Aitareya Upanishad

Of Rig Veda course is Aitareya Upanishad and in the Aranyaka portion , Srishti Tatwa or the philosophy of Evolution of Creation of the Universe is detailed describing how Paramatma was self manifested and crafted the Universe and the Lokas viz. Heaven, Sky to support, the Earth and the Water there under.The higher Lokas above the Bhu Loka were Bhuvar-Swar-Mahar-Janar-Tapo-Satya-Lokas and the Under Water Worlds comprised Atala-Vitala-Sutala, Talaatala-Mahatala-Rasaatala and Patalas. Then the Loka Palakas were created to adminiser and safeguard the Fourteen Lokas and they were Ashta Palakas viz. Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirruti, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera and Ishana. Then was manifested the Virat Swarupa Purusha a proto type human form with limbs and sensory organs who in turn tore off his form as Maya the female power to further the creation of human and all other species, be they as Yonija-Andaja-Svedaja- Udbhuja or born of humans, eggs, moisture or sprung from earth. Virat Swarupa manifested Praana the Vital Energy, Food, and the concepts like Samsara-Virtue and Vice-Karma Phala- Ignorance and Knowledge- entry of Devas to the stations of organs and senses of bodies of various species most obviously noticeble among humans like Agni in mouth and speech, Vaayu as nose’s breathing, Surya in the vision of eyes,, Dishas and hearing by ears, Vanaspati in skins and touch, Chandra in heart and mind, Jala Deva in excretion and creation of progeny and finally Mrityu in the Out-breath. Thus the Almighty Brahman enters each and every Being from Brahma to a piece of grass as Antaratma or the Self- Conscience. The easiest yet the most difficult question ever is Kah ayam atmaa or which is that Self worship worthy! The reply would be the Antaratma or the Inner Consciousness: the expressions such as ‘Samjnaanam’ or the emotive sentience being the state of consciousness, vigjnaanam or worldly awareness or knowledge, pragjnaanam or instant mental responsiveness, medha or brain power and retention capacity, drishti or discernment and perception through senses, mathih or capacity to think pros and cons, manishaor mastertminded skill of planning, juutih or capacity of forbearance, smriti or memory power, sankalpa or ability to initiate and decide, kratuh or tenacity and dedication, asuh or calculated sustenance, kaamah or craving obsession all ending up in Vashah or forceful possession; all these are rolled into one word viz. Conscience or the super imposition of the totality of senses viz. speech, vision,touch,taste and generation. It indeed that kind of ascent of self consciousness that submerges karta-karma-kriya into Brahman, once mortals attain at least of intervals of Immortality if not Brahmatva itself!

Sri V.D.N.Rao and Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham

Kamakoti.org presents the Essence of Puranas in English, condensed by Sri. V.D.N.Rao, devotee of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, Former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India The author can be contacted at [email protected]