imported>Citation bot: Alter: isbn. Removed parameters. Upgrade ISBN10 to ISBN13. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | via #UCB_webform 764/975

2021-03-02T03:05:34Z

Alter: isbn. Removed parameters. Upgrade ISBN10 to ISBN13. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | via #UCB_webform 764/975

New page

{{italics title}}
{{Infobox Upanishad
| image = Shri Surya Bhagvan bazaar art, c.1940's.jpg
| caption = Sun God depicted riding his chariot
| Devanagari = सूर्य
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Sūrya
| meaning = The Sun God, the Supreme Light
| type = Samanya{{Sfn|Tinoco|1996|pp=87-88}}
| Veda = [[Atharvaveda]]{{Sfn|Tinoco|1996|pp=87-88}}
| chapters =
| verses =
}}
The '''''Surya Upanishad''''' ({{lang-sa| सूर्य उपनिषत्}}), or '''''Suryopanishad''''', is one of the minor [[Upanishad]]s of [[Hinduism]], written in [[Sanskrit]] language. It is among the 31 Upanishads associated with the [[Atharvaveda]], and one of the [[Samanya]] Upanishads.{{Sfn|Tinoco|1996|pp=87-88}}

In this Upanishad, Atharvangiras to whom the ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' is attributed, extols the virtues of [[Surya]], the Sun god, calling him the ultimate truth and reality [[Brahman]]. Surya, asserts the text, is the creator, protector, and destroyer of the universe,{{Sfn|Gajendragadkar|1959|pp=36–37}} and the Sun god is identical to one's [[Atman (Hinduism)|Atman]] (soul, self).{{Sfn|Ayyangar|1941|pp=523-524}}{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=1}}

==<ref>{{Cite book|last=Harrin, Elizabeth.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/86165932|title=Project management in the real world : shortcuts to success|date=2007|publisher=British Computer Society (BCS)|others=British Computer Society.|isbn=978-1-902505-81-7|location=Swindon, UK|oclc=86165932}}</ref>History==
The author and the century in which ''Surya Upanishad'' was composed are unknown. Manuscripts of this text are also found titled as ''Suryopanisad'' ({{lang-sa| सुर्योपनिषत्}}).{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000}}<ref name=vedlit582>Vedic Literature, Volume 1, {{Google books|2YIoAAAAYAAJ|A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts|page=PA582}}, Government of Tamil Nadu, Madras, India, pages 582-583</ref> In the Telugu language [[anthology]] of 108 Upanishads of the [[Muktika]] canon, narrated by [[Rama]] to [[Hanuman]], it is listed at number 71.{{Sfn|Deussen|1997|pp=556-557}}

==Contents==
The ''Surya Upanishad'' opens stating that its objective is to explain and state the Atharvaveda mantra for the Sun. Brahma is the source of the Surya mantra, asserts the text, its poetic meter is Gayatri, its god is Aditya (sun), it is [[Soham (Sanskrit)|Hamsas so’ham]] – literally, "I am he" – with Agni (fire), and Narayana (Vishnu) is the ''Bija'' (seed) of this mantra.{{Sfn|Ayyangar|1941|pp=523-524}} This mantra aims to remind and help win the reciter of the four worthy human goals – [[Dharma]] (ethics, duties to self and others, righteousness), [[Artha]] (prosperity, wealth, means of life), [[Kama]] (pleasure, emotions, love) and [[Moksha]] (liberation, freedom, spiritual values).{{Sfn|Ayyangar|1941|pp=523-524}}{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=1}}

{{Quote box
|quote ='''Surya'''
<poem>
From the Sun arise all beings.
The Sun sustains them all.
Into the Sun they all vanish.
What the Sun is,
that I am.
</poem>
|source = —''Surya Upanishad''{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=265-266}}{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=1}}
| bgcolor=#FFE0BB
|align = left
}}
The Surya, asserts the text, is same as Narayana, and he sits in a golden chariot pulled by seven horses, driving the wheel of time, bringing the promise of prosperity and the refuge from darkness.{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=266-267}}{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=1}} The text then references and quotes the hymn 3.62.10 of Rigveda, the [[Gayatri mantra]], namely, "[[Om]], earth, atmosphere and sky, we meditate on the resplendent splendor of the Sun, may he inspire our thoughts".{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=266-267}}{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=1}}

The Sun is the [[Atman (Hinduism)|Atman]] (soul) of the world, it is that which moves and does not move, it is the creator of living beings, it is the source of fuel to [[yajna]], it is the source of rains, food and drinks, states the Upanishad.{{Sfn|Ayyangar|1941|pp=525-526}}{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=267-268}}{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|pp=1-2}} Sun is the manifested form of the ultimate truth and reality [[Brahman]], asserts the text, identical to Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, of all the knowledge in Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda.{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=267-268}}

The Upanishad states that it is the Sun that gave birth to [[Vayu]] (air), ''Bhumi'' (earth), ''Apas'' (water), ''Jyoti, Tejas'' (light, fire), sky, directions, [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]] and the Vedas.{{Sfn|Ayyangar|1941|pp=526-527}}{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=2}} Sun warms the earth, Sun is the [[Brahman]], states the text.{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=267-268}}{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=2}}

Aditya, asserts the text, is another form of the ''antahkarana'' (inner organs of the body), the mind, the "intellect", the ego, the [[Prana]] (life force), the ''Apana'', the ''Samana'', the ''Vyana'' and the ''Udhana''.{{Sfn|Ayyangar|1941|pp=526-527}} Sun is the manifested principle behind all the five sense organs and the five motor organs in living beings, states ''Surya Upanishad''.{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=267-268}}{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=2}}

Anandamayo (bliss), Jnanamayo (knowledge) and Vijnanamayo (wisdom) is Sun, states the text. He shines, he protects, asserts the ''Surya Upanishad'', he energizes the birth of all creatures, unto him do all creatures return ultimately, to him I salute.{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=2}}{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=268-269}} I am Surya himself, and divine Savitir is my eye. May his knowledge inspire us, may his omnipresence guide us and protect us.{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|p=2}}{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=268-269}}

The [[Om]] is Brahman, state the closing verses of the Upanishad, and it is of single syllable. ''Ghrini'' and ''Surya'' are two syllables, while ''Aditya'' is three syllables. Together they make the eight syllable Atharvaangiras Surya mantra, asserts the text.{{Sfn|Hattangadi|2000|pp=2-3}}{{Sfn|Warrier|1967|p=269-270}}{{Sfn|Ayyangar|1941|p=528}} The closing lines of the text assert that a person should study and recite this text thrice, at sunrise, at midday and at sunset, thereby he overcomes his sins, learns what is important in the [[Vedas]] and overcomes [[samsara]].{{Sfn|Ayyangar|1941|pp=528-529}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
*{{Cite book | title = The Samanya Vedanta Upanisads | publisher = Jain Publishing (Reprint 2007) | isbn = 978-0895819833 |first = T. R. Srinivasa | last= Ayyangar |year = 1941 | oclc = 27193914 }}
*{{cite book|last= Deussen|first=Paul| title=Sixty Upanishads of the Veda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYepeIGUY0gC&pg=PA556|year= 1997| publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1467-7}}
*{{cite book|last= Gajendragadkar |first=K. V. |title=Neo-upanishadic Philosophy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6olLAAAAIAAJ|year=1959|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan}}
*{{Cite web|url=http://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_upanishhat/suryopan.pdf |title= सूर्योपनिषत् (Surya Upanishad)| access-date=6 March 2016| language = Sanskrit| last= Hattangadi| first= Sunder | year= 2000 }}
*{{cite book| title=The Samanya Vedanta Upanishads with the commentary of Sri Upanishad-Brahma-Yogin| editor= AM Sastri | publisher=Adyar Library (Reprinted 1970) |language= Sanskrit |year= 1921| hdl= 2027/mdp.39015065237664 }}
*{{cite book|last=Tinoco|first=Carlos Alberto|title=Upanishads | year=1996| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xoNEM63hZEC&pg=PA88 |publisher=IBRASA|isbn=978-85-348-0040-2}}
*{{cite book|first=AG Krishna|last=Warrier|title=Sāmanya Vedānta Upaniṣads |year=1967|oclc= 29564526 |isbn= 978-8185141077|publisher=Adyar Library and Research Center }}

{{Mukhya Upanishads}}
{{Hindudharma}}

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

Surya Upanishad - Revision history

imported>Citation bot: Alter: isbn. Removed parameters. Upgrade ISBN10 to ISBN13. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | via #UCB_webform 764/975