The Adhyatma Upanishad, often associated with the Shukla Yajurveda, begins by introducing the shanti mantra, 'purnamadah,' and narrates its transmission through sages. It was originally revealed to the sage Apantaratamas, who passed it on to Brahma. Brahma, in turn, entrusted it to Ghora Angiras, and the lineage continued with Raikva, Rama, and ultimately to all living beings. Adhyatma Upanishad is sometimes also referred to as the Turiyatita Avadhuta Upanishad.
The Upanishad's core teachings are referred to as
'nirvana anushasanam,' meaning the 'command concerning final emancipation.'
Comprising 70 verses in the shloka meter, the text lacks subdivisions but
follows a logical order. It commences by describing the Innermost Self or
Adhyatman, also known as Narayana, present within all things and beings,
controlling them from within. It emphasizes that individuals identify with the
body and senses due to ignorance-induced superimposition, urging us to overcome
this through devotion to Brahman and discrimination, mirroring Advaita Vedanta
principles (v. 2-11).
The Upanishad then portrays the atman-Brahman principle as
singular and undivided (v. 12-27) and discusses renunciation leading to
self-realization and inner peace (v. 28-29). The text establishes the identity
between the jiva (individual soul) and Brahman, emphasizing the importance of
shravana (hearing), manana (reflection), nididhyasana (meditation), and their
culmination in samadhi (superconscious experience) (v. 30-35).
The concept of 'dharma-megha-samadhi,' the samadhi leading
to liberation (kaivalya), is elucidated (v. 36-43), followed by a vivid
portrayal of the jivanmukta, one liberated even while in the physical body (v.
44-47). The Upanishad explains that the knowledge of the atman eradicates
accumulated karmas, except for prarabdha-karma, which must be experienced and
cannot affect the liberated soul (v. 48-60).
The Upanishad concludes with a poetic depiction of the
personal experiences of the jivanmukta (v. 61-69).