Ishavasya-Upanishadresearch

THE CONTEXT OF ISHAVASYA UPANISHAD IN MODERN TIMES
By kshitij Srivastava
BA(hons) 2nd year.
Deshbandu collage ,
Delhi university south campus
Preface
Ishavasy Upanishad is a part of the fortieth chapter of Shukla Yajurveda. It is an Upanishad

included in this part. Ishavasy Upanishad has the first place in the category of 108 Upanishads.
In this Upanishad, the description of God's qualities, self-reflection etc. are mentioned. Being
related to the Mantra part, it has special importance and it is also known as 'Mantrupanishad'.
Being a part of the Samhita, it is also called 'Samhitupanishad'. In ancient times, when Sanskrit
was the main medium of education, it was not so difficult to read these difficult texts and
understand their deep meaning, but due to the reading and teaching of Devbhasha gradually
becoming obsolete, their study has become difficult for those who know little Sanskrit. We will
try to understand the meanings of the verses of Ishvarasya Upanishad according to modern
times.
यः तु सर्वाणि भूतानि आत्मनि एव अनुपश्यति । सर्वभूतेषु च आत्मानं ततो न विजुगुप्सते ।।६

।।
The person who sees all beings in the soul, and sees the soul in all beings, how can he hate
anyone?
RESEACH HYPOTHESES
Whatever a man thinks is present inside him and there is nothing in this world that we do not
have. All the sorrows and happiness are inside us. Let us try to understand this with the
example of modern times -
● In today's era, there are more cricket lovers and their attachment with cricket is so much
that the win and defeat of their team becomes the reason of their happiness and sorrow.
Through this example we can understand the verse of Ishavasy Upanishad that when we
watch cricket, we feel the team and the players within us. We get so attached to the game
as if their defeat results in our defeat, because that game and all the things of this world
exist within us. These teams are not ours, still we feel happy on their victory as if we are
their master.
Because we see everything in the world within ourselves, knowingly or unknowingly, we use
this shloka not only in games but also in different walks of life.
But then why the sadness? Because we associate it with attachment and affection. If we
consider all the teams as a part of ourselves then
Keep yourself the same on their defeat and victory, do not be so attached to the story that their
victory and defeat become the reason for our sorrow, then perhaps we will be able to
understand this shloka in a deeper way.
● Nationalism can be understood through this shloka. When we connect with our country
as a patriot, then we develop such an attachment towards our country as if everything
about it is present within us. Let us try to understand this through an example -
In modern times, the Indian flag was insulted with shoes by a Khalistani community in Canada.
This act had generated a feeling of anger among the people of the whole country. Its deep
impact was seen even on the children. Ishavasy Upanishad
According to the shloka, our country exists only because of us, that is why we feel insulted
when it is insulted. We have such devotion towards our country that we feel happy in its
happiness and we feel sad when it is insulted because all the things in this world exist only
because of us and we are spread in it.
● Through this shloka I have tried to explain you the subtle meaning of Ishwarasya
Upanishad as our environment gives us everything When we misuse it and give rise to
things like global warming, we have to bear its effects because we are everything and so
is the environment. We are also the only thing through which we can survive. Due to its
bad effects, our life has also started becoming difficult.
● This shlok has been described as pervading all things in the form of God through
Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta -
अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो
मत्तः सर्वंप्रवर्तते
।इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां
बुधा भावसमन्विताः
I am the source of all things and all things proceed from Me. Considering this, the wise,
endowed with devotional service, worship Me.At overall, this shlok also tries to make us
understand that all the things of the world are connected to us. Why do we get attached to
games, country and friends because actually they are present within us. This world is pervaded
by us but we get attached to them in the form of attachment. We get so lost that that game or
friend becomes the reason for our sorrow at one point of time. We should try to save ourselves
from this.
Conclusion
Through this one shloka, I have tried to introduce you to the knowledge of
Indian philosophy. In this way, if we understand the knowledge of our
Upanishads according to modern times, then soon, like the sages and saints of ancient times, we
will also be able to find answers to all our questions in the Upanishads.
Reference -Ishavasya-Upanishad : Shankara commentary
The Ishavasya-Upanisad
Http://:agniveer.com
Wikipedia.com
http://:WisdomLib.org.in
Http://:srimadhvyasa.wordpress.in

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THE CONTEXT OF ISHAVASYA UPANISHAD IN MODERN TIMES

Ishavasy Upanishad is a part of the fortieth chapter of Shukla Yajurveda. It is an Upanishad

यः तु सर्वाणि भूतानि आत्मनि एव अनुपश्यति । सर्वभूतेषु च आत्मानं ततो न विजुगुप्सते ।।६

।इति मत्वा भजन्ते मां

Reference -Ishavasya-Upanishad : Shankara commentary

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