Reflection on Mundaka Upanisad

Sanskrit as a language is well known for its categories and very strong foundational grammatical
structures. Most of the ancient Vedic texts, Upanisads follow strict grammatical structures [Nirukti],
metrics [Chandas]. However, a careful analysis of the linguistics reveal certain deviations in the texts
written in the latter periods from the initial Vedic texts [The Relative Chronology of the Older Upanisads:
A Metrical and Linguistic Approach by Signe Cohen].

Mundaka Upanisad has distinct linguistic characteristics compared to the other later Vedic writings and .
Dr Richard G.Salomon clearly elaborates some of the linguistic peculiarities and its anomalies in his essay
‘Linguistic analysis of Mundaka Upanisad’. The nature of anomalies although found in various upanisads
it appears to be more prominent in Mundaka upanisad [about 40 anomalies] compared to 10 or less in
other upanisads.

The nature of these anomalies are found in the grammatical forms like sandhi, noun & verb forms,
syntax etc. Salomon examines that these peculiarities are less common to the other upanisads and
rather finds similarities with the Buddhist Sanskrit texts. The apparent deviations is pointed to be
because of the usage of Vernacular Sanskrit in the texts. However, the authors Cohen and Salomon
don’t tend to suggest that Mundaka upanisad is older because of the vernacular style of language rather
believe it to be of the similar time of Katha and Svetasvatara upanisads. However, it is quite interesting
to note that how come only few anomalies could come in if the usage is vernacular in nature and not
influence the entire text. The authors don’t tend to explain this in detail.

As far as the teachings are concerned the Mundaka upanisad throws light on the aspects of brahmavidya
or para vidya or higher knowledge and its distinctness from the lower forms of knowledge. Verse 1.1.5
describes the Rig Veda, Sama, Yajur, Atharva vedas and the six Vedangas belong to the lower knowledge
while the Mundaka upansiad which talk about brahma vidya falls into the category of higher knowledge
text. Unlike other upanisads, Mundaka upanisad hardly deals with the ritualistic aspects and rather
focuses on the aspects of knowledge, reality and the self in greater depth. The various properties of the
atman and the destiny of a person who knows it is well explained.

Interestingly, although belonging to almost the same time period, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka
upanisad have many verses in common describing the nature of the atman. Further, it has been quite
complex to describe the source of the common verses as whether it was borrowed from a third source
or if it was first mentioned in any one of the above upanisads [Cohen].