*maOvaodmamaRtM purstad\ba`*ma pScaad\ba`*ma duxaNatScaao<aroNa |

[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao catuqa- KND:

“Wa saupNaa- sayaujaa saKayaa samaanaM vaRxaM pirpsvajaato |

“samaanao vaRxao puruYaao inamagnaao|naISayaa Saaocait mau(maana: |

With truth and through austerity, by comprehensive Knowledge and constant

The Prime Existence alone succeeds, not non-Existence. By Prime Existence is

Comprehensively vast, resplendent, of inconceivable form, subtler than subtle, it

“na caxauYaa gaR(to naaip vaacaa naanyaOdo-vaOstpsaa kma-Naa vaa |

“eYaao|Naura%maa caotsaa vaoidtvyaao yaismanp`aNa: pHcaQaa saMinavaoSa |

“yaM yaM laaokM manasaa saMivaBaait ivaSawsa%va: kamayato yaaMSca kamaana\ |

[it Aqava-NaaopinaYacd\BaaYyao pHcama KND:

He verily knows that supreme abode where worlds become luminously

“kamaanya kamayato manyamaana: sa kamaiBajaa-yato t~ t~ |

“naayamaa%maa p`vacanaona laByaao na maoQayaa na bahunaa Eautona |

“naayamaa%maa balahInaona laByaao na ca p`maada<apsaao vaa|Pyaila=gaat\ |

“vaodantiva&anasauinaiScataqaa-: saMnyaasayaaogaaVtya: Sauwsa%vaa: |

“manaaovaOvasvatsyaa|davaqavaa- ba`maNaao|jaina | ima~ScavaruNaaScaaqaao p`hoitho-itrova ca | ba`maNa: p`qamao klpo

“ba`maOvaodmamaRtM purstad\ba`ma pScaad\ba`*ma duxaNatScaao<aroNa |

“tdotdRcaa|Byau>ma\ | ik`yaavant: Eaaoi~yaa ba`mainaYza: svayaM jauvat ekYaI- Eawvant: |