Taittiriya Upanishad - Shiksha Valli

Shiksha Valli

The Siksha Valli deals with the discipline of Shiksha (which is the first of the six Vedangas or "limbs" or auxiliaries of the Vedas), that is, the study of phonetics and pronunciation.

1. First Anuvaka of this Valli starts with Shanti Mantra "OM Sham no Mitra ..".
2. Second Anuvaka lists the contents of Shiksha discipline.
3. Third Anuvaka tells about the intimate connection between the syllables using five examples and implicitly tells that one should meditate on those examples to realise connections told in them. Each of these examples are called a Maha Samhita. Each Syllable is called a Samhita. There is also a method of reciting Vedic Mantras where each syllable of mantra is recited separately of preceding and next syllables known as "Samhita Patha". This anuvak also declares that one who realises connection between syllables, will get good fruits including heaven. One of the example used under the heading of Self or Adhyaatmaa tries to make point that the connection between syllables is as intimate and innate as speech and elements producing it. "Lower jaw is former form (or first syllable), upper jaw is next form (next syllable), speech is union or connection, tongue is connector"
4. Fourth Anuvaka consists of Mantras and rituals to be done by those who aspire for Divine Knowledge (Medha Kama) and Wealth (Shree Kama). In this anuvak teacher prays that "As water flows from high land to low land, as months join to become year, let good disciples come to me from everywhere"
5. Fifth and Sixth Anuvakas try to describe Brahman in the form of Vyahrutis. The words "Bhooh", "Bhuvah", "Suvah", "Mahah", "Janah", "Tapah" and "Satyam" are called seven Vyahruti's or Sapta Vyahrutis. These terms denote different worlds in Puranas. The term "Vyahruti" means pronunciation, since these words are pronounced in Vedic rituals like Agnihotra, these are called Vyahruti's. Fifth Anuvaka states that the fourth Vyahruti "Mahah" was discovered by a Rishi called "Mahachamasya" and "Mahah" is Brahman and all other Vyahrutis are its organs. This Anuvak says that "Bhooh" denotes earth, fire, Richa's and Prana. "Bhuvah" denotes space, air, Sama's and Apana. "Suvah" denotes heaven, sun, Yajus and Vyana. "Mahah" denotes sun, moon, Holy Syllable OM and food. This way, each of first four Vyahrutis become four each and in total they are sixteen. So all these four Vyahrutis should be meditated upon as all of their sixteen manifestations or kala's, this is known as famous vedic term Shodasha Kala Purusha in vedic literature. Finally this anuvak says that one who knows all sixteen manifestations or kala's of Vyahrutis knows Brahman and all gods bring gifts to him.
6. Sixth Anuvaka tells that in the space inside the heart there exists an immortal golden being (Hiranmaya Purusha) and states that there is a subtle route through the middle of the head through which a self realized Yogi travels when he/she leaves the body and joins the all pervading Brahman.
7. The Seventh Anuvaka describes a meditation called Paanktha Upasana, where Brahman is meditated upon as Paanktha (Set of Five).Outer world seen is classified into 3 set of five things called "AdiBootha" and also inner body world into 3 sets of five things called "Adhyaathma". This inner-outer grouping is then meditated upon and meditator realizes both inner and outer paankta are one and the same Brahman and every thing is Paanktha.
8. Eighth Anuvaka states the greatness of Holy Syllable OM. It says that OM is Brahman and everything.
9. Ninth Anuvaka explains a pious way of life to be led by persons aspiring realization of Brahman. see a prescription for an ideal life
10. Tenth Anuvaka is a Mantra for self practice (Swadhyaya) or meditation. It is stated by a Rishi called Trishanku as an exclamation of awe after he realized that he is one with Brahman. It is also called Mantramnaya of Trishanku.
11. Eleventh Anuvaka is a set of instructions that teacher(Acharya) gives to his disciple after completion of vedic education. The ninth and eleventh Anuvaks collectively define a prescription for an ideal life.
12. Twelfth Anuvaka concludes the Shikshavalli with Shanti Mantra "OM Sham no mitra.." expressing gratitude toward gods who removed obstacles for study of Upanishad as prayed for in first anuvak of this Valli.