Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
by Arpita Chakraborty | 2013 | 33,902 words
This page relates ‘Manner of worship of the Pranava by the seeker after Liberation’ of the study on the Shaiva Upanishads in English, comparing them with other texts dealing with the Shiva cult (besides the Agamas and Puranas). The Upaniṣads are ancient philosophical and theological treatises. Out of the 108 Upanishads mentioned in the Muktikopanishad, 15 are classified as Saiva-Upanisads.
5. Manner of worship of the Praṇava by the seeker after Liberation
That (State of the Brahman), the immortal (amṛta), real existence (satya), should be the target to be hit by the seeker.
The bow is the Tāra (the Praṇava, “Om”); the arrow is the Ātman; the Bull’s eye of the target is said to be the Brahman; the target should be hit at, after taking deliberate aim, by the practitioner who should by no means be careless; by doing so, the practitioner will become identical with the aim (the Brahman) very much like the arrow (his own Ātman that is non differentiated from the Brahman).
[...] Rudrahṛdaya Upaniṣad verse 39
The aim is all–comprehensive, the arrow has its head pointing towards all directions and the archer takes aim in an all comprehensive manner. The aim is the auspicious Śiva; there is no doubt about it. Not there do the bodies of the sun and moon shine. Neither do the winds blow, nor do the diverse deities exert their potent influence. This reputed god (of gods) manifests himself with great mercy, devoid of passion and extremely pure.[1]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Rudrahṛdaya Upaniṣad verse 37-40.