Part One - On Siksha or Pronunciation
Chapter I-Invocation
Harih Om. May Mitra be propitious unto
us! May Varuna be propitious unto us! May Aryaman be propitious unto us! May
Indra and Brihaspati be propitious unto us! May Vishnu, of wide strides, be
propitious unto us! Salutation to Brahman! Salutation to Thee, O Vayu!
Thou indeed art the visible Brahman. Thee indeed I shall proclaim as the
visible Brahman. Thee indeed, O Vayu, I shall proclaim as the right. Thee
indeed I shall proclaim as the true. May It protect me! May It protect
the teacher! May It protect me! May It protect the teacher! Om. Peace!
Peace! Peace!
Chapter II-Lesson on Pronunciation
Om. We will expound siksha, or the science
of pronunciation. It deals with sound, pitch, quantity, force, modulation
and combination. Thus is explained the lesson on pronunciation.
Chapter III-Meditation on the Combinations
1
May glory come on both of us together! May
the light of Brahman shine alike through both of us! Now we will explain the
Upanishad on the Samhita (combinations) under five heads: with regards to
the worlds, the heavenly lights, knowledge, progeny and the atman (body).
People call these the great Samhitas. First, with regard to the worlds: The
earth is the first form, heaven is the last from, the akasa is the union and
the air is the medium. Thus with regard to the worlds.
2
Next, with regard to the heavenly lights:
Fire is the first form, the sun is the second form, water is the union and
lightning is the medium. Thus with regard to the heavenly lights.
3
Next, with regard to knowledge: The
teacher is the first form, the pupil is the second form, knowledge is the
union and the recitation is the medium. Thus with regard to
knowledge.
4
Next, with regard to progeny: The mother
is the first form, the father is the second form, the progeny is the union
and procreation is the medium. Thus with regard to the progeny.
5
Next, with regard to atman: The lower jaw
is the first form, the upper jaw is the second form, the speech is the union
and the tongue is the medium. Thus with regard to the atman.
6
There are the great Samhitas. He who
meditates on these Samhitas, as here explained, becomes united with progeny,
cattle, the light of Brahman, food and the heavenly world.
Chapter IV-Prayer for Wisdom and Fortune
1
May He who is the bull of the Vedic hymns,
who assumes all forms, who has sprung from the immortal hymns of the
Vedas-may that that Indra cheer me with wisdom. O God, may I be the
possessor of immortality! May my body be competent; may my tongue be
exceedingly sweet; may I hear abundantly with my ears. Thou art the sheath
of Brahman, concealed by intelligence. Guard for me what I have
learnt.
2
Om. Next bring me, without delay, fortune
accompanied by wool and cattle-fortune which always provides me with clothes
and cattle, food and drink. Increase them when they have been acquired and
preserve them long when increased. Svaha! May brahmacharins come to me
variously! Svaha! May brahmacharins come to me!. Svaha! May
brahmacharins practise self-control! Svaha! May brahmacharins enjoy
peace! Svaha!
3
May I become famous among men!
Svaha! May I become richer than the rich! Svaha! O gracious Lord, may
I enter into Thee! Svaha! May Thou, O gracious Lord, enter into me!
Svaha! O Lord, I am cleansing my sins in that Self of Thine, which is
like a river of a thousand branches. Svaha! O Preserver, as waters flow
downward, as the months merge in the year, so may brahmacharins come to me
from all directions! Svaha! Thou art a refuge. To me do Thou shine forth.
Accept me unto Thyself completely.
Chapter V-Four Mystical Utterances
Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah-these are, verily, the
three utterances. Besides these there is a forth, called Mahwah, which
became known to the son of Mahachamasa. That is Brahman, that is the Self.
The other gods are its limbs. Bhuh is, verily, this world; Bhuvah, the
mid-region; Suvah, the world yonder; Mahah, the sun. Through the sun,
indeed, do all the worlds become great. Bhuh is, verily, fire; Bhuvah,
the air; Suvah, the sun; Mahah, the moon. By the moon, indeed, do all the
heavenly lights become great. Bhuh is, verily, the Rik-verses; Bhuvah,
the Saman; Suvah, the Yajus; Mahah, Brahman. By Brahman, indeed, do all the
Vedas become great. Bhuh is, verily, the prana, Bhuvah, the apana; Suvah,
the vyana; Mahah, food. By food, indeed, do all the breaths become
great. They, these four, become fourfold. Four and four are the
vyahritis. He who knows these knows Brahman. All the gods bring offerings to
him.
Chapter VI-Meditation on Saguna Brahman
1
There is a space within the heart; in it
lies the Person consisting of mind, immortal and luminous. The Sushumna
passes through the piece of flesh which hangs down like a nipple between the
two palates and ends where the skull splits and the roots of hair lie apart.
That Sushumna is the path for the realisation of Indra. The souls of the
aspirants, passing through the Sushumna, rests in fire, represented by the
vyahriti Bhuh; the rests in the air, represented by the vyahriti
Bhuvah.
2
He rests in the sun, represented by the
vyahriti Suvah; he rests in Brahman, represented by the vyahriti
Mahah. He attains self-rule. He attains the lordship of the mind; he
attains the lordship of speech; he attains the lordship of sight; he attains
the lordship of hearing; he attains the lordship of intelligence.
Furthermore, he becomes this-he becomes Brahman, whose body is space, whose
nature is true, who delights in life and rejoices in the mid, who abounds in
peace, who is immortal. Thus do thou, O Prachinayogya,
contemplate.
Chapter VII-Meditation on the Fivefold Nature and Individual
Earth, the mid-region, heaven, the
quarters and the intermediate quarters. Agni (fire), Vayu (air), Aditya
(sun), Chandrama (moon) and the Nakshatras (stars). Water, herbs, tree,
space and the body. So much with reference to material objects. Now with
reference to the body: The prana, vyana, apana, udana and samana; the eye,
the ear, the mind speech and touch; the skin, flesh, muscle, bone and
marrow. Having thus ordained, a rishi said: "Whatever exists is
fivefold." Through the fivefold one becomes united with the fivefold
material object.
Chapter VIII-Meditation on Om
On is Brahman. Om is all this. This
syllable Om is used to indicate compliance. When they are told: "Om,
recite," they recite. Uttering Om, they sing the Saman chants. With "Om,
Som," they recite the prayers. Uttering Om, the adhvaryu priest gives the
response. Uttering Om, the Brahma gives assent. Uttering Om, gives
permission to offer oblations in the Agnihotra sacrifice. When a Vedic
teacher wishes to obtain Brahman he utters Om; thus desiring Brahman, he
verily obtains Brahman.
Chapter IX-Disciplines
The disciplines are rightness and also the
learning and teaching; truth and also the learning and teaching of the
Vedas; austerity and also the learning and teaching of the Vedas;
self-control and also the learning and teaching of the Vedas; tranquillity
and also the learning and teaching of the Vedas; the kindling of sacrificial
fires and also the learning and teaching of the Vedas; the performance of
the Agnihotra sacrifice and also the learning and teaching of the Vedas;
hospitality to guests and also the learning and teaching of the Vedas; the
performance of social duties and also the learning and teaching of the
Vedas; procreation and also the learning and teaching of the Vedas;
propagation of the race and also the learning and teaching of the
Vedas. Differing views on the subject: Truth alone, according to
Satyvachas of the line of Rathitara, should be practised; austerity alone,
according to Taponitya the son of Purusishti; according to Naka the son of
Mudgalya, the learning and teaching of the Vedas alone, for that is
austerity.
Chapter X-A Mantra for Daily Meditation
I am the mover of the tree of the
universe. My fame rises high, like a mountain peak. My root is the Supremely
Pure Brahman. I am the unstained essence of the Self, like the nectar of
immortality that resides in the sun. I am the brightest treasure. I am the
shinning wisdom. I am immortal and undecaying. Thus did Trisanku proclaim
after the attainment of the Knowledge of the Self of the Self.
Chapter XI-Exhortation to the Departing Student
1
Having taught the Vedas, the teacher thus
instructs the pupil: Speak the truth. Practise dharma. Do not neglect the
study of the Vedas. Having brought to the teacher the gift desired by him,
enter the householder's life and see that the line of progeny is not cut
off. Do not swerve from the truth. Do not swerve from dharma. Do not neglect
personal welfare. Do not neglect prosperity. Do not neglect the study and
teaching of the Vedas.
2
Do not neglect your
duties to the gods and the Manes. Treat your mother as God. Treat your
father as God. Treat your teacher as God. Treat your guest as God. Whatever
deeds are faultless, these are to be performed-not others. Whatever good
works have been performed by us, those should be performed by you-not
others.
3
Those brahmins who are
superior to us-you should comfort them by giving them seats. Whatever is
to be given should be given with faith, not without faith-according to one’s
plenty, with modesty, with fear, with sympathy.
4
Now, if there arises in
your mind any doubt concerning any act, or any doubt concerning conduct, you
should conduct yourself in such matters as brahmins would conduct
themselves-brahmins who are competent to judge, who of their own accord are
devoted to good deed and are not urged to their performance by others, and
who are not too severe, but are lovers of dharma. Now, with regards to
persons spoken against, you should conduct yourself in such a way as
brahmins would conduct themselves-brahmins who are competent to judge, who
of their own accord are devoted to good deeds and are not urged to their
performance by others, and who are not too severe, but are lovers of
dharma. This is the rule. This is the teaching. This is the secret wisdom
of the Vedas. This is the command of God. This you should observe. This
alone should be observed.
Chapter XII-The Peace Chant
May Mitra be propitious
unto us! May Varuna be propitious unto us! May Aryaman be propitious unto
us! May Indra and Brihaspati be propitious unto us! May Vishnu, of wide
strides, be propitious unto us! Salutation to Brahman! Salutation to
Thee, O Vayu! Thou indeed art the visible Brahman. Thee indeed I proclaimed
as the visible Brahman. I proclaimed the right. I proclaimed the
true. That protected me. That protected the teacher. Ay, that protected
me, that protected the teacher. Om. Peace! Peace! Peace!
Part Two - On Brahmananda or the Bliss of Brahman
Chapter I-The Sheath of Food
1
Om. May Mitra be
propitious unto us! May Varuna be propitious unto us! May Aryaman be
propitious unto us! May Indra and Brihaspati be propitious unto us! May
Vishnu, of wide strides, be propitious unto us! Salutation to Brahman!
Salutation to Thee, O Vayu! Thou indeed art the visible Brahman. Thee
indeed, O Vayu, I shall proclaim as the right! Thee indeed, I shall proclaim
as the true! May It protect me! May It protect the teacher! May It
protect me! May It protect the teacher!
2
Om. May Brahman protect us
both! May Brahman bestow upon us both the fruit of Knowledge! May we both
obtain the energy to acquire Knowledge! May what we both study reveal the
Truth! May we cherish no ill-feeling toward each other! Om. Peace! Peace!
Peace!
3
Om. He who knows Brahman
attains the Supreme. On the above, the following mantra is
recorded: “He who knows Brahman which is Reality, Knowledge and Infinity,
hidden in the cave of the heart and in the highest akasa-he, being one with
the omniscient Brahman, enjoys simultaneously all desires.” From the
Atman was born akasa; from akasa, air; from air, fire; from fire, water;
from water, earth; from earth, herbs; from herbs, food; from food,
man. He, that man, verily consists of the essence of food. This indeed is
his head, this right arm is the right wing, this left arm is the left wing,
this trunk is his body, this support below the navel is his tail.
Chapter II-The Sheath of the Vital Breath
“From food, verily, are
produced all creatures-whatsoever dwell on earth. By food alone,
furthermore, do they live and to food, in the end, do they return; for food
alone is the eldest of all beings and therefore, it is called the panacea
for all.” “They who worship food as Brahman obtain all food. Food alone
is the eldest of all beings and therefore it is called the panacea for all.
From food all creatures are born: by food, when born, they grow. Because it
is eaten by beings and because it eats beings, therefore it is called
food.” Verily, different from this, which consists of the essence of
food, but within it, is another self, which consists of the vital breath. By
this the former is filled. This too has the shape of a man. Like the human
shape of the former is the human shape of the latter. Prana, indeed, is its
head; vyana is its right wing; apana is its left wing; akasa is its trunk;
the earth is its tail, its support.
Continued...
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Chapter III-The Sheath of the Mind
1
“The gods breathe after
the prana, so also do men and cattle; for the prana is the life of
creatures. Therefore it is called the life of all. Those who worship the
prana as Brahman obtain a full life; for the prana is the life of creatures.
Therefore it is called the life of all.”
2
This sheath of the Prana
is the embodied soul of the former. Verily, different from this sheath,
which consists of the essence of the prana, but within it, is another self,
which consists of the mind. By this the former is filled. This too has the
shape of a man. Like the human shape of the former is the human shape of the
latter. The Yagur-Veda is its head, the Rig-Veda is its right wing, the
Sama-Veda is its left wing, the teaching is its trunk, the hymns of Atharva
and Angiras are its tail, its support.
Chapter IV-The Sheath of the Intellect
1
“He who knows the Bliss of
Brahman, whence all words together with the mind turn away, unable to reach
it-he never fears.”
2
This sheath of the mind is
the embodied soul of the former. Verily, the different from this sheath,
which consists of the essence of the mind, but within it, is another self,
which consists of the intellect. By this the former is filled. This too has
the shape of a man. Like the human shape of the former is the human shape of
the latter. Faith is it head, what is right is its right wing, what is truth
is its left wing, absorption is its trunk, Mahat is its tail, its
support.
Chapter V-The Sheath of Bliss
1
“The intellect accomplishes the sacrifice;
it also accomplishes all actions. All the gods worship the intellect, who is
the eldest, as Brahman.” “If a man knows the intellect as Brahman and if
he does not swerve from it, he leaves behind in the body all evils and
attains all his desires.”
2
This is the embodied soul
of the former. Verily, different from this, which consists of the essence
of the intellect, but within it, is another self, which consists of
bliss. By this the former is filled. This too has the shape of a man.
Like the human shape of the former is the human shape of the latter. Joy is
its head, delight is its right wing, great delight is its left, bliss is its
trunk. Brahman is its tail, its support.
Chapter VI-Brahman: The Source of All
“If a person knows Brahman
as non-existent, he himself becomes non-existent. If he knows Brahman as
existent, then know him as existent.” This is the embodied soul of the
former. Thereupon the following questions of the pupil: Does anyone who
knows not attain that World after departing this life? Or does he who knows
attain that World after departing this life? He desired: “May I be many,
may I be born. He performed austerities. Having performed austerities, He
created all this-whatever there is. Having created all this, He entered into
it. Having entered into it, He became both the manifested and the
unmanifested, both the defined and undefined, both the supported and
unsupported, both the intelligent and the non-intelligent, both the real and
the unreal. The Satya became all this: whatever there is. Therefore call It
the True.
Chapter VII-Brahman as Fearlessness
“In the beginning all this
was non-existent. From it was born what exists. That created Itself by
Itself; therefore It is called the self-made.” That which is Self-made is
flavour; for truly, on obtaining the flavour one becomes blissful. Who
could direct the prana and the apana if this Bliss did not exist in the
akasa? Brahman verily exists because It alone bestows bliss. When a man
finds fearless support in That which is invisible, incorporeal, indefinable
and supportless, he has then obtained fearlessness. If he makes the
slightest differentiation in It, there is fear for him. That becomes fear
for the knower who does not reflect.
Chapter VIII-The Supreme Bliss of Brahman
“From fear of It the wind blows; from fear
of It the sun rises; from fear of It Agni and Indra and Death, the fifth,
run.” Now this is an inquiry regarding the Bliss. Suppose there is a
young man-a noble young man-versed, the best of rulers, firm in body and
strong and possesses the whole world, full of wealth, is his: that is one
measure of human bliss. This human bliss, multiplied on hundred times, is
one measure of the bliss of the human gandharvas, as also of a man versed in
the Vedas and free from desires. This bliss of the human gandharvas,
multiplied one hundred times, is one measure of the bliss of the celestial
gandharvas, as also of a man versed in the Vedas and free from
desires. This bliss of the celestial gandharvas, multiplied one hundred
times, is one measure of the bliss of the Manes, who dwell in the
long-enduring world, as also of a man versed in the Vedas and free from
desires. This bliss of the Manes who dwell in the long-enduring world,
multiplied on hundred times, is one measure of the bliss of the gods born in
the Ajana heaven, as also of a man versed in the Vedas and free from
desires. The bliss of the gods born in the Ajana heaven, multiplied one
hundred times, is one measure of the bliss of the sacrificial gods who have
attained to divinity by means of sacrifices, as also of a man versed in the
Vedas and free from desires. The bliss of the sacrificial gods,
multiplied one hundred times, is one measure of the bliss of the gods, as
also of a man versed in the Vedas and free from desires. The bliss of the
gods, multiplied one hundred times, is one measure of the bliss of Indra, as
also of a man versed in the Vedas and free from desires. The bliss of
Indra, multiplied one hundred times, is one measure of the bliss of
Brihaspati, as also of a man versed in the Vedas and free from
desires. The bliss of Brihaspati, multiplied one hundred times, is one
measure of the bliss of Prajapati, as also of a man versed in the Vedas and
free from desires. The bliss of Prajapati, multiplied one hundred times,
is one measure of the bliss of Brahma, as also of a man versed in the Vedas
and free from desires. He who is here in man and he who is in yonder
sun-both are one. He who knows this, after dying to this world, attains
the self which consists of food, attains the self which consist of the vital
breath, attains the self which consists of the mind, attains the self which
consists of intellect, attains the self which consists of bliss.
Chapter IX-The Merging of Good and Evil in Brahman
“He who knows the Bliss of
Brahman, whence words together with the mind turn away, unable to reach
It-he is not afraid of anything whatsoever.” He does not distress himself
with the thought: Why did I not do what is good? Why did I do what is evil?
Whosoever knows this regards both these as Atman; indeed he cherishes both
these as Atman. Such, indeed, is the Upanishad, the secret knowledge of
Brahman.
The Peace Chant
Om. May Brahman protect us
both! May Brahman bestow upon us both the fruit of Knowledge! May we both
obtain the energy to acquire Knowledge! May what we both study reveal the
Truth! May we cherish no ill-feeling toward each other! Om. Peace! Peace!
Peace!
Part Three - Regarding Varuna and Bhrigu
Chapter I-Definition of Brahman
Om. May Brahman protect us both! May Brahman
bestow upon us both the fruit of Knowledge! May we both obtain the energy to
acquire Knowledge! May what we both study reveal the Truth! May we cherish
no ill-feeling toward each other! Om. Peace! Peace! Peace!
Harih Om. Bhrigu, the son of Varuna,
approached his father Varuna and said: "Venerable Sir, teach me about
Brahman." To him, the son, he said this: "Food, the vital breath, the
eye, the ear, the mind, speech." To him he said further: "That from which
these beings are born, That by which, when born, they live, That into which
they enter, they merge-seek to know That. That is Brahman." He performed
austerities. Having performed austerities-
Chapter II-The Body as Brahman
He realised that food is Brahman; for from
food, verily, are these beings born; by food, when born, do they live; into
food do they enter, do they merge. Having realised this, he approached
his father again and said: "Venerable Sir, teach me Brahman." To him,
the son, he said this: "Seek to know Brahman by means of austerities. For
austerities are the means of knowing Brahman." He practised austerities.
Having practised austerities-
Chapter III-The Prana as Brahman
He realised that the prana is Brahman; for
from the prana, verily, are these beings born; by the prana, when born, do
they live; into the prana do they enter, do they merge. Having realised
this, he approached his father again and said: "Venerable Sir, teach me
Brahman." To him, the son, he said this: "Seek to know Brahman by means
of austerities. For austerities are the means of knowing Brahman." He
practised austerities. Having practised austerities-
Chapter IV-The Mind as Brahman
He realised that the mind is Brahman; for
from the mind, verily, are these beings born; by the mind, when born, do
they live; into the mind, at the time of dissolution, do they enter, do
they merge. Having realised this, he approached his father again and
said: "Venerable Sir, teach me Brahman." To him, the son, he said
this: "Seek to know Brahman by means of austerities; for austerities are
Brahman." He practised austerities. Having practised
austerities-
Chapter V-The Intellect as Brahman
He realised that the intellect (vijnana) is
Brahman; for from the intellect, verily, are these beings born; by the
intellect, when born, do they live; into the intellect, at the time of
dissolution, do they enter, do they merge. Having realised this, he
approached his father again and said: "Venerable Sir, teach me
Brahman." To him, the son, he said this: "Seek to know Brahman by means
of austerities; for austerities are the means of knowing Brahman." He
practised austerities. Having practised austerities-
Chapter VI-Bliss as Brahman
He realised that Bliss is Brahman; for from
Bliss (ananda), verily, are these beings born; by bliss, when born, do they
live; into bliss, at the time of dissolution, do they enter, do they
merge. This is the wisdom taught by Varuna and learnt by Bhrigu. It is
established in the the supreme akasa, in the heart. He who knows this is
established in the Bliss of Brahman. He becomes a possessor of food and an
eater of food. He becomes great in offspring and cattle and in spiritual
radiance and great in fame.
Chapter VII-The Importance of Food (I)
Let him (the knower of Brahman) never condemn
food; that is the vow. The prana is, verily, food; the body is the eater
of food. The body rests on the prana; the prana rest on the body. Thus food
rests on food. He who knows this resting of food on food is established;
he becomes a possessor of food and an eater of food. He becomes great in
offspring and cattle and in spiritual radiance and great in fame.
Chapter VIII-The Importance of Food (II)
Let him (the knower of Brahman) never
abandon food; that is the vow. Water is, verily, food; fire is the eater.
Fire rests on water and water rests on fire. Thus food rests on food. He
who knows this resting of food on food is established; he becomes a
possessor of food and an eater of food. He becomes great in offspring and
cattle and in spiritual radiance and great in fame.
Chapter IX-The Importance of Food (III)
Let him (the knower of Brahman) make food
plentiful; that is the vow. The earth is, verily, food; the akasa is the
eater. The akasa rests on the earth and the earth rests on the akasa. Thus
food rests on food. He who knows this resting of food on food is
established; he becomes a possessor of food and an eater of food. He becomes
great in offspring and cattle and in spiritual radiance and great in
fame.
Chapter X-Meditation on Brahman
1
Let him not deny lodgings to anyone: this
is the vow. Therefore he should procure much food by any means whatsoever.
To guests, he should say: "The food has been prepared for you." If this
food is given first, food comes to the giver first. If this food is given in
the middle, food comes to the giver in the middle. If this food is given
last, food comes to the giver last.
2
He who knows this obtains the fruit
mentioned above. One should meditate on Brahman as preservation in
speech, as acquisition and preservation in the prana (upward breath) and the
apana (downward breath), as action in the hands, as movement (walking) in
the feet, as evacuation in the anus. These are the meditations on Brahman
through actions. Next follows the meditation on Brahman, through the
gods: One should meditate on Brahman as satisfaction in rain, as power in
lightning;
3
As fame in cattle, as light in the stars,
as procreation, immortality and joy in the organ of generation and as
everything in the akasa. Let him contemplate Brahman as the support and
he will be supported; let him contemplate Brahman as greatness and he will
become great; let him contemplate Brahman as the mind and he will be endowed
with mind.
4
Let him contemplate Brahman as adoration
and all desires will fall down before him in adoration. Let him contemplate
Brahman as the Supreme Lord and he will be endowed with supremacy. Let him
contemplate Brahman as the destructive agent and his enemies who hate him
and also those who do not hate him will perish. This he who is in this
man and that he who is in yonder sun, both are one.
5
He who knows this, as described above,
after dying to (i.e. withdrawing from) this world, attains the self which
consists of food, attains the self which consists of the vital breath,
attains the self which consists of the mind, attains the self which consists
of the intellect, attains the self which consists of bliss. Then he goes up
and down these worlds, eating the food he desires, assuming the forms he
likes. He sits, singing the chant of the non-duality of Brahman: "Ah! Ah!
Ah!"
6
"I am food, I am food, I am food! I am the
eater of food, I am the eater of food, I am the eater of food! I am
the uniter, I am the uniter, I am the uniter! "I am the first-born of the
true, prior to the gods and the navel of Immortality. He who gives me away,
he alone preserves me. He who eats food-I, as food, eat him. "I, as the
Supreme Lord, overpower the whole world. I am radiant as the
sun." Whosoever knows this, attains Liberation. Such, indeed, is the
Upanishad.
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