Vāsudevopaniṣad
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Vāsudevopaniṣad is a minor upaniṣad belonging to the Sāmaveda group. It is a short work in the form of a dialogue between the sage Nārada and Lord Vāsudeva, mostly in the anuṣṭubh metre interspersed with prose sentences. The main theme is how to prepare and wear the tripuṇdra mark with the yellow clay called gopīcandana, on the different parts of the body. Parts of the body on which the tripuṇdra has to be inscribed are:
- Forehead
- Neck
- Arms
- Chest
In addition to the above places, a sanyāsin has to wear it on the top of the shaven head also. Various Vedic mantras as also the Praṇava[1] are to be used while marking.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore