Introduction
The Hayagriva Upanishad, also known as Hayagrivopanishad, is among the 108 Upanishads composed in Sanskrit. This Upanishad is of minor significance and is dedicated to Hayagriva, the horse-faced incarnation of the deity Vishnu. It belongs to the Vaishnava tradition, which venerates Vishnu, and is associated with the Atharvaveda.
In a compilation of 108 Upanishads known as the Muktika, narrated in Telugu during the modern era by Rama to Hanuman, the Hayagriva Upanishad occupies the 100th position. Notably, it is not included in the anthology of 52 well-known Upanishads in North India by Colebrooke, nor is it found in the Bibliotheca Indica collection of popular Upanishads in South India by Narayana.
The primary focus of the Hayagriva Upanishad is to provide mantras that facilitate an understanding of the supreme reality, Brahman. Unfortunately, the exact date of its composition remains unknown. Given its sectarian nature, centered on the worship of Vishnu avatars, and the presence of tantric mantras within the text, it is likely that this Upanishad is relatively recent. Douglas Brooks suggests that sectarian Upanishads with tantra mantras probably emerged after the 10th century, while Patrick Olivelle proposes that Upanishads linked to the Atharvaveda tradition may have been composed between the 2nd and 16th centuries.
The term “Hayagriva” translates to “horse necked” and alludes to various mythological figures present in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. In Hindu mythology, Hayagriva is known as the horse-headed deity who recovered the Vedas from the Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha during the legendary battle between good and evil, as narrated in the Mahabharata. An alternate account portrays Hayagriva as a demon who stole the Vedas and was subsequently vanquished by Vishnu in his Matsya (fish) incarnation, a narrative found in the Bhagavata Purana. In a third version from the medieval Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu appears as Hiyagriva, a hybrid human with a horse head, who battles and defeats a horse-like demon also named Hiyagriva. Finally, within the Pancaratra Vaishnava tradition, Hayagriva-Vishnu is revered as the deity of knowledge and the guardian of the Vedas. In the Hayagriva Upanishad, the term refers to the half-human, horse-headed avatar of Vishnu, who serves as the teacher of humanity.
The Hayagriva Upanishad comprises 20 verses and is divided into two chapters. It is presented as a discourse delivered by the god Brahma to the sage Narada. The text commences with an invocation of Vishnu, and additional deities like Indra, Garuda, the Sun, and Brihaspati are also invoked for the welfare of all beings.
Narada beseeches Brahma for knowledge of Brahman, which liberates one from sin and bestows spiritual and material abundance. Brahma affirms that those who master the Hayagriva mantras gain wisdom encompassing the Vedas (Shrutis), memorized knowledge (Smritis), epics (Itihasas), and Puranas, along with material prosperity. Brahma then proceeds to expound the various mantras used in Hayagriva’s worship.
The first mantra extols Hayagriva as Vishnu, the ruler of knowledge, and hails him as a savior transcending the material realm. The second mantra identifies Hayagriva as the embodiment of the three Vedas—Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda—as well as Om. The text asserts that Hayagriva symbolizes all Vedas and imparts knowledge about everything. Described as radiant as the moon, Hayagriva wields a conch, a discus, and a book in three of his hands, while the fourth hand forms the maha-mudra hand gesture. The first chapter concludes with the recitation of a 29-syllable mantra and a 28-syllable mantra.
The second chapter begins with Brahma revealing the one-syllable mantra (bija) of Hayagriva: “Lhoum.” The text claims that this mantra, along with the mantra “Amritam kuru kuru svaha,” grants mastery over speech, wealth, and the eight siddhis (supernatural powers). Another mantra, “Lhoum sakala-samrajyena siddhim kuru kuru svaha,” is said to bestow worldly pleasures during life and salvation after death. These mantras aid in realizing the profound spiritual meanings of the Mahavakya (great sayings) from the Vedas:
- Prajnanam Brahma (Brahman is wisdom).
- Tat tvam asi (You are that).
- Ayam atma brahma (My soul is Brahman).
- Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman).
Additionally, the Upanishad includes four supplementary Vedic mantras: “Yad Vak Vadanthi…,” “Gowrimimaya…,” “Oshtapidhana…,” and “Sa Sarpareeramathim…”.
In keeping with Upanishadic tradition, the Hayagriva Upanishad concludes by highlighting the merits of the text. It asserts that reciting this Upanishad on Ekadashi, the 11th lunar day sacred to Vishnu, will bring blessings and salvation through the grace of Hayagriva. The text concludes with a prayer that the knowledge of Brahman may persist with the devotee.