Narayana Upanishad

It is one of the 14 Vaishnava Upanishads.

It is attached with Krishna Yajur Veda.

It recommends the bhakti of Lord Narayana.

This text is classified as one of the Mantra Upanishads. Narayana Upanishad posits the mantra ‘Aum Namo Narayana’ as the means of reaching salvation (i.e.,) communion with Lord Vishnu.

Narayana Upanishad asserts that all Gods, all Rishis and all beings are born from Narayana and merge into Narayana.

Narayana -       'Nara' means water. One who rests in water.

                        'Nara' also means All living entities. Narayana rests in all living entities.

Aum Namo Narayana - ॐ नमो नारायण 

§  ॐ - 1 syllable

§  नमो - 2 syllable

§  नारायण - 5 syllable

Total 8 Syllables

Anushtup Chandah = sanskrit stanza with 8 syllables

Without 'Aum' it is 7 syllables.

Anushtup chandah (meter) - 4 padas with 8 syllables each (ex: Vishnu Sahasranamam, Lalitha Sahasranamam, Rudram - 1st Anuaga, Purusha Suktam - till Vedahamedham)

Interpretation 1

ॐ - Pranava mantra

नमो - It is 'Namah' converted into Namo while chanting. 'Na' + 'Ma' = Not mine. Even the Jivatma is not mine. it is either reflection of Paramatma or Eternal subordinate of Paramatma.

नारायण - If Jivatma is not me, who does it belong to? - Supreme God (Paramatma) Narayana.

Interpretation 2

ॐ - Jivatma who is the eternal servant of Paramatma

नमो - Denotes the method of reaching Paramatma. By saying Namo (Nothing is mine), we say that Paramatma himself is the way to reach Him.

नारायण - The Ultimate destination

Some important points on Narayana Upanishad

Ø  It is a minor Upanishad

Ø  It is in Krishna Yajur Veda

Ø  18th of the 108 Upanishads in the extended anthology recited by Rama to Hanuman

Ø  Not in Veda Era, it is composed in the medieval Era

Ø  It is one of the 14 Vaishnava Upanishads

Ø  It recommends Bhakti of Lord Narayana.

Ø  It asserts that all are born from Narayana and merges in Narayana.

Ø  Atharva Rishi who had realized Lord Narayana has conveyed his direct experience.

S.No	Chant	Word meaning	Overall meaning	Veda Pushpanjali meaning
1	Sahana vavatu	Saha – both Nau – us Avatu – may he protect	May He protect both of us.
2	Saha nau bhunaktu	Saha – both Nau – us Bhunaktu – may he nourish	May He nourish both of us.
3	Saha Viryam kara avahai	Saha - together Viryam - energy Kara - hand Avahai - Bring into use (Kara avahai - Bring my hands into use - work)
4	Tejaswi Nau Adhi tama astu	Tejaswi - having great energy Nau - both Adhi - intellect / study Tama - higher degree Astu - so be it.
5	Ma vidvis avahai	Ma - not be Vidvis - animosity Avahai - bring / have
	This mantra is the traditional prayer recited by Guru and Shishya before the commencement of the class. This chanting wades away all the obstacles while the disciples are imparted education.
1	Atha purushohavai narayano kama yata prajah Srjeyeti	Atha - Supreme Purusha - person (Atha purusha - Maha Purusha) Vai - verily Narayano - Lord Narayana Kamayata - Desired / willed Praja - beings Srjeyeti - created	The Supreme person verily Lord Narayana willed to create beings	The Supreme person Narayana willed to create beings. From that Narayana emerged, the life principle, mind, all the senses, sky, mind, fire, water and earth; they combined to form the Universe. Brahma, Maha Rudra, Indra and all the Prajapatis emerged from Narayana. Even the twelve Adityas, the eleven Rudras, teh eight Lords of directions (Vasus), all the Vedas and all types of wealth were born from Narayana. All things and beings emerged from Narayana. Everything is sustained by Him and ultimately merges in Him. This is what we learn from the first part of Rig veda.
2	Narayanat prano jayate	Narayanat - from Lord Narayana Prano - life principle Jayate - emerged	From Lord Narayana, life principle emerged
3	Manah Sarvendriyani ca	Manah - Mind Sarvendri - All senses Aani - emerged Cha - and	(From Lord Narayana) emerged mind and all the senses
4	Kham vayur jothirapah pritivi visvasya dharini	Vayur - wind Jothi - light Aapah - water Pritivi - earth Vishvasya dharini - constituents of the Universe	(From Lord Narayana) came the wind, the light, the water, the Earth, which became the constituents of the Universe
5	Narayanad brahma jayate	Narayanad - from Lord Narayana Brahma - Lord Brahma, the creator Jayate - emerged	From Lord Narayana, Lord Brahma, the Creator emerged.
6	Narayanad Rudro Jayate	Narayanad - from Lord Narayana Rudro - Lord Shiva, the annihilator Jayate - Emerged	From Lord Narayana, Lord Shiva, the annihilator emerged.
7	Narayanad Indro Jayate	Narayanad - from Lord Narayana Indro - Lord Indra Jayate - Emerged	From Lord Narayana, Lord Indra emerged.
8	Narayanat prajapatayah prajayante	Narayanat - From Lord Narayana Prajapatayah Prajayante - came all the prajapathis	From Lord Narayana came all the Prajapathis
9	Narayanad dvadasaditya rudra vasavas sarvani ca chandagmsi	Narayanad - From Lord Narayana Dvadasaditya - the 12 sons Rudra - the rudra Vasava - the eight vasus Sarvani -all Ca - and Chandagmsi - vedas	From Narayana came 12 sons, the rudra, the eight vasus, all and the Vedas
10	Narayana deva samudpadyante	Narayana deva - Lord Narayana Samudpadyante - all beings emerged	All beings emerged from Lord Narayana
11	Narayane pravartante	Narayane - Lord Narayana Pravartante - sustains (all beings)	Lord Narayana sustains all beings
12	Narayane praliyante	Narayane - (Lord) Narayana Praliyante - merges (all beings)	Every being merges in Lord Narayana
13	Om Atha nityo Narayanah	Atha Nityo - Eternal principle Narayanah - (Lord) Narayana	Narayana is the Eternal principle	Narayana is the eternal principle. Brahma is Narayana. Siva and Indra are Narayana. Time and directions are Narayana. The Upper and the lower worlds are Narayana.  Narayana forms the inner as well as the outer worlds. Everything is the manifestation of Narayana. The past is Narayana; the future is Narayana. Narayana is blemishless (pure), ever blissful and non-dual. There is nothing which is not Narayana. Narayana is the very Supreme self. The one without the second. Narayana and Visnu pervade the whole universe. It is Narayana alone who exists. This is what we hear from the first part of Yajur Veda.
14	Brahma Narayanadh	Brahma - Lord Brahma (Creator) Narayana - Lord Narayana	Brahma, the Creator is Narayana
15	Sivasca Narayana	Sivasca - Siva is Narayana - Lord Narayana	Lord Siva is Narayana
16	Sakrasca Narayanah	Sakra - Indra Sakrasca - Indra is Narayanah - Lord Narayana	Indra is Lord Narayana
17	Dyavaprithiyau ca Narayanah	Dyava - Heaven Prithivi - Earth Narayana - Lord Narayana	Earth and heaven are Narayana
18	Kalascha Narayanah	Kala - time Kalascha - time is Narayanah - Lord Narayana	Time is Lord Narayana
19	Disasca Narayana	Disha - Direction Disasca - directions are Narayana - Lord Narayana	Directions are Lord Narayana
20	Urdhvasca Narayanah	Urdhvam - Upper world (of high Principles) Urdhvasca - Upper world is Narayanah - Lord Narayana	The Upper world is Lord Narayana.
21	Adhasca Narayanah	Adhasca - Nether world is Narayanah - Lord Narayana	Nether world is Lord Narayana
22	Antarbahisca Narayanah	Antar + Bahis + Ca - Inner and outer worlds are Narayanah - Lord Narayana	Narayana forms the Inner and outer worlds
23	Narayana Evedagm Sarvam	Narayana - Lord Narayana Evedagm - Manifestation Sarvam - all (everything)	Everything is the manifestation of Lord Narayana
24	Yat bhutam yaccha bhavyam	Bhavyam - Future Bhutam - past Yad - that Ca - and	Lord Narayana is that past and the future.
25	Nishkalo Niranjano nirvikalpo Nirakhyatah suddho deva eko Narayanah	Nishkala - Immaculate Niranjano - Ever blissful Nir vikalpo - blemishless Nirakhyatah - non dual Suddho - pure Eko - only one Deva - Lord Narayanah - Narayana	Lord Narayana is immaculate, ever blissful, blemishless and non dual.
26	Na dvitiyo sti kascit	Na dviti - without the second (position)	Lord Narayana is the Supreme self without a Second person
27	Ya evam veda	Ya - this Evam - declared Veda - (in) vedas	This is declared in the Veda
28	Sa Vishnureva bhavati sa vishnureva bhavati		Lord Vishnu (Narayana) pervades the entire Universe Lord Vishnu (Narayana) also exists in the Universe
29	Omityagre vyaharet	Vyaharet - told / uttered Iti - this Agre - first	The premordial sound 'Om' is uttered first.	The primordial sound "OM" has to be utteres first followed by "Namo". Then comes meditation on "Narayana". "OM' is single lettered word. "Namo" is two lettered and "Narayana" is five lettered word. These together form the eight lettered mantra "OM NAMO NARAYANA". This eight lettered mantra is the King among the mantras. Those who chant this mantra with sincere faith and devotion, will attain good health, long life and prosperity. They will also attain the status of "Prajapati". They attain immortal state of Narayana himself. This is what is declared in Samaveda.
30	Nama iti pascat	'nama' - 'Namo' Iti - this (word) Pascat - follows (afterwards)	Followed by 'Namo'
31	Narayanayetyu paristat	Narayana - word 'Narayana' Yetyu - this meditating word Paristat - then comes	Then comes the meditating word 'Narayana'
32	Omityekaksaram	Om - 'Om' Iti - this Eka - one Aksharam - letter	'Om' is the one lettered word (in Sanskrit)
33	Namaitidveakshare	Nama - 'Nama' (Word) Iti -this Dve - two Akshare - letters	'Nama' is a two lettered word
34	Narayanayeti panchaksarani	'Narayana' - the word 'Narayana' Yeti - this is Pancha - five (5) Aksharani - Letters	'Narayana' is a five lettered word
35	Yetadvai Narayanasyastaksharam padam	Etadvai - All these together Narayana - Narayana (word) Asta - eight (8) Aksharam - letter Padam - word (sacred mantra)	These all together form the eight lettered sacred mantra
36	Yo ha vai narayanasastaksharam padamadyeti	Yo ha - this (mantra) Vai - verily Pada - word Madh - Center (King) Yeti - this is Ashtaksharam - eight letters	This eight letter word is the most sacred and king of all mantras
37	Anapabruvas sarva mayureti	Anapa - one hwo Bruva - chanting Sarva - all good Ayur - good health and long life Eti -get	One who chants this with sincere faith and devotion will attain good health and long life
38	Vindate prajapatyagm rayasposam gaupatyam	Vindate - experience Prajapatyagm - state of prajapatys Rayasposam gaupatyam - increasing riches (or) wealth (or) prosperity	They will also attain the state of Prajapati with all prosperity
39	Tato mrtatvamasnite Tato mrutatvamasnita iti	Asnute - obtain / enjoy Amrutatva - immortality (merging with Lord Narayana) Iti - event (happen)	They will attain the immortal state of Lord Narayana Himself.
40	Ya evam veda	Ya - this Evam - declared (by) Veda - veda	This is declared by Veda
41	Pratyaganandam brahma purusham prananva swaroopam	Pratya - supreme Anandam - blissful Brahma purusham - state of Brahma Pranava - 'Aum' Swaroopam - form	The pranava is the Supreme blissful state of Brahman	Pranava is made up of three syllables 'A', 'U', 'M'. PRanava is verily the life principle. Pranava is Supreme bliss. It is the supreme state of Brahma or Atma. The masters of yoga, who know this, adore the Pranava chanting 'Om' and attain the abode of liberation. Such yogis break the bonds of birth, life and death. Those who adore the mantra 'Om Namo Narayanaya' will attain the Supreme abode 'Vaikunta'. Narayana is P'Parabrahma'. His seat is the lotus of the heart. Knowledge of this Lord is highest wisdom. This wisdom shines like lightening. Sri Krishna, the son of Devaki is the very embodiment of Brahma. He is also adored as Madhusudhana. He resides in all the beings. He is the fundamental basis of everything. He Himself, is causeless. He is the causeless cause of everything. This is what is pronounced in the first part of Atharva Veda
42	Akara, Ukara Makara iti	Iti - this Akara - 'A' kara Ukara - 'U' kara Makara - 'M' Kara	'Aum' is made up of 3 syllables 'A' + 'U' + 'M'
43	Tanekadha samabharata detado miti	Detado - supports Iti -this	Pranava alone supports the life in all beings
44	Yamuktva mucyate yogi Janma samsara bandhanath	Yamuktva - chanting this Yogi - spiritual seekers Bandanath - bonds Janma samsara - birth and death Mucyate - attained	Chanting this, many yogis have attained liberation from the bond of birth and death.
45	Om Namo Narayana yeti mantro pasakah	Yeti - this Mantro - mantra Upasakah - worshippers (Chanters)	The one who chants the mantra 'Om Namo Narayana'
46	Vaikuntha bhuvana lokam gamisyati	Gamisyati - attains / reaches Vaikuntha bhuvana lokam - the vaikuntha which is the abode of Lord Narayana	Attains the abode of heaven.
47	Tatidam param pundarikam vijnanaghanam	Tatidam param - seat of (Lord Narayana) Pundari - lotus Akam - inside (pundarikam - lotus of the heart) Vijnana ghanam - pure knowledge	The seat of Lord Narayana is the Lotus of the heart. Knowledge of Lord Narayana is pure and highest form
48	Tas mattadidavan matram	Matram - only, nothing but Tadit - lightening Tasmat - on the account	(on the account) Wisdom / knowledge shines like a lightening.
49	Brahmanyo devaki putro Brahmanyo madhu sudhanoom	Devaki putro - son of devaki Brahmanyo - Lord Krishna Madhu sudhanoom - vanquisher of Madhu Brahmanyo - the Ultimate Brahman
50	Sarva bhutas thamekam Narayanam	Sarva - all Bhutastham - all living beings Me + Akam - inside them (me) Narayanam - Lord Narayana	He alone resides in all living beings
51	Karana roopa makara parabrahmom	Karana roopam - reasoning firgure / form Akara - start (A + Kara) Para Brahmom - Supreme God	He is the causeless and cause (start) of everything.
52	Etadatharva siroyo dhite	Etada - this Atharva - atharva veda Siroyo dhite - reveals	This is what Atharvana Veda reveals.
53	Prataradhiyano ratrikrtam papam nasayati	Pratara - every mornign Dhiyano - one who recites Ratri - night Krtam - previous Papam - sins Nasa - demolished Iti - this	Those who chant this in the morning will  be redeemed of their sins committed in the previous night.	This upanishad is the beautiful crest jewel of the essence of the four vedas. If this upanishad is chanted in the morning, it destroys the sins committed in the (previous) night. If it is chanted in the evening, it removes the sin committed in the day. If it is chanted at the noon, it pulverizes the five great sins. One who chants this upanishad will attain the merit of the study of vedas and ultimately attains oneness with Narayana.
54	Sayamadhiyano divasakrtam papam nasayati	Sayamad - dusk (Evening) Dhiyano - chants Divasa krtam - daily Papam - sins Nasa - demolished Iti - this	Chanting this during dusk reduces one's sins committed during the day.
55	Madhyantinamaditya bhimiko dhiyanah	Madhyantinamadity - when sun comes in the middle (noon) Dhiyana - chant	Chanting this in the noon
56	Pancapada kopapada katpramuchyate	Pramuchyate - frees oneself from Panchapada - 5 sins (different types) Kopa pada - wrath	Washes off 5 types of sins and wrath
57	Sarva veda parayana punyam labhate	Sarva - all Veda - vedas Parayana - chanting Punyam - (goodness) merit Labhate - receive / get	One who chants this will attain the merit of the study of all Vedas
58	Narayana Sayujya mavapnoti Narayana Sayujya mavapnoti	Narayana - Lord Narayana Sayujya - communion, oneness Aapnoti - obtain	He (the Chanter) attains oneness with Lord Narayana
59	Ya evam veda	Evam - thus says Ya - this Veda - veda	This is what veda says
60	Itupanishad	Iti - this is Upanishad - Upanishad

SAIRAM