Advaya Taaraka Upanishad

Advaya Taaraka Upanishad is otherwise known as

Advayatarakopanishad. It is the 53rd Upanishad of Muktika Order. It is
one among the 19 Upanishads of Shukla Yajur Veda and one among
the 20 Yoga Upanishads. It is a notable fact the It is composed of prose
and poetic verses dislike other Upanishads which are composed of
poetic verses only.

Advaya in Sanskrit indicates the oneness or the non-dual. Taaraka

indicates rescue, liberate or deliver. Advaya Taaraka Upanishad
means the Upanishad of the non-dual that liberates.
For the sake of the aspirant who has controlled his senses and is having
the six qualities of Sama (mental equilibrium), Dama (Self-control over
actions), Uparati (tolerance), Titikaa (happiness), Samadhana (one-
pointedness) and Shraddha (unconditional faith), we hereby explain
Advaya Taaraka Upanishad.

What is Taaraka?
Taaraka is named as such because it enables one to dispel the fear
of being stuck in the cycle of prenatal existence, birth, old age and
death. Abnegating all perceptible things by rejecting as “not this”,
and “not this”, one arrives at a final remaining. That final remaining is
the Non-dual Brahman. Then comes the realisation that Jiva and
Isvara are the results of illusion.

Modes of Attainment
Three ways are available for the attainment.
· External Focus
· Internal Focus
· Intermediate Focus

Internal Focus
Sushumna Nadi which is known as Nadi of Brahman exists in the middle
of the body with the radiance of Sun and the moon. It originates from
Muladhara and extends up to Brahma Randhra. Somewhere in the
midway between the two, the celebrated Kundalini exists with the
radiance of the multitudes of lightning and in a tender form like a
thread of a lotus stalk. The mere sight of it through the mind will make
the yogi free from all the sins. If in the exercise of Taaraka Yoga, it is
seen through Ajna Chakra constantly, he becomes a Siddha or an
adept.

When the two ear-holes are blocked by the tips of the forefingers, a
sound resembling “poo” is generated. If the mind is attuned with this
and his internal sight is directed towards the centre of the eyes, he
sees a blue radiance there. Having seen, he succeeds in internal
Focus which results in a bliss of wonderful quality. Likewise in his heart.
This is how the internal Focus is practised by the yogi who is seeking
liberation.

External Focus
If one sees the colour of blue with a bordering of indigo, then, blood
red and orange at the ethereal space in front of his nose at a distance
of four, six, eight, ten and twelve Angulas, he becomes an adept.

When he directs his sight towards the ethereal sky or cast his eyes
sideways, an adept yogi can see the beam of radiance in
resemblance of molten gold in his range of vision. When such sight is
fixed at a distance of 12 Angulas, he becomes immortal. Wherever he
is, the radiance is seen over his head.

Intermediate Focus

Here comes the intermediate Focus. At day-break, the yogi sees the
disc of the sun with multicolored beams of fire and the mid-ethereal
region without these. He stands with the form identical to mid ether
region. By constant practice of this, the ether devoid of qualities
ensues. The deep darkness of the ether comes into the lightening
radiance of Taaraka form. The ether radiates and shines like a
cascade of fire. It shines like the effulgence of thousands of suns. Then
the five others, both external and internal, are visible to the Focus of
the Taaraka Yogi. On seeing it, he is released from qualities like that
the ether. Hence this Focus of Taaraka makes the yogi attain non-
mindedness.

Kinds of Taaraka

Taaraka consists of two stages. The first is with mind and the second
one being the without mind.

It can also be said that this type of yoga is two-fold on the basis of
methods used and goals reached. The former one is Taaraka and the
latter one is the Amanasaka or non-mindedness. (Note: Focus is not
possible without the mind. We know, Taaraka involves three types of
Focuses which result in Non-mindedness. We have to use the mind to
attain non-mindedness.)
The Sun and the moon in the universe are reflected in the pupils of
eyes. These two pairs of solar and lunar discs as reflected in the eyes
should be contemplated as the same with the Sun and moon of the
universe. With such contemplation, it is not possible for the play of
senses. Hence Taaraka is possible only with e.

Another classification of Taaraka is Murti-Taaraka and Amurti Taaraka.

That which involves the sense is Murti-Taaraka and that transcends the
eye-brows is Amurti Taaraka. (Note: Murti Taaraka involves mind and
senses whereas Amurti Taaraka involves the mind alone). In both
cases mind is involved. With Taarakas, the Sat-Chit-Ananda or the
Brahman is found. Hence Brahman is knowable by means of Focus
with the help of the eye of the mind. It holds good for Amurti Taaraka
also. With mind only it is possible to know about Dhakarasa and other
minute types of ether. Only by the eyes and mind along with Atman,
these subtle perceptions, internal or external, are achieved. Hence
Focus with the aid of mind is the prerequisite for the manifestation of
Taaraka.

Murti-Taaraka

Radiance manifests when one focuses the sight in between the

eyebrows. This is Taaraka. By conjoining the mind with the radiance,
he should carefully lift the eyebrows a little above. This is Murti-
Taaraka.

Amurti-Taaraka
Above the root of the palate, a great effulgence of light is there. This
should be meditated upon by the yogis which bestow with
supernatural powers like Anima and the like.

Shambhavi Mudra
In both of the Focuses, the eyes are devoid of the power of opening
and closing. This Mudra is known as Shambhavi Mudra (Mudra of
Sambhu or Lord Siva). Being the residence of yogis assuming this
Mudra, the Earth has become holy. By their mere look, all the worlds
become holy. Those who have got the opportunity of worshipping
such yogis become liberated.

The outcome of Internal Focus

The radiance of the Internal Focus is of its own (non-dual) Form. By the
instructions of the competent Guru or Acharya, the Internal Focus
becomes the radiance of the thousand petalled-lotus (Sahasradala
Padma) or the effulgence of Cit (glory of consciousness) hidden in the
cavity of Buddhi (Intelligence part of the mind) or the Turya-
Chaitanya (the fourth consciousness) abiding in the sodasanta (Note:
Sodasanta is the sixteenth end which is situated at the sixteenth
Angula from the Crest wherein Turya-Chaitanya resides). It depends
the grace of the Guru.

Who is a Guru or Acharya?

Guru is one who is well-versed in Vedas, is a worshipper of Lord Vishnu,
is free from spiteful qualities, knows yoga, stands on the path of yoga,
is always in yoga, is a pure one, has devotion to his Guru and has
special knowledge of Purusa.
The syllable “Gu” indicates darkness and “ru” indicates dispeller. Guru,
being the dispeller of darkness, is named as such.
Guru is Brahman only. He alone is the Supreme goal. He alone is the
wisdom that transcends. He alone is the last resort.

He alone is the limit at the extreme end. He alone is the greatest

wealth. For the reason that he teaches THAT (the non-dual Brahman),
he is considered as being greater than all the Gurus.

Benefits of studying this Upanishad

One, who causes to read this Upanishad even once, is delivered from
the cycle of births and deaths. At once, all of his sins accumulated
over the births are destroyed. The desires of his heart become a reality.
He knows this attains the ultimate aim of the human existence.