| Kalagni Rudra Upanishad | |
|---|---|
 A text discusses the Tripundra lines on the forehead | |
| Devanagari | कालाग्निरुद्र |
| IAST | Kālāgni Rudrā |
| Title means | Shiva (composite of Agni and Rudra)[1] |
| Type | Shaiva[2] |
| LinkedVeda | Krishna Yajurveda[2] |
| Chapters | 2 |
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TheKalagni Rudra Upanishad (Sanskrit:कालाग्निरुद्र - उपनिषत्), is one of the minorUpanishads ofHinduism, written in theSanskrit language. It is attached to theKrishna Yajurveda.[3] It is one of 14 Shaiva Upanishads.[2]
The Upanishad is a discourse by Kalagni Rudra (Shiva) to sageSanatkumara on theTripundra, theShaiva sectariantilaka consisting of three horizontal lines of sacred ash on the forehead. The allegorical significance of the "three ash lines", states Deussen, is that the tradition sees them as streaks of three Vedic fires, three audible syllables ofAUM, threeGuṇas, three worlds, threeAtmans, threeVedas and three aspects of Shiva.[4] The text extols the Tripundra and tells about the procedure for applyingVibhuti (sacred ash) as Tripundra on various parts of the body with the associated mantras and rites.
Klaus Klostermaier classifies theKalagni Rudra Upanishad with theBhasmajabala Upanishad, theRudrakshajabala Upanishad, theBrihajjabala Upanishad and theAkshamalika Upanishad as Shaiva texts that explain sectarian symbolism in Shaivism.[5]
Kalagni, orKala-Agni, means "fire that is time".[6] Rudra is the prime mover and destroyer of material world as well as time.[6] Together, states Kramrisch, Kalagni-Rudra connote the principles and time as relentless divine manifestation of that where "at the end all the universe is gathered".[6] Kalagni-Rudra is an epithet of Shiva, related toBhairava, one who creates everything from fire and then burns everything – gods, men and demons – to ashes.[7]
The text like other Shaiva Upanishads, states Klostermaier, is premised on identifying Shiva as identical to the Hindu concept of Ultimate Reality (Brahman).[8] It is part of the Upanishadic collection, starting withShvetashvatara Upanishad, which together teach the theory ofVedanta and the practice ofYoga as a means of salvation.[8] Shiva is within as theAtman, assert these texts, the realization of this Shiva is means to infinite peace, and ritual of producing "fire, ashes and leftovers", then smearing oneself with the ashes on the forehead is a constant reminder of the spiritual essence.[9][10]
The lines of ashes on the forehead is calledTilaka orPundra, whileTri means three.[4]
After a traditional invocation, Sage Sanatkumara requests Kalagni Rudra to explain the application of theTripundra, a sectarian mark in the form of three lines ofvibhuti (sacred ash), and to enlighten him on the specifications of the material used, the procedure to prepare it, the place from where it is to be procured, and its beneficial effects.[4]
Kalagni Rudra explains to Sanatkumara that Tripundra material should be ash from fires.[4] The ash should be collected reciting theSathyojatam hymn fromTaittiriya Aranyaka, ofPancha Brahman and dedicated usingAgnir iti bhasma (fromAtharvashiras Upanishad, where the five elements – fire, air, ether, water and earth – are all equated to ash.[4][11] The sacred ash should be mixed with water, reciting the "manas toke hymn" of theRigveda. Reciting theMahamrityunjaya Mantra (Tryambakam yajamahe...), the ash is then applied across the head, forehead, chest, and shoulders in three horizontal lines.[4] The hymnsTrayayusha,Trayambaka, andTrishakti should be recited.[4] The three markings on the forehead cover a space vertically from the forehead to the eyebrow, and extending from the midpoint of one eyebrow across to the midpoint of the other. This mark is the vow of Shambhu (Shiva), and it leads one to liberation from suffering and rebirth.[4][11]
The text, in chapter 2, explains the three lines as various triads:sacred fires, syllables ofOm,gunas, worlds, types ofatman (Soul), powers, Vedas, the time of extraction of the Vedic drinkSoma, and Mahesvara (a form of Shiva).[12][13]
The first line is equated toGarhapatya (the sacred fire in a household kitchen), theA syllable of Om, theRajas guna, the earth, the external Atman,Kriyā – the power of action, theRigveda, the morning extraction of Soma, andMaheshvara.[12][13]
The second streak of ash is a reminder ofDakshinagni (the holy fire lighted in the South for ancestors), the soundU of Om,Sattva guna, the atmosphere, the inner Atman,Iccha – the power of will, theYajurveda, midday Soma extraction, andSadashiva.[12][13]
The third streak is the Ahavaniya (the fire used forHoma), theM syllable in Om, theTamas guna,Svarga – heaven, theParamatman – the highest Atman (Brahman), the power of perception, theSamaveda, Soma extraction at dusk, andShiva.[12][13]
Kalagni Rudra extols the benefits of wearing the Tripundra by any person in any of the four stages of the human life (seeAshrama (stage)):student,householder,forest dweller, andrenouncer.[12] The Tripundra absolves one of all sin. With this ritual smearing, asserts the text, he becomes equal to one who has bathed in all holy places and the one who spends all his time reciting theRudra hymn.[12] After living a happy and contented life, he becomes one with Shiva after death and does not experience rebirth.[12]
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