The composition date of the text is unknown. Given the Vishnu avatar-oriented sectarian nature, and the description of tantric mantras in the text, it is likely a relatively late Upanishad. Sectarian Upanishads with tantra mantras were likely composed after the 10th century, states Douglas Brooks. Patrick Olivelle states that sectarian Upanishads attached to Atharvaveda were likely composed in the 2nd-millennium, until about the 16th century.
Name
The word Hayagriva means "horse necked". The term also refers to several different mythological characters found in all three major ancientIndic religions – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Hayagriva refers to a horse-themed avatar, also known as Ashvamukha, Ashvasirsa and Hayashirsa. In one legend, Hayagriva is the persistent horse who brought back the Vedas from asuras Madhu and Kaitabha who stole them, during the mythical battle between good and evil – a battle described in the Mahabharata. In an alternate mythology, Hayagriva refers to a demon who stole the Vedas and was slain by Vishnu in his Matsya avatar, a story presented in the Bhagavata Purana. In a third version, a mythology presented in medieval eraDevi-Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu appears in a hybrid human-body, horse-headed form called Hiyagriva who battles and kills a horse-like demon also named Hiyagriva. Finally, in Pancaratra Vaishnava tradition, Hayagriva-Vishnu becomes the god of learning and one who protects, maintains the Vedas. In the Hayagriva Upanishad, the term refers to half-human horse-headed Vishnu avatar who is the teacher of humanity.
Content
The Hayagriva Upanishad has 20 verses and is divided into two chapters. It is narrated as a sermon by the god Brahma to sage Narada. The text opens with an invocation to the god Vishnu, Indra, Garuda, the Sun, and Brihaspati are also invoked for welfare of all. Narada asks Brahma to grant him the knowledge of Brahman, which saves one from sins and grants spiritual and material wealth. Brahma declares that one who "masters" the mantras of Hayagriva learns the wisdom of the scriptures Shrutis, Smritis, Itihasas, and Puranas and is bestowed with wealth. Brahma then starts narrating the various mantras that are used in Hayagriva's worship. The first mantra salutes Hayagriva as Vishnu, the ruler of knowledge. He is praised beyond the material universe and as a saviour. The second mantra identifies Hayagriva as the manifestation of the three Vedas — Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda — and Om. He is, asserts the text, the symbol of all Vedas, the teacher of everything. Hayagriva is described to be radiant like the moon and holds a shankha, chakra and a book in his three hands, while the fourth makes the maha-mudra hand gesture. The 29-syllabled mantra and 28-syllable mantra are then told, ending the first chapter. The second chapter begins with Brahma telling about the one-syllable mantra of Hayagriva: Lhoum. The mantra Amritam kuru kuru svaha, asserts the text, grants control over words, wealth and the eight siddhis. Another mantra Lhoum sakala-samrajyena siddhim kuru kuru svaha through which, claims the text, in life the reciter gains pleasures and after death, salvation. This helps one realize the true spiritual meanings of the Vedic maxims :
Prajnanam Brahma,
Tat tvam asi ",
Ayam atma brahma,
Aham Brahmasmi.
Four supplementary Vedic mantras are then recited, which are "Yad Vak Vadanthi...", "Gowrimimaya...", "Oshtapidhana..." and "Sa Sarpareeramathim...". In tradition of Upanishads, the Hayagriva Upanishad ends by mentioning the merits of the text. The canon declares that one who recites the Hayagriva Upanishad on ekadashi would be blessed with Hayagriva's grace and attain salvation. The text ends with a prayer that this knowledge of the Brahman may remain with the devotee.
