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Task 18 (cosmetic): eval 11 templates: del empty params (1×); hyphenate params (3×); del |ref=harv (3×); cvt lang vals (1×);

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{{italic title}}
{{Infobox Upanishad
| image = Vrai ou faux Sadhu ? (Orchha) (8450517857).jpg
| caption = A Shaiva sadhu marked with Bhasma lines
| name = Brihajjabala
| Devanagari = बृहजजाबाल
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Bṛhajjābāla
| meaning = Great Jabala
| composition_date = late medieval era
| type = Shaiva{{Sfn|Tinoco|1997|pp=87-88}}
| Veda = [[Atharvaveda]]
| chapters = 8
}}
{{Saivism}}
The '''''Brihajjabala Upanishad''''' ({{lang-sa|बृहज्जाबाल उपिनषद}}, {{IAST|Bṛhajjābāla}}) is one of the minor [[Upanishad]]s, written in [[Sanskrit]] language. This [[Hindu text]] is attached to the ''[[Atharvaveda]]'',<ref>{{Citation|title=An outline of the religious literature of India|first=John Nicol|last=Farquhar|publisher=H. Milford, Oxford university press|year=1920|isbn=81-208-2086-X|page=364}}</ref> and is one of 14 [[Shaiva]] Upanishads.{{Sfn|Tinoco|1997|pp=87-88}}

It describes the process of producing [[Vibhuti]] (Bhasma), or sacred ash, methods of using it for [[tilaka]] [[Tripundra]] on various parts of the body, and its meaning in Shaivism. The text also mentions [[Rudraksha]] as prayer beads.

[[Klaus Klostermaier]] classifies the ''Brihajjabala Upanishad'' along with the ''[[Bhasmajabala Upanishad]]'', the ''[[Rudrakshajabala Upanishad]]'', the ''[[Kalagni Rudra Upanishad]]'' and the ''[[Akshamalika Upanishad]]'' as Shaiva texts that explain symbolism of rites and objects of worship in Shaivism.{{Sfn|Klostermaier|1984|pp=134, 371}}

It is also spelled as '''''Brihad jabala Upanishad''''', '''''Brihajjabalopanishad''''' and '''''Brihat Jabala Upanishad'''''.

==History==
The date of composition and the author of this text are unknown. It is likely a late medieval, post-12th century era Upanishad and it is neither part of the 17th century compilation of 50 important Hindu Upanishads published by Mughal era [[Dara Shikoh]], nor part of the 18th-century anthology of 52 popular Upanishads in North India published by [[Henry Thomas Colebrooke|Colebrooke]], nor is it found in the ''Bibliotheca Indica'' anthology of popular Upanishads in South India by Narayana.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=558-564}}

In a [[Telugu language]] [[anthology]] of 108 Upanishads of the [[Muktika]] in the modern era, narrated by [[Rama]] to [[Hanuman]], it is listed at serial number 26.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=556-557}}

==Contents==
The ''Brihajjabala Upanishad'' is divided into 8 chapters called ''Brahmana''s. It is presented as a conversation between Sage Bhusunda, a descendant of Sage Jabali (thus called Jabala) - identified with Sage [[Sanatkumara]] in the text, and Kalagni Rudra, a destructive form of the god [[Shiva]] who is identified with [[Bhairava]].<ref name="ramachander">{{cite web | url=http://www.celextel.org/upanishads/atharva_veda/brihadjabala.html | title=Brihad Jabala Upanishad | publisher=Vedanta Spiritual Library | access-date=21 January 2015 | author=P. R. Ramachander}}</ref><ref name="sastri">{{cite web | url=http://www.shaivam.org/english/sen-brihat-jabalopanishad.htm | title=BRIHAT JABALOPANISHAT | access-date=21 January 2015 | author=R. A. Sastri}}</ref>

In the first ''Brahmana'', Sage Bhusunda requests Kalagni Rudra to tell him about [[vibhuti]] (sacred ash). The god directs him to the text written by Sage [[Pippalada]] on the issue. Bhusunda insists to be told the knowledge of the Brihajjabala (the Great Jabala) scripture. Kalagni Rudra tells about five types of sacred ash: Vibhuti, Bhasita, Bhasma, Kshara, and Raksha. Each ash is associated with a form of Shiva, a [[mahabhuta]] (classical element), a Power (Kala), a cow and her dung. The form of Shiva is described to create an element from his face. From the element, rises a power, which in turn creates a different-coloured cow from whose dung, the sacred ash is created. Further, the origins of the name of the sacred ash are given.<ref name="ramachander"/><ref name="sastri"/>
{|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Sacred Ash'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Form of Shiva'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Element'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Power'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Cow'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Colour of cow'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Significance'''
|-
| Vibhuti||[[Sadyojata]]||[[Prithvi]] (Earth)||Nivritti, retirement from worldly pleasures||Nanda ||golden||Cause of prosperity
|-
| Bhasita||[[Vamadeva]]||[[Ap (water)]]||Pratishtha ||Bhadra||black||Since it shines
|-
| Bhasma||[[Bhairava|Aghora]]||[[Agni]] (Fire)||Vidya, knowledge||Surabhi ||red||Destroys sins
|-
| Kshara||[[Tatpurusha]]||[[Vayu]] (Air)||Shanti, peace||Sushila||white||Drives away dangers
|-
| Raksha||[[Ishana]]||[[Akasha]] (Ether)||Santyatita, ||Sumana||multi-coloured||Protects from fears
|-
|
|}

[[File:Making of Vibudhi.png|thumb|Cow dung being burnt to create Bhasma.]]
In the second ''Brahmana'', the sage asks about ''Bhasma snana'' (bathing in sacred ash), which is the form of Agni (Fire) and [[Soma (deity)|Soma]] (Elixir of the gods, [[Moon]]). The interdependence of the opposites Agni and Soma is told. Agni is symbolized by Kalagni Rudra or Shiva, while Soma complements it as [[Shakti]], Shiva's consort. Bhasma is equated to Agni, while water is Soma. Together, they constitute ''Bhasma snana''. Mantras related to smearing of the Bhasma on the body are given. One who observes this ritual is said to attain [[Moksha|mukti]] (liberation). One who burns himself by Shiva's Agni and cools himself by drops of Soma by the method of [[yoga]] is said to become immortal.<ref name="ramachander"/><ref name="sastri"/>

In the third ''Brahmana'', Bhusunda inquires about the method of making sacred ash. The characteristics of the cow whose dung can be used are listed. Dung of brown cow is considered most appropriate. The urine of a cow is suggested to be mixed in the dung. The rituals of extracting of the dung like worship of cow, collecting the urine and dung from its source before touching the ground and associated mantras are told. The mantras for mixing dung with urine, drying balls of the mixture and burning the dried balls are told. The balls are burnt for three days in a [[Homa (ritual)|Homa]] (fire-sacrifice), which is fuelled with corn chaff. On fourth day, the ash is extracted and mixed with perfume water or cow urine and various powders like sandalwood, [[kumkum]] and so forth. Finally, cakes of this mixture are dried and used as ''Bhasma''. Four types of Bhasma which grant salvation are listed. Anukalpa is the result of [[Agnihotra]] and [[Virujanala]] fire sacrifices. Upakalpa is created by burning dried cow dung from the forest according to the directives of the ''[[Grhya Sutras|Grihya Sutra]] texts. Upopakalpa is made by burning cow dung with cow urine according to the directives of the [[Kalpa (Vedanga)|Kalpa]] scriptures. Akalpa is obtained from Shiva temples.<ref name="ramachander"/><ref name="sastri"/>

In the fourth ''Brahmana'', the seer asks about the method of ''Bhasma snana'' ("ash-bath"), smearing one with Bhasma. Kalagni Rudra tells about two types: Malasnana (bathing for dirt removal) and Vidhisnana (bathing by rituals). Malasnana is application of Bhasma on the entire body; mantras for application on the body are told. Vidhisnana is application of the Bhasma on specific parts of the body like head, face, chest, feet and "secret parts" (groin). The mantras for the same are listed. Further, times when the Bhasma snana should be done are told, e.g. twilight, after eating, after touching a woman, cat, eagle etc. While worshipping gods, the guru, sages or approaching the sacred fire or in places of impurity, the [[Tripundra]], the Shaiva [[tilaka]] in form of three horizontal lines of ash, are recommended to be applied. Bhusunda probes about the rules of Tripundra further. The Tripundra is prescribed by Kalagni Rudra to be applied on 32, 16, 8 or 5 spots on the body, which are listed along with the presiding deities of those locations. Instead of the complete ''Bhasma snana'', Tripundra can be applied to the elbows, forearms, back, head, and forehead; the mantras, presiding deities of application on each part as well as the sin which is destroyed by the application on the specific part, is told. For example, applying the mantra on the chest/heart is done by invoking the fire-god Agni and is said to destroy sins committed by the mind.<ref name="ramachander"/><ref name="sastri"/>

[[File:Sadhu Vârânasî.jpg|thumb|A [[Shaivite|Shaiva]] sadhu with the Tripundra on the forehead and wearing Rudraksha necklaces.]]
The fifth ''Brahmana'' continues with Kalagni Rudra's reply on the Tripundra. The caste rules about the Bhasma are described, followed by rules of the Bhasma to the four stages of life ([[Ashrama (stage)]]). Each is prescribed to acquire Bhasma from a different sacred flame. The Bhasma from Shiva temples can be used by all. The glories of the Bhasma are then sung. Bhasma is said to destroy various sins. The ill-effects of not wearing the Tripundra on the forehead are informed. Insult of the Tripundra is said to be insult of Shiva. The ''Brihajjabala Upanishad'' repetitively emphasizes the importance of wearing the Tripundra and Bhasma-snana, enumerating its merits.<ref name="ramachander"/><ref name="sastri"/>

In the sixth ''Brahmana'', the sage questions about the five types of Bhasma, Vibhuti et al. mentioned in the first ''Brahmana''. Kalagni Rudra narrates a tale. A [[Brahmin]] Karuna in the family of Sage [[Vashistha]] was cursed to be a fly and was killed by his brother. Karuna's wife Suchismita went to [[Arundhati (Hinduism)|Arundhati]], the wife of Vashistha, with his husband's fly corpse. Arundhati resurrected Karuna with Bhasma. After 100 years, he killed by another relative, but was again revived with the Bhasma. In another tale, the gods are rescued from the sin of lusting after [[Ahalya]] (wife of Sage [[Gautama Maharishi|Gautama]]), by Sage [[Durvasa]] by the Bhasma. Another incident is told when the god [[Vishnu]] smeared himself with Bhasma on advice of Shiva, who tells Vishnu about the greatness of Bhasma.<ref name="ramachander"/><ref name="sastri"/>

The seventh ''Brahmana'' starts with the conversation between King [[Janaka]] and Sage [[Yajnavalkya]], where Janaka questions the sage about Tripundra and Bhasma. Janaka and Sage [[Pippalada]] then approach the god [[Brahma]] to learn more about the Tripundra. Pippalada then asks the same to Vishnu and Kalagni Rudra. The merits of wearing Bhasma are retold. Sanatkumara then asks Kalagni Rudra about the sacred [[Rudraksha]], followed by a short reply on greatness of the Rudraksha.<ref name="ramachander"/><ref name="sastri"/>

The eighth ''Brahmana'' in tradition of the Upanishads is about the merits of the Upanishad, about which Bhusunda asks. One who studies the ''Brihajjabala'' daily is purified by and gains powers of various deities, is absolved of various sins, becomes a conqueror of worlds, and gets the merit of studying various scriptures. Reading this Upanishad is told to be superior to the [[Atharvashikha Upanishad]] and the [[Nrisimha Tapaniya Upanishad]]. He is said to attain the Supreme Abode of the All-pervading God.<ref name="ramachander"/><ref name="sastri"/>

==Commentary==
The ''Brihajjabala Upanishad'' describes many rituals of the [[Pashupata]] sect of Shaivism. Bhasma, sacred ash, is equated to ''[[Ātman (Hinduism)|atman]]'' (Soul) and ''[[antratman]]'' (Inner Soul). The rituals of Bhasma-snana (ash-bath) and application of Tripundra, instead of the ash-bath are significant Shaiva practices.<ref name="Parmeshwaranand2004">{{cite book|author=Swami Parmeshwaranand|title=Encyclopaedia of the Śaivism|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_HQvbJDacNDMC|year=2004|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-427-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_HQvbJDacNDMC/page/n202 196]}}</ref>

The ''Bhasma Jabala Upanishad'' like the ''Brihajjabala Upanishad'' lauds the Bhasma. However, there are some differences in the rituals described in both the Upanishads. The former recommends the ash be applied to neck, cheeks, eyes, mouth, elbows, wrists, shoulders, heart (chest), navel and palms, while this Upanishad prescribes the ash to mainly five parts: forehead, feet, thighs and genitals.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sacred Hindu Symbols|year=2001|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-397-7|pages=59–60}}</ref>



==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|last= Deussen|first=Paul| title=Sixty Upanishads of the Veda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYepeIGUY0gC&pg=PA779|year= 1997|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1467-7}}
*{{cite book|first=Klaus K.|last= Klostermaier|title=Mythologies and Philosophies of Salvation in the Theistic Traditions of India|year= 1984|publisher=Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press|isbn=978-0-88920-158-3}}
*{{cite book |last=Kramrisch |first=Stella |title=The Presence of Śiva |url=https://archive.org/details/presenceofsiva0000kram|url-access=registration|year=1981 |publisher=Princeton University Press |location=Princeton, New Jersey |isbn=978-8120804913 }}
*{{Cite web|url=http://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_upanishhat/brihajjabala.pdf |title= बृहज्जाबालोपनिषत् (Brihat-Jabala Upanishad)|access-date=28 January 2016| language = sa|last= Hattangadi| first= Sunder| year= 2000 }}
*{{cite book|last=Tinoco|first=Carlos Alberto|title=Upanishads|year=1997|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xoNEM63hZEC&pg=PA87|publisher=IBRASA|isbn=978-85-348-0040-2}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305140050/http://www.gayathrimanthra.com/contents/documents/Vedic-related/Brihajjabala_Upanishad.pdf Brihajjabala Upanishad] in Sanskrit

{{Mukhya Upanishads}}
{{Shaivism}}

[[Category:Upanishads]]
[[Category:Sanskrit texts]]

Brihajjabala Upanishad - Revision history

>Monkbot: Task 18 (cosmetic): eval 11 templates: del empty params (1×); hyphenate params (3×); del |ref=harv (3×); cvt lang vals (1×);