Skip to main content

10 Lessons from The Isha Upanishad


Image result for Isha Upanishad
LESSON 1: DO NOT RUN AFTER WEALTH AND PRACTICE RENUNCIATION
The first sloka in this Upanishad states that in this universe, everything changes except our true Self.To explain this, an example of a snake and a rope is given. When you see a rope in the dark, you might mistake it for a snake but when you turn on the lights, you get to know that it's just a rope! The snake exists because of the rope and it ceases to exist once the lights are turned on. Similarly, when you realize your true Self, this universe ceases to exist and you do not feel like running after materialistic things like money, house etc.. To know your true Self is the goal of life and to realize it, you must practice renunciation.


LESSON 2: ENJOY LIFE BUT DO NOT GET ATTACHED TO THE END RESULT


The previous sloka asks us to renounce this world. But, this sloka states that those people who are unable to renounce this world, can enjoy their life by just doing their duty as long as they are not attached to the end result! For example, you might prepare well for an examination and write it.You have done your duty by preparing for it. So, as long as you are not attached to the results of the exam, you can renounce this world easily.


LESSON 3: LIFE IS FULL OF DARKNESS WITHOUT SELF-KNOWLEDGE
This sloka states that, if people do not strive for Self-Knowledge, this life would be a living hell for them! When you can be your own master with this Self-Knowledge, why go after materialistic desires?
LESSON 4: DESCRIPTION OF THE BRAHMAN (TRUE-SELF)
Brahman is nothing but your true-self which is everywhere and everything! It is really difficult to explain this Brahman because it is formless, yet every form is it's form. It is nameless, yet every name is it's name. It is still, yet it can move faster than the mind! Hence, it is unique and it has two aspects: In one aspect, it is Pure Consciousness. In another aspect, it may have form and qualities. So, nothing can happen without the Brahman.

 LESSON 5: CONTINUATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OF THE BRAHMAN
This sloka puts in more effort to explain us the meaning of the Brahman. It says the Brahman moves yet it doesn't move. It is far off, yet nearby. It is inside but also on the outside. It also explains with an example by stating that we sometimes see the moon moving behind the clouds, but actually the moon does not move. It's the clouds that are moving. Similarly, the Brahman is the same. It is never born nor does it die. It is eternal.
LESSON 6: ONENESS OF EVERYTHING
All beings have a common self. Though we have different names and forms, we are all one. This is explained with an example of a boy wearing a mask. A boy might wear a mask of a lion or tiger and fool his friends. But once he removes his mask, we know that it's just a boy. His friends all know that he is one of them. Similarly, once we realize our true selves, we get to know that we are all one and the same Self.


LESSON 7: YOU CANNOT HATE OR LOVE ANYTHING ONCE SELF-KNOWLEDGE IS REALIZED
This sloka says that when you are everything and everything is you, how can you love or hate anything? Seeing diversity in things emanates from ignorance but the goal is to realize oneness of things. So strive towards this goal.
LESSON 8: HOW PEACE CAN BE OBTAINED
As long as we do not realize this oneness of things, peace of mind cannot be obtained. Let's take an example of Fire. Fire can be used to cook food. But, it can also be used for destructive purposes. Whether we use fire for good or bad purpose, the fire is unaffected by it. Similarly, once we realize the oneness of things, we become unattached to this world and get peace of mind.
LESSON 9: DO NOT WORSHIP FOR MATERIALISTIC DESIRES
This sloka says that, many people worship the Lord for satisfying their materialistic desires. Though the Lord may satisfy our desires, it may lead us to ignorance because we are not striving for renunciation which is the ultimate goal of life.
LESSON 10: COMBINE WORK AND WORSHIP
Once, you start do your duty and also worship the Lord, your mind will be purified and all your worldly desires will slowly vanish and you will realize your true self.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Is Reiki?

When I tell people that I am a Reiki Healer , most of them ask me what it is. So, I thought of making this Post for you to get a basic understanding of what it is all about. Reiki is actually a Japanese technique for making use of the " Universal Energy " to heal yourself both physically and mentally. What do I mean by " Universal Energy "? Well, most of us would have studied in our school days that Energy can neither be created, nor be destroyed and that it is present everywhere and in everything. It is present everywhere in the Universe! Through Reiki you can make use of this Universal Energy to heal yourself. How do I use " Reiki "  to heal myself? You cannot directly make use of this Universal Energy to heal yourself. You need a " Reiki Master " to attune you. What do I mean by " Reiki Master " and what do I mean by " Attunement "? Let's just say a Reiki Master is a person who is trained in an adv...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Fight Between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma and Manifestation Of Lord Shiva As A Column Of Fire

Let me tell you a story about a time when Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma had a fight and how Lord Shiva solved their differences.     Once, Vishnu was lying down in his serpent bed taking a nap and at that time Brahma arrived there. When he noticed that even after his arrival Lord Vishnu did not wake up, he got angry. Brahma said: "How can you sleep without greeting me, even after my arrival?". Though Lord Vishnu was angry on the inside he calmly spoke to Brahma: "Greetings my son, please take a seat and why do you look angry?" Then Brahma said: "Due to the influence of time you have become proud though I am your grandfather!". To this Vishnu replied: "This whole universe is situated within me and you are thinking like a thief! You are born of a lotus sprung from my navel, hence your words are futile!" The both of them started arguing as to who was greater and a huge battle ensued between them.The other Gods of the Heaven who witnessed...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Story Of Samudra Manthan To Obtain The Nectar Of Immortality

Let me tell you a story about how the Gods and the Demons churned the milky ocean to obtain the Nectar Of Immortality !     Once upon a time, due to the curse of a Sage named Durvasa , the Gods had lost their strength and lost the battle with the Demons. The Gods then went to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu who always helps his devotees, instructed them to go to the Demons and ask them to join them to obtain the Nectar Of Immortality by churning the milky ocean and share it among themselves. Lord Vishnu told the Gods that he would make sure that only the Gods get the nectar. When the Gods approached the Demons, they readily agreed since they were also eager to become immortal! This process of churning the ocean to obtain this immortality nectar is called " Samudra Manthan ". For churning of the ocean they needed a churning rod and a rope. They used the " Mandara Mountain " as the rod and a snake named " Vasuki " which resides on Lord Shiva...
Post a Comment
Read more