The Theme of Eitereya Upanishad

Bhakti is belonging. It implies a deep, comprehensive awareness that seamlessly connects one with the object of one’s worship. The separate identity is there, but it doesn’t stand in the way of identifying with the worshipped object that acts as the ideal that endows actions with meaning. The worshipper and the worshipped thus get bonded intimately.

When one wants to belong to the universe harmoniously the universe is the object of worship. To belong to the universe one has to develop one’s attitude towards identity in the right direction. Total belonging demands total elimination of separation. But this elimination should not be by the annihilation of one’s self. Annihilation is destruction by alien forces. That will create misery and not harmony. What is needed is to develop identity in a manner that eliminates all possibilities of alienation. The cultivation of the right attitude for attaining total belonging demands the knowledge about the essential nature of one’s identity and the essential nature of the universe. The set of demands that is to be met for successfully adapting to a wave of globalization is only special case of this general theme.

Inquiry into the nature of the right awareness of one’s separateness is the theme of Eitereya Upanishad. This theme is briefly stated in the dhyanasloka that forms the preamble to the Upanishad.

Om

Meditate on the pranava that contains the seeds for becoming, being and consummation. Whatever one develops in the domain of intellect, to be productive, has to converge to the harmonious blending of these primary themes.

Vang me manasi pratishthitam

I, the living being, make my presence felt by words. For a person with an integrated identity words are the means for revealing oneself. Let the words be uttered from the depths of mind so that they reflect truly one’s identity.

Mano me vachi pratishtita

But the mind itself is made of words. Mind makes use of the symbolism of words for its development. So words play a very important role in determining the quality of mind. Wrongly chosen words can cause conflicts and contradictions in the mind. Then mind becomes an inefficient tool while dealing with the universe. Let the words used for the development of mind be chosen carefully so that no part of the mind contradicts the Vedas that reflect the collective wisdom of the universe.

Maviraveer ma edhi vedasya

A living being is characterized by movements. It experiences movements in the planes of body, mind and intellect. Life itself is composed of these movements. These movements when they are in inappropriate directions can be anti-life. To contribute to the theme of total belonging they ought to be in harmony with the movements in the surrounding universe. Let no life force move in violation of the Vedas. Any movements in conflict with the collective wisdom that sustains orderliness will contribute to the development of sentiments of alienation.

Ma aanisthah shrutam me maprahaseer

Continuous learning is essential for total belonging. Compromise of learning ability by the installation of dogmas in the mind fosters the powers of alienation. A dogmatic mind cannot accept any new ideas. It keeps laughing away the words of wisdom flowing into the ears from the outside. Do not get bogged down in dogmas. One should keep the ears open for the words of wisdom.

Anenaadheetenahoratram samdadhi

A lover pays undivided attention to the object of his love. Division of attention is providing entry to the powers of alienation. Let me bear in mind the object of my worship day and night without interruption.

Amrutam vadishyami

The words one utter express his identity. Any discussion on empirical details that are affected by context is fraught with the possibility of alienation as everyone sees these details from his own point of view and agreement on them is impossible. Endless arguments on empirical details will only contribute to the growth of alienation. One can find common meeting ground with others only in the domain of eternal principles. Use words for the discussions of these immortal principles.

Satyam vadishyami

Truth is the backbone of integrity. Truth holds well in all contexts. The truth of my words is the source of my credibility. This integrity and credibility is the primary condition that is to be fulfilled before pursuing the aspiration for total belonging.

Tanmamavatu tadvaktaramavatu

Dependence on anything is a bondage limiting freedom. To depend on anything other than the object of worship is a cause of separation. All these dependencies must be given up and one should surrender to the object of worship totally. Let the object of my worship protect me. Let that protect the words through which I express my identity.

Avatumamavatuvaktaramavatuvaktaram

Let me thus protect myself in a manner that does not in any cause separation from the object of my worship. In this state of total transparency the words spoken by me as well as the words flowing into my ears convey their meanings well without any distortion.

Om shantih shantih shantih

Let me find peace in the domains of body, mind and intellect

Words are spoken by ego. Ego is the entity that causes the differentiation between oneself and the world outside. However there can be no identity without ego. So existence in this world automatically implies ego. Correct perspective about the nature of one’s place in the total scheme of things is essential to ensure that ego is put for the right use so that it aids in spiritual evolution. The development of a perspective about one’s separate identity that ensures perfect and perennial connection with the inner spirit is the theme of Eitereya Upanishad.