The lineage of brahmavidā

Muṇḍakopaniṣad begins with the glorification of the lineage of brahmavidyā. By mentioning the greatness of the teachers in the lineage, it generates the interest and value for the listeners who seek mokṣa. Since the source of brahmavidyā is Īśvara himself and is preserved by the lineage of teaching, there is no defect which caused by human intellect. Hence, it is passed down without distortion.

The first two mantras describe the lineage of the teaching. This is done to glorify the teachers in order to engage the students in this knowledge with respect. Here, Brahmaji is presented as the first teacher, who is Īśvara himself.

brahmā devānām prathamaḥ sambabhūva

viśvasya kartā bhuvanasya goptā |

sa brahmavidyām sarvavidyāpratiṣṭhām

atharvāya jyeṣṭhaputrāya prāha ||1.1.1||

Among the devatās, Brahmaji came into being first; he is the creator of the entire universe and also its protector. He taught the knowledge of Brahman which is the most exalted among all forms of knowledge, to Atharva, his first son.

The upaniṣad starts by mentioning Brahmaji, who initiated this sampradāya (lineage of teaching). brahmā devānām prathamaḥ sambabhūva - Brahmaji is the foremost among devatā, since he was born before the creation (as the creator) and also he is foremost by qualities. viśvasya kartā - he is the creator of the entire world. Brahmaji is non other than Īśvara in a particular form in the aspect of creation. He is presented here as the firstborn in order to point out that this knowledge comes from Īśvara. He has four heads, representing the four Vedas, which stand for all knowledge. bhuvanasya goptā - he is the protector (sustainer) of the world. Īśvara in the form of creator is called Brahmaji, and as the sustainer, he is called Viṣṇu. From the standpoint of withdrawal he is Śiva. One Īśvara alone is viewed from different standpoints and is called by different names. Every expression in the creation can be viewed as Īśvara’s aspect.

What did Brahmaji do?

sa brahmavidyām atharvāya jyeṣṭhaputrāya prāha - he taught brahmavidyā to his first son Atharva. Here, Atharva is specifically mentioned as his son, revealing that the son received the most desirable from his father. Brahmaji taught his son completely without holding back anything. What the son got is said to be complete; thus the word prāha doesn’t merely mean taught. It means the teacher taught until the student understood. Only then Atharva can give this knowledge fully to another person. If he had not understood, then by the time the knowledge comes down through many generations, it would be different. That is why the paramparā has always been maintained.

sarvavidyāpratiṣṭhām - (this brahmavidyā) the basis for all forms of knowledge. It is the basis because brahman as the subject matter is the foundation of the entire creation; thus, every kind of knowledge is based on brahman alone. Furthermore, any knowledge is possible because of consciousness brahman alone. Without consciousness, knowledge is not possible at all. Therefore, all other knowledge has its basis in brahmavidyā.