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KAUSHITAKI-UPANISHAD
FIRST
ADHYAYA
1. KITRA
Gangyayani, forsooth, wishing to perform a sacrifice, chose Aruni (Uddalaka,
to be his chief priest). But Aruni sent his son, Svetaketu, and said:
'Perform the sacrifice for him.' When Svetaketu had arrived, Kitra asked
him: 'Son of Gautama, is there a hidden place in the world where you are
able to place me, or is it the other way, and are you going to place me in
the world to which it (that other way) leads,?'
He answered
and said: 'I do not know this But, let me ask the master.' Having
approached his father, he asked : 'Thus has Kitra asked me how shall I
answer?'
Aruni said:
'I also do not know this. Only after having learnt the proper portion of
the Veda in Kitra's own dwelling, shall we obtain what others give us
(knowledge). Come, we will both go.'
Having said
this he took fuel in his hand (like a pupil), and approached Kitra
Gangyayani, saying: 'May I come near to you ?' He replied: 'You are worthy
of Brahman, O Gautama, because you were not led away by pride. Come
hither, I shall make you know clearly.'
2. And Kitra
said: All who depart from this world (or this body) go to the moon. In the
former, (the bright) half, the moon delights in their spirits; in the
other, (the dark) half, the moon sends them on to be born again. Verily,
the moon is the door of the Svarga world (the heavenly world). Now, if a
man objects to the moon (if one is not satisfied with life there) the moon
sets him free. But if a man does not object, then the moon sends him down
as rain upon this earth. And according to his deeds and according to his
knowledge he is born again here as a worm, or as an insect, or as a fish,
or as a bird, or as a lion, or as a boar, or as a serpent, or as a tiger,
or as a man, or as something else in different places. When he has thus
returned to the earth, some one (a sage) asks: 'Who art thou?' And he
should answer: 'From the wise moon, who orders the seasons, when it is
born consisting of fifteen parts, from the moon who is the home of our
ancestors, the seed was brought. This seed, even me, they (the gods
mentioned in the Pankagnividya) gathered up in an active man, and through
an active man they brought me to a mother. Then I, growing up to be born,
a being living by months, whether twelve or thirteen, was together with my
father, who also lived by (years of) twelve or thirteen months, that I
might either know it (the true Brahman) or not know it. Therefore, O ye
seasons, grant that I may attain immortality (knowledge of Brahman). By
this my true saying, by this my toil (beginning with the dwelling in the
moon and ending with my birth on earth) I am (like) a season, and the
child of the seasons.' 'Who art thou?' the sage asks again. 'I am thou,'
he replies. Then he sets him free (to proceed onward).
3. He (at the
time of death), having reached the path of the gods, comes to the world of
Agni (fire), to the world of Vayu (air), to the world of Varuna, to the
world of Indra, to the world of Pragapati (Virag), to the world of Brahman
(Hiranyagarbha). In that world there is the lake Ara, the moments called
Yeshtiha, the river Vigara (age-less), the tree Ilya, the city Salagya,
the palace Aparagita (unconquerable), the door-keepers Indra and Pragapati,
the hall of Brahman, called Vibhu (built by vibhu, egoism), the throne
Vikakshana (buddhi, perception), the couch Amitaugas (endless splendour),
and the beloved Manasi (mind) and her image Kakshushi (eye), who, as if
taking flowers, are weaving the worlds, and the Apsaras, the Ambas (sruti,
sacred scriptures), and Ambayavis (buddhi, understanding), and the rivers
Ambayas (leading to the knowledge of Brahman). To this world he who knows
this (who knows the Paryanka-vidya) approaches. Brahman says to him: 'Run
towards him (servants) with such worship as is due to myself. He has
reached the river Vigara (age-less), he will never age.'
4. Then five
hundred Apsaras go towards him, one hundred with garlands in their hands,
one hundred with ointments in their hands, one hundred with perfumes in
their hands, one hundred with garments in their hands, one hundred with
fruit 2 in their hands. They adorn him. with an adornment worthy of
Brahman, and when thus adorned with the adornment of Brahman, the knower
of Brahman moves towards Brahman (neut.) He comes to the lake Ara, and he
crosses it by the mind, while those who come to it without knowing the
truth, are drowned. He comes to the moments called Yeshtiha, they flee
from him. He comes to the river Vigarga, and crosses it by the mind alone,
and there shakes off his good and evil deeds. His beloved relatives obtain
the good, his unbeloved relatives the evil he has done. And as a man,
driving in a chariot, might look at the two wheels (without being touched
by them), thus he will look at day and night, thus at good and evil deeds,
and at all pairs (at all correlative things, such as light and darkness,
heat and cold, &c.) Being freed from good and freed from evil he, the
knower of Brahman (neut.), moves towards Brahman.
5. He
approaches the tree Ilya, and the odour of Brahman reaches him. He
approaches the city Salagya, and the flavour of Brahman reaches him. He
approaches the palace Aparagita, and the splendour of Brahman reaches him.
He approaches the door-keepers Indra and Pragapati, and they run away from
him. He approaches the hall Vibhu, and the glory of Brahman reaches him
(he thinks, I am Brahman). He approaches the throne Vikakshana. The Saman
verses, Brihad and Rathantara, are the eastern feet of that throne; the
Saman verses, Syaita and Naudhasa, its western feet; the Saman verses,
Vairtipa and Vairaga, its sides lengthways (south and north); the Saman
verses, Sakvara and Raivata, its sides crossways (east and west). That
throne is Pragna knowledge, for by knowledge (self-knowledge) he sees
clearly. He approaches the couch Amitaugas. That is Prana (speech). The
past and the future are its eastern feet; prosperity and earth its western
feet; the Saman verses, Brihad and Rathantara, are the two sides
lengthways of the couch (south and north); the Saman verses, Bhadra and
Yagnayagniya, are its cross-sides at the head and feet (east and west);
the Rik and Saman are the long sheets (east and west); the Yagus the
cross-sheets (south and north); the moon-beam the cushion; the Udgitha the
(white) coverlet; prosperity the pillow. On this couch sits Brahman, and
he who knows this (who knows himself one with Brahman sitting on the
couch) mounts it first with one foot only. Then Brahman says to him: 'Who
art thou?' and he shall answer:
6. 'I am
(like) a season, and the child of the seasons, sprung from the womb of
endless space, from the light (from the luminous Brahman). The light, the
origin of the year, which is the past, which is the present, which is all
living things, and all elements, is the Self . Thou art the Self. What
thou art, that am I.'
Brahman says
to him: 'Who am I?' He shall answer: 'That which is, the true' (Sat-tyam).
Brahman asks:
'What is the true?' He says to him: 'What is different from the gods and
from the senses (prana) that is Sat, but the gods and the senses are Tyam.
Therefore by that name Sattya (true) is called all this whatever there is.
All this thou art.'
7. This is
also declared by a verse: 'This great Rishi, whose belly is the Yagus, the
head the Saman, the form the Rik, is to be known as being imperishable, as
being Brahman.'
Brahman says
to him: 'How dost thou obtain my male names?' He should answer: 'By breath
(pranah).'
Brahman asks:
'How my female names?' He should answer: 'By speech (vak).'
Brahman asks:
'How my neuter names?' He should answer: 'By mind (manas).' 'How smells?'
'By the nose.' 'How forms?' 'By the eye.' 'How sounds?' 'By the ear.' 'How
flavours of food?' 'By the tongue.' 'How actions?' 'By the hands.' 'How
pleasures and pain?' 'By the body.' 'How joy, delight, and offspring?' 'By
the organ.' 'How journeyings?' 'By the feet.' 'How thoughts, and what is
to be known and desired?' 'By knowledge (pragna) alone.'
Brahman says
to him: 'Water indeed is this my world', the whole Brahman world, and it
is thine.'
Whatever
victory, whatever might belongs to Brahman, that victory and that might he
obtains who knows this, yea, who knows this.
SECOND
ADHYAYA
1. Prana
(breath) is Brahman, thus says Kashitaki. Of this prana, which is Brahman,
the mind (manas) is the messenger, speech the housekeeper, the eye the
guard, the ear the informant. He who knows mind as the messenger of prana,
which is Brahman, becomes possessed of the messenger. He who knows speech
as the housekeeper, becomes possessed of the housekeeper. He who knows the
eye as the guard, becomes possessed of the guard. He who knows the ear as
the informant, becomes possessed of the informant.
Now to that
prana, which is Brahman, all these deities (mind, speech, eye, ear) bring
an offering, though he asks not for it, and thus to him who knows this all
creatures bring an offering, though he asks not for it. For him who knows
this, there is this Upanishad (secret vow), 'Beg not!' As a man who has
begged through a village and got nothing sits down and says, 'I shall
never eat anything given by those people,' and as then those who formerly
refused him press him (to accept their alms), thus is the rule for him who
begs not, but the charitable will press him and say, 'Let us give to
thee.'
2. Prana
(breath) is Brahman, thus says Paingya. And in that prana, which is
Brahman, the eye stands firm behind speech, the ear stands firm behind the
eye, the mind stands firm behind the ear, and the spirit stands firm
behind the mind'. To that prana, which is Brahman, all these deities bring
an offering, though he asks not for it, and thus to him who knows this,
all creatures bring an offering, though he asks not for it. For him who
knows this, there is this Upanishad (secret vow), 'Beg not!' As a man who
has begged through a village and got nothing sits down and says, 'I shall
never eat anything given by those people,' and as then those who formerly
refused him press him (to accept their alms), thus is the rule for him who
begs not, but the charitable will press him and say, Let us give to thee.'
3. Now
follows the attainment of the highest treasure (scil. prana, spirit). If a
man meditates on that highest treasure, let him on a full moon or a new
moon, or in the bright fortnight, under an auspicious Nakshatra, at one of
these proper times, bending his right knee, offer oblations of ghee with a
ladle (sruva), after having placed the fire, swept the ground, strewn the
sacred grass, and sprinkled water. Let him say: 'The deity called Speech
is the attainer, may it attain this for me from him (who possesses and can
bestow what I wish for). Svaha to it!'
'The deity
called prana (breath) is the attainer, may it attain this for me from him.
Svaha to it!'
'The deity
called the eye is the attainer, may it attain this for me from him. Svaha
to it!'
'The deity
called the ear is the attainer, may it attain this for me from him. Svaha
to it!'
'The deity
called mind (manas) is the attainer of it, may it attain this for me from
him. Svaha to it.'
'The deity
called pragna (knowledge) is the attainer of it, may it attain this for me
from him. Svaha to it!'
Then having
inhaled the smell of the smoke, and having rubbed his limbs with the
ointment of ghee, walking on in silence' let him declare his wish, or let
him send a messenger. He will surely obtain his wish.
4. Now
follows the Daiva Smara, the desire to be accomplished by the gods. If a
man desires to become dear to any man or woman, or to any men or women,
then at one of the (fore-mentioned) proper times he offers, in exactly the
same manner (as before), oblations of ghee, saying: 'I offer thy speech in
myself, I (this one here),Svaha.' 'I offer thy ear in myself, I (this one
here), Svaha.' 'I offer thy mind in myself, I (this one here), Sv'ha.' 'I
offer thy pragna (knowledge) in myself, I (this one here), Svaha.' Then
having inhaled the smell of the smoke, and having rubbed his limbs with
the ointment of.ghee, walking on in silence, let him try to come in
contact or let him stand speaking in the wind, (so that the wind may carry
his words to the person by whom he desires to be loved). Surely he becomes
dear, and they think of him.
5. Now
follows the restraint (samyamana) instituted by Pratardana (the son of
Divodasa): they call it the inner Agni-hotra. So long as a man speaks, he
cannot breathe, he offers all the while his prana (breath) in his speech.
And so long as a man breathes, he cannot speak, he offers all the while
his speech in his breath. These two endless and immortal oblations he
offers always, whether waking or sleeping. Whatever other oblations there
are (those, e. g. of the ordinary Agnihotra, consisting of milk and other
things), they have an end, for they consist of works (which, like all
works, have an end). The ancients, knowing this (the best Agnihotra), did
not offer the (ordinary) Agnihotra.
6. Uktha is
Brahman, thus said Sushkabhringara. Let him meditate on it (the uktha) as
the same with the Rik, and all beings will praise him as the best. Let him
meditate on it as the same with the Yagus, and all beings will join before
him as the best. Let him meditate on it as the same with the Saman, and
all beings will bow before him as the best. Let him meditate on it as the
same with might, let him meditate on it as the same with glory, let him
meditate on it as the same with splendour. For as the bow is among weapons
the mightiest, the most glorious, the most splendid, thus is he who knows
this among all beings the mightiest, the most glorious, the most splendid.
The Adhvaryu conceives the fire of the altar, which is used for the
sacrifice, to be himself. In it he (the Adhvaryu) weaves the Yagus portion
of the sacrifice. And in the Yagus portion the Hotri weaves the Rik
portion of the sacrifice. And in the Rik portion the Udgatri weaves the
Saman portion of the sacrifice. He (the Adhvaryu or prana) is the self of
the threefold knowledge; he indeed is the self of it (of prana). He who
knows this is the self of it (becomes prana).
7. Next
follow the three kinds of meditation of the all-conquering (sarvagit)
Kaushitaki. The all-conquering Kaushitaki adores the sun when rising,
having put on the sacrificial cord, having brought water, and having
thrice sprinkled the water-cup, saying: 'Thou art the deliverer, deliver
me from sin.' In the same manner he adores the sun when in the zenith,
saying: 'Thou art the highest deliverer, deliver me highly from sin.' In
the same manner he adores the sun when setting, saying: 'Thou art the full
deliverer, deliver me fully from sin.' Thus he fully removes whatever sin
he committed by day and by night. And in the same manner he who knows
this, likewise adores the sun, and fully removes whatever sin be committed
by day and by night.
8. Then
(secondly) let him worship every month (in the year) at the time of the
new moon, the moon as it is seen in the west in the same manner (as before
described with regard to the sun), or let him send forth his speech toward
the moon with two green blades of grass, saying: 'O thou who art mistress
of immortal joy, through that gentle heart of mine which abides in the
moon, may I never weep for misfortune concerning my children.'
The children
of him (who thus adores the moon) do not indeed die before him. Thus it is
with a man to whom a son is already born.
Now for one
to whom no son is born as yet. He mutters the three Rik verses. 'Increase,
O Soma! may vigour come to thee' (Rv. 1, 91, 16 ; IX, 31, 4).
'May milk,
may food go to thee' (Rv. I, 91, 18); That ray which the Adityas gladden.'
Having
muttered these three Rik verses, he says: 'Do not increase by our breath (prana),
by our offspring, by our cattle; he who hates us and whom we hate,
increase by his breath, by his offspring, by his cattle. Thus I turn the
turn of the god, I return the turn of Aditya.' After these words, having
raised the right arm (toward Soma), he lets it go again.
9. Then
(thirdly) let him worship on the day of the full moon the moon as it is
seen in the east in the same manner, saying: 'Thou art Soma, the king, the
wise, the five-mouthed, the lord of creatures. The Brahmana is one of thy
mouths; with that mouth thou eatest the kings (Kshatriyas); make me an
eater of food by that mouth! The king is one of thy mouths; with that
mouth thou eatest the people (Vaisyas) ; make me an eater of food by that
mouth! The hawk is one of thy mouths; with that mouth thou eatest the
birds; make me an eater of food by that mouth! Fire is one of thy mouths;
with that mouth thou eatest this world; make me an eater of food by that
mouth! In thee there is the fifth mouth; with that mouth thou eatest all
beings; make me an eater of food by that mouth! Do not decrease by our
life, by our offspring, by our cattle; he who hates us and whom we hate,
decrease by his life, by his offspring, by his cattle. Thus I turn the
turn of the god, I return the turn of Aditya.' After these words, having
raised the right arm, he lets it go again.
10. Next
(having addressed these prayers to Soma) when being with his wife, let him
stroke her heart, saying: 'O fair one, who hast obtained immortal joy by
that which has entered thy heart through Pragapati, mayest thou never fall
into sorrow about thy children.' Her children then do not die before her.
11. Next, if
a man has been absent and returns home, let him smell (kiss) his son's
head, saying: 'Thou springest from every limb, thou art born from the
heart, thou, my son, art my self indeed, live thou a hundred harvests.' He
gives him his name, saying: 'Be thou a stone, be thou an axe, be thou
solid gold; thou, my son, art light indeed, live thou a hundred harvests.'
He pronounces his name. Then he embraces him, saying: 'As Pragapati (the
lord of creatures) embraced his creatures for their welfare, thus I
embrace thee,' (pronouncing his name.) Then he mutters into his right ear,
saying: 'O thou, quick Maghavan, give to him' (Rv. 111, 36, 103). 'O Indra,
bestow the best wishes' (Rv. 11, 21, 6), thus he whispers into his left
ear. Let him then thrice smell (kiss) his head, saying: 'Do not cut off
(the line of our race), do not suffer. Live a hundred harvests of life; I
kiss thy head, O son, with thy name.' He then thrice makes a lowing sound
over his head, saying: 'I low over thee with the lowing sound of cows.'
12. Next
follows the Daiva Parimara, the dying around of the gods (the absorption
of the two classes of gods, mentioned before, into prana or Brahman). This
Brahman shines forth indeed when the fire burns, and it dies when it burns
not. Its splendour goes to the sun alone, the life (prana, the moving
principle) to the air.
This Brahman
shines forth indeed when the sun is seen, and it dies when it is not seen.
Its splendour goes to the moon alone, the life (prana) to the air.
This Brahman
shines forth indeed when the moon is seen, and it dies when it is not
seen. Its splendour goes to the lightning alone, its life (prana) to the
air.
This Brahman
shines forth indeed when the lightning flashes, and it dies when it
flashes not. Its splendour goes to the air, and the life (prana) to the
air.
Thus all
these deities (i.e. fire, sun, moon, lightning), having entered the air,
though dead, do not vanish; and out of the very air they rise again. So
much with reference to the deities (mythological). Now then with reference
to the body (physiological).
13. This
Brahman shines forth indeed when one speaks with speech, and it dies when
one does not speak. His splendour goes to the eye alone, the life (prana)
to breath (prana).
This Brahman
shines forth indeed when one sees with the eye, and it dies when one does
not see. Its splendour goes to the ear alone, the life (prana) to breath (prana).
This Brahman
shines forth indeed when one hears with the ear, and it dies when one does
not hear. Its splendour goes to the mind alone, the life (prana) to breath
(prana).
This Brahman
shines forth indeed when one thinks with the mind, and it dies when one
does not think. Its splendour goes to the breath (prana) alone, and the
life (prana) to breath (prana).
Thus all
these deities (the senses, &c.), having entered breath or life (prana)
alone, though dead, do not vanish ; and out of very breath (prana) they
rise again. And if two mountains, the southern and northern, were to move
forward trying to crush him who knows this, they would not crush him. But
those who hate him and those whom he hates, they die around him.
14. Next
follows the Nihsreyasadana (the accepting of the pre-eminence of prana
(breath or life) by the other gods). The deities (speech, eye, ear, mind),
contending with each for who was the best, went out of this body, and the
body lay without. breathing, withered, like a log of wood. Then speech
went into it, but speaking by speech, it lay still. Then the eye went into
it, but speaking by speech, and seeing by the eye, it lay still. Then the
ear went into it, but speaking by speech, seeing by the eye, hearing by
the ear, it lay still. Then mind went into it, but speaking by speech,
seeing by the eye, hearing by the ear, thinking by the mind, it lay still.
Then breath (prana, life) went into it, and thence it rose at once. All
these deities, having recognised the pre-eminence in prana, and having
comprehended prana alone as the conscious self (pragnatman went out of
this body with all these (five different kinds of prana), and resting in
the air (knowing that prana had entered the air), and merged in the ether
(akasa), they went to heaven. And in the same manner he who knows this,
having recognised the pre-eminence in prana, and having comprehended prana
alone as the conscious self (pragnatman), goes out of this body with all
these (does no longer believe in this body), and resting in the air, and
merged in the ether, he goes to heaven, he goes to where those gods
(speech, &c.) are. And having reached this he, who knows this, becomes
immortal with that immortality which those gods enjoy.
15. Next
follows the father's tradition to the son, and thus they explain it. The
father, when going to depart, calls his son, after having strewn the house
with fresh grass, and having laid the sacrificial fire, and having placed
near it a pot of water with a jug (full of rice), himself covered with a
new cloth, and dressed in white. He places himself above his son, touching
his organs with his own organs, or he may deliver the tradition to him
while he sits before him. Then he delivers it to him. The father says:
Let me place
my speech in thee.' The son says:
I take thy
speech in me.' The father says: 'Let me place my scent (prana) in thee.'
The son says : 'I take thy scent in me.' The father says: 'Let me place my
eye in thee.' The son says : 'I take thy eye in me.' The father says :
'Let me place my ear in thee.' The son says: 'I take thy ear in me.' The
father says: 'Let me place my tastes of food in thee.' The son says : 'I
take thy tastes of food in me.' The father says- 'Let me place my actions
in thee.' The son says: 'I take thy actions in me.' The father says : 'Let
me place my pleasure and pain in thee.' The son says: 'I take thy pleasure
and pain in me.' The father says Let me place happiness, joy, and
offspring in thee.' The son says: 'I take thy happiness, joy, and
offspring in me.' The father says : 'Let me place my walking in thee.' The
son says : 'I take thy walking in me.' The father says: 'Let me place my
mind in thee.' The son says: 'I take thy mind in me.' The father says:
'Let me place my knowledge (pragna) in thee.' The son says: 'I take thy
knowledge in me.' But if the father is very ill, he may say shortly: 'Let
me place my spirits (pranas) in thee,' and the son: 'I take thy spirits in
me.'
Then the son
walks round his father keeping his right side towards him, and goes away.
The father calls after him: 'May fame, glory of countenance, and honour
always follow thee.' Then the other looks back over his left shoulder,
covering himself with his hand or the hem of his garment, saying: 'Obtain
the heavenly worlds (svarga) and all desires.'
If the father
recovers, let him be under the authority of his son, or let him wander
about (as an ascetic). But if he departs, then let them despatch him, as
he ought to be despatched, yea, as he ought to be despatched.
THIRD
ADHYAYA
1. Pratardana,
forsooth, the son of Divodasa (king of Kasi), came by means of fighting
and strength to the beloved abode of Indra. Indra said to him 'Pratardana,
let me give you a boon to choose.' And Pratardana answered: 'Do you
yourself choose that boon for me which you deem most beneficial for a
man.' Indra said to him: 'No one who chooses, chooses for another; choose
thyself.' Then Pratardana replied : 'Then that boon to choose is no boon
for me.'
Then,
however, Indra did not swerve from the truth, for Indra is truth. Indra
said to him: 'Know me only; that is what I deem most beneficial for man,
that he should know me. I slew the three-headed son of Tvashtri; I
delivered the Arunmukhas, the devotees, to the wolves (salavrika);
breaking many treaties, I killed the people of Prahlada in heaven, the
people of Puloma in the sky, the people of Kalakanga on earth. And not one
hair of me was harmed there. And he who knows me thus, by no deed of his
is his life harmed, not by the murder of his mother, not by the murder of
his father, not by theft, not by the killing of a Brahman. If he is going
to commit a sin, the bloom I does not depart from his face!
2. Indra
said: 'I am prana, meditate on me as the conscious self (pragnatman), as
life, as immortality. Life is prana, prana is life. Immortality is prana,
prana is immortality. As long as prana dwells in this body, so long surely
there is life. By prana he obtains immortality in the other world, by
knowledge true conception. He who meditates on me as life and immortality,
gains his full life in this world, and obtains in the Svarga world
immortality and indestructibility.'
(Pratardana
said): 'Some maintain here, that the pranas become one, for (otherwise) no
one could at the same time make known a name by speech, see a form with
the eye, hear a sound with the ear, think a thought with the mind. After
having become one, the pranas perceive all these together, one by one.
While speech speaks, all pranas speak after it. While the eye sees, all
pranas see after it. While the car hears, all pranas hear after it. While
the mind thinks, all pranas think after it. While the prana breathes, all
pranas breathe after it.'
'Thus it is
indeed,' said Indra, 'but nevertheless there is a pre-eminence among the
pranas.
3. Man lives
deprived of speech, for we see dumb people. Man lives deprived of sight,
for we see blind people. Man lives deprived of hearing, for we see deaf
people. Man lives deprived of mind, for we see infants. Man lives deprived
of his arms, deprived of his legs, for we see it thus. But prana alone is
the conscious self (pragnatman), and having laid hold of this body, it
makes it rise up. Therefore it is said, Let man worship it alone as uktha.
What is prana, that is pragna (self-consciousness); what is pragna
(self-consciousness), that is prana, for together they (pragna and prana)
live in this body, and together they go out of it. Of that, this is the
evidence, this is the understanding. When a man, being thus asleep, sees
no dream whatever, he becomes one with that prana alone. Then speech goes
to him (when he is absorbed in prana) with all names, the eye with all
forms, the ear with all sounds, the mind with all thoughts. And when he
awakes, then, as from a burning fire sparks proceed in all directions,
thus from that self the pranas (speech, &c.) proceed, each towards its
place; from the pranas the gods (Agni, &c.), from the gods the worlds.
Of this, this
is the proof, this is the understanding. When a man is thus sick, going to
die, falling into weakness and faintness, they say: 'His thought has
departed, he hears not, he sees not, he speaks not, he thinks not.' Then
he becomes one with that prana alone. Then speech goes to him (who is
absorbed in prana) with all names, the eye with all forms, the ear with
all sounds, the mind with all thoughts. And when he departs from this
body, he departs together with all these
4. Speech
gives up to him (who is absorbed in prana) all names, so that by speech he
obtains all names. The nose gives up to him all odours, so that by scent
he obtains all odours. The eye gives up to him all forms, so that by the
eye he obtains all forms. The ear gives up to him all sounds, so that by
the ear he obtains all sounds. The mind gives up to him all thoughts, so
that by the mind he obtains all thoughts. This is the complete absorption
in prana. And what is prana is pragna (selfconsciousness), what is pragna
(self-consciousness) is prana. For together do these two live in the body,
and together do they depart.
Now we shall
explain how all things become one a in that pragna. (self-consciousness).
5. Speech is
one portion taken out of pragna (self-conscious knowledge), the word is
its object, placed outside. The nose is one portion taken out of it, the
odour is its object, placed outside. The eye is one portion taken out of
it, the form is its object, placed outside. The ear is one portion taken
out of it, the sound is its object, placed outside. The tongue is one
portion taken out of it, the taste of food is its object, placed outside.
The two hands are one portion taken out of it, their action is their
object, placed outside. The body is one portion taken out of it, its
pleasure and pain are its object, placed outside. The organ is one portion
taken out of it, happiness, joy, and offspring are its object, placed
outside. The two feet are one portion taken out of it, movements are their
object, placed outside. Mind is one portion taken out of it, thoughts and
desires are its object, placed outside.
6. Having by
pragna (self-conscious knowledge) taken possession of speech, he obtains
by speech all words. Having by pragna taken possession of the nose, he
obtains all odours. Having by pragna taken possession of the eye, he
obtains all forms. Having by pragna taken possession of the ear, he
obtains all sounds. Having by pragna taken possession of the tongue, he
obtains all tastes of food. Having by pragna taken possession of the two
hands, he obtains all actions. Having by pragna taken possession of the
body, he obtains pleasure and pain. Having by pragna taken possession of
the organ, he obtains happiness, joy, and offspring. Having by pragna
taken possession of the two feet, he obtains all movements. Having by
pragna taken possession of mind, he obtains all thoughts.
7. For
without pragna (self-consciousness) speech does not make known (to the
self) any word. 'My mind was absent,' he says, 'I did not perceive that
word.' Without pragna the nose does not make known any odour. 'My mind was
absent,' he says, ' I did not perceive that odour.' Without pragna the eye
does not make known any form. 'My mind was absent,' he says, ' I did not
perceive that form.' Without pragna the ear does not make known any sound.
'My mind was absent,' he says, 'I did not perceive that sound.' Without
pragna the tongue does not make known any taste. 'My mind was absent,' he
says, ' I did not perceive that taste.' Without pragna the two hands do
not make known any act. 'Our mind was absent,' they say, 'we did not
perceive any act.' Without pragna the body does not make known pleasure or
pain. 'My mind was absent,' he says, 'I did not perceive that pleasure or
pain.' Without pragna the organ does not make known happiness, joy, or
offspring. 'My mind was absent,' he says, 'I did not perceive that
happiness, joy, or offspring.' Without pragna the two feet do not make
known any movement. 'Our mind was absent,' they say, 'we did not perceive
that movement.' Without pragna no thought succeeds, nothing can be known
that is to be known.
8. Let no man
try to find out what speech is, let him know the speaker, Let no man try
to find out what odour is, let him know him who smells. Let no man try to
find out what form is, let him know the seer. Let no man try to find out
what sound is, let him know the hearer. Let no man try to find out the
tastes of food, let him know the knower of tastes. Let no man try to find
out what action is, let him know the agent. Let no man try to find out
what pleasure and pain are, let him know the knower of pleasure and pain.
Let no man try to find out what happiness, joy, and offspring are, let him
know the knower of happiness, joy, and offspring. Let no man try to find
out what movement is, let him know the mover. Let no man try to find out
what mind is, let him know the thinker. These ten objects (what is spoken,
smelled, seen, &c.) have reference to pragna (self-consciousness), the ten
subjects (speech, the senses, mind) have reference to objects. If there
were no objects, there would be no subjects; and if there were no
subjects, there would be no objects. For on either side alone nothing
could be achieved. But that (the self of pragna, consciousness, and prana,
life) is not many, (but one.) For as in a car the circumference of a wheel
is placed on the spokes, and the spokes on the nave, thus are these
objects (circumference) placed on the subjects (spokes), and the subjects
on the prana. And that prana (breath, the living and breathing power)
indeed is the self of pragna (the self-conscious self), blessed,
imperishable, immortal. He does not increase by a good action, nor
decrease by a bad action. For he (the self of prana and pragna) makes him,
whom he wishes to lead up from these worlds, do a good deed; and the same
makes him, whom he wishes to lead down from these worlds, do a bad deed.
And he is the guardian of the world, he is the king of the world, he is
the lord of the universe,and he is my (Indra's) self, thus let it be
known, yea, thus let it be known!
FOURTH
ADHYAYA
1. There was
formerly Gargya Balaki, famous as a man of great reading; for it was said
of him that he lived among the Usinaras, among the Satvat-Matsyas the
Kuru-Pankalas, the Kasi-Videhas. Having gone to Agatasatru, (the king) of
Kasi, he said to him: 'Shall I tell you Brahman?' Agatasatru said to him:
'We give a thousand (cows) for that speech (of yours), for verily all
people run away, saying, " Ganaka (the king of Mithila) is our father
(patron)."'
2. [about 2
pages of verbatim Sanskrit omitted]
3. Balaki
said: 'The person that is in the sun, on him I meditate (as Brahman).'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'No, no! do not challenge me (to a disputation) on this. I
meditate on him who is called great, clad in white raiment, the supreme,
the head of all beings. Who so meditates on him thus, becomes supreme, and
the head of all beings.'
4. Balaki
said: 'The person that is in the moon, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as Soma, the
king, the self, (source) of all food. Whoso meditates on him thus, becomes
the self, (source) of all food.'
5. Balaki
said: 'The person that is in the lightning, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him - 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as the self
in light. Whoso meditates on hirn thus, becomes the self in light.'
6. Balaki
said : 'The person that is in the thunder, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as the self
of sound'. Whoso meditates on him thus, becomes the self of sound.'
7. Balaki
said: 'The person that is in the ether, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as the full,
quiescent Brahman. Whoso meditates on him thus, is filled with offspring
and cattle. Neither he himself nor his offspring dies before the time.'
8. Balaki
said: 'The person that is in the air, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as Indra
Vaikuntha, as the unconquerable army. Whoso meditates on him thus, becomes
victorious, unconquerable, conquering his enemies.'
9. Balaki
said: 'The person that is in the fire, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as powerful.
Whoso meditates on him thus, becomes powerful among others.'
10. Balaki
said: 'The person that is in the water, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as the self
of the name. Whoso meditates on him thus, becomes the self of the name.'
So far with regard to deities (mythological); now with regard to the body
(physiological).
11. Balaki
said : 'The person that is in the mirror, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as the
likeness. Whoso meditates on him thus, to him a son is born in his family
who is his likeness, not one who is not his likeness.'
12. Balaki
said : 'The person that is in the echo, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as the
second, who never goes away. Whoso meditates on him thus, he gets a second
from his second (his wife), he becomes doubled 1.
13. Balaki
said: 'The sound that follows a man, on that I meditate.
Agatasatru.
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as life.
Whoso meditates on him thus, neither he himself nor his offspring will
faint before the time.'
14. Balaki
said: 'The person that is in the shadow, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as death.
Whoso meditates on him thus, neither he himself nor his offspring will die
before the time.'
15. Balaki
said : 'The person that is embodied, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as Lord of
creatures. Whoso meditates on him thus, is multiplied in offspring and
cattle.'
16. Balaki
said: 'The Self which is conscious (pragna), and by whom he who sleeps
here, walks about in sleep, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as Yama the
king. Whoso meditates on him thus, everything is subdued for his
excellencies.'
17. Balaki
said: 'The person that is in the right eye, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him: 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as the self
of the name, as the self of fire, as the self of splendour. Whoso
meditates on him thus, he becomes the self of these.'
18. Balaki
said The person that is in the left eye, on him I meditate.'
Agatasatru
said to him : 'Do not challenge me on this. I meditate on him as the self
of the true, as the self of lightning, as the self of light. Whoso
meditates on him thus, he becomes the self of these.'
19. After
this Balaki became silent. Agatasatru said to him: 'Thus far only (do you
know), O Balaki?' 'Thus far only,' replied BalaAki.
Then
Agatasatru said to him: 'Vainly did you challenge me, saying: 'Shall I
tell you Brahman? O Balaki, he who is the maker of those persons (whom you
mentioned), he of whom all this is the work, he alone is to be known.'
Thereupon
Balaki came, carrying fuel in his hand, saying: 'May I come to you as a
pupil?' Agatasatru said to him: ' I deem it improper that a Kshatriya
should initiate a Brahmana. Come, I shall make you know clearly.' Then
taking him by the hand, he went forth. And the two together came to a
person who was asleep. And Agatasatru called him, saying: 'Thou great one,
clad in white raiment, Soma, King.' But he remained lying. Then he pushed
him with a stick, and he rose at once. Then said Agatasatru to him: 'Balaki,
where did this person here sleep? Where was he? Whence came he thus back?.
Balaki did not know.
20. And
Agatasatru said to him: 'Where this person here slept, where he was,
whence he thus came back, is this: The arteries of the heart called Hita
extend from the heart of the person towards the surrounding body. Small as
a hair divided a thousand times, they stand full of a thin fluid of
various colours, white, black, yellow, red. In these the person is when
sleeping he sees no dream.
Then he
becomes one with that prana alone. Then speech goes to him with all names,
the eye with all forms, the ear with all sounds, the mind with all
thoughts. And when he awakes, then, as from a burning fire, sparks proceed
in all directions, thus from that self the pranas (speech, &c.) proceed,
each towards its place, from the pranas the gods, from the gods the
worlds. And as a razor might be fitted in a razor-case, or as fire in the
fire-place (the arani on the altar), even thus this conscious self enters
the self of the body (considers the body as himself) to the very hairs and
nails. And the other selfs (such as speech, &c.) follow that self, as his
people follow the master of the house. And as the master feeds with his
people, nay, as his people feed on the master, thus does this conscious
self feed with the other selfs, as a master with his people, and the other
selfs follow him, as his people follow the master. So long as Indra did
not understand that self, the Asuras conquered him. When he understood it,
he conquered the Asuras and obtained the pre-eminence among all gods,
sovereignty, supremacy. And thus also he who knows this obtains
pre-eminence among all beings, sovereignty, supremacy, - yea, he who knows
this. |