Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upanisad - The Completeness of the Supreme
The Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad is one of the principal Upaniṣads, revered for its profound metaphysical insights. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites this scripture to authenticate the Vaiṣṇava understanding of the Absolute Truth. Far from supporting a voidistic or impersonal view, the Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad establishes that the Supreme Truth is a Person, the controller of all universal affairs, and the Complete Whole from whom everything emanates without diminishing the source.
Topmost Upanisads
In the Muktika Upaniṣad, which lists 108 Upaniṣads, the Bṛhad-āraṇyaka is given a prominent place. Śrīla Prabhupāda often groups it with the most essential Upaniṣads—such as Īśa, Kena, Kaṭha, and Chāndogya—that are considered the topmost authorities in Vedic transcendental knowledge.
- Regarding the Upanisads, the following eleven Upanisads are considered to be the topmost: Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya, Brhad-aranyaka and Svetasvatara.
- According to Muktika Upanisad, there are 108 Upanisads. Among these are: (9) Chandogya, (10) Brhad-aranyaka, (11) Brahma, (12) Kaivalya, (13) Javala, (14) Svetasva, (15) Hansa, (16) Arunih, (17) Garbha, (18) Narayana, etc.
- In the Muktikopanisad, verses 30-39, there is a description of 108 Upanisads. They are as follows: (9) Chandogyopanisad, (10) Brhad-aranyakopanisad, (11) Brahmopanisad, (12) Kaivalyopanisad, (13) Jabalopanisad, (14) Svetasvataropanisad, (15) Hamsopanisad.
The Complete Whole (Pūrṇam)
One of the most significant contributions of this Upaniṣad to theistic philosophy is the invocation mantra: oṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idam. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains this to mean that the Personality of Godhead is the Complete Whole. Because He is complete, whatever He produces (the material world and living entities) is also complete. Most importantly, despite expanding into unlimited complete units, the Supreme Lord remains the complete balance, never diminishing in His potency.
- The Personality of Godhead is perfect and complete, and because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as complete wholes - Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad 5.1.
- Whatever is produced of the complete whole is also complete by itself. Because He (the Personality of Godhead) is the complete whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance - Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad 5.1.
- The Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad confirms, purnam idam purnat purnam udacyate: Although He expands in many ways, He keeps His original personality. His original spiritual body remains as it is.
Supreme Controller
The Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad records the teachings of the sage Yājñavalkya to Gārgī, wherein he delineates the hierarchy of universal control. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites these passages to show that the sun, moon, and great demigods are not independent; they are working under the strict order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Furthermore, the scripture confirms that the Lord existed before the material creation, debunking the idea that God is a product of matter.
- In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad, Yajnavalkya says to Gargi, the daughter of Garga Muni: "My dear Gargi, everything is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
- In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad, Yajnavalkya says to Gargi, the daughter of Garga Muni: "Even the sun, the moon and other controllers and demigods like Lord Brahma and King Indra are all under His (the Supreme Personality of Godhead's) control."
- In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad (1.4.1) there is the hymn atmaivedam agra asit purusa-vidhah. This mantra indicates the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Krsna) even before the appearance of the purusa incarnation.
- The Maha-Visnu, throws His glance over prakrti, or material nature, but the Purusottama existed even before that. The Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad therefore confirms the statement of the Bhagavad-gita that Lord Krsna is the Supreme Person (Purusottama).
Soul and Liberation
Regarding the living entity, the Upaniṣad teaches that the soul is distinct from the material world—asaṅgo hy ayaṁ puruṣaḥ ("The living entity is always free from contamination"). However, due to past deeds, the soul is forced by divine superintendence to accept various material bodies. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that liberation is achieved when one becomes free from material desires, allowing the soul to conquer death and return to the kingdom of God.
- In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad (4.3.16) it is stated, asango hy ayam purusah: the living entity is always free from the contamination of the material world.
- According to the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad, every living being is forced by divine superintendence to take a certain type of body according to his past deeds.
- In reply to this argument (matter produces material things on its own), the same proposition of the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad-that different kinds of living creatures are put into different kinds of bodies by the management of a superior power-is repeated.
- The Vedic versions in this connection are, (Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad 6.2.15): "Those who are free from all material desires, which are diseases of the heart, are able to conquer death and enter the kingdom of God through the Arci planets.
Conclusion
The Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad is a powerful testament to the personal nature of the Absolute Truth. Through its verses, Śrīla Prabhupāda illuminates the simultaneous oneness and difference of the Lord and His creation. It confirms that behind the workings of the universe stands a Supreme Person who is eternally complete, and that the soul's ultimate destiny is to transcend the cycle of karma and return to that Complete Whole.
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