Minor Yoga Upanishads (ePub)

About Amṛtanada Upanisad

Amṛtanada Upanisad belongs to Krisna Yajurveda. In this Upanisad meditation on OM (Oṅkara) along with the six limbs of yoga - pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dhyana (meditation), praṇayama (restraint of breath), dharaṇa (concentration), tarka (discussion, reflection in agreement with the sastras (scriptures i.e. Vedas) and samadhi are described. Techniques of praṇayama, meditation on the various matras (A, U, M, etc.) of OM and the regions of five praṇas and their colors are described. A sadhaka is guided on how to attain a divine life leading to mosha (liberation). Thus, the major subjects of yoga with its ultimate goal are presented in this Upanisad.

About Amṛtabindu Upanisad

Of twenty Yoga Upanisads, Amṛtabindu is an important Upanisadbelonging to Krisna Yajurveda. Amṛta bindu literally means a drop of immortal nectar. It contains twenty-two mantras as drops of spiritual teaching which lead to immortality. Even though it is considered as a minor Upanisad, the significance of its spiritual teaching is great and important like other Upanisads. This Upanisad mainly discusses on the nature of the mind, cause of bondage and liberation, meditation on the Parabrahman, etc. and finally, realization of "I am That Brahman or Vasudeva".

About Ksurika Upanisad

Ksurika Upanisad belongs to Krisna Yajurveda. There are twenty-five mantras in this Upanisad. This Upanisad is like a sharp knife to cut off the barriers on the path of the realization of the ultimate truth. Of the eight limbs of the yoga, it mainly discusses on the perfection of dharaṇa and its results. One should finally reach the spot of Parabrahma where he is able to cut off the bondage of all the karmas and dissolves himself into the Paramatman. This is the teaching of this Upanisad. Thus, the practice of dharaṇa, one of the major components of yoga with its ultimate goal is presented in this Upanisad.

About Yogaraja Upanisad

This Upanisad belongs to yoga. Of the twenty Yoga Upanisads, it is an excellent yoga Upanishad. This is why this Upanisad is called Yogaraja. The theoretical aspect of yoga is described in detail in a simplified way in twenty-one verses. First of all, the four yogas - Mantrayoga, Layayoga, Rajayoga and Hathayoga are mentioned. Then the four limbs of yoga dhyana, samadhi etc. are explained. Again, the nine cakras (psychic centers) and the process of meditation on cakras are described.

About Haṃsa Upanisad

This Upanisad belongs to Sukla Yajurveda. It is presented in the form of dialogue between Ṛsi Gautama and Sanatkumara. Sanatkumara imparts the knowledge of Brahmavidya to Ṛsi Gautama which was heard by Goddess Parvati from Lord Siva. It is said that the Haṃsa in the form of Jivatma exists in all beings. The six cakras should be penetrated to attain it. It is said that nada is produced by meditating on Haṃsa. Thus the various forms of nada are experienced. Realization of Brahman is its supreme goal. It is also called the state of samadhi.