''Vasudeva Upanishad'' () ( sa, वासुदेव उपनिषत्, or ''Vasudevopanishad'' is one of 108
Upanishad
The Upanishads (; sa, उपनिषद् ) are late Vedic Sanskrit texts that supplied the basis of later Hindu philosophy.Wendy Doniger (1990), ''Textual Sources for the Study of Hinduism'', 1st Edition, University of Chicago Press, , ...
ic
Hindu texts, written in
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
language. It belongs to the
Vaishnava
Vaishnavism ( sa, वैष्णवसम्प्रदायः, Vaiṣṇavasampradāyaḥ) is one of the major Hindu denominations along with Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. It is also called Vishnuism since it considers Vishnu as the ...
sect, which worships
Vishnu
Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.
Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" withi ...
and his
avatar
Avatar (, ; ), is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means "descent". It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, goddess or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appeara ...
Krishna
Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
, and this late medieval era minor Upanishad is attached to the ''
Samaveda''. It is one of the 14 Vaishnava Upanishads
dedicated to Vaishnava sacred marks, including the
Urdhva Pundra
The Urdhva Pundra () is a tilaka worn by Vaishnavas as an indication of their affiliation with Vishnu. It is generally worn on the forehead, but may also be worn on other parts of the body such as the shoulders. The markings are made either as ...
- the Vaishnava
tilaka
In Dharmic culture, the ''tilaka'' ( sa, तिलक) () is a mark worn usually on the forehead, at the point of the Ajna chakra, or sometimes another part of the body such as the neck, hand, chest or arm. ''Tilaka'' may be worn daily or for ...
. It is described in a sermon by Krishna to the sage
Narada
Narada ( sa, नारद, ), or Narada Muni, is a sage divinity, famous in Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He is one of mind-created children of Brahma, the creator god. He ...
.
Date
The composition date or author of the text is unknown, and is generally regarded as a "late Upanishad", in terms of dating. The use of the word Vasudeva, which is neither found in
Samhita layer of Vedic literature nor the
Principal Upanishads
Principal Upanishads, also known as Mukhya Upanishads, are the most ancient and widely studied Upanishads of Hinduism. Composed between 800 BCE to the start of common era, these texts are connected to the Vedic tradition.
Content
The Principal U ...
, states
Max Muller, suggests that this text is a relatively modern text.
Contents
![Vedanta Desikan with Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Vedanta_Desikan_with_Brahmatantra_Swatantra_Jeeyar.png)
The sage
Narada
Narada ( sa, नारद, ), or Narada Muni, is a sage divinity, famous in Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He is one of mind-created children of Brahma, the creator god. He ...
visited the god
Krishna
Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
, who is called by his patronymic Vasudeva in the text, and asked Krishna about the rules of Urdhva Pundra, the Vaishnava
tilaka
In Dharmic culture, the ''tilaka'' ( sa, तिलक) () is a mark worn usually on the forehead, at the point of the Ajna chakra, or sometimes another part of the body such as the neck, hand, chest or arm. ''Tilaka'' may be worn daily or for ...
.
The Upanishad calls the mark ''Urdhva Tripundra'', the upward (''Urdhva'') three lines.
Philosophy
Vishnu-Krishna is compared to ''
Brahman
In Hinduism, ''Brahman'' ( sa, ब्रह्मन्) connotes the highest universal principle, the ultimate reality in the universe.P. T. Raju (2006), ''Idealistic Thought of India'', Routledge, , page 426 and Conclusion chapter part X ...
'', who is
non-dual
Nondualism, also called nonduality and nondual awareness, is a fuzzy concept originating in Indian philosophy and religion for which many definitions can be found, including: nondual awareness, the nonduality of seer and seen or nondiffe ...
and infinite, without a beginning, middle or end. His form is said to be ''
satchidananda'', "being, Consciousness, Bliss". Its indestructibility only comprehended by devotion.
Symbolism
![A female sadhu sannyasi monk with a Vishnu mark, painting from India](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/A_female_sadhu_sannyasi_monk_with_a_Vishnu_mark%2C_painting_from_India.jpg)
Krishna extols the ''Gopichandana'' (Sanskrit: गोपीचन्दन), also known as ''Vishnu-chandana'', a type of clay and describes the symbol of Urdhva Pundra as well as its application. ''Chandana'' is clay mud described to originate from
Vaikuntha
Vaikuntha ( sa, वैकुण्ठ, lit=without anxiety, translit=Vaikuṇṭha), also called Vishnuloka (), and Tirunatu (Tirunāṭu) in Tamil, is the abode of Vishnu, the supreme deity in the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism,Gavin Flood, A ...
, Vishnu's abode. The paste was washed off Krishna with milk by the
gopis (the milk-maid) devotees and lovers of Krishna, on his body, and therefore states the text, it is called as ''Gopi-chandana''. This yellowish coloured substance is regarded to grant salvation to the devotee.
The Urdhva Pundra symbol, asserts the text, should be created on the forehead with the ''Gopichandana''. If clay is unavailable, a paste made from the roots of the sacred
Tulasi
''Ocimum tenuiflorum'', commonly known as holy basil, ''tulsi'' or ''tulasi'', is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian ...
plant or sandal may be used. The ''Smritimuktaphala'' by
Vaidyanatha Dikshita
''Jataka Parijata'' is an Indian astrological text that is ranked alongside Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra of Parāśara Muni, Bṛhat Jātaka of Varāhamihira and Phaladīpikāḥ of Mantreśvara. It is regularly studied as a textbook a ...
(15th century) quotes the ''Vasudeva Upanishad'' about the ''Gopichandana'' usage in Urdhva Pundra.
Krishna replies a
Brahmachari (student, bachelor) and
Grihastha (householder) should apply the tilaka on the forehead after reciting the hymn told in the ''Vasudeva Upanishad''. The hymn dedicated to Vishnu-Krishna, praising
Achyuta
In Hinduism, Achyuta (IAST: ') is an epithet of Vishnu and appears as the 100th and 318th names in the Vishnu Sahasranama. It is also often used in the Bhagavad Gita as a personal name of Krishna. According to Adi Shankara's commentary on the ...
(the indestructible),
Govinda
Govinda (), also rendered Govind and Gobind, is an epithet of Vishnu which is also used for his avatars such as Krishna. The name appears as the 187th and the 539th name of Vishnu in '' Vishnu Sahasranama''. The name is also popularly addresse ...
(the protector of cows), one who holds the
discus,
mace and
conch, the Lotus-eyed one who resides in
Dwarka
Dwarka () is a city and a municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the state of Gujarat in Western India. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti river at the mouth of the Gulf of Kut ...
, the capital of Krishna. The text suggests that a
Vanaprastha may mark the tilaka on 12 other parts of his body after reciting the Vishnu gayatri hymn or the 12 names of Vishnu, namely
Keshava
Keshava (Sanskrit: ') is an
epithet of Vishnu in Hindu tradition. Keshava means Parabrahman, according to Hindu scriptures. The name appears as the 23rd and 648th names in the Vishnu Sahasranama of the Mahabharata. Keshava is also venerated ...
,
Narayana
Narayana (Sanskrit: नारायण, IAST: ''Nārāyaṇa'') is one of the forms and names of Vishnu, who is in yogic slumber under the celestial waters, referring to the masculine principle. He is also known as Purushottama, and is co ...
,
Madhava Mādhava means Lord Krishna an incarnation of Vishnu. It may also refer to:
*a Sanskrit patronymic, "descendant of Madhu (a man of the Yadu tribe)".
** especially of Krishna, see Madhava (Vishnu)
*** an icon of Krishna
** Madhava of Sangamagrama, ...
, Govinda, Vishnu,
Madhusudana
Madhusudana ( sa, मधुसूदन, Madhusūdana, translit-std=IAST) is an epithet of Vishnu and is the 73rd name in the Vishnu Sahasranama.
According to Adi Sankara's commentary on the Vishnu Sahasranama, Madhusudana means the "destroyer ...
,
Trivikrama
Vamana (), also known as Trivikrama (), Urukrama (), Upendra (), Dadhivamana (), and Balibandhana () is an avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu. He is the fifth avatar of Vishnu, and the first Dashavatara in the Treta Yuga, after Narasimha.
...
,
Vamana
Vamana (), also known as Trivikrama (), Urukrama (), Upendra (), Dadhivamana (), and Balibandhana () is an avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu. He is the fifth avatar of Vishnu, and the first Dashavatara in the Treta Yuga, after Narasimha.
Or ...
,
Sridhara,
Hrishikesha
Hrishikesha ( sa, हृषीकेश; IAST: Hṛṣīkēśa) is an epithet of the Hindu preserver deity Vishnu. It is the 47th name in the Vishnu Sahasranama. According to Adi Shankara's commentary on the Vishnu Sahasranama, the name has se ...
,
Padmanabha and
Damodara
Vatasseri Damodara Nambudiri was an astronomer-mathematician of the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics who flourished during the fifteenth century CE. He was a son of Paramesvara (1360–1425) who developed the '' drigganita'' system of ...
. The
Sannyasi
''Sannyasa'' (Sanskrit: संन्यास; IAST: ), sometimes spelled Sanyasa (सन्न्यास) or Sanyasi (for the person), is life of renunciation and the fourth stage within the Hindu system of four life stages known as '' A ...
(renouncer) should anoint the Urdhava Pundra on his forehead with his ring finger chanting
Om.
;Significance
The three lines of the Urdhva Pundra are related to the Hindu Trinity (
Trimurti
The Trimūrti (; Sanskrit: त्रिमूर्ति ', "three forms" or "trinity") are the trinity of supreme divinity in Hinduism, in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified as a triad of ...
) of deities -
Brahma
Brahma ( sa, ब्रह्मा, Brahmā) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the trinity of supreme divinity that includes Vishnu, and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 21 ...
, Vishnu,
Shiva
Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
; the first three
Vedic scriptures
upright=1.2, The Vedas are ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism. Above: A page from the '' Atharvaveda''.
The Vedas (, , ) are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute th ...
-
Rigveda
The ''Rigveda'' or ''Rig Veda'' ( ', from ' "praise" and ' "knowledge") is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns (''sūktas''). It is one of the four sacred canonical Hindu texts ('' śruti'') known as the Vedas. Only one ...
,
Yajurveda
The ''Yajurveda'' ( sa, यजुर्वेद, ', from ' meaning "worship", and ''veda'' meaning "knowledge") is the Veda primarily of prose mantras for worship rituals.Michael Witzel (2003), "Vedas and Upaniṣads", in ''The Blackwell C ...
and
Samaveda; three upper worlds
Bhu
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) IAST: kāśī hindū viśvavidyālaya IPA: /kaːʃiː hɪnd̪uː ʋɪʃwəʋid̪jaːləj/), is a collegiate, central, and research university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, and founded in 1916. ...
, Bhuva,
Svar, the three syllables of Om - Aa, Uu, Ma; three states of existence - awakening, dreaming, asleep and
the three bodies - Sthula, Sukshma, and Karana. Thus, one should wear the Urdhva tilaka, as sign of the Lord of Om.
The text declares that a sage should wear four things ''Urdhva'' (upward) - "stick, bravery,
yoga
Yoga (; sa, योग, lit=yoke' or 'union ) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India and aim to control (yoke) and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness-consci ...
and Urdhva Pundra". He would attain emancipation.
Meditation
The later verses of ''Vasudeva Upanisad'' describe meditation on Vasudeva, as a form of
Yoga
Yoga (; sa, योग, lit=yoke' or 'union ) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India and aim to control (yoke) and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness-consci ...
. The yogin, asserts the text, should look at his inner most self,
Atman as Vasudeva.
[SG Desai (1996), A critical study of the later Upanishads, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, , pages 226-227, 51-54] This goal of meditation, and methodology of worship, is found in Pancaratra
Agamas, Puranas and other texts of the Vaishnavism tradition.
[ These texts, states Srinivaschari, assert that ''Sat'' (Truth), Atman and Upanishadic concept of ]Brahman
In Hinduism, ''Brahman'' ( sa, ब्रह्मन्) connotes the highest universal principle, the ultimate reality in the universe.P. T. Raju (2006), ''Idealistic Thought of India'', Routledge, , page 426 and Conclusion chapter part X ...
denote the Vedantic
''Vedanta'' (; sa, वेदान्त, ), also ''Uttara Mīmāṃsā'', is one of the six (''āstika'') schools of Hindu philosophy. Literally meaning "end of the Vedas", Vedanta reflects ideas that emerged from, or were aligned with, t ...
metaphysics of Ultimate Reality, and declare all three to be synonymous with Vasudeva.[ The term Vasudeva itself is synonymous with Vishnu and Vasudeva.][SM Srinivaschari (1994), Vaiṣṇavism: Its Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Discipline, Motilal Banarsidass, , page 132-134, 212-218][
]
Closing
The ''Vasudeva Upanishad'' ends with a hymn from section 1.22 of the Rigveda
The ''Rigveda'' or ''Rig Veda'' ( ', from ' "praise" and ' "knowledge") is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns (''sūktas''). It is one of the four sacred canonical Hindu texts ('' śruti'') known as the Vedas. Only one ...
:
This hymn also appears at the closing of Nrisimha Tapaniya Upanishad
The ''Nrisimha Tapaniya Upanishad'' (नृसिंह तापनीय उपनिषद्) is a minor Upanishadic text written in Sanskrit. It is one of the 31 Upanishads attached the Atharvaveda, and classified as one of the Vaishnava Upan ...
, Skanda Upanishad, Muktika Upanishad, as well as in the last chapter of the Aruni Upanishad
Aruneya Upanishad (Sanskrit : आरुणेय उपनिषद्) is a minor Upanishad in the corpus of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism. It is written in Sanskrit. It is one of the 16 Upanishads attached to the Samaveda. It is classified as a ...
, an ancient Sannyasa Upanishad.
References
Bibliography
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{{Mukhya Upanishads
Upanishads
Sanskrit texts