Upanishads are great examples of ancient Indian wisdom, and are read, respected and adored around the globe. Learnt by earnest aspirants by sitting at the feet of great rishis, the Upanishads teach us what is the eternal truth and the paths to it.
Where will you find such rishis in India today? Rare. We also don't have the ability to go seeking in the Himalayas. What is the alternative?
God in his infinite wisdom has provided a ready alternative. Yes, we can learn from a more immediate and effective alternative: mosquitoes.
Now don't laugh. Just as you don't laugh when mosquitoes bite you, you will intensely experience truth as you read my humble attempt, the Mashakopanishad, or the Upanishad of the mosquitoes.
I shall give you the original quote as a parallel. So the truth sinks in better.
Truth #1
Truth is one, though the sages know it by many names.
— Rig Veda (Book I, Hymn CLXIV, Verse 46)
Mashakopanishad #1
The menace is one. People call it by many names, malaria, dengue, elephantiasis, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis,...
Truth #2
Om ! That is infinite, and this is infinite.
The infinite proceeds from the infinite.
Taking the infinitude of the infinite,
It remains as the infinite.
- Isha Upanishad
Mashakopanishad #2
The total number of mosquitoes, which is infinite, will remain the same whatever you do.
Truth #3
The righteous and the pleasurable -
The intelligent one examines both and separates them.
Yes, the intelligent one prefers the righteous to the pleasurable,
(whereas) the ignorant one selects the pleasurable (which ends in pain)
– Katha Upanishad – 1.2.2
Mashakopanishad #3
To feel the breeze and enjoy the sights, the unintelligent open windows and doors. To avoid mosquito bites, the intelligent close them, and invoke the repellents.
Truth #4
This Ancient One is unborn, eternal, everlasting. It is not slain even though the body is slain.
Though sitting, It travels far; though lying, It goes everywhere.
- Katha Upanishad
Mashakopanishad #4
The mosquito, unborn, eternal, can never be slain. Apparently sitting, it moves miles and miles. Lying low, it gets you all of a sudden.
Truth #5
The female of the species is more deadly than the male - Rudyard Kipling
Mashakopanishad #5
The female Anopheles mosquito bites hard and deep, and even makes a macabre song and dance about it.
