The Universe is Infinite, You Are Too: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Revealed | Introduction

Dear readers,

Welcome back to our blog. Today we are starting a new series on Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. It will be a large series of articles, so keep your enthusiasm high always. As this is the first article, we will start with a small introduction, then chant a peace invocation mantra and understand that mantra.

Before we begin, I recommend you to read the previous Series on Isha Upanishad to unveil the Secrets of Self. Links to those articles are given at the bottom.

Brihadaranyaka, the name suggests itself, is a big revelation. In reality this is the biggest and oldest upanishad. According to scholars, this upanishad was composed during 9th century BCE to 5th century BCE. But, no one knows the exact timeline. This is a principal upanishad and part of Shukla Yajur Veda. This Upanishad largely talks about the creation of this Universe, Brahman and gives us one mahavakya or big statement and that is "Aham Brahmasmi" meaning I am Brahman.

As this Upanishad is very old, it shows many social aspects, beliefs of that era. For the modern people when the world has become so biased, may judge the scripture based on modern principals without any consideration. In that period some intelligent people on the planet were trying to understand complex topics like creation of the Universe, that is incredible. Many times direct translation will misguide the viewers. Hence, we will do a logical interpretation according to modern times. Now the time has come to chant the peace invocation mantra. You can recite with me.

Peace Invocation Mantra:

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते ।

पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

“Om. Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate ।

Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnameva Vashishyate ॥

Om shanti shanti shanti ॥”

Translation in English:

Om. That (Brahman) is infinite. This (Universe) is also infinite. That (Brahman) remains infinite though this (Universe) originated from that (Brahman). Knowing this truth and realizing the infinitude of that (Brahman), this (Self) becomes infinite.

Om. Peace, peace, peace.

This one Mantra summarized everything which will be discussed in upcoming shlokas. This is a powerful mantra. Realizing only this mantra can liberate you. Let me explain to you, with a life event for everyone. A mother gives birth to a child after carrying the womb for nine months with her. After the painful process of birth, the baby sees the world for the first time and cries. Once the baby receives the mother's touch she feels safe and stops crying.

The mother and the baby in her womb is one entity but after delivery they are two entities. Mother does not die after delivery nor the baby. Mother did not lose any parts of body after birth, nor did the baby. The baby was living in the womb by taking mother's food. After birth the baby can breathe independently. But, once she understands the beautiful lady is her mother, she stops crying and starts playing with her mother.

Same way Brahman and the Universe were one entity before the birth of the Universe. Brahman is self competent to give birth to the Universe. Brahman is infinite because it is endless and beginningless. It was there before this Universe. It will be there after this Universe. The Universe started from the primordial source of compressed energy as we know from Big bang theory. From then this Universe is expanding and we are seeing in the current shape. The Universe is so huge we don't know where it ends. Because of our limitation we can know till one boundary but the Universe is larger than the observable universe. Because of this reason the Universe is also infinite.

If the Universe is the effect then Brahman is the reason and even root cause of all existence. Does that mean after giving birth to this Universe Brahman lost any power? No, Brahman is beyond anything, any effect, the Universe and even imagination. It is an infinite source of consciousness. It is self-competent, transcendent and self-existent. It is spreaded everywhere and in everything. It can give birth to millions of Universes if it thinks, because it is the seed of everything.

Om is the sound, name and symbol to denote Brahman. Any Shlok started with Om becomes a mantra and it is believed a mantra has power to change life. Whatever it is, for me any mantra can change life when we can experience it and apply in our daily life.

Knowing and realizing this truth, a common person can experience Brahman and can connect that infinite source of consciousness. From that point of time the person becomes liberated and sees Brahman in everything. That seer of oneness does not feel hatred for anyone. Delusion and sorrow can not touch that person. This knowledge removes ignorance from mind. Let the mind be in peace now, let the peace be spreaded among all and let the peace prevail in this universe. That infinite knowledge is the only goal of human life.

This mantra carries a message for all hate mongers that when everything started from the same source why are you dividing and spreading hatred? This can be used in meditation to remove depression, impurities, negative thoughts and negative emotions. The mantra spreads peace and love to everyone. My message to everyone, don't waste your precious life and start the journey of wisdom right now, be enlightened and spread peace and love among us all.

Dear readers, be with us in this journey of Universal Vedanta movement.

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Readers' List

Isha Upanishad - Conclusion
https://universal-vedanta.blogspot.com/2024/02/isha-upanishad-explained-in-english.html

Isha Upanishad - Shloka - 18

https://universal-vedanta.blogspot.com/2023/11/isha-upanishad-in-english-isha-verse-18-karma-life-after-death-heaven-hell-rebirth-virtue-sinexplained.html

Isha Upanishad - Shloka - 17

https://universal-vedanta.blogspot.com/2023/10/isha-upanishad-in-english-isha-verse-17-what-we-should-do-before-time-of-death.html

Isha Upanishad - Shloka - 16