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Vasudeva Upanishad () ((サンスクリット:वासुदेव उपनिषत्), or Vasudevopanishad is one of 108 Upanishadic Hindu scriptures, written in Sanskrit language. It belongs to the Vaishnava sect, which worships Vishnu and his avatar Krishna, and is associated with the ''Samaveda''. It is one of the 14 Vaishnava Upanishads dedicated to Vaishnava sacred marks, including the Urdhva Pundra - the Vaishnava tilaka. It is described in a sermon by Krishna to the sage Narada. It is generally regarded as a "late Upanishad", in terms of dating. ==Contents== The sage Narada visited the god Krishna, who is called by his patronymic Vasudeva in the text, and asked Krishna about the rules of Urdhva Pundra, the Vaishnava tilaka. The Upanishad calls the mark ''Urdhva Tripundra'', the upward (''Urdhva'') three lines. Vishnu-Krishna is compared to ''Brahman'', who is non-dual and infinite, without a beginning, middle or end. His form is said to be ''satchidananda'', "being, Consciousness, Bliss". Its indestructibility only comprehended by devotion. Krishna extols the ''Gopichandana'', also known as ''Vishnu-chandana'', a type of clay. It is used generally in the Urdhva Pundra application. Vishnu-chandana is described to originate from Vaikuntha, Vishnu's abode. It should be smeared on the body by a devotee. Even the god Brahma, Vishnu's devotee, is said to do so. Since the paste was smeared by gopis, the milk-maid devotees and lovers of Krishna, on his body, it came to be known as ''Gopi-chandana''. This yellowish coloured substance is regarded to grant salvation to the devotee. The Urdhva Pundra should be created on the forehead with the ''Gopichandana''. If unavailable, the mud from the roots of the sacred Tulasi plant must be used. The ''Smritimuktaphala'' by Vaidyanatha Dikshita (15th century) quotes the ''Vasudeva Upanishad'' about the ''Gopichandana'' usage in Urdhva Pundra. Krishna replies a Brahmachari (student, bachelor) and Grihastha (householder) should apply the tilaka on the forehead after reciting the hymn told in the ''Vasudeva Upanishad''. The hymn dedicated to Vishnu-Krishna, praising Achyuta (the indestructible), Govinda (the protector of cows), one who holds the discus, mace and conch, the Lotus-eyed one who resides in Dwarka, the capital of Krishna. Further, he should put the tilaka on 12 other parts of his body after reciting the Vishnu gayatri hymn or the 12 names of Vishnu, namely Keshava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Hrishikesha, Padmanabha and Damodara. The Sannyasi (renouncer) should anoint the Urdhava Pundra on his forehead with his ring finger chanting Om.〔 The three lines of the Urdhva Pundra are related to the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti) of deities - Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva; the four main Vedic scriptures - Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda; three upper worlds Bhu, Bhuva, Svar, the three syllables of Om - Aa, Uu, Ma; three states of existence - awakening, dreaming, asleep and the three bodies - Sthula, Sukshma, and Karana. Thus, one should wear the Urdhva tilaka, as sign of the Lord of Om.〔 The three lines are also stated to represent the three lokas or "Vyahritis which in turn are represented by the three Zodiacal signs of Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The scripture declares that a sage should wear four things ''Urdhva'' (upward) - "stick, bravery, yoga and Urdhva Pundra". He would attain emancipation.〔 The ''Vasudeva Upanishad'' also has an often-quoted hymn, which is said to lead to salvation: This hymn originates from the Rig Veda and appears in other Upanishadic texts like Aruneya Upanishad, Nrisimha Tapaniya Upanishad, Skanda Upanishad and Muktika Upanishad.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Vasudeva Upanishad」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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