Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad

The Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad (सौभाग्य लक्ष्मी उपनिषत्), also called Saubhagyalakhmyupanishad (सौभाग्यलक्ष्म्युपनिषत्), Saubhagya meaning auspicious, Lakshmi a deity, Saubhagyalakshmi is a minor Upanishadic text of Hinduism.[4][5] Written in Sanskrit, it is one of the 10 Upanishads attached to the Rigveda, and is classified as one of the 8 Shakta Upanishads.[6]

Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad
Sri synonym for Lakshmi denoting prosperity
Devanagariसौभाग्यलक्ष्मी
IASTSaubhāgyalakṣmī[1]
Title meansBestower of fortune
TypeShakta
Linked VedaRigveda
Chapters3[2]
PhilosophyShakta[3]

The Upanishad presents its ideas through Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and fortune. It discusses true wealth, and then presents Yoga meditation for spiritual attainment away from material cravings and towards inner wealth. Sri is the synonym used for Lakshmi.[7] The text also presents Tantra concepts such as nine chakra as a part of yogic practice.[4][8]

The text is notable for its syncretic presentation of the Advaita Vedanta doctrines with Shaktism worship.[5]

History

In the Telugu language anthology of 108 Upanishads of the Muktika canon, narrated by Rama to Hanuman, it is listed by Paul Deussen – a German Indologist and professor of Philosophy, at number 105.[1]

Contents

The Upanishad text is presented in three chapters. The first part describes the Lakshmi as the goddess of prosperity, presents the hymn of Sri, and then presents her in Tantra terms as a yantra drawing.[9]

The text mentions the Om mantra, followed by her iconography.[9] The text calls her lotus-eyed, describes her iconography as holding lotus, raining gifts, shining like gold, wherein white elephants spray water on her.[9] She wears a crown with gems, glistening embroidered silk and stands in a lotus.[9]

She is the spouse of Vishnu, states the text.[9] She is the giver of wealth, asserts the Upanishad, but she reserves her blessings for those who are free from material cravings and never gives it to them who mindlessly cherish their desires.[9]

Samadhi in Shaktism

As salt thrown into water,
dissolves completely as water,
so the state of I-consciousness,
dissolves in the supreme consciousness,
this is Samadhi.

—Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad 2.14[8][10]

The second chapter describes the ones who the goddess favors.[11] Yoga, asserts the text, is their path. They seek the inner light using the Om mantra.[11] They are moderate in their habits and what they eat, practice asana (posture) and breath exercises.[11] The chapter describes that such yogi awaken their kundalini chakras, they look resplendent in their health because of such yoga.[11]

The text, in second part of the second chapter, asserts that the goal of yoga is to become free of all dualities, and achieve the unity with the Atman (Self).[11] The yogi renounces egoism, and thus becomes free of otherness and sorrow.[11] Through yoga meditation, asserts the text, the yogi discovers concentration and the state where his lower and higher self is unified.[11] His Self and the Supreme Brahman become one, and he abides with Lakshmi's abode, states the text.[11]

The third chapter of the text returns to the discussion of chakra wheels, and presents nine chakras.[12] The text is notable for presenting the supreme void as the ninth wheel.[12] The text closes by asserting that whoever studies and understands this text gains whatever wealth he seeks and he is also liberated from the cycles of rebirth.[12]

Navachakras (nine cycles) Chapter 3
Number Name of the chakra Description Seat of
1 Brahmachakra in Muladhara Three rings Desires
2 Svadhishthana chakra in the Uddayan peetha A lotus of 6 leaves Girdle
3 Nabhi chakra Winding in the form of a snake. Competence
4 Anahata or heart chakra White movement in the form of a swan Enchantment
5 Kantha chakra Four finger thick Sushumna anahata
6 Talu chakra Moon nerve Dissolution
7 Ajna or the wheel of the brow below skull Words, linguistics
8 Brahmarandra in the Nirvana chakra Thread of smoke seat of Brahman
9 Akashi chakra Flower in the midst of a 16-leafed lotus Void, full mount

See also
  • Vrata (Vowed religious observances) and Saubhagya (Auspiciousness)

References
  1. Deussen 1997, p. 557.
  2. Warrier 1967, pp. 54-66.
  3. Tinoco 1997, p. 87.
  4. Vedic Literature, Volume 1, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, p. PA583, at Google Books, Government of Tamil Nadu, Madras, India, pages 583-584
  5. Warrier 1967, pp. v-xiv.
  6. Tinoco 1997, p. 88.
  7. Dalal 2010, p. 429.
  8. Hattangadi 2000.
  9. Warrier 1967, pp. 54-59.
  10. Harish Johari (2000). Chakras: Energy Centers of Transformation. Inner Traditions. p. 60. ISBN 978-1-59477-909-1.
  11. Warrier 1967, pp. 59-63.
  12. Warrier 1967, pp. 64-66.

Bibliography
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