AWAKENINGS

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