Aitareya Upanishad: With the commentary of Sankaracarya

The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the principal Upanishads that forms part of the Rigveda. It is a significant philosophical text in the Vedantic tradition and explores profound concepts related to the self, consciousness, and the ultimate reality. The Upanishad is divided into three chapters, and it discusses the nature of creation, the role of consciousness, and the realization of the self (Atman) as identical with the ultimate reality (Brahman).

Aitareya Upanishad is primarily concerned with the following ideas:

1. Creation of the Universe (Cosmology): The Upanishad describes the origin of the world, how the universe is created, and how the individual soul (Atman) is connected to it.
2. Atman (Self) and Brahman (Ultimate Reality): It emphasizes the oneness of the Atman and Brahman, suggesting that the individual soul is not separate from the universal soul.
3. Consciousness and Self-Realization: It advocates the realization of one’s true nature as being Brahman, which leads to liberation (Moksha).

Commentary of Adishankaracharya on the Aitareya Upanishad:

Adishankaracharya, the great philosopher and theologian, wrote a detailed Bhashya (commentary) on the Aitareya Upanishad that has been highly influential in the Vedantic tradition. His commentary interprets the concepts of the Upanishad from the standpoint of Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism). Here's a summary of the key concepts from his commentary:

Chapter 1: Creation and the Nature of the Atman

In the first chapter, the Upanishad talks about how the individual soul (Atman) was the only existence before creation. The Supreme Reality, which is Brahman, wanted to create the world, and it first created the elements, then the senses, and finally the individual self.

Shankaracharya's Commentary:

• Shankaracharya explains that the "individual self" (Atman) is not separate from Brahman. The creation is an illusion (Maya), and Brahman remains the singular reality.
• When the Upanishad speaks of the individual soul or "Jiva," it refers to the manifestation of Brahman in a finite form. The experience of limitation (such as body and senses) is due to ignorance (Avidya) and not the true nature of the soul.

Chapter 2: The Role of the Self in Creation

This chapter focuses on how the self (Atman) inhabits the body and becomes aware of its senses. The creation process is explained in terms of the self becoming the individual soul, which then takes on various roles in the material world.

Shankaracharya's Commentary:

• Shankaracharya argues that the self (Atman) is transcendent and not bound by time or space. The appearance of individual souls in different bodies is due to the concept of Samsara (cycle of birth and death) but does not affect the essential oneness of Atman and Brahman.
• He further explains that the body's sensory apparatus is merely a tool for the Atman to experience the world. The ultimate goal is to realize the inherent oneness of the self with the universe.

Chapter 3: Realization of Brahman and Liberation

The final chapter of the Aitareya Upanishad discusses the realization of the true nature of the self (Atman) and the attainment of liberation (Moksha). This realization is achieved through knowledge (Jnana) that reveals the identity of the individual soul with the ultimate reality, Brahman.

Shankaracharya's Commentary:

• Shankaracharya stresses that the true nature of the self is not the body or the mind but the eternal, unchanging Brahman.
• He elaborates on the concept of Jivanmukti (liberation while still alive), suggesting that liberation comes from realizing that the individual self (Jiva) is not different from Brahman.
• The ultimate goal is to transcend the illusion of duality (Dvaita) and experience the non-dual reality (Advaita), where the individual self is recognized as the same as the universal self, Brahman.

Key Teachings from Shankaracharya's Commentary:

1. Atman is Brahman: The essence of all living beings is the same as Brahman. There is no difference between the individual soul and the Supreme Reality.
2. Maya (Illusion): The world and the individual soul’s limitations are illusory, created by ignorance. The true nature of reality is non-dual.
3. Self-Realization: Through knowledge and contemplation, an individual realizes their identity with Brahman, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara).
4. Advaita Vedanta: The core teaching of Shankaracharya’s commentary is that there is no duality in existence. Everything is a manifestation of the singular, formless Brahman.