More on Upanishads

Akshamaalika Upanishad describes in detail the Rudhraaksha. The importance and the customs and rituals connected with Rudraksha are also explained in this Upanishad. Varieties of rudraaksha, method of making chain ( maala) by gold, silver, copper, cotton thread, use of jewels, diamond, corals, etc to make variety of golden or silver chains/necklace using Rudhraksha and the divinity in these chains are the subject matter of description. The procedures/methods to be adopted on selecting Rudhraksha, the time, place, result and benefits etc of making and wearing the Rdhraaksha maala are described in detail in akshamaalika Upanishad.

Thripura Upanishad describes the upaasana of goddess Devi. It describes 9 types of devathaa chakraas, 9 types of yogas connected with the customs of devi pooja, 9 types of yoginies, 9 types of mudras in details. In fact this Upanishad is a yoga Upanishad and saaktheya Upanishad too. The sathwa- rajas- thamo gunas connected with each of the above are also described. The adoration of Lakshmi, Uma, and Lalitha Devi are also given as manthras. The benefit of Devi pooja and the procedure for performing the pooja are included in this Upanishad.

Soubhagya lakshmi Upanishad is the 9th Upanishad of Rigveda. There are three parts for this Upanishad, which describe the merits and benefits of devi upaasana. The manthras, thanthras, etc connected with devi pooja are explained in the first part. In the second part the importance of yoga and mudras are explained. The rules for performing praanaa yaama and nirvikalapa levelof meditation, etc are the subject matter in the second part. In the third part the nava chakras (nine chakras) are explained the names of these chakras are aadhaara chakra, swaadhishtaana chakra, naabhee chakra, hrudaya chakra, kanta chakra, thaaloo chakra, bhoochakra, brahmarandhra chakra and aakaasa chakra.

Now we shall go through the next Upanishad, known as nirvanopanishad, which also belongs to Rigveda. It is a yoga Upanishad describing the yoga in detail. In fact the Upanishad explains the state of nirvana attained by a yogi, when he passes through yoga for many years of saadhana.

It is advised that the yogi should become jeevan muktha, and stay in Siva yoga nidra, and remain at a state of ecstasy –paramaananda- he should maintain clean body, and mind. He should get himself free from attachment, anger, fear, giving up all the luxuries. He has to give up the sacred thread and even the mantras. He has to Practice brahmacharya asrasama and finally get himself dissolved in absolute brahmam itself. Thus explains the Nirvanopanishad.

Next Upanishad is Mulgalopanishad, which has four parts. Mulgalopanishad explains the meaning of the purusha sooktha mantra of Rigveda and the cosmic form of Mahavishnu as virat roopam. Followed by the explanation of creation of all living and non-living being is given. The creation of Brahma, greatness of Mahavishnu, the avatara, the explanations of Mahavishnu in Vedas and puranas, the adorations, sukthas, keerthans etc of Mahavishnu are also given in the four parts of the Upanishads. In fact it is a viashnavopanishad, which fully devotes for Mahavishnu varnana.