Re: Viraja's 101
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
If one is looking for guidance on ‘how many’ Supreme-s there might be, we can find our support within the bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣat (bṛhát + araṇyaka + upaniṣad). The bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣat's greatness is due to its attention on Brahman and its exhaustive views and profundity on the subject. It is considered in size one of the largest upaniṣad-s ( along with the chāndogya upaniṣad).
So, look to the seer (ṛṣi) yājñavalkya and the yājñavalkya kanda ( section) within the bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣat. There is one chapter , the śākalya brāhmaṇa ( 9th section of the 3rd chapter or kanda – this is the yājñavalkya kanda section) where a question amongst many is asked of yājñavalkya-ji.
In this section the son of śākalya¹, vidagha, asks yājñavalkya-ji How many devā (lit. shining ones, heavenly) are there ? Here you will find the answer to how many... I will ask the HDF reader to pursue this as they see fit.
Yet, one will ask yajvan, what weight should one give to the seer (ṛṣi) yājñavalkya? He was the teacher of the vājasaneyi-saṃhitā or white yajur-veda , that was revealed to him ; also the author of a celebrated code of laws , which is only second in importance to that of manu. ALso the author of the yoga-yājñavalkya ( 12 chapters, 504 verses); Let alone his work/offer to the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa¹ ( the brāhmaṇa of 100 parts)
इतिशिवं
iti śivaṁ
terms
- sthavira śākalya - an ancient grammarian and teacher, held to be the arranger of the padapāṭha text of the ṛg-veda
- The section vājasaneyi mādhyandina śākhā wthin the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa is due to its origin being ascribed to the seer yājñavalkya vājasaneya we are discussion and whose opinions are considered authoritative.
- bṛhadāraṇyaka is :
- bṛhad = bṛhát बृहत्= extended or bright, full grown, great. This is also a noun for Brahman. It is sometimes written vṛhat. Yet know matter it brings to mind great , large , wide , vast , abundant , strong & mighty .
- āraṇyaka अरण्यक - forest.
- So combined we have the bṛhát + araṇyaka , the Great forest book , upaniṣad
- Yet why call it the great forest book? Some say it’s the book one takes during the specific āśrama ( halting place ) stage of life when there is retirement to the forest (araṇyaka); Others say due to it vastness (bṛhát) that is contained in this body of knowledge, it covers all the items of life ( the full forest). Since this book is much to do with Brahman, having it for a āśrama ( halting place ) also suggests a place that removes the fatigue of worldliness and hence the value of this book's wisdom.
यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
_
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