Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad

1.1.1

Verily the dawn is the head of the horse which is fit for sacrifice, the sun its eye, the wind it...

1.1.2

Verily Day arose after the horse as the (golden) vessel, called Mahiman (greatness), which (at th...

1.2.1

In the beginning there was nothing (to be perceived) here whatsoever. By Death indeed all this wa...

1.2.2

Verily water is arka. And what was there as the froth of the water, that was hardened, and became...

1.2.3

That being divided itself threefold, Aditya (the sun) as the third, and Vayu (the air) as the thi...

1.2.4

He desired, `Let a second body be born of me,' and he (Death or Hunger) embraced Speech in his mi...

1.2.5

He thought, `If I kill him, I shall have but little food.' He therefore brought forth by that spe...

1.2.6

He desired to sacrifice again with a greater sacrifice. He toiled and performed penance. And whil...

1.2.7

He desired that this body should be fit for sacrifice (medhya), and that he should be embodied by...

1.3.1

There were two kinds of descendants of Pragapati, the Devas and the Asuras. Now the Devas were in...

1.3.2

They said to speech (Vak): `Do thou sing out for us (the udgitha).' `Yes,' said speech, and sang ...

1.3.3

Then they (the Devas) said to breath (scent): `Do thou sing out for us.' `Yes,' said breath, and ...

1.3.4

Then they said to the eye: `Do thou sing out for us.' `Yes,' said the eye, and sang. Whatever del...

1.3.5

Then they said to the ear: `Do thou sing out for us.' `Yes,' said the ear, and sang. Whatever del...

1.3.6

Then they said to the mind: `Do thou sing out for us.' `Yes,' said the mind, and sang. Whatever d...

1.3.7

Then they said to the breath in the mouth: `Do thou sing for us.' `Yes,' said the breath, and san...

1.3.8

Then they (the Devas) said: `Where was he then who thus stuck to us?' It was (the breath) within ...

1.3.9

That deity was called Dur, because Death was far (duran) from it. From him who knows this, Death ...

1.3.10

That deity, after having taken away the evil of those deities, viz. death, sent it to where the e...

1.3.11

That deity, after having taken away the evil of those deities, viz. death, carried them beyond de...

1.3.12

He carried speech across first. When speech had become freed from death, it became (what it had b...

1.3.13

Then he carried breath (scent) across. When breath had become freed from death, it became Vayu (a...

1.3.14

Then he carried the eye across. When the eye had become freed from death, it became Aditya (the s...

1.3.15

Then he carried the ear across. When the ear had become freed from death, it became the quarters ...

1.3.16

Then he carried the mind across. When the mind had become freed from death, it became the moon (K...

1.3.17

Then breath (vital), by singing, obtained for himself eatable food. For whatever food is eaten, i...

1.3.18

If a man knows this, then his own relations come to him in the same manner; he becomes their supp...

1.3.19

He was called Ayasya Angirasa, for he is the sap (rasa) of the limbs (anga). Verily, breath is th...

1.3.20

He (breath) is also Brihaspati, for speech is Brihati (Rig-veda), and he is her lord; therefore h...

1.3.22

Or because he is equal (sama) to a grub, equal to a gnat, equal to an elephant, equal to these th...

1.3.23

He (breath) is Udgitha. Breath verily is Ut, for by breath this universe is upheld (uttabdha); an...

1.3.24

And thus Brahmadatta Kaikitaneya (the grandson of Kikitana), while taking Soma (ragan), said: `Ma...

1.3.25

He who knows what is the property of this Saman, obtains property. Now verily its property is ton...

1.3.26

He who knows what is the gold of that Saman, obtains gold. Now verily its gold is tone only. He w...

1.3.27

He who knows what is the support of that Saman, he is supported. Now verily its support is speech...

1.3.28

Next come the other Stotras with which the priest may obtain food for himself by singing them. Th...

1.4.1

In the beginning this was Self alone, in the shape of a person (purusha). He looking round saw no...

1.4.2

He feared, and therefore any one who is lonely fears. He thought, `As there is nothing but myself...

1.4.3

But he felt no delight. Therefore a man who is lonely feels no delight. He wished for a second. H...

1.4.4

She thought, `How can he embrace me, after having produced me from himself? I shall hide myself.'...

1.4.5

He knew, `I indeed am this creation, for I created all this.' Hence he became the creation, and h...

1.4.6

Next he thus produced fire by rubbing. From the mouth, as from the fire-hole, and from the hands ...

1.4.7

Now all this was then undeveloped. It became developed by form and name, so that one could say, `...

1.4.8

This, which is nearer to us than anything, this Self, is dearer than a son, dearer than wealth, d...

1.4.9

Here they say: `If men think that by knowledge of Brahman they will become everything, what then ...

1.4.10

Verily in the beginning this was Brahman, that Brahman knew (its) Self only, saying, `I am Brahma...

1.4.11

Verily in the beginning this was Brahman, one only. That being one, was not strong enough. It cre...

1.4.12

He was not strong enough. He created the Vis (people), the classes of Devas which in their differ...

1.4.13

He was not strong enough. He created the Sudra colour (caste), as Pushan (as nourisher). This ear...

1.4.14

He was not strong enough. He created still further the most excellent Law (dharma). Law is the Ks...

1.4.15

There are then this Brahman, Kshatra, Vis, and Sudra. Among the Devas that Brahman existed Kshatr...

1.4.16

Now verily this Self (of the ignorant man) is the world of all creatures. In so far as man sacrif...

1.4.17

In the beginning this was Self alone, one only. He desired, `Let there be a wife for me that I ma...

1.5.1

`When the father (of creation) had produced by knowledge and penance (work) the seven kinds of fo...

1.5.2

When it is said, that `the father produced by knowledge and penance the seven kinds of food,' it ...

1.5.3

When it is said, that `he made three for himself,' that means that he made mind, speech, and brea...

1.5.4

These are the three worlds: earth is speech, sky mind, heaven breath.

1.5.5

These are the three Vedas: the Rig-veda is speech, the Yagur-veda mind, the Sama-veda breath.

1.5.6

These are the Devas, Fathers, and men: the Devas are speech, the Fathers mind, men breath.

1.5.7

These are father, mother, and child: the father is mind, the mother speech, the child breath.

1.5.8

These are what is known, what is to be known, and what is unknown. What is known, has the form of...

1.5.9

What is to be known, has the form of mind, for mind is what is to be known. Mind, having become t...

1.5.10

What is unknown, has the form of breath, for breath is unknown. Breath, having become this, prote...

1.5.11

Of that speech (which is the food of Pragapati) earth is the body, light the form, viz. this fire...

1.5.12

Next, of this mind heaven is the body, light the form, viz. this sun. And so far as this mind ext...

1.5.13

Next, of this breath water is the body, light the form, viz. this moon. And so far as this breath...

1.5.14

That Pragapati is the year, and he consists of sixteen digits. The nights indeed are his fifteen ...

1.5.15

Now verily that Pragapati, consisting of sixteen digits, who is the year, is the same as a man wh...

1.5.16

Next there are verily three worlds, the world of men, the world of the Fathers, the world of the ...

1.5.17

Next follows the handing over. When a man thinks he is going to depart, he says to his son: `Thou...

1.5.18

From the earth and from fire, divine speech enters into him. And verily that is divine speech whe...

1.5.19

From heaven and the sun, divine mind enters into him. And verily that is divine mind whereby he b...

1.5.20

From water and the moon, divine breath (spirit) enters into him. And verily that is divine breath...

1.5.21

Next follows the consideration of the observances (acts). Pragapati created the actions (active s...

1.5.22

Now with regard to the deities. Agni (fire) held, I shall burn; Aditya (the sun) held, I shall wa...

1.5.23

And here there is this Sloka: `He from whom the sun rises, and into whom it sets' (he verily rise...

1.6.1

Verily this is a triad, name, form, and work. Of these names, that which is called Speech is the ...

1.6.2

Next, of the forms, that which is called Eye is the Uktha (hymn), for from it all forms arise. It...

1.6.3

Next, of the works, that which is called Body is the Uktha (hymn), for from it all works arise. I...

2.1.1

There was formerly the proud Gargya Balaki, a man of great reading. He said to Agatasatru of Kasi...

2.1.2

Gargya said: `The person that is in the sun, that I adore as Brahman.' Agatasatru said to him: `N...

2.1.3

Gargya said: `The person that is in the moon (and in the mind), that I adore as Brahman.' Agatasa...

2.1.4

Gargya said: `The person that is in the lightning (and in the heart), that I adore as Brahman.' A...

2.1.5

Gargya said: `The person that is in the ether (and in the ether of the heart), that I adore as Br...

2.1.6

Gargya said: `The person that is in the wind (and in the breath), that I adore as Brahman.' Agata...

2.1.7

Gargya said: `The person that is in the fire (and in the heart), that I adore as Brahman.' Agatas...

2.1.8

Gargya said: `The person that is in the water (in seed, and in the heart), that I adore as Brahma...

2.1.9

Gargya said: `The person that is in the mirror, that I adore as Brahman.' Agatasatru said to him:...

2.1.10

Gargya said: `The sound that follows a man while he moves, that I adore as Brahman.' Agatasatru s...

2.1.11

Gargya said: `The person that is in space, that I adore as Brahman.' Agatasatru said to him: `No,...

2.1.12

Gargya said: `The person that consists of the shadow, that I adore as Brahman.' Agatasatru said t...

2.1.13

Gargya said: `The person that is in the body, that I adore as Brahman.' Agatasatru said to him: `...

2.1.14

Agatasatru said: `Thus far only?' `Thus far only,' he replied. Agatasatru said: `This does not su...

2.1.15

Agatasatru said: `Verily, it is unnatural that a he should tell him the Brahman. However, I shall...

2.1.16

Agatasatru said: `When this man was thus asleep, where was then the person (purusha), the intelli...

2.1.17

Agatasatru said: `When this man was thus asleep, then the intelligent person (purusha), having th...

2.1.18

But when he moves about in sleep (and dream), then these are his worlds. He is, as it were, a as ...

2.1.19

Next, when he is in profound sleep, and knows nothing, there are the seventy-two thousand arterie...

2.1.20

As the spider comes out with its thread, or as small sparks come forth from fire, thus do all sen...

2.2.1

Verily he who knows the babe with his place, his chamber, his post, and his rope, he keeps off th...

2.2.2

Then the seven imperishable ones approach him. There are the red lines in the eye, and by them Ru...

2.2.3

On this there is this Sloka: `There is a cup having its mouth below and its bottom above. Manifol...

2.2.4

These two (the two ears) are the Rishis Gautama and Bharadvaga; the right Gautama, the left Bhara...

2.3.1

There are two forms of Brahman, the material and the immaterial, the mortal and the immortal, the...

2.3.2

Everything except air and sky is material, is mortal, is solid, is definite. The essence of that ...

2.3.3

But air and sky are immaterial, are immortal, are fluid, are indefinite. The essence of that whic...

2.3.4

Now with regard to the body. Everything except the breath and the ether within the body is materi...

2.3.5

But breath and the ether within the body are immaterial, are immortal, are fluid, are indefinite....

2.3.6

And what is the appearance of that person? Like a saffron-coloured raiment, like white wool, like...

2.4.1

Now when Yagnavalkya was going to enter upon another state, he said: `Maitreyi, verily I am going...

2.4.2

Maitreyi said: `My Lord, if this whole earth, full of wealth, belonged to me, tell me, should I b...

2.4.3

And Maitreyi said: `What should I do with that by which I do not become immortal? What my Lord kn...

2.4.4

Yagnavalkya replied: `Thou who art truly dear to me, thou speakest dear words. Come, sit down, I ...

2.4.5

And he said: `Verily, a husband is not dear, that you may love the husband; but that you may love...

2.4.6

`Whosoever looks for the Brahman-class elsewhere than in the Self, was abandoned by the Brahman-c...

2.4.7

`Now as the sounds of a drum, when beaten, cannot be seized externally (by themselves), but the s...

2.4.8

`And as the sounds of a conch-shell, when blown, cannot be seized externally (by themselves), but...

2.4.9

`And as the sounds of a lute, when played, cannot be seized externally (by themselves), but the s...

2.4.10

`As clouds of smoke proceed by themselves out of a lighted fire kindled with damp fuel, thus, ver...

2.4.11

`As all waters find their centre in the sea, all touches in the skin, all tastes in the tongue, a...

2.4.12

`As a lump of salt, when thrown into water, becomes dissolved into water, and could not be taken ...

2.4.13

Then Maitreyi said: `Here thou hast bewildered me, Sir, when thou sayest that having departed, th...

2.5.1

This earth is the honey (madhu, the effect) of all beings, and all beings are the honey (madhu, t...

2.5.2

This water is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this water. Likewise this ...

2.5.3

This fire is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this fire. Likewise this br...

2.5.4

This air is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this air. Likewise this brig...

2.5.5

This sun is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this sun. Likewise this brig...

2.5.6

This space (disah, the quarters) is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this...

2.5.7

This moon is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this moon. Likewise this br...

2.5.8

This lightning is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this lightning. Likewi...

2.5.9

This thunder is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this thunder. Likewise t...

2.5.10

This ether is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this ether. Likewise this ...

2.5.11

This law (dharmah) is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this law. Likewise...

2.5.12

This true (satyam) is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this true. Likewis...

2.5.13

This mankind is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this mankind. Likewise t...

2.5.14

This Self is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this Self. Likewise this br...

2.5.15

And verily this Self is the lord of all beings, the king of all beings. And as all spokes are con...

2.5.16

Verily Dadhyak Atharvana proclaimed this honey (the madhu-vidya) to the two Asvins, and a Rishi, ...

2.5.17

Verily Dadhyak Atharvana proclaimed this honey to the two Asvins, and a Rishi, seeing this, said ...

2.5.18

Verily Dadhyak Atharvana proclaimed this honey to the two Asvins, and a Rishi, seeing this, said:...

2.5.19

Verily Dadhyak Atharvana proclaimed this honey to the two Asvins, and a Rishi, seeing this, said ...

2.6.1

Now follows the stem: 1. Pautimashya from Gaupavana, 2. Gaupavana from Pautimashya, 3. Pautimashy...

2.6.2

from Agnivesya, 9. Agnivesya from Sandilya and Anabhimlata, 10. Sandilya and Anabhimlata from Ana...

2.6.3

from Ghritakausika, 22. Ghritakausika from Parasaryayana, 23. Parasaryayana from Parasarya, 24. P...

3.1.1

Ganaka Vaideha (the king of the Videhas) sacrificed with a sacrifice at which many presents were ...

3.1.2

And Ganaka spoke to them: `Ye venerable drive away these cows.' to his pupil: `Drive them away, m...

3.1.3

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `everything here (connected with the sacrifice) is reached by death, ever...

3.1.4

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `everything here is reached by day and night, everything is overcome by d...

3.1.5

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `everything here is reached by the waxing and waning of the moon, everyth...

3.1.6

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `this sky is, as it were, without an ascent (staircase.) By what approach...

3.1.7

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `how many Rik verses will the Hotri priest employ to-day at this sacrific...

3.1.8

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `how many oblations (ahuti) will the Adhvaryu priest employ to-day at thi...

3.1.9

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `with how many deities does the Brahman priest on the right protect to-da...

3.1.10

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `how many Stotriya hymns will the Udgatri priest employ to-day at this sa...

3.2.1

Then Garatkarava Artabhaga asked. `Yagnavalkya,' he said, `how many Grahas are there, and how man...

3.2.2

`Prana (breath) is one Graha, and that is seized by Apana (down-breathing) as the Atigraha, for o...

3.2.3

`Speech (vak) is one Graha, and that is seized by name (naman) as the Atigraha, for with speech o...

3.2.4

`The tongue is one Graha, and that is seized by taste as the Atigraha, for with the tongue one pe...

3.2.5

`The eye is one Graha, and that is seized by form as the Atigraha, for with the eye one sees forms.'

3.2.6

`The ear is one Graha, and that is seized by sound as the Atigraha, for with the ear one hears so...

3.2.7

`The mind is one Graha, and that is seized by desire as the Atigraha, for with the mind one desir...

3.2.8

`The arms are one Graha, and these are seized by work as the Atigraha, for with the arms one work...

3.2.9

`The skin is one Graha, and that is seized by touch as the Atigraha, for with the skin one percei...

3.2.10

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `everything is the food of death. What then is the deity to whom death is...

3.2.11

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `when such a person (a sage) dies, do the vital breaths (pranas) move out...

3.2.12

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `when such a man dies, what does not leave him?' `The name,' he replied; ...

3.2.13

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `when the speech of this dead person enters into the fire, breath into th...

3.3.1

Then Bhugyu Lahyayani asked. `Yagnavalkya,' he said, `we wandered about as students, and came to ...

3.3.2

Yagnavalkya said: `He said to thee, I suppose, that they went where those go who have performed a...

3.4.1

Then Ushasta Kakrayana asked. `Yagnavalkya,' he said, `tell me the Brahman which is visible, not ...

3.4.2

Ushasta Kakrayana said: `As one might say, this is a cow, this is a horse, thus has this been exp...

3.5.1

Then Kahola Kaushitakeya asked. `Yagnavalkya,' he said, `tell me the Brahman which is visible, no...

3.6.1

Then Gargi Vakaknavi asked. `Yagnavalkya,' she said, `everything here is woven, like warp and woo...

3.7.1

Then Uddalaka Aruni asked. `Yagnavalkya,' he said, `we dwelt among the Madras in the houses of Pa...

3.7.2

Yagnavalkya said: `Vayu (air) is that thread, O Gautama. By air, as by a thread, O Gautama, this ...

3.7.3

Yagnavalkya said: `He who dwells in the earth, and within the earth, whom the earth does not know...

3.7.4

`He who dwells in the water, and within the water, whom the water does not know, whose body the w...

3.7.5

`He who dwells in the fire, and within the fire, whom the fire does not know, whose body the fire...

3.7.6

`He who dwells in the sky, and within the sky, whom the sky does not know, whose body the sky is,...

3.7.7

`He who dwells in the air (vayu), and within the air, whom the air does not know, whose body the ...

3.7.8

`He who dwells in the heaven (dyu), and within the heaven, whom the heaven does not know, whose b...

3.7.9

`He who dwells in the sun (aditya), and within the sun, whom the sun does not know, whose body th...

3.7.10

`He who dwells in the space (disah), and within the space, whom the space does not know, whose bo...

3.7.11

`He who dwells in the moon and stars (kandratarakam), and within the moon and stars, whom the moo...

3.7.12

`He who dwells in the ether (akasa), and within the ether, whom the ether does not know, whose bo...

3.7.13

`He who dwells in the darkness (tamas), and within the darkness, whom the darkness does not know,...

3.7.14

`He who dwells in the light (tegas), and within the light, whom the light does not know, whose bo...

3.7.15

Yagnavalkya said; `He who dwells in all beings, and within all beings, whom all beings do not kno...

3.7.16

`He who dwells in the breath (prana), and within the breath, whom the breath does not know, whose...

3.7.17

`He who dwells in the tongue (vak), and within the tongue, whom the tongue does not know, whose b...

3.7.18

`He who dwells in the eye, and within the eye, whom the eye does not know, whose body the eye is,...

3.7.19

`He who dwells in the ear, and within the ear, whom the ear does not know, whose body the ear is,...

3.7.20

`He who dwells in the mind, and within the mind, whom the mind does not know, whose body the mind...

3.7.21

`He who dwells in the skin, and within the skin, whom the skin does not know, whose body the skin...

3.7.22

`He who dwells in knowledge, and within knowledge, whom knowledge does not know, whose body knowl...

3.7.23

`He who dwells in the seed, and within the seed, whom the seed does not know, whose body the seed...

3.8.2

She said: `O Yagnavalkya, as the son of a warrior from the Kasis or Videhas might string his loos...

3.8.3

She said: `O Yagnavalkya, that of which they say that it is above the heavens, beneath the earth,...

3.8.4

Yagnavalkya said: `That of which they say that it is above the heavens, beneath the earth, embrac...

3.8.5

She said: `I bow to thee, O Yagnavalkya, who hast solved me that question. Get thee ready for the...

3.8.6

She said: `O Yagnavalkya, that of which they say that it is above the heavens, beneath the earth,...

3.8.7

Yagnavalkya said: `That of which they say that it is above the heavens, beneath the earth, embrac...

3.8.9

`By the command of that Akshara (the imperishable), O Gargi, sun and moon stand apart. By the com...

3.8.10

`Whosoever, O Gargi, without knowing that Akshara (the imperishable), offers oblations in this wo...

3.8.11

`That Brahman,' O Gargi, `is unseen, but seeing; unheard, but hearing; unperceived, but perceivin...

3.8.12

Then said Gargi: `Venerable Brahmans, you may consider it a great thing, if you get off by bowing...

3.9.1

Then Vidagdha Sakalya asked him: `How many gods are there, O Yagnavalkya?' He replied with this v...

3.9.2

Yagnavalkya replied: `They are only the various powers of them, in reality there are only thirtyt...

3.9.3

He asked: `Who are the Vasus.' Yagnavalkya replied: `Agni (fire), Prithivi (earth), Vayu (air), A...

3.9.4

He asked: `Who are the Rudras?' Yagnavalkya replied: `These ten vital breaths (pranas, the senses...

3.9.5

He asked: `Who are the Adityas?' Yagnavalkya replied: `The twelve months of the year, and they ar...

3.9.6

He asked: `And who is Indra, and who is Pragapati?' Yagnavalkya replied: `Indra is thunder, Praga...

3.9.7

He asked: `Who are the six?' Yagnavalkya replied: `Agni (fire), Prithivi (earth), Vayu (air), Ant...

3.9.8

He asked: `Who are the three gods?' Yagnavalkya replied: `These three worlds, for in them all the...

3.9.9

Here they say: `How is it that he who blows like one only, should be called one and a half (adhya...

3.9.10

Sakalya said: `Whosoever knows that person (or god) whose dwelling (body) is the earth, whose sig...

3.9.11

Sakalya said: `Whosoever knows that person whose dwelling is love (a body capable of sensual love...

3.9.12

Sakalya said: `Whosoever knows that person whose dwelling are the colours, whose sight is the eye...

3.9.13

Sakalya said: `Whosoever knows that person whose dwelling is ether, whose sight is the ear, whose...

3.9.14

Sakalya said: `Whosoever knows that person whose dwelling is darkness, whose sight is the heart, ...

3.9.15

Sakalya said: `Whosoever knows that person whose dwelling are (bright) colours, whose sight is th...

3.9.16

Sakalya said: `Whosoever knows that person whose dwelling is water, whose sight is the heart, who...

3.9.17

Sakalya said: `Whosoever knows that person whose dwelling is seed, whose sight is the heart, whos...

3.9.18

Yagnavalkya said: `Sakalya, did those make thee the victim?' Sakalya said: `Yagnavalkya, because ...

3.9.19

Yagnavalkya said: `I know the quarters with their deities and their abodes.' Sakalya said: `If th...

3.9.20

`Which is thy deity in the Eastern quarter?' Yagnavalkya said: `Aditya (the sun).' Sakalya said: ...

3.9.21

Sakalya said: `Which is thy deity in the Southern quarter?' Yagnavalkya said: `Yama.' Sakalya sai...

3.9.22

Sakalya said: `Which is thy deity in the Western quarter?' Yagnavalkya said: `Varuna.' Sakalya sa...

3.9.23

Sakalya said: `Which is thy deity in the Northern quarter?' Yagnavalkya said: `Soma.' Sakalya sai...

3.9.24

Sakalya said: `Which is thy deity in the zenith?' Yagnavalkya said: `Agni.' Sakalya said: `In wha...

3.9.25

Yagnavalkya said: `O Ahallika, when you think the heart could be anywhere else away from us, if i...

3.9.26

Sakalya said: `And in what dost thou (thy body) and the Self (thy heart) abide?' Yagnavalkya said...

3.9.28

Then Yagnavalkya questioned them with these Slokas: 1. `As a mighty tree in the forest, so in tru...

4.1.1

When Ganaka Vaideha was sitting (to give audience), Yagnavalkya approached, and Ganaka Vaideha sa...

4.1.2

`Let us hear what anybody may have told you.' Ganaka Vaideha replied: `Gitvan Sailini told me tha...

4.1.3

Yagnavalkya said: `Let us hear what anybody may have told you.' Ganaka Vaideha replied: `Udanka S...

4.1.4

Yagnavalkya said: `Let us hear what anybody may have told you.' Ganaka Vaideha replied: `Barku Va...

4.1.5

Yagnavalkya said: `Let us hear what anybody may have told you.' Ganaka Vaideha replied: `Gardabhi...

4.1.6

Yagnavalkya said: `Let us hear what anybody may have told you.' Ganaka Vaideha replied: `Satyakam...

4.1.7

Yagnavalkya said: `Let us hear what anybody may have told you.' Ganaka Vaideha replied: `Vidagdha...

4.2.1

Ganaka Vaideha, descending from his throne, said: `I bow to you, O Yagnavalkya, teach me.' Yagnav...

4.2.2

Yagnavalkya said: `That person who is in the right eye, he is called Indha, and him who is Indha ...

4.2.3

`Now that which in the shape of a person is in the right eye, is his wife, Virag. Their meetingpl...

4.2.4

`His (the Taigasa's) Eastern quarter are the pranas (breath) which go to the East; `His Southern ...

4.3.1

Yagnavalkya came to Ganaka Vaideha, and he did not mean to speak with him. But when formerly Gana...

4.3.2

`Yagnavalkya,' he said, `what is the light of man?' Yagnavalkya replied: `The sun, O King; for, h...

4.3.3

Ganaka Vaideha said: `When the sun has set, O Yagnavalkya, what is then the light of man?' Yagnav...

4.3.4

Ganaka Vaideha said: `When the sun has set, O Yagnavalkya, and the moon has set, what is the ligh...

4.3.5

Ganaka Vaideha said: `When the sun has set, O Yagnavalkya, and the moon has set, and the fire is ...

4.3.6

Ganaka Vaideha said: `When the sun has set, O Yagnavalkya, and the moon has set, and the fire is ...

4.3.7

Ganaka Vaideha said: `Who is that Self?' Yagnavalkya replied: `He who is within the heart, surrou...

4.3.8

`On being born that person, assuming his body, becomes united with all evils; when he departs and...

4.3.9

`And there are two states for that person, the one here in this world, the other in the other wor...

4.3.10

`There are no (real) chariots in that state, no horses, no roads, but he himself sends forth (cre...

4.3.11

`On this there are these verses: `After having subdued by sleep all that belongs to the body, he,...

4.3.12

`Guarding with the breath (prana, life) the lower nest, the immortal moves away from the nest; th...

4.3.13

`Going up and down in his dream, the god makes manifold shapes for himself, either rejoicing toge...

4.3.14

`People may see his playground, but himself no one ever sees. Therefore they say, "Let no one wak...

4.3.15

Yagnavalkya said: `That (person) having enjoyed himself in that state of bliss (samprasada, deep ...

4.3.16

Yagnavalkya said: `That (person) having enjoyed himself in that sleep (dream), having moved about...

4.3.17

Yagnavalkya said: `That (person) having enjoyed himself in that state of waking, having moved abo...

4.3.18

`In fact, as a large fish moves along the two banks of a river, the right and the left, so does t...

4.3.19

`And as a falcon, or any other (swift) bird, after he has roamed about here in the air, becomes t...

4.3.20

`There are in his body the veins called Hita, which are as small as a hair divided a thousandfold...

4.3.21

`This indeed is his (true) form, free from desires, free from evil, free from fear. Now as a man,...

4.3.22

`Then a father is not a father, a mother not a mother, the worlds not worlds, the gods not gods, ...

4.3.23

`And when (it is said that) there (in the Sushupti) he does not see, yet he is seeing, though he ...

4.3.24

`And when (it is said that) there (in the Sushupti) he does not smell, yet he is smelling, though...

4.3.25

`And when (it is said that) there (in the Sushupti) he does not taste, yet he is tasting, though ...

4.3.26

`And when (it is said that) there (in the Sushupti) he does not speak, yet he is speaking, though...

4.3.27

`And when (it is said that) there (in the Sushupti) he does not hear, yet he is hearing, though h...

4.3.28

`And when (it is said that) there (in the Sushupti) he does not think, yet he is thinking, though...

4.3.29

`And when (it is said that) there (in the Sushupti) he does not touch, yet he is touching, though...

4.3.30

`And when (it is said that) there (in the Sushupti) he does not know, yet he is knowing, though h...

4.3.31

`When (in waking and dreaming) there is, as it were, another, then can one see the other, then ca...

4.3.32

`An ocean is that one seer, without any duality; this is the Brahma-world, O King.' Thus did Yagn...

4.3.33

`If a man is healthy, wealthy, and lord of others, surrounded by all human enjoyments, that is th...

4.3.34

And Yagnavalkya said: `That (person), having enjoyed himself in that state of sleeping (dream), h...

4.3.35

`Now as a heavy-laden carriage moves along groaning, thus does this corporeal Self, mounted by th...

4.3.36

`And when (the body) grows weak through old age, or becomes weak through illness, at that time th...

4.3.37

`And as policemen, magistrates, equerries, and governors wait for a king who is coming back, with...

4.3.38

`And as policemen, magistrates, equerries, and governors gather round a king who is departing, th...

4.4.1

Yagnavalkya continued: `Now when that Self, having sunk into weakness, sinks, as it were, into un...

4.4.2

`"He has become one," they say, "he does not see." "He has become one," they say, "he does not sm...

4.4.3

`And as a caterpillar, after having reached the end of a blade of grass, and after having made an...

4.4.4

`And as a goldsmith, taking a piece of gold, turns it into another, newer and more beautiful shap...

4.4.5

`That Self is indeed Brahman, consisting of knowledge, mind, life, sight, hearing, earth, water, ...

4.4.6

`And here there is this verse: "To whatever object a man's own mind is attached, to that he goes ...

4.4.7

`On this there is this verse: "When all desires which once entered his heart are undone, then doe...

4.4.8

`On this there are these verses: `The small, old path stretching far away has been found by me. O...

4.4.9

`On that path they say that there is white, or blue, or yellow, or green, or red; that path was f...

4.4.10

`All who worship what is not knowledge (avidya) enter into blind darkness: those who delight in k...

4.4.11

`There are indeed those unblessed worlds, covered with blind darkness. Men who are ignorant and n...

4.4.12

`If a man understands the Self, saying, "I am He," what could he wish or desire that he should pi...

4.4.13

`Whoever has found and understood the Self that has entered into this patched-together hidingplac...

4.4.14

`While we are here, we may know this; if not, I am ignorant, and there is great destruction. Thos...

4.4.15

`If a man clearly beholds this Self as God, and as the lord of all that is and will be, then he i...

4.4.16

`He behind whom the year revolves with the days, him the gods worship as the light of lights, as ...

4.4.17

`He in whom the five beings and the ether rest, him alone I believe to be the Self, I who know, b...

4.4.18

`They who know the life of life, the eye of the eye, the ear of the ear, the mind of the mind, th...

4.4.19

`By the mind alone it is to be perceived, there is in it no diversity. He who perceives therein a...

4.4.20

`This eternal being that can never be proved, is to be perceived in one way only; it is spotless,...

4.4.22

`And he is that great unborn Self, who consists of knowledge, is surrounded by the Pranas, the et...

4.4.23

`This has been told by a verse (Rik): "This eternal larger by work, nor does it grow smaller. Let...

4.4.24

This indeed is the great, the unborn Self, the strong, the giver of wealth. He who knows this obt...

4.4.25

This great, unborn Self, undecaying, undying, immortal, fearless, is indeed Brahman. Fearless is ...

4.5.1

Yagnavalkya had two wives, Maitreyi and Katyayani. Of these Maitreyi was conversant with Brahman,...

4.5.2

Said, `Maitreyi, verily I am going away from this my house (into the forest). Forsooth, let me ma...

4.5.3

Maitreyi said: `My Lord, if this whole earth, full of wealth, belonged to me, tell me, should I b...

4.5.4

And Maitreyi said: `What should I do with that by which I do not become immortal? What my Lord kn...

4.5.5

Yagnavalkya replied: `Thou who art truly dear to me, thou hast increased what is dear (to me in t...

4.5.6

And he said: `Verily, a husband is not dear, that you may love the husband; but that you may love...

4.5.7

`Whosoever looks for the Brahman-class elsewhere than in the Self, was abandoned by the Brahman-c...

4.5.8

`Now as the sounds of a drum, when beaten, cannot be seized externally (by themselves), but the s...

4.5.9

`And as the sounds of a conch-shell, when blown, cannot be seized externally (by themselves), but...

4.5.10

`And as the sounds of a lute, when played, cannot be seized externally (by themselves), but the s...

4.5.11

`As clouds of smoke proceed by themselves out of lighted fire kindled with damp fuel, thus verily...

4.5.12

`As all waters find their centre in the sea, all touches in the skin, all tastes in the tongue, a...

4.5.13

`As a mass of salt has neither inside nor outside, but is altogether a mass of taste, thus indeed...

4.5.14

Then Maitreyi said: `Here, Sir, thou hast landed me in utter bewilderment. Indeed, I do not under...

4.5.15

`For when there is as it were duality, then one sees the other, one smells the other, one tastes ...

4.6.1

Now follows the stem: 1. (We) from Pautimashya, 2. Pautimashya from Gaupavana, 3. Gaupavana from ...

4.6.2

from Agnivesya, 10. Agnivesya from Gargya, 11. Gargya from Gargya, 12. Gargya from Gautama, 13. G...

4.6.3

from Ghritakausika, 24. Ghritakausika from Parasaryayana, 25. Parasaryayana from Parasarya, 26. P...

5.1.1

That (the invisible Brahman) is full, this (the visible Brahman) is full. This full (visible Brah...

5.2.1

The threefold descendants of Pragapati, gods, men, and Asuras (evil spirits), dwelt as Brahmakari...

5.2.2

Then the men said to him: `Tell us something, Sir.' He told them the same syllable Da. Then he sa...

5.2.3

Then the Asuras said to him: `Tell us something, Sir.' He told them the same syllable Da. Then he...

5.3.1

Pragapati is the heart, is this Brahman, is all this. The heart, hridaya, consists of three sylla...

5.4.1

This (heart) indeed is even that, it was indeed the true (Brahman). And whosoever knows this grea...

5.5.1

In the beginning this (world) was water. Water produced the true, and the true is Brahman. Brahma...

5.5.2

Now what is the true, that is the Aditya (the sun), the person that dwells in yonder orb, and the...

5.5.3

Now of the person in that (solar) orb Bhuh is the head, for the head is one, and that syllable is...

5.5.4

Of the person in the right eye Bhuh is the head, for the head is one, and that syllable is one; B...

5.6.1

That person, under the form of mind (manas), being light indeed, is within the heart, small like ...

5.7.1

They say that lightning is Brahman, because lightning (vidyut) is called so from cutting off (vid...

5.8.1

Let him meditate on speech as a cow. Her four udders are the words Svaha, Vashat, Hanta, and Svad...

5.9.1

Agni Vaisvanara is the fire within man by which the food that is eaten is cooked, i.e. digested. ...

5.10.1

When the person goes away from this world, he comes to the wind. Then the wind makes room for him...

5.11.1

This is indeed the highest penance, if a man, laid up with sickness, suffers pain. He who knows t...

5.12.1

Some say that food is Brahman, but this is not so, for food decays without life (prana). Others s...

5.13.1

Next follows the Uktha. Verily, breath (prana) is Uktha, for breath raises up (utthapayati) all t...

5.13.2

Next follows the Yagus. Verily, breath is Yagus, for all these beings are joined in breath. For h...

5.13.3

Next follows the Saman. Verily, breath is the Saman, for all these beings meet in breath. For him...

5.13.4

Next follows the Kshatra. Verily, breath is the Kshatra, for breath is Kshatra, i.e. breath prote...

5.14.1

The words Bhumi (earth), Antariksha (sky), and Dyu (heaven) form eight syllables. One foot of the...

5.14.2

The Rikas, the Yagumshi, and the Samani form eight syllables. One foot (the second) of the Gayatr...

5.14.3

The Prana (the up-breathing), the Apana (the down-breathing), and the Vyana (the backbreathing) f...

5.14.4

That Gayatri (as described before with its three feet) rests on that fourth foot, the bright one,...

5.14.5

Some teach that Savitri as an Anushtubh verse, saying that speech is Anushtubh, and that we teach...

5.14.6

If a man (a teacher) were to receive as his fee these three worlds full of all things, he would o...

5.14.7

The adoration of that (Gayatri): `O Gayatri, thou hast one foot, two feet, three feet, four feet....

5.14.8

And thus Ganaka Vaideha spoke on this point to Budila Asvatarasvi: `How is it that thou who spoke...

5.15.1

The face of the True (the Brahman) is covered with a golden disk. Open that, O Pushan, that we ma...

5.15.2

O Pushan, only seer, Yama (judge), Surya (sun), son of Pragapati, spread thy rays and gather them...

5.15.3

Breath to air and to the immortal! Then this my body ends in ashes. Om! Mind, remember! Remember ...

5.15.4

Agni, lead us on to wealth (beatitude) by a good path, thou, O God, who knowest all things! Keep ...

6.1.1

Harih, Om. He who knows the first and the best, becomes himself the first and the best among his ...

6.1.2

He who knows the richest, becomes himself the richest among his people. Speech is the richest. He...

6.1.3

He who knows the firm rest, becomes himself firm on even and uneven ground. The eye indeed is the...

6.1.4

He who knows success, whatever desire he desires, it succeeds to him. The ear indeed is success. ...

6.1.5

He who knows the home, becomes a home of his own people, a home of all men. The mind indeed is th...

6.1.6

He who knows generation, becomes rich in offspring and cattle. Seed indeed is generation. He who ...

6.1.7

These Pranas (senses), when quarrelling together as to who was the best, went to Brahman and said...

6.1.8

The tongue (speech) departed, and having been absent for a year, it came back and said: `How have...

6.1.9

The eye (sight) departed, and having been absent for a year, it came back and said: `How have you...

6.1.10

The ear (hearing) departed, and having been absent for a year, it came back and said: `How have y...

6.1.11

The mind departed, and having been absent for a year, it came back and said: `How have you been a...

6.1.12

The seed departed, and having been absent for a year, it came back and said: `How have you been a...

6.1.13

The (vital) breath, when on the point of departing, tore up these senses, as a great, excellent h...

6.1.14

Then the tongue said: `If I am the richest, then thou art the richest by it.' The eye said: `If I...

6.2.1

Svetaketu Aruneya went to the settlement of the Pankalas. He came near to Pravahana Gaivali, who ...

6.2.2

The king said: `Do you know how men, when they depart from here, separate from each other?' `No,'...

6.2.3

Then the king invited him to stay and accept his hospitality. But the boy, not caring for hospita...

6.2.4

The father said: `You know me, child, that whatever I know, I told you. But come, we shall go thi...

6.2.5

Gautama said: `That boon is promised to me; tell me the same speech which you made in the presenc...

6.2.6

He said: `That belongs to divine boons, name one of the human boons.'

6.2.7

He said: `You know well that I have plenty of gold, plenty of cows, horses, slaves, attendants, a...

6.2.8

The king said: `Do not be offended with us, neither you nor your forefathers, because this knowle...

6.2.9

`The altar (fire), O Gautama, is that world (heaven); the fuel is the sun itself, the smoke his r...

6.2.10

`The altar, O Gautama, is Parganya (the god of rain); the fuel is the year itself, the smoke the ...

6.2.11

`The altar, O Gautama, is this world; the fuel is the earth itself, the smoke the fire, the light...

6.2.12

`The altar, O Gautama, is man; the fuel the opened mouth, the smoke the breath, the light the ton...

6.2.13

`The altar, O Gautama, is woman. On that altar the Devas offer seed. From that oblation rises man...

6.2.14

`They take him to the fire (the funeral pile), and then the altar-fire is indeed fire, the fuel f...

6.2.15

`Those who thus know this (even Grihasthas), and those who in the forest worship faith and the Tr...

6.2.16

`But they who conquer the worlds (future states) by means of sacrifice, charity, and austerity, g...

6.3.1

If a man wishes to reach greatness (wealth for performing sacrifices), he performs the upasad rul...

6.3.2

He then says, Svaha to the First, Svaha to the Best, pours ghee into the fire, and throws what re...

6.3.3

He then says, Svaha to Agni (fire), pours ghee into the fire, and throws what remains into the Ma...

6.3.4

Then he touches it (the Mantha, which is dedicated to Prana, breath), saying: `Thou art fleet (as...

6.3.5

Then he holds it (the Mantha) forth, saying: `Thou knowest all, we know thy greatness. He is inde...

6.3.6

Then he eats it, saying: `Tat savitur varenyam (We meditate on that adorable light) The winds dro...

6.3.7

Uddalaka Aruni told this (Mantha-doctrine) to his pupil Vagasaneya Yagnavalkya, and said: `If a m...

6.3.8

Vagasaneya Yagnavalkya told the same to his pupil Madhuka Paingya, and said: `If a man were to po...

6.3.9

Madhuka Paingya told the same to his pupil Kula Bhagavitti, and said: `If a man were to pour it o...

6.3.10

Kula Bhagavitti told the same to his pupil Ganaki Ayasthuna, and said: `If a man were to pour it ...

6.3.11

Ganaki Ayasthuna told the same to his pupil Satyakama Gabala, and said: `If a man were to pour it...

6.3.12

Satyakama Gabala told the same to his pupils, and said: `If a man were to pour it on a dry stick,...

6.3.13

Four things are made of the wood of the Udumbara tree, the sacrificial ladle (sruva), the cup (ka...

6.4.1

The earth is the essence of all these things, water is the essence of the earth, plants of water,...

6.4.2

And Pragapati thought, let me make an abode for him, and he created a woman (Satarupa). Tam srish...

6.4.3

Tasya vedir upastho, lomani barhis, karmadhishavane, samiddho madhyatas, tau mushkau. Sa yavan ha...

6.4.4

Etad dha sma vai tadvidvan Uddalaka Arunir ahaitad dha sma vai tadvidvan Nako Maudgalya ahaitad d...

6.4.5

Tad abhimrised anu va mantrayeta yan me 'dya retah prithivim askantsid yad oshadhir apy asarad ya...

6.4.6

If a man see himself in the water, he should recite the following verse: `May there be in me sple...

6.4.7

If she do not give in, let him, as he likes, bribe her (with presents). And if she then do not gi...

6.4.8

If she give in, he says: `With manly strength and glory I give thee glory,' and thus they both be...

6.4.9

Sa yam ikkhet kamayeta meti tasyam artham nishtaya mukhena mukham sandhayopastham asya abhimrisya...

6.4.10

Atha yam ikkhen na garbham dadhiteti tasyam artham nishtaya mukhena mukham sandhayabhipranyapanya...

6.4.11

Atha yam ikkhed garbham dadhiteti tasyam artham nishtaya mukhena mukham sandhayapanyabhipranyad i...

6.4.12

Now again, if a man's wife has a lover and the husband hates him, let him (according to rule) pla...

6.4.13

When the monthly illness seizes his wife, she should for three days not drink from a metal vessel...

6.4.14

And if a man wishes that a white son should be born to him, and that he should know one Veda, and...

6.4.15

And if a man wishes that a reddish son with tawny eyes should be born to him, and that he should ...

6.4.16

And if a man wishes that a dark son should be born to him with red eyes, and that he should know ...

6.4.17

And if a man wishes that a learned daughter should be born to him, and that she should live to he...

6.4.18

And if a man wishes that a learned son should be born to him, famous, a public man, a popular spe...

6.4.19

And then toward morning, after having, according to the rule of the Sthalipaka (pot-boiling), per...

6.4.20

Then he embraces her, and says: `I am Ama (breath), thou art Sa (speech). Thou art Sa (speech), I...

6.4.21

Athasya uru vihapayati, vigihitham dyavaprithivi iti tasyam artham nishtaya mukhena mukham sandha...

6.4.22

Hiranmayi arani yabhyam nirmanthatam asvinau, tam te garbham havamahe dasame masi sutave. Yathagn...

6.4.23

Soshyantim adbhir abhyukshati. Yatha vayuh pushkarinim samingayati sarvatah, eva te garbha egatu ...

6.4.24

When the child is born, he prepares the fire, places the child on his lap, and having poured pris...

6.4.25

Then putting his mouth near the child's right ear, he says thrice, Speech, speech! After that he ...

6.4.26

Then he gives him his name, saying: `Thou art Veda;' but this is his secret name.

6.4.27

Then he hands the boy to his mother and gives him her breast, saying: `O Sarasvati, that breast o...

6.4.28

Then he addresses the mother of the boy: `Thou art Ila Maitravaruni: thou strong woman hast born ...

6.5.1

Now follows the stem: 1. Pautimashiputra from Katyayaniputra, 2. Katyayaniputra from Gotamiputra,...

6.5.2

from Atreyiputra, 13. Atreyiputra from Gautamiputra, 14. Gautamiputra from Bharadvagiputra, 15. B...

6.5.3

from Yagnavalkya, 40. Yagnavalkya from Uddalaka, 41. Uddalaka from Aruna, 42. Aruna from Upavesi,...