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Svetasvatara Upanisad
The Svetasvatara Upanisad, like the Katha, to which it is clearly related,
is an Upanisad of the Black Yajurveda. It is called after the teacher mentioned
in SU VI.21, whose name means 'Possessing white mules'- symbolically, perhaps,
'having pure faculties: cp. The chariot simile in SU II.9 and in Katha III.3-7.
Apart from the introductory line it is all in verse, though the metre is somewhat
irregular. In contrast to the katha, it has no ritual content: it comes from
a community of ascetics who have left the household life and its rituals behind
(SU VI.21). Nor is there a frame-story: the format, in which the teaching is
the answer to a question asked at the start, in reminiscent of the Kena.
Its philosophy is a form of purusa and emanates from the dual principles of
purusa and prakrti, 'spirit and matter', or (since prakrti is an active principles
with its theistic world-view by subordinating them both to 'the god' (deva,
unusually used almost in the sense of God with the capital G). this deva has
characteristics of the Vedicc Agni and Savitr, but above all of Rudra, who has
already taken on titles and characteristics of Siva. Purusa, prakrti and deva
are regarded as distinct entities, each present in every being. Atman is used
as a synonym or purusa: it is implied, though not stated, that there are multitudes
of separate purusas. Brahman is sometimes identified with deva, and sometimes
seen as containing all three entities. Complete liberation is thought to require
knowledge of, and devotion to, the god.
I have found D.H. Killingley's unpubished Notes on the svetasuatara Upanisad
indispensable in understanding this text.
OM. That is full; this is full; Fullness comes forth from fullness: When fullness
is taken from fullness, Fullness remains. OM. Peace, peace, peace.
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