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Taittiriya Upanishad Teachings On Meditation And Its Benefits

 As per Taittiriya Upanishad, the truth is to be one with Brahman. In order to discover and realize Brahman, one has to do dhyana or meditation. A person seeking the eternal truth must practice self control and discipline in food habits and in his conduct in life. If a person leads this kind of life, then the ultimate truth will be revealed to him through the power of tapas or intense meditation.

Taittiriya Upanishad in its analysis of man says that the self has different sheaths. The first is the physical sheath of the body, which is made up of the essence of food. Hence it is called annamaya or that which is composed of food. The second sheath is subtler and is made up of the prana or the life principle. This sheath is known as pranamaya as it constitutes the prana or the life energy. The third sheath is known as manomaya, which is made up of the manas or mind. The fourth sheath is called vijnanamaya, which is made up of intelligence. The fifth sheath, called anandamaya, is the sheath of bliss. It is the innermost, blissful self.

Bhriguvalli, the third and last section of Taittiriya Upanishad, contains the teachings that were passed on to Bhrigu by his father, Varuna.

Varuna says to Brahman – that from which these things originate, through which when once they originate they live, in which after having departed or separated they enter again – explore that and that is Brahman. On hearing this, Bhrigu performs tapas (austerities) and comprehends Brahman in an increasing internalization as food, the vital breath, the mind, knowledge and finally bliss. Bhrigu comprehends Brahman as food because the origin of all creation is from food. Then having originated, they live on food and then depart, only to enter into the world again.

Varuna says that food indeed is the earth, and the eater of food is the space (ether). He who knows that food is founded on food gets well established, he becomes rich in food, he becomes the eater of food, and he becomes great in progeny, cattle and in Sanatan splendor and great in renown. One should learn to adore, honor and respect food for it is not only the basis of creation but will lead a person to immense knowledge.