SKANDA UPANISHAD OF KRISHNA-YAJURVEDA

SKANDA UPANISHAD OF KRISHNA-YAJURVEDA

 

OM. O Mahadeva (Lord of Devas), I am indestructible through a small portion of Thy grace. I am replete with Vijnana. I am S'iva (Bliss). What is higher than It? Truth does not shine as such on account of the display of the Antahkarana (internal organs). Through the destruction of the Antahkarana, Hari abides as Samvit (Consciousness) alone. As I also am of the form of Samvit, I am without birth. What is higher than It? All inert things being other (than Atma) perish like dream. That Achyuta (the indestructible or Vishnu), who is the seer of the conscious and the inert, is of the form of Jnana. He only is Mahadeva. He only is Maha-Hari (Mahavishnu). He only is the Jyotis of all Jyotish (or Light of all lights). He only is Parameswaran. He only is Parabrahman. That Brahman I am. There is no doubt (about it). Jiva is S'iva. S'iva is Jiva. That Jiva is S'iva alone. Bound by the husk, it is paddy; freed from the husk, it is rice. In like manner, Jiva is bound (by karma). If karma perishes, he (Jiva) is Sadas'iva. So long as he is bound by the bonds of karma, he is Jiva. If freed from its bonds, then he is Sadas'iva. Prostrations on account of S'iva who is of the form of Vishnu, and on account of Vishnu who is of the form of S'iva. The heart of Vishnu is S'iva. The heart of S'iva is Vishnu. As I see no difference (between these two), therefore to me are prosperity and life. There is no difference--between S'iva and Kes'ava (Vishnu). The body is said to be the divine temple. The S'iva (in the body) is the God Sadas'iva [*1] (in the temple).

 

Having given up the cast-off offerings of Ajnana, one should worship Him with the thought "I am He". To see (oneself) as not different (from Him) is (jnana) wisdom. To make the mind free from sensual objects is dhyana (meditation). The giving up of the stains of the mind is Snana (bathing). The subjugation of the senses is Soucha (cleansing). The nectar of Brahman should be drunk. For the upkeep of the body, one should go about for alms and eat. He should dwell alone in a solitary place without a second. He should be with the sole thought of the non-dual One. The wise person who conducts himself thus attains salvation. Prostrations on account of S'rimat Param-Jyotis (Supreme Light) abode! May prosperity and long life attend (me). O Narasimha! [*2] O Lord of Devas! through Thy grace, persons cognize the true nature of Brahman that is unthinkable, undifferentiated, endless, and immutable, through the forms of the Gods, Brahma, Narayana, and S'ankara.

 

Like the eye (which sees without any obstacle the things) spread in the Akas', so the wise always see the supreme abode of Vishnu. Brahmans with divine eyes who are always spiritually awake, praise in diverse ways and illuminate the supreme abode of Vishnu. This is the teaching of the Vedas for salvation.

 

 

Thiss is the Upanishad.