Hamsopanishad

The last two parts of the Bruhadaaranyaka Upanishad give the explanations on the Om kara. How and why to chant om while chanting the mantras are given in this part of the Upanishad. Om kara upasana, brahma upasana, the explanation on the absolute truth and also the satyopasana, satya brahmoasana, agni upasana, pranavopasana, gayatri upasana arethe other toics described.

Attaining the state of amrutathwa and parama pada praapti through these upasanas are the essence of the explanations. The answers for the questions on omkara like how / why / when/ where and who can chant pranava (omkara), are available in this part of the Upanishad. In the sixth part of the Upanishad the detailed description on (knowledge), “ jnaana “ is given as jnaanopasana.

The merits of listening to Vedas and the panchahooti for praana- apaana-vyaana-samaana-udaana are given in 6th part.

Finally the garbdhaadaanam, pumsavanam, naamakaranam, jaatha karma, and other shodasa karmas (16 sacraments) to be performed in a family are described as abstract in the 6th part. Generally this topic comes only in gruhyasootra part of kalpasaastra. This is the only Upanishad where we can see the acharas connected within the family are described.

Next Upanishad is known as Hamsopanishad: Hamsopanishad has only 20 lines, which describe the Hamsa Vidya. Hamsa word means swan. In Upanishadic Sanskrit it has another meaning also (aham + saa = (a) hamsaa = knowing that ‘I am that/he’ = I myself is the manifestation of the god). The pathway to know that “ I myself is the manifestation of the god” is known as the Hamsavidya.

In Hamsa Vidya it is said that like a swan knows to separate water and milk from a mixture of the same, the Hamsa Rushi knows to separate and take only good from the world where bad and good are present. The Rushi who knows that vidya is known as Hamsa Rushi.

When he moves further to higher level he becomes Paramahamsa Rushi says this Upanishad. It is said that this Upanishad is the discussion between Lord Brahma and Maharshi Gouthama. Here, the Hamsa mantra, Naada Brahma upasana, the upasana of the sound from all the musical instruments etc are also explained for naada brahmopaasana in Hamsa Upanishad.