Taittiriya Upanishad - Shiksha Valli

Taittriya in Sanskrit means “From Tittiri”. 

The word ‘Tittiri’ is being interpreted in two ways:

1. It refers to Sage Tittiri who was the student of Yaska.

2. It refers to mythical students who became “Partridges” (birds – Kouthari in Tamil) in order to gain knowledge.

Each Chapter of the Taittiriya Upanishad is called a Valli which literally means a medicinal vine – like climbing plant that grows indpependently yet is attached to a main tree.

The Taittiriya Upanishad has three chapters: the Siksha Valli, the Ananda Valli and the Bhrigu Valli.

The first chapter Siksha Valli contains  twelve Anuvaka (lessons).

The second chapter Ananda Valli, sometimes called Brahmananda Valli contains  nine verses.

The third chapter Bhrigu Valli contains  ten verses.

Hence  Taittiriya Upanishads’ total Anuvaka (Lessons) is 31 verses. 

But, we are here confined to Siksha Valli (Valli means Chapater)  and that too 4 Anuvaka (Lessons) of Siksha Valli wherein Guru’s Farewell address to Shishyas who were leaving their studies in Gurukul Ashram is mentioned.

Shiksha means ‘Vedic Education’.

Taittiriya Upanishad belongs to Yajurveda and is listed as number 7 of 108 Upanishads. I is likely to be composed about 6^th Century BC even before the birth of Buddha.

Eleventh Anuvaka of Shiksha Valli contains a list of golden rules which the Vedic teacher imparted to the graduating students as the ethical way of life. It sounds more or less like the Convocation address to graduating students to pursue Dharma, Artha and Kama to the best of their abilities.

The Advices imparted were of 6^th Century BC and hence one can visualize how the Educations System was forward and modern at those ancient days.

Even the present day convocation addresses could be no match for those 4 Anuvakas of Siksha Valli.

 

The two following famous Verses also contain in these 4 Anuvakas of Siksha Valli.

1. satyam vada, dhar-mam cara,

2. matri devo bhava, pitri devo bhava, acarya devo bhava, atithi devo bhava

 Farewell Advice to Students

 

1. After teaching the Vedas, in the end, the teacher instructs the pupil. 

Speak the truth.

Perform your duty.

Do not neglect the self-study of the Vedas.

After giving the gift desired by the teacher, do not break the chain of your progeny.

Do not neglect truth.

Do not neglect duty.

Do not neglect your health.

Do not neglect your material wellbeing.

Do not neglect the self-study and the teaching of the Vedas.

2. Do not neglect your duties to gods and ancestors.

May your mother be honored as a goddess by you;

may your father be honored as a god by you;

may your teacher be honored as a god by you;

may your guest be honored as a god by you.

Whatever actions are free from egoism, they should be practiced, not others.

Whatever good conduct you find among us (teachers), that alone should be practiced, not others.

3. Those brahmanas among us who are praiseworthy, their fatigue should be removed by offering them a seat.

What is given should be given with sincerity, not to be given with insincerity, given plentifully, given with modesty, given with obedience, given with kindness.

Now, if there is any doubt in you with regard to duties or if there is any

doubt in you with regard to your profession, learn from righteous Brahamanas , who observe karmas and tradition in a proper manner and are devoid of any crude mentality.

4. You should conduct yourself in such and such manner as those brahmanas who are competent to occupy the seat of a judge, who can discern the right from the wrong, who are not cruel, who are interested in performing actions for the sake of dharma would behave in such sit-uations.

Now with regard to those who have been accused, you should conduct yourself in such and such manner as those brahmanas who are competent to occupy the seat of a judge, who can discern the right from the wrong, who are not cruel, who are interested in performing actions for the sake of dharma would behave in such situations.

This is the command. This is the teaching. This is the secret teaching of the Vedas. This is the instruction. This one should follow. This alone should be followed.

 

Sanskrit Version of these 4 Anuvakas Siksha Vallai

 

 1. vedam anucyacaryontevasinamanusasti, satyam vada, dhar-mam cara, svadhyayan ma pramadah, acaryaya priyam dhanam ahritya prajatantum ma vyavaccetsih, satyan na pramadi-tavyam, dharman na pramaditavyam, kusalan na pramadi-tavyam, bhutyai na pramaditavyam, svadhyaya pravaca-nabh-yam na pramaditavyam.

2. devapitrikaryabhyam na pramaditavyam, matri devo bhava, pitri devo bhava, acarya devo bhava, atithi devo bhava, yany anavadyani karmani, tani sevitavyani, no itarani, yany asmakam sucaritani, tani tvayopasyani, no itarani.

3. ye ke casmaccreyamso brahmanah, tesam tvayasanena prasvasitavyam, sraddhaya deyam, asradd-haya'deyam, sriya deyam, hriya deyam, bhiya deyam, samvida deyam, atha yadi te karmavicikitsa va vrittavicikitsa va syat.

4. ye tatra brahmanah sammarsinah, yukta ayuktah, aluksa dharmakamah syuh, yatha te tatra varteran, tatha tatra vartthah; athabhyakhyatesu, ye tatra brahmanah sammarsinah, yukta ayuktah, aluksa dharmakamah syuh, yatha te tesu varteran, tatha tesu vartethah, esa adesah, esa upadesah, esa vedopanisat, etadanusasanam, evamupasitavyam, evamu caita-dupasyam.

 (Notes: Yukta ayukta means right and wrong or what is appropriate and inappropriate and used in reference to discerning knowledge (vicaksana jnanam). This is an important quality for any person who performs the functions of a judge. Sammarsina means to be qualified to sit upon the seat of a judge to deliver judgment. The suggestion given in this verse to the young students is if they have to judge any actions or speak against anyone who has been accused of doing wrong, they have to follow the best practices followed by wise people in society and uphold the values they uphold.)