Taittiriya Upanishad
From the Taittiriya Aranyaka of the Krishna Yajurveda, in three sections: Shiksha Valli (sacred instruction), Brahmananda Valli (Brahman as bliss — Ananda), and Bhrigu Valli (the enquiry of Bhrigu). Teaches the Pancha Kosha (five sheaths of existence) and Brahman as Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Consciousness-Bliss).
- The Taittiriya Upanishad belongs to the Taittiriya branch of the Krishna Yajurveda and is drawn from the Taittiriya Aranyaka.
- It is structured in three Vallis (sections), each with a distinct teaching.
- Shiksha Valli (Chapter 1): Sacred instruction on phonetics, pronunciation, and the harmony of existence — Brahman is realized through the practice of the Vedas, truth, and right conduct.
- Brahmananda Valli (Chapter 2): The doctrine of Pancha Kosha (five sheaths) — Annamaya (food), Pranamaya (breath), Manomaya (mind), Vijnanamaya (intellect), Anandamaya (bliss) — and Brahman as the innermost, beyond all sheaths.
- Bhrigu Valli (Chapter 3): The sage Bhrigu repeatedly returns to his father Varuna, who sends him back to contemplate deeper and deeper until he finally realises: Brahman is Ananda (bliss) — from bliss all beings are born.
- The Mahavakya of the Taittiriya: "Satyam Jnanam Anantam Brahma" — Brahman is Truth, Consciousness, Infinity (2.1.1).
Structural Organization
Example: Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1 → Brahmananda Valli, Anuvaka 1, Mantra 1 (Satyam Jnanam Anantam Brahma)
Key Topics
Key Figures
Key Texts & Works
Featured Shlokas
Bhrigu Approaches His Father Varuna
Taittiriya Upanishad · Chapter Valli 3 · Verse 1
भृगुर्वारुणिर्वरुणं पितरमुपससार । अधीहि भगवो ब्रह्मेति । तस्मा एतत्प्रोवाच — अन्नं प्राणं चक्षुः श्रोत्रं मनो वाचमिति ॥ १ ॥
bhṛgur vāruṇir varuṇaṃ pitaram upasasāra | adhīhi bhagavo brahmeti | tasmā etat provāca — annaṃ prāṇaṃ cakṣuḥ śrotraṃ mano vācam iti || 1 ||
Bhrigu, son of Varuna, approached his father Varuna: "O Venerable One, teach me Brahman." Varuna said to him: "Food, prana, eye, ear, mind, speech..."
Shanti Patha — May We Both Be Protected
Taittiriya Upanishad · Chapter Valli 1 · Verse 1
ॐ शन्नो मित्रः शं वरुणः शन्नो भवत्वर्यमा । शन्न इन्द्रो बृहस्पतिः शन्नो विष्णुरुरुक्रमः । नमो ब्रह्मणे नमस्ते वायो त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि । त्वामेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्म वदिष्यामि ॥
oṃ śan no mitraḥ śaṃ varuṇaḥ śan no bhavatv aryamā | śan na indro bṛhaspatiḥ śan no viṣṇur urukramaḥ | namo brahmaṇe namas te vāyo tvam eva pratyakṣaṃ brahmāsi | tvām eva pratyakṣaṃ brahma vadiṣyāmi ||
May Mitra be auspicious to us; may Varuna; may Aryama. May Indra, Brihaspati, and Vishnu of wide strides be auspicious. Salutation to Brahman! Salutation to you, O Vayu! You alone are the visible Brahman. I shall declare you as the visible Brahman.
Brahman Is That from Which All Beings Are Born
Taittiriya Upanishad · Chapter Valli 2 · Verse 1
यतो वा इमानि भूतानि जायन्ते । येन जातानि जीवन्ति । यत्प्रयन्त्यभिसंविशन्ति । तद्विजिज्ञासस्व — तद्ब्रह्मेति ॥ १ ॥
yato vā imāni bhūtāni jāyante | yena jātāni jīvanti | yat prayanty abhisaṃviśanti | tad vijijñāsasva — tad brahmeti || 1 ||
That from which all these beings are born, that by which, having been born, they live, that into which they enter on departing — seek to know That. That is Brahman.
The Convocation Address — Speak the Truth, Practice Dharma
Taittiriya Upanishad · Chapter Valli 1 · Verse 2
सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर । स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः । आचार्याय प्रियं धनमाहृत्य प्रजातन्तुं मा व्यवच्छेत्सीः ॥
satyaṃ vada | dharmaṃ cara | svādhyāyān mā pramadaḥ | ācāryāya priyaṃ dhanam āhṛtya prajātantuṃ mā vyavacchet sīḥ ||
Speak the truth. Practice Dharma. Do not be negligent about self-study (svadhyaya). Having brought the beloved gift to the teacher, do not cut the thread of progeny.