श्री अरविन्दोपनिषद् śrī aravindopaniṣad

(Introducing śrī aravindopaniṣad with word by word meaning and explanatory notes)

Introduction
In the realm of philosophical works inspired by the ancient Upanishads, one gem shines forth, authored by Sri Aurobindo and later known as ‘śrī aravindopaniṣad’. This small yet profound masterpiece conveys the essence of Sri Aurobindo's philosophical vision in just 27 lines, reminiscent of the wisdom and eloquence found in the timeless Upanishadic texts. This small text is all about the divine play of All-Blissful Existence.
 
Reverently preserved within a substantial notebook employed by Sri Aurobindo during the years around 1912-13, this profound work encompasses his insightful commentaries on the Upanishads and other writings.
 
Initially unnamed in the manuscript, this wonderful creation was unveiled to the world with an English translation in December 1978 through the scholarly repository known as Sri Aurobindo: Archives and Research. Adorned with the title "ekamevādvitīyam brahma" which translates to "Brahman, one without a second," it commences with the timeless utterance that embodies its essence. Furthermore, it embraces the subtitle ‘Śrīaravindopajñā Upaniṣad’, inviting recognition as a newfound Upanishad, with Sri Aurobindo as its Rishi or seer.
 
At its core, ‘śrī aravindopaniṣad’ resolutely proclaims that the world we inhabit is not an illusion or a mere dream; it is as real and true as the very Brahman, the ultimate reality that underpins all existence. In this extraordinary work, Sri Aurobindo reveals that what appears to be suffering, weakness, and ignorance in this world is, in truth, the play of divine bliss itself—a profound perspective that challenges conventional perceptions of human suffering.
 
According to Sri Aurobindo, the living beings, known as jivas, are none other than the all-blissful Divine in disguise, descended into this self-luminous World-Brahman to revel in the divine play of existence. The omnipotent and omniscient Brahman alone possesses the capacity to embrace all suffering and ignorance while remaining eternally blissful and powerful. The root of our perceived limitations lies in ignorance, which stems from the illusionary ego. Yet, when one transcends the ego, ignorance dissipates, leading to liberation from suffering—a state of all-encompassing bliss.
 
The liberated soul, having realized its infinite and all-blissful nature, enjoys the world without attachment, basking in boundless joy while perceiving the finite and infinite as inseparable aspects of the divine play. Such liberation, or moksha, is the ultimate goal—one that enables the individual to revel in the enjoyment of all existence while being united with the divine in an unbreakable bond of blissful union.
 
Śrī aravindopaniṣad’ expounds that the all-blissful Brahman has created this world for a grand play, a divine lila. It invites the sons of bliss (humankind) to engage wholeheartedly in this divine play and experience the ultimate enjoyment of life. The key lies in recognizing the omnipresence of the Divine in all things and embracing it as the sole source of enjoyment, thereby illuminating the darkness of ignorance with the radiant light of divine bliss.
 
In this introduction, we embark on an exploration of śrī aravindopaniṣad — a work born from the profound spiritual realizations of Sri Aurobindo. Through its succinct yet profound verses, this Upanishad beckons readers to partake in the joyous celebration of existence, urging them to remove the veils of ignorance and embrace the all-encompassing bliss that lies within and beyond the world we perceive. As we delve into the essence of this Upanishad, we are invited to glimpse the cosmic drama unfolding, where suffering and joy are but facets of the Divine's eternal play.
 
Here, an attempt is made to introduce this Upanishad Mantra by Mantra with word-by-word explanations and annotations.
 
Mantra 1
ॐ। एकमेवाद्वितीयं ब्रह्म सदसद्रूपं सदसदतीतं नान्यत् किञ्चिदस्ति त्रिकालधृतं त्रिकालातीतं वा सर्वन्तु खलु ब्रह्मैकं यत् किञ्च जगत्यामणु वा महद्वोदारं वानुदारं वा ब्रह्मैव तद् ब्रह्मैव जगदपि ब्रह्म सत्यं न मिथ्या॥
 
Transliteration
om| ekamevādvitīyaṁ brahma sadasadrūpaṁ sadasadatītaṁ nānyat kiñcidasti trikāladhṛtaṁ trikālātītaṁ vā sarvantu khalu brahmaikaṁ yat kiñca jagatyāmaṇu vā mahadvodāraṁ vānudāraṁ vā brahmaiva tad brahmaiva jagadapi brahma satyaṁ na mithyā||
 
Translation
OM. There is Brahman alone, the One without a second. Being and non-being are its forms and it is also beyond Being and Non-Being. There is nothing else except That. All that is contained in the three times and all that is beyond the three times is indeed that One Brahman alone. Whatever is in the universe, small or large, noble or mean, is Brahman alone, Brahman alone. The world is also Brahman. It is true, not false.
 
Word by Word Meaning
एकम् - ekam - the One; एव - eva - alone; अद्वितीयम् - advitīyam - without a second; ब्रह्म - brahma - the Brahman; तत् - tat - that; सत्-असत्-रूपम् - sat-asat-rūpam - he with being and non-being its forms; सत्-असत्-अतीतम् - sat-asat-atītam - one beyond Being and Non-Being; तद् बिहाय - tad bihāya - except That; अन्यत् किञ्चित् न अस्ति - anyat kiñcit na asti - there is nothing else; त्रिकालधृतम् - trikāladhṛtam - all that is contained in the three times; त्रिकालातीतम् वा - trikālātītam vā - and all that is beyond the three times is; सर्वम् तु - sarvam tu - all that is; खलु - khalu - indeed; एकम् ब्रह्म - ekam brahma - that One Brahman alone; जगत्याम् - jagatyām - in the universe;  यत् किञ्च - yat kiñca - whatever is; अणु वा - aṇu vā - small;  महत् वा - mahat vā - or large;  उदारम् वा - udāram vā - noble; अनुदारम् वा - anudāram vā - or mean; तत् ब्रह्म एव - tat brahma eva - is Brahman alone; ब्रह्म एव - brahma eva - Brahman alone;जगत् अपि ब्रह्म - jagat api brahma - the world is also Brahman; तत् सत्यम् - tat satyam - it is true;  न मिथ्या - na mithyā - not false.
 
Commentary
The mantra encapsulates profound insights into the nature of Brahman, the ultimate reality. Let us delve into its meaning and explore Sri Aurobindo's philosophy 
 
The mantra begins with the sacred syllable "Om," representing the primordial sound and the eternal vibration underlying all existence. It establishes an auspicious and meditative tone for the exploration of truth.
 
The first statement proclaims that Brahman, the supreme reality, is singular and without a second. It signifies the essential unity that pervades all creation, emphasizing that there is no fundamental duality or separation in the ultimate reality.
 
The mantra continues by stating that Brahman encompasses both being and non-being. It highlights the transcendent nature of Brahman, which exists beyond conventional notions of existence and non-existence. Brahman is not limited by the dichotomy of these concepts, but rather encompasses both simultaneously, surpassing all relative distinctions. This realization challenges our limited understanding and invites us to expand our perception of reality.
 
Moreover, the mantra asserts that Brahman is beyond the constraints of time. It encompasses the past, present, and future, transcending the limitations of temporal existence. Brahman is the timeless essence from which all manifestations arise and into which they ultimately dissolve. This understanding encourages us to move beyond the limited perspective of linear time and recognize the eternal nature of Brahman.
 
The mantra further declares that everything in the universe, irrespective of its size, nobility, or insignificance, is nothing but Brahman alone. It emphasizes the all-pervading nature of Brahman, suggesting that there is no aspect of creation that exists separate from Brahman. This realization invites us to perceive the divine essence in all things, recognizing the inherent unity and interconnectedness of existence.
 
Sri Aurobindo's philosophy embraces the concept of integral spirituality, which seeks to harmonize the transcendent and the immanent, the timeless and the temporal. It encourages individuals to realize their inherent divinity and manifest it in their everyday lives. Sri Aurobindo believed that the world is not an illusion or a mere appearance but a real manifestation of the divine. This perspective aligns with the mantra's affirmation that the world is indeed Brahman and that Brahman alone is true, not false.
 
In summary, this opening mantra of the śrī aravindopaniṣad embodies the profound wisdom of Sri Aurobindo's philosophy. It invites us to transcend limited notions of duality, time, and existence, and recognize the unity and divinity that permeates all creation. By realizing our essential oneness with Brahman, we can awaken to a higher consciousness and live in harmony with the inherent truth of the universe.

- Sampadananda Mishra (India)