Translated by P. R. Ramachander Published by celextel.org Om ! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious; May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship ! May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas, Praising them with our body and limbs steady ! May the glorious Indra bless us ! May the all-knowing Sun bless us ! May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us ! May Brihaspati grant us well-being ! Om ! Let there be Peace in me ! Let there be Peace in my environment ! Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
I. Rama Poorva Tapaniya Upanishad Om ! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious; May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship ! May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas, Praising them with our body and limbs steady ! May the glorious Indra bless us ! May the all-knowing Sun bless us ! May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us ! May Brihaspati grant us well-being ! Om ! Let there be Peace in me ! Let there be Peace in my environment ! Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !
The Tatva (principle/philosophy) of Rama exists in this world, with his life showing the way to live, with his name showing the way of ethereal knowledge, and also blessing all those who meditate or worship it with wealth and renunciation.
The word ‘Rama’ on which yogis devote themselves is immeasurable and forever joyful and indicates Para Brahman itself.
The body has been ascribed to Para Brahman which is holy, without any second, which does not have any blemishes and which is bodiless, so that the worshippers are shown the path. 1
Similar to the whole banyan tree existing in the seed of the banyan tree, the entire world exists in the seed Rama. 2
Rama when incarnated shone along with Sita, who is nature herself, like the moon shining with its moonlight. He who was born to Mother Kousalya, was black in colour, wore yellow silk, had his hair made up, wore ear studs and chains of precious stones, had in his hand the bow, had two hands, had a very pleasant smiling face and was heroic and blessed with victory and ruled with the help of eight ministers lead by Drishti. He was keeping the Parameshwari who was the mother of the world, who was nature, who had two hands, who was well made up and was holding lotus flower in her hand, on his lap and lightly embracing her. 3
He with Sita formed a triangle with Lakshmana who was holding a bow in his hand and was golden in colour. The devas approached him who was sitting below the wish giving tree in the form of a triangle and prayed, Our salutations to you, who is personification of passion and illusion and also a god primeval to Vedas. Our salutations to the Raghu Veera, who killed Ravana, who is drowned in joy by keeping Goddess Lakshmi on his chest, who is the personification of all souls, who is an ornament to the body of Janaki (daughter of Janaka), who killed Rakshasas, who is very handsome and who is personification of all that is good. 4
The devas further told Hey, the killer of Ravana, please give us your protection and your grace. Then they were with him and became very happy. 5
On his left with Satrugna, on his right with Bharata and on his front Hanuman who was listening to his advices, there was another triangle. Below Bharata was Sugreeva and below him was Vibheeshana. Behind him Lakshmana was holding an umbrella and below him Vibheeshana and Sugreeva were holding fans made of palm leaves. This was another inverted triangle. So the long armed Lord Rama who was shining was meditating in between this figure with six vertices. This is the first row surrounding him. The second is surrounded by Vasudeva and others (Santhi, Sankarshana, Sree Pradyumna, Saraswathi, Anirudha and Rathi) as well as fire and others in different directions. Third is surrounded by Hanuman, Sugreeva, Bharata, Vibheeshana, Lakshmana, Angada, Jambhavan, Satrugna as well as Drushti, Jayantha, Vijaya, Surashtra, Rashtra Vardhana, Ashoka, Darmapala and Sumandra.
Fourth is surrounded by the 10 dig-balakas (protectors of directions) viz., Indra, Agni (fire God), Yama (god of death), Nirruthi, Varuna, Chandra, Isana, Brahma and Anantha. Fifth is beyond the Dig-balakas and consists of their principal arms viz., Vajra, Shakthi, Danda, Vara, Pasa, Angusa, Gada, Soola, Madma and chakra; these should be worshipped.
Sixth: After the arms, Neela and other monkeys. Vasishta, Vamadeva and other sages worship him. He should be meditated and worshipped. 6
Thus worship Sri Rama who has the form which is the foundation of this world and who is forever joyful. All people who worship him as the one carrying mace, sword, conch and lotus and who is known as the one who removes births and deaths will attain salvation.
Thus ends the Sri Rama Poorva Tapaniya Upanishad.