- Source: Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad
The Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad (सौभाग्य लक्ष्मी उपनिषत्), also called Saubhagyalakshmyupanishad (सौभाग्यलक्ष्म्युपनिषत्), Saubhagya meaning auspicious, Lakshmi a deity, Saubhagyalakshmi is a minor Upanishadic text of Hinduism. Written in Sanskrit, it is one of the 10 Upanishads attached to the Rigveda, and is classified as one of the 8 Shakta Upanishads.
The Upanishad presents its ideas through Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity and fertility. It discusses true wealth, and then presents Yoga meditation for spiritual attainment away from material cravings and towards inner wealth. Sri is the synonym used for Lakshmi. The text also presents Tantra concepts such as nine chakra as a part of yogic practice.
The text is notable for its syncretic presentation of the Advaita Vedanta doctrines with Shaktism worship.
History
In the Telugu language anthology of 108 Upanishads of the Muktika canon, narrated by Rama to Hanuman, it is listed by Paul Deussen – a German Indologist and professor of philosophy, at number 105.
Contents
The Upanishad text is presented in three chapters. The first part describes the Lakshmi as the goddess of prosperity, presents the hymn of Sri, and then presents her in Tantra terms as a yantra drawing.
The text mentions the Om mantra, followed by her iconography. The text calls her lotus-eyed, describes her iconography as holding lotus, raining gifts, shining like gold, wherein white elephants spray water on her. She wears a crown with gems, glistening embroidered silk and stands in a lotus.
She is the spouse of Vishnu, states the text. She is the giver of wealth, asserts the Upanishad, but she reserves her blessings for those who are free from material cravings and never gives it to them who mindlessly cherish their desires.
The second chapter describes the ones who the goddess favors. Yoga, asserts the text, is their path. They seek the inner light using the Om mantra. They are moderate in their habits and what they eat, practice asana (posture) and breath exercises. The chapter describes that such yogi awaken their kundalini chakras, they look resplendent in their health because of such yoga.
The text, in second part of the second chapter, asserts that the goal of yoga is to become free of all dualities, and achieve the unity with the Atman (Self). The yogi renounces egoism, and thus becomes free of otherness and sorrow. Through yoga meditation, asserts the text, the yogi discovers concentration and the state where his lower and higher self is unified. His Self and the Supreme Brahman become one, and he abides with Lakshmi's abode, states the text.
The third chapter of the text returns to the discussion of chakra wheels, and presents nine chakras. The text is notable for presenting the supreme void as the ninth wheel. The text closes by asserting that whoever studies and understands this text gains whatever wealth he seeks and he is also liberated from the cycles of rebirth.
See also
Vrata (Vowed religious observances) and Saubhagya (Auspiciousness)
References
= Bibliography
=Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
Deussen, Paul (1997). Sixty Upanishads of the Veda. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1467-7.
Hattangadi, Sunder (2000). "सौभाग्यलक्ष्म्युपनिषत् (Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad)" (PDF) (in Sanskrit). Retrieved 24 February 2016.
Tinoco, Carlos Alberto (1997). Upanishads. IBRASA. ISBN 978-85-348-0040-2.
Warrier, AG Krishna (1967). Śākta Upaniṣads. Adyar Library and Research Center. ISBN 978-0835673181. OCLC 2606086.
