Maitri Upanishad

अथ य एषोऽन्तरे हृत्पुष्कर एवाश्रितोऽन्नमत्ति स एषोऽग्निर्दिवि श्रितः सौरः कालाख्योऽदृश्यः सर्वभूतान्यन्नमत्तीति कः पुष्करः किंमयो वेति इअदं वा व तत्पुष्करं योऽयमाकाशोऽस्येमाः चतस्रो दिशश्चतस्र उपदिशो दलसंस्था आसमर्वाग्विचरत एतौ प्राणादित्या एता उपासितोमित्येतदक्षरेण व्याहृतिभिः सावित्र्या चेति

Now, the one who, within the lotus of the heart, abides and eats food—he is Agni established in heaven, solar, called Time, invisible, who eats the food of all beings. What is the lotus? What is it made of? That lotus is the space, and these four directions and four intermediate directions are its petals. The fire here moves forward; these are breath and the sun. These are to be worshipped by the syllable and by the utterances of Sāvitrī.

द्वे वाव ब्रह्मणो रूपे मूर्तं चामूर्तं च । अथ यन्मूर्तं तदसत्यम् यदमूर्तं तत्सत्यम् तद्ब्रह्म तज्ज्योतिः यज्ज्योतिः स आदित्यः स वा एष ओमित्येतदात्माभवत् स त्रेधात्मानं व्याकुरुत ओमिति तिस्रो मात्रा एताभिः सर्वमिदमोतं प्रोतं चैवास्मीति एवं ह्याहैतद्वा आदित्य ओमित्येवं ध्यायत आत्मानं युञ्जीतेति

There are two forms of Brahman: the manifest and the unmanifest. The manifest is unreal; the unmanifest is real. That is Brahman. That Brahman is light; that light is the sun. This is the self, signified by 'Om.' He divided himself threefold; 'Om' has three syllables. By these, all this is woven and interwoven. Thus it is declared. Therefore, one should meditate on the sun as 'Om,' and thus unite oneself.

अथान्यत्रापि उक्तमथ खलु य उद्गीथः स प्रणवो यः प्रणवः स उद्गीथ इति असौ वा आदित्य उद्गीथ एष प्रणवा इति । एवं ह्याहोद्गीथं प्रणवाख्यं प्रणेतारं भारूपं विगतनिद्रं विजरं विमृत्युं त्रिपदं त्र्यक्षरं पुनः पञ्चधा ज्ञेयं निहितं गुहायामित्येवं ह्याहोर्ध्वमूलं त्रिपाद्ब्रह्म शाखा आकाश वाय्वग्न्युदकभूम्यादय एकोऽश्वत्थनामैतद्ब्रह्मैतस्यैतत्तेजो यदसा आदित्यः ओमित्येतदक्षरस्य चैतत्तस्मादोमित्यनेनैतदुपासीताजस्रमित्येकोऽस्य सम्बोधयितेत्येवं ह्याह \: एतदेवाक्षरं पुण्यमेतदेवाक्षरं परम् । एतदेवाक्षरं ज्ञात्वा यो यदिच्छति तस्य तत्

Elsewhere it is said: The udgītha is the praṇava; the praṇava is the udgītha. The sun is the udgītha; this is the praṇava. Thus it is declared: the udgītha, called praṇava, the leader, radiant, free from sleep, free from old age, free from death, three-footed, three-syllabled, again fivefold, to be known as hidden in the cave. Thus it is declared: with roots above, three-footed Brahman, branches—sky, air, fire, water, earth, and others; one, named Aśvattha, this is Brahman, its radiance is the sun, the essence of this syllable. Therefore, one should worship with 'Om.' He alone awakens its taste. Thus it is declared: this syllable is holy, this syllable is supreme. Knowing this syllable, whatever one desires, that is his.

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तं स्वनवत्येषास्यस्तनुर्या ओमिति स्त्रीपुंनपुंसकेति लिङ्गवती एषाऽथाग्निर्वायुरादित्य इति भास्वति एषा अथ ब्रह्म रुद्रो विष्णुरित्यधिपतिवती एषाऽथ गार्हपत्यो दक्षिणाग्निराहवनीया इति मुखवती एषाऽथ ऋग्यजुःसामेति विज्ञानवती एषा भूर्भुवःस्वरिति लोकवती एषाऽथ भूतं भव्यं भविष्यदिति कालवती एषाऽथ प्राणोऽग्निः सूर्य इति प्रतापवती एषाऽथान्नमापश्चन्द्रमा इत्याप्यायनवती एषाऽथ बुद्धिर्मनोऽहङ्कारा इति चेतनवती एषाऽथ प्राणोऽपानो व्यान इति प्राणवती एषेति अत ओमित्युक्तेनैताः प्रस्तुता अर्चिता अर्पिता भवन्तीति एवं ह्याहैतद्वै सत्यकाम परां चापरां च ब्रह्म यदोमित्येतदक्षरमिति

Now, elsewhere too it is said: This very syllable has ninety aspects, like its own sound. It is marked by gender: 'Om' as feminine, masculine, and neuter. It is radiant: 'Agni, Vāyu, Āditya'—thus it shines. It is lordly: 'Brahmā, Rudra, Viṣṇu'—thus it is sovereign. It is like a mouth: 'Gārhapatya, Dakṣiṇāgni, Āhavanīya.' It is endowed with knowledge: 'Ṛg, Yajus, Sāman.' It is connected to worlds: 'Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ, Svar.' It is associated with time: 'Past, present, future.' It is full of energy: 'Prāṇa, Agni, Sūrya.' It is nourishing: 'Food, water, moon.' It is conscious: 'Buddhi, mind, ego.' It is vital: 'Prāṇa, Apāna, Vyāna.' Thus, by saying 'Om,' all these are presented, honored, and offered. In this way, indeed, O Satyakāma, it has been declared: both the higher and the lower Brahman are this very syllable 'Om.'

अथाव्याहृतं वा इदमासीत् स सत्यं प्रजापतिस्तपस्तप्त्वाऽनुव्याहरद्भूर्भुवःस्वरिति । एषैवास्य प्रजापतेः स्थविष्ठा तनुर्या लोकवतीति स्वरित्यस्याः शिरो नाभिर्भुवो भूः पादा आदित्यश्चक्षुः चक्षुरायता हि पुरुषस्य महती मात्रा चक्षुषा ह्ययं मात्राश्चरति सत्यं वै चक्षुः अक्षिण्यवस्थितो हि पुरुषः सर्वार्थेषु चरति एतस्माद्भूर्भुवःस्वरित्युपासीतानेन हि प्रजापतिर्विश्वात्मा विश्वचक्षुरिवोपासितो भवतीति एवं ह्याहैषा वै प्रजापतेर्विश्वभृत्तनुरेतस्यामिदं सर्वमन्तर्हितमस्मिन् च सर्वस्मिन्नेषा अन्तर्हितेति तस्मादेषोपासीता

Now, in the beginning, this was unuttered. That truth, Prajāpati, having performed austerity, uttered 'Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ, Svar.' This is Prajāpati’s greatest form, which is world-like. 'Svar' is its head, 'Bhuvaḥ' its navel, 'Bhūḥ' its feet; the sun is its eye, for the measure of a person is great through the eye, and by the eye this measure moves. Truth is indeed the eye. The person, established in the eyes, moves among all objects. Therefore, one should meditate on 'Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ, Svar.' By this, Prajāpati, the soul of all, is worshipped as the all-seeing. Thus, it is said: this is Prajāpati’s form that upholds all; in it, all this is contained, and in each, this is contained. Therefore, this should be meditated upon.

तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यमित्यसौ वा आदित्यः सविता स वा एवं प्रवरणीय आत्मकामेनेत्याहुर्ब्रह्मवादिनोऽथ भर्गो देवस्य धीमहीति सविता वै देवस्ततो योऽस्य भर्गाख्यस्तं चिन्तयामीत्याहुर्ब्रह्मवादिनोऽथ धियो यो नः प्रचोदयादिति बुद्धयो वै धियस्तायोऽस्माकं प्रचोदयादित्याहुर्ब्रह्मवादिनः अथ भर्गा इति यो ह वा अमुष्मिन्नादित्ये निहितस्तारकोऽक्षिणि वैष भर्गाख्यः भाभिर्गतिरस्य हीति भर्गः भर्जयतीति वैष भर्ग इति रुद्रो ब्रह्मवादिनोऽथ भ इति भासयतीमान् लोकान् र इति रंजयतीमानि भूतानि ग इति गच्छन्त्यस्मिन्नागच्छन्त्यस्मादिमाः प्रजास्तस्माद्भ\-रग\-त्वाद्भर्गः शाश्वत् सूयमानात् सूर्यः सवनात् सविताऽदानात् आदित्यः पवनात्पावनोऽथापोप्यायनादित्येवं ह्याह खल्वात्मनोऽत्मा नेतामृताख्यश्चेता मन्ता गन्तोत्सृष्टानन्दयिता कर्ता वक्ता रसयिता घ्राता द्रष्टा श्रोता स्पृशति च विभुर्विग्रहे सन्निविष्टा इत्येवं ह्याह अथ यत्र द्वैतीभूतं विज्ञानं तत्र हि शृणोति पश्यति जिघ्रति रसयति चैव स्पर्शयति सर्वमात्मा जानीतेति यत्राद्वैतीभूतं विज्ञानं कार्यकारणकर्मनिर्मुक्तं निर्वचनमनौपम्यं निरुपाख्यां किं तदवाच्यम्

एष हि खल्वात्मेशानः शम्भुर्भवो रुद्रः प्रजापतिर्विश्वसृक् हिरण्यगर्भः सत्यं प्राणो हंसः शास्ता विष्णुर्नारायणोऽर्कः सविता धाता विधाता सम्राडिन्द्र इन्दुरिति य एष तपत्यग्निरिवाग्निना पिहितः सहस्राक्षेण हिरण्मयेनाण्डेन एष वा जिज्ञासितव्योऽन्वेष्टव्यः सर्वभूतेभ्योऽभयं दत्वारण्यं गत्वाथ बहिःकृत्वीन्द्रियार्थान्स्वाच्छरीरादुपलभेत एनमिति । विश्वरूपं हरिणं जातवेदसं परायणं ज्योतिरेकं तपन्तम् । सहस्ररश्मिः शतधा वर्तमानः प्राणः प्रजानामुदयत्येष सूर्यः

This very self is the lord, Śambhu, Bhava, Rudra, Prajāpati, the creator of all, Hiraṇyagarbha, truth, life, the swan, the teacher, Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, Arka, Savitṛ, Dhātṛ, Vidhātṛ, the sovereign, Indra, the moon—he who shines, hidden like fire by fire, by a thousand-eyed, golden egg. He is to be sought, to be inquired into, having given fearlessness to all beings, going to the forest, and having set aside the objects of the senses, one should realize him within one’s own body. The all-formed, golden, knower of beings, the supreme goal, the one light shining, with a thousand rays, moving in a hundred ways, the life of creatures—this sun rises.

तस्माद्वा एष उभयात्मैवं विदात्मन्येवाभिद्यायत्यात्मन्येव यजतीति ध्यानं प्रयोगस्थं मनो विद्वद्भिष्टुतं मनःपूतिमुच्छिष्टोपहतमित्यनेन तत्पावयेत् मन्त्रं पठति उच्छिष्टोच्छिष्टोपहितं यच्च पापेन दत्तं मृतसूतकाद्वा वसोः पवित्रमग्निः सवितुश्च रश्मयः पुनन्त्वन्नं मम दुष्कृतं च यदन्यत् अद्भिः पुरस्तात्परिदधाति प्राणाय स्वाहापानाय स्वाहा व्यानाय स्वाहा समानाय स्वाहोदानाय स्वाहेति पञ्चभिरभिजुहोति अथावाशिष्टं यतवागश्नात्यतोऽद्भिर्भूय एवोपरिष्टात्परिदधात्याचान्तो भूत्वात्मेज्यानः प्राणोऽग्निर्विश्वोऽसीति च द्वाभ्यामात्मानमभिध्यायेत् प्राणोऽग्निः परमात्मा वै पञ्चवायुः समाश्रितः स प्रीतः प्रीणातु विश्वं विश्वभुक् विश्वोऽसि वैश्वानरोऽसि विश्वं त्वया धार्यते जायमानम् विशन् तु त्वामाहुतयश्च सर्वाः प्रजास्तत्र यत्र विश्वामृतोऽसीति एवं न विधिना खल्वनेनात्तानत्वं पुनरुपैति

Therefore, this one who knows thus is of both natures; he meditates only on the Self, he worships only in the Self. Meditation is the mind established in practice, praised by the wise. If the mind is defiled by impurity or leftovers, one should purify it with this: 'Whatever is tainted by leftovers, whatever is given by sin, from a corpse or a woman in childbirth, may fire, the rays of the sun, purify the garment, and may they purify my food and whatever other wrong I have done.' He sprinkles water in front, reciting: 'To prāṇa, svāhā; to apāna, svāhā; to vyāna, svāhā; to samāna, svāhā; to udāna, svāhā,' making five offerings. Then, if any food remains, he eats it silently; then he sprinkles water again above. Having rinsed his mouth, knowing the worship of the Self, he should meditate on the Self with these two: 'Prāṇa is fire, the supreme Self is indeed the fivefold wind; may he, being pleased, please all; you are the all, you are Vaiśvānara, you support the universe, may all oblations and beings enter you, where the nectar of the universe is.' Thus, by this rite, one does not again become subject to being eaten.

अथापरं वेदितव्यमुत्तरो विकारोऽस्यात्मयज्ञस्य यथान्नमन्नादश्चेति अस्योपव्याख्यानं पुरुषश्चेता प्रधानान्तःस्थः स एव भोक्ता प्राकृतमन्नं भुङ्क्त इति तस्यायं भूतात्मा ह्यन्नमस्यकर्ता प्रधानः तस्मात्त्रिगुणं भोज्यं भोक्ता पुरुषोऽन्तस्थः अत्र दृष्टं नाम प्रत्ययम् यस्माद्बीजसम्भवा हि पशवस्तस्माद्बीजं भोज्यमनेनैव प्रधानस्य भोज्यत्वं व्याख्यातं तस्माद्भोक्ता पुरुषो भोज्या प्रकृतिस्तत्स्थो भुङ्क्त इति प्राकृतमन्नं त्रिगुणभेदपरिणमत्वान्महदाद्यं विशेषान्तं लिङ्गमनेनैव चतुर्दशविधस्य मार्गस्य व्याख्या कृता भवति सुखदुःखमोहसंज्ञं ह्यन्नभूतमिदं जगत् न हि बीजस्य स्वादुपरिग्रहोऽस्तीति यावन्नप्रसूतिः तस्याप्येवं तिसृष्ववस्थास्वन्नत्वं भवति कौमारं यौवनं जरा परिणमत्वातत्दन्नत्वमेवं प्रधानस्य व्यक्ततां गतस्योपलब्धिर्भवति तत्र बुद्ध्यादीनि स्वादुनि भवन्त्यध्यवसायसङ्कल्पाभिमाना इति अथेन्द्रियार्थान् पञ्चस्वादुनि भवन्ति एवं सर्वाणीन्द्रियकर्माणि प्राणकर्माणि एवं व्यक्तमन्नमव्यक्तमन्नम् अस्य निर्गुणो भोक्ता भोक्तृत्वाच्चैतन्यं प्रसिद्धं तस्य यथाग्निर्वै देवानामन्नदः सोमोऽन्नमग्निनैवान्नमित्येवंवित् सोमसंज्ञोऽयंभूतत्माऽग्निसंज्ञोऽप्यव्यक्तमुखा इति वचनात्पुरुषो ह्यव्यक्तमुखेन त्रिगुणं भुङ्क्त इति यो हैवं वेद संन्यासी योगी चात्मयाजी चेति अथ यद्वन्न कश्चिच्छून्यागारे कामिन्यः प्रविष्टाः स्पृशतीन्द्रियार्थान् तद्वद् यो न स्पृशति प्रविष्टान् संन्यासी योगी चात्मयाजी चेति

परं वा एतदात्मनो रूपं यदन्नमन्नमयो ह्ययं प्राणोऽथ न यद्यश्नात्यमन्ताऽश्रोताऽस्प्रष्टाऽद्रष्टाऽवक्ताऽघ्रातारसयिता भवति प्राणांश्चोत्सृजतीति एवं ह्याहाथ यदि खल्वश्नाति प्राणसमृद्धो भूत्वा मन्ता भवति श्रोता भवति स्प्रष्टा भवति वक्ता भवति रसयिता भवति घ्राता भवति द्रष्टा भवतीति एवं ह्याह अन्नाद्वै प्रजाः प्रजायन्ते याः कश्चित्पृथिवीशृताः । अतोऽन्नेनैव जीवन्ति अथैतदपि यन्ति अन्ततः

This, indeed, is the highest form of the Self: food. For this breath is made of food. If he does not eat, he becomes unable to think, hear, touch, see, speak, smell, or taste, and he gives up the breaths. Thus it is said: but if he eats, becoming full of breath, he becomes able to think, hear, touch, speak, taste, smell, and see. Thus it is said: 'From food, beings are born, all who dwell on earth; by food alone they live, and in the end, they also go to food.'

अथान्यत्रापि उक्तम् सर्वाणि ह वा इमानि भूतान्यहरहः प्रपतन्त्यन्नमभिजिघृक्षमाणानि सूर्यो रश्मिभिराददात्यन्नं तेनासौ तपत्यन्नेनाभिषिक्ताः पचन्तीमे प्राणा अग्निर्वा अन्नेनोज्ज्वलत्यन्नकामेनेदं प्रकल्पितं ब्रह्मणा अतोऽन्नमात्मेत्युपासीतेत्वेयं ह्याह । अनाद्भूतानि जायन्ते जातान्यन्नेन वर्धन्ते अद्यतेऽत्ति च भूतानि तस्मादन्नं तदुच्यते

And elsewhere it is said: All these beings, every day, fall upon food, desiring to seize it. The sun, with its rays, draws up food; by that, it burns, being anointed with food. These breaths cook, being anointed with food. Fire indeed burns by food; this world is established by the desire for food, created by Brahman. Therefore, one should meditate on food as the Self. Thus it is said: 'From water, beings are born; having been born, they grow by food; beings eat and are eaten; therefore, it is called food.'

अथान्यत्रापि उक्तम् \: विश्वभृद्वै नामैषा तनुर्भगवतो विष्णोर्यदिदमन्नं प्राणो वा अन्नस्य रसो मनः प्राणस्य विज्ञानं मनस आनन्दं विज्ञानस्येति अन्नवान् प्राणवान् मनश्वान् विज्ञानवान् आनन्दवान् च भवति यो हैवं वेद यावान्तीह वै भूतान्यन्नमदन्ति तावत्स्वन्तस्थोऽन्नमत्ति यो हैवंवेद । अन्नमेव विजरन्नमन्नं संवननं स्मृतम् । अन्नं पशूनां प्राणोऽन्नं ज्येष्ठमन्नं भिषक् स्मृतम्

Now, elsewhere it is also said: This very form of the Lord Vishnu, called 'the supporter of the universe,' is indeed food; breath is the essence of food, mind is the essence of breath, knowledge is the essence of mind, and bliss is the essence of knowledge. Whoever knows thus becomes possessed of food, breath, mind, knowledge, and bliss. Indeed, as many beings here consume food, so much food does he enjoy within himself who knows thus. Food alone is called the undecaying food, and food is remembered as the means of union. Food is the life of animals, food is the eldest, and food is remembered as the healer.

अथान्यात्रप्युक्तम् \: अन्नं वा अस्य सर्वस्य योनिः कालश्चान्नस्य सूर्यो योनिः कालस्य तस्यैतद्रूपं यन् निमेषादिकालात्सम्भृतं द्वादशात्मकं वत्सरमेतस्याग्नेयमर्धमर्धं वारुणं मघाद्यं श्रविष्ठार्धमाग्नेयं क्रमेणोत्क्रमेण सार्पाद्यं श्रविष्ठार्धान्तं सौम्यम् तत्रैकैकमात्मनो नवांशकं सचारकविधम् सौक्ष्म्यत्वादेतत्प्रमाणमनेनैव प्रमीयते हि कालः न विना प्रमाणेन प्रमेयस्योपलब्धिः प्रमेयोऽपि प्रमाणतां पृथक्त्वादुपैत्यात्मसम्बोधनार्थमित्येवं ह्याह । यावत्यो वै कालस्य कलास्तावतीषु चरत्यसौ यः कालं ब्रह्मेत्युपासीत कालस्तस्यातिदूरमपसरतीति एवं ह्याह \: कालात्स्रवन्ति भूतानि कालाद्वृद्धिं प्रयान्ति च । काले चास्तं नियच्छन्ति कालो मूर्तिरमूर्तिमान्

Now, elsewhere it is also said: Food is the source of all this; time is the source of food; the sun is the source of time. Its form is this: the year, composed of twelve parts, gathered from the moments and other divisions of time. Of this, half belongs to Agni (the fire deity), and half to Varuna (the water deity); from Magha onward to the middle of Shravishtha is the Agni half, and from there to the end of Shravishtha is the Soma (moon) half, each divided into nine parts with their respective cycles. Because of its subtlety, this is the measure; by this alone is time measured. For without a measure, the object to be measured cannot be known, and the object to be measured attains the status of a measure by distinction, for the sake of self-knowledge. Thus it is said: As many divisions as there are of time, in so many does that one move. Whoever worships time as Brahman, for him time withdraws very far. Thus it is said: From time beings flow forth, by time they grow, and in time they are dissolved; time is both formed and formless.

द्वे वाव ब्रह्मणो रुपे कालश्चाकालश्चाथ यः प्रागादित्यात्सोऽकालोऽकालोऽथ य आदित्यद्यः स कालः सकलः सकलस्य वा एतद्रूपं यत्संवत्सरः संवत्सरात्खल्वेवेमाः प्रजाः प्रजायन्ते संवत्सरेणेह वै जाता विवर्धन्ते संवत्सरे प्रत्यस्तं यन्ति तस्मात्संवत्सरो वै प्रजापतिः कालोऽन्नं ब्रह्मनीडमात्मा चेत्येवं ह्याह कालः पचति भूतानि सर्वाण्येव महात्मनि । यस्मिन् तु पच्यते कालो यस्तं वेद स वेदवित्

There are indeed two forms of Brahman: time and non-time. That which is before the sun is non-time; non-time, and that which begins with the sun is time. The year is the form of time, and from the year indeed these creatures are born. By the year, those born here grow, and into the year they are dissolved. Therefore, the year is indeed Prajapati. Time is food, the nest of Brahman, and the self. Thus it is said: Time cooks all beings in the great self; but he in whom time is cooked, whoever knows that, is the knower of the Veda.

विग्रहवानेष कालः सिन्धुराजः प्रजानाम् एष तत्स्थः सविताख्यो यस्मादेवेमे चन्द्रर्क्षग्रह संवत्सरादयः सूयन्ते अथैभ्यः सर्वमिदमत्र वा यत्किञ्चित्शुभाशुभं दृश्यन्तेह लोके तदेतेभ्यस्तस्मादादित्यात्मा ब्रह्माथ कालसंज्ञमादित्यमुपासीतादित्यो ब्रह्मेत्येकेऽथ एवं ह्याह । होता भोक्ता हविर्मन्त्रो यज्ञो विष्णुः प्रजापतिः । सर्वः कश्चित्प्रभुः साक्षी योऽमुष्मिन्भाति मण्डले

This time, having form, is the king of rivers and of beings; he stands there, called Savita (the sun), from whom indeed these moon, stars, planets, years, and so on are produced. And from these, all this—whatever good or bad is seen in this world—comes forth. Therefore, one should meditate on the sun, whose essence is Brahman, as time, called Aditya; some say the sun is Brahman. Thus it is said: The priest, the enjoyer, the sacrificial offering, the mantra, the sacrifice, Vishnu, Prajapati—all, whoever is the lord, the witness, who shines in that orb.

ब्रह्म ह वा इदमग्र आसीत् एकोऽनन्तः प्रागनन्तो दक्षिणोऽनन्तः प्रतीच्यनन्त उदीच्यनन्त ऊर्ध्वान् चाऽवान् च सर्वतोऽनन्तः न ह्यास्य प्राच्यादि दिशः कल्पन्तेऽथ तिर्यग्वान् चोर्ध्वं वा अनूह्य एष परमात्माऽपरिमितोऽतर्क्योऽचिन्त्य एष आकाशात्मा एवैष कृत्स्नक्षय एको जागर्तीति एतस्मादाकाशादेष खल्विदं चेतामात्रं बोधयति अनेनैव चेदम् ध्यायते अस्मिन् च प्रत्यस्तं याति अस्यैतद्भास्वरं रूपं यदमुष्मिन्नादित्ये तपति अग्नौ चाधुमके यज्ज्योतिश्चित्रतरमुदरस्तोऽथ वा यः पचत्यन्नम् इत्येवं ह्याह यश्चैषोऽग्नौ यश्चायं हृदये यश्चासावादित्ये स एष एका इत्येकस्य हैकत्वमेति य एवं वेद

In the beginning, indeed, there was only Brahman, infinite in every direction: infinite to the east, infinite to the south, infinite to the west, infinite to the north, infinite above and below, infinite everywhere. For it has no eastern or other directions; neither horizontal nor vertical limits can be conceived. This is the supreme Self: boundless, beyond reasoning, beyond thought. This is the Self of space, the sole, all-consuming one who remains awake. From this space, it is this very one who awakens consciousness in all; by this, one meditates, and into this, all returns. Its radiant form is what shines in the sun, what burns in smokeless fire, what is the most brilliant light within the belly, and also what cooks food. Thus it is said: 'That which is in fire, that which is in the heart, that which is in the sun—these are one and the same.' Whoever knows this attains unity.

तथा तत्प्रयोगकल्पः प्राणायामः प्रत्याहारो ध्यानं धारणा तर्कः समाधिः षडङ्गा इत्युच्यते योगः अनेन यदा पश्यन्पश्यति रुक्मवर्णं कर्तारमीशं पुरुषं ब्रह्मयोनिम् तदा विद्वान्पुण्यपापे विहाय परेऽव्यये सर्वमेकीकरोति एवं ह्याह \: यथा पर्वतमादीप्तं नाश्रयन्ति मृगद्विजाः । तद्वद्ब्रह्मविदो दोषा नाश्रयन्ति कदाचन

Likewise, the practice is described: breath control, withdrawal of the senses, meditation, concentration, reasoning, and absorption—these six are called the limbs of yoga. By this, when one sees, one perceives the golden-hued creator, the lord, the person, the source of Brahman. Then, the wise, abandoning merit and demerit, merges all into the supreme imperishable. Thus it is said: 'Just as animals and birds do not approach a blazing mountain, so faults never approach those who know Brahman.'

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: यदा वै बहिर्विद्वान्मनो नियम्येन्द्रियार्थान् च प्राणो निवेशयित्वा निःसङ्कल्पस्ततस्तिष्ठेत् अप्राणादिह यस्मात्सम्भूतः प्राणसंज्ञको जीवस्तस्मात्प्राणो वै तुर्याख्ये धारयेत्प्राणम् इत्येवं ह्याह \: अचित्तं चित्तमध्यस्तमचिन्त्यं गुह्यमुत्तमम् । तत्र चित्तं निधायेत तच्च लिङ्गं निराश्रयम्

Elsewhere it is also said: When the wise, restraining the mind outwardly and the objects of the senses, having settled the breath, remains without intention, then, since the vital force arises here as the living being called prāṇa, one should hold the breath in the state called the fourth. Thus it is said: 'The mind without mind, the middle of consciousness, the inconceivable, the highest secret—there one should place the mind, and that is the subtle sign without support.'

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: अतः परास्य धारणा तालुरसनाग्रनिपीडना\- द्वाङ्मनःप्राणनिरोधनाद्ब्रह्म तर्केण पश्यति यदात्मनाऽऽत्मान\- मणोरणीयांसं द्योतमानं मनःक्षयात्पश्यति तदात्मनात्मानं दृष्ट्वा निरात्मा भवति निरात्मकत्वादसङ्ख्योऽयोनिश्चिन्त्यो मोक्षलक्षणमित्येतत्परं रहस्यम् इत्येवं ह्याह \: चित्तस्य हि प्रसादेन हन्ति कर्म शुभाशुभम् । प्रसन्नात्मात्मनि स्थित्वा सुखमव्ययमश्नुता इति

Elsewhere it is also said: Beyond this is the concentration by pressing the palate and the tip of the tongue, by restraining the mind and breath; by reasoning, one sees Brahman. When, by the mind, one sees the Self, the smallest of the small, shining, through the cessation of mind, then, having seen the Self by the Self, one becomes without self. Because of the absence of self, it is countless, unborn, inconceivable, and characterized by liberation—this is the supreme secret. Thus it is said: 'By the clarity of the mind, one destroys both good and bad actions. Having established the serene self in the Self, one enjoys unchanging happiness.'

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: ऊर्ध्वगा नाडी सुषुम्नाख्या प्राणसञ्चारिणी ताल्वन्तर्विच्छिन्ना तया प्राणोङ्कारमनोयुक्तयोर्ध्वमुत्क्रमेत् ताल्वध्याग्रं परिवर्त्य इन्द्रियाण्यसंयोज्य महिमा महिमानं निरीक्षेता ततो निरात्वकमेति निरात्मकत्वान्न सुखदुःखभाग्भवति केवलत्वं लभता इत्येवं ह्याह \: परः पूर्वं प्रतिष्ठाप्य निगृहीतानिलं ततः । तीर्त्वा पारमपारेण पश्चाद्युञ्जीत मूर्ध्वनि

Elsewhere it is also said: The upward-moving channel called Suṣumnā is the carrier of the vital breath; it is interrupted within the palate. Through it, the breath, joined with Om and the mind, ascends upward. Turning the tip below the palate, withdrawing the senses, one beholds the greatness of the Great. Then one attains the state without self; because of being without self, one is not subject to pleasure or pain, and attains absolute unity. Thus it is said: Having first established the supreme, restraining the breath, then crossing beyond by the highest means, afterwards one should direct it upward.

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: द्वे वा व ब्रह्मणी अभिध्येये शब्दश्चाशब्दश्च अथ शब्देनैवाशब्दमाविष्क्रियते अथ तत्र ओमिति शब्दोऽनेनोर्ध्वमुत्क्रान्तोऽशब्दे निधनमेति अथाहैषा गतिरेतदमृतम् अतत्सायुज्यत्वम् निर्वृतत्वम् तथा चेति अथ यथोर्णनाभिस्तन्तुनोर्ध्वमुत्क्रान्तोऽवकाशं लभतीत्येवं वा व खल्वासावभिध्याता ओमित्यनेनोर्ध्वमुत्क्रान्तः स्वातन्त्र्यं लभते अन्यथा परे शब्दवादिनः \: श्रवणाङ्गुष्ठयोगेनान्तर्हृदयाकाशशब्दमाकर्णयन्ति सप्तविधेयं तस्योपमा यथा नद्यः किङ्किणी कांस्यचक्रकभेक विःकृन्दिका वृष्टिर्निवाते वदतीति तं पृथग्लक्षणमतीत्य परेऽशब्देऽव्यक्ते ब्रह्मण्यस्तं गताः तत्र तेऽपृथग्धर्मिणोऽपृथग्विवेक्या यथा सम्पन्ना मधुत्वं नानारसा इत्येवं ह्याह \: द्वे ब्रह्मणि वेदितव्ये शब्दब्रह्म परां च यत् । शब्दब्रह्मणि निष्णातः परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति

Elsewhere it is also said: There are two aspects to Brahman to be contemplated—sound and soundless. By sound alone, the soundless is revealed. In this context, Om is the sound; by it, one ascends upward and reaches dissolution in the soundless. This is the path, this is immortality, this is union, this is liberation. Thus: Just as a spider, ascending by its threads, attains space, so too the contemplator, ascending by Om, attains freedom; otherwise, those who follow the doctrine of sound listen to the sound in the inner heart-space by joining the thumb to the ear, hearing seven kinds. Its analogy is like rivers, bells, bronze discs, frogs, crickets, rain, and wind. Passing beyond these distinct marks, the others reach the soundless, unmanifest Brahman, where they are undifferentiated, indistinguishable, just as honey, having various tastes, becomes one. Thus it is said: Two Brahmans are to be known—the Brahman of sound and the supreme; one who is skilled in the Brahman of sound attains the supreme Brahman.

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: यः शब्दस्तदोमित्येतदक्षरम् यदस्याग्रं तच्छान्तमशब्दमभयमशोकमानन्दं तृप्तं स्थिरमचलममृतमच्युतं ध्रुवं विष्णुसंज्ञितं सर्वापरत्वाय तदेता उपसीतेत्येवं ह्याह \: योऽसौ परापरो देवा ॐकारो नाम नामतः । निःशब्दः शून्यभूतस्तु मूर्ध्नि स्थाने ततोऽभ्यसेत्

Elsewhere it is also said: The sound is Om; this syllable. Its beginning is peaceful, soundless, fearless, sorrowless, blissful, satisfied, stable, unmoving, immortal, unfallen, constant, called Viṣṇu, for the sake of supreme transcendence. One should worship these. Thus it is said: That which is both supreme and not supreme, the deity, is called Om; by name. Being soundless, becoming void, one should practice it at the crown.

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: धनुः शरीरम् ओमित्येतच्छरः शिखास्य मनः तमोलक्षणं भित्वा तमोऽतमाविष्टमागच्छति अथाविष्टं भित्वाऽलातचक्रमिव स्फुरन्तमादित्यवर्णमूर्जस्वन्तं ब्रह्म तमसः पर्यमपश्यद्यदमुष्मिन्नादित्येऽथ सोमेऽग्नौ विद्युति विभाति अथ खल्वेनं दृष्ट्वाऽमृतत्वं गच्छतीत्येवं ह्याह \: ध्यानमन्तःपरे तत्त्वे लक्ष्येषु च निधीयते । अतोऽविशेषविज्ञानं विशेषमुपगच्छति ॥ मानसे च विलीने तु यत्सुखं चात्मसाक्षिकम् । तद्ब्रह्म चामृतं शुक्रं सा गतिर्लोक एव सः

Elsewhere it is also said: The body is the bow, Om is the arrow, the mind is its point. Piercing the mark of darkness, one enters what is beyond darkness. Piercing what is entered, like a revolving fire-wheel, one sees the radiant, powerful Brahman, beyond darkness, in the sun, in the moon, in fire, in lightning, it shines. Having seen it, one attains immortality. Thus it is said: Meditation is placed within the supreme essence and in the marks; from undifferentiated knowledge, one attains differentiation. And when the mind is dissolved, the happiness witnessed by the self—that is Brahman, immortal, pure; that is the path, that alone is the world.

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: निद्रेवान्तर्हितेन्द्रियः शुद्धितमया धिया स्वप्न इव यः पश्यतीन्द्रियबिलेऽविवशः प्रणवाख्यं प्रणेतारं भारूपं विगतनिद्रं विजरं विमृत्युं विशोकं च सोऽपि प्रणवाख्यः प्रणेता भारूपः विगत निद्रः विजरः विमृत्युर्विशोको भवतीत्येवं ह्याह \: एवं प्राणमथोङ्कारं यस्मात्सर्वमनेकधा । युनक्ति युञ्जते वापि यस्माद्योग इति स्मृतः ॥ एकत्वं प्राणमनसोरिन्द्रियाणां तथैव च । सर्वभावपरित्यागो योग इत्यभिधीयते

Now, elsewhere it is also said: When, like one asleep, the senses are withdrawn, and with a mind composed of purity, someone perceives—like in a dream—within the cavity of the senses, helpless, the one called 'Pranava,' the mover, the form of weight, free from sleep, free from old age, free from death, and free from sorrow—he too becomes called 'Pranava,' the mover, the form of weight, free from sleep, free from old age, free from death, and free from sorrow. Thus it is said: 'Because from this, breath and Om, all things in manifold ways are joined or are joined together, therefore it is called yoga. The unity of breath, mind, and senses, and likewise the renunciation of all states of being—this is called yoga.'

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: यथा वाप्सु चारिणः शाकुनिकः सूत्रयन्त्रेणोद्धृत्योदरेऽग्नौ जुहोत्येवं वा व खल्विमान्प्राणानोमित्यनेनोद्धृत्यानामयेऽग्नौ जुहोति अतस्तप्तोर्विवसोऽथ यथा तप्तोर्वि सार्पिस्तृणकाष्ठसंस्पर्शे\- नोज्ज्वलतीत्येवं वा व खल्वसावप्राणाख्यः प्राणसंस्पर्शेनोज्ज्वलति अथ यदुज्ज्वलत्येतद्ब्रह्मणो रूपं चैतद्विष्णोः परमं पदम् चैतद्रुद्रस्य रुद्रत्वमेतत्तदपरिमितधा चात्मानं विभज्य पूरयतीमां लोकानित्येवं ह्याह \: वह्नेश्च यद्वत्खलु विस्फुलिङ्गाः सूर्यान्मयूखाश्च तथैव तस्य प्राणादयो वै पुनरेव तस्माद् अभ्युच्चरन्तीह यथाक्रमेण

Now, elsewhere it is also said: Just as a bird-catcher, by means of a string device, draws birds from water and offers them into the fire in his belly, so indeed, by means of 'Om,' one draws the breaths and offers them into the fire of the body. Therefore, just as heated gold glows when touched by grass or wood, so too this one called 'breath' glows when touched by breath. And what glows—this is the form of Brahman, this is the supreme abode of Vishnu, this is the Rudra-ness of Rudra. Dividing itself in countless ways, it fills these worlds. Thus it is said: 'Just as from fire sparks, and from the sun rays, so too from him the breaths and others arise again and again, ascending here in order.'

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: ब्रह्मणो वा वैतत्तेजः परस्यामृतस्याशरीरस्य यच्छरीरस्यौष्ण्यमस्यैतद्घृतमथाविः सन् नभसि निहितं वैतदेकाग्रेणैवमन्तर्हृदयाकाशं विनुदन्ति यत्तस्य ज्योतिरिव सम्पद्यतीति अतस्तद्भावम् अचिरेणैति भूमावयस्पिण्डं निहितं यथाऽचिरेणैति भूमित्वम् मृद्वत्संस्थमयस्पिण्डं यथाग्न्ययस्कारादयो नाभिभवन्ति प्रणश्यति चित्तं तथाश्रयेण सहैवमित्येवं ह्याह \: हृद्याकाशमयं कोशमानन्दं परमालयम् । स्वं योगश्च ततोऽस्माकं तेजश्चैवाग्निसूर्ययोः

Now, elsewhere it is also said: The radiance of Brahman, the supreme, immortal, bodiless one—what is the heat of the embodied, this is its clarified butter. When it becomes manifest, set in the sky, with one-pointedness they pierce the inner space of the heart, and what becomes like its light, to that state it quickly attains. Just as a lump of earth placed in the ground quickly becomes earth, and just as a lump of clay placed with potters is not overcome by fire but perishes with its support, so too the mind. Thus it is said: 'The sheath made of the space of the heart, bliss, the supreme abode—this is our own yoga, and the radiance of fire and the sun.'

अथान्यत्राप्युक्तम् \: भूतेन्द्रियार्थानतिक्रम्य ततः प्रव्रज्याज्यं धृतिदण्डं धनुर्गृहीत्वाऽनभिमानमयेन चैवेषुणा तं ब्रह्म द्वारपारं निहत्याद्यं संमोहमौली तृष्णेर्ष्याकुण्डली तन्द्रीराघवेत्र्यभिमानाध्यक्षः क्रोधज्यं प्रलोभदण्डं धनुर्गृहीत्वेच्छामयेन चैवेषुणेमानि खलु भूतानि हन्ति तं हत्वोंकारप्लवेनान्तर्हृदयाकाशस्य पारं तीर्त्वाविर्भूते अन्तराकाशे शनकैरवटैवावटकृद्धातुकामः संविशत्येवं ब्रह्मशालां विशेत् ततश्चतुर्जालं ब्रह्मकोशं प्रणुदेत् गुर्वागमेनेति \: अतः शुद्धः पूतः शून्यः शान्तोऽप्राणो निरात्माऽनन्तोऽक्षय्यः स्थिरः शाश्वतोऽजः स्वतन्त्रः स्वे महिम्नि तिष्ठति अतः स्वे महिम्नि तिष्ठमानम् दृष्ट्वाऽवृत्तचक्रमिव सञ्चारचक्रमालोकयति इत्येवं ह्याह \: षड्भिर्मासैस्तु युक्तस्य नित्यमुक्तस्य देहिनः अनन्तः परमो गुह्यः सम्यग्योगः प्रवर्तते ॥ रजस्तमोभ्यां विद्धस्य सुसमिद्धस्य देहिनः पुत्रदारकुटुम्बेषु सक्तस्य न कदाचन

एवमुक्त्वाऽन्तर्हृदयः शकायन्यस्तस्मै नमस्कृत्वाऽनया ब्रह्मविद्यया राजन् ब्रह्मणः पन्थानमारूढाः पुत्राः प्रजापतेरिति सन्तोषं द्वन्द्वतितिक्षां शान्तत्वं योगाभ्यासादवाप्नोतीति एतद्गुह्यतमं नापुत्राय नाशिष्याय नाशान्ताय कीर्तयेदिति अनन्यभक्ताय सर्वगुणसम्पन्नाय दद्यात्

Having spoken thus, Śākāyanya, with his heart turned inward, bowed to him and said: 'With this knowledge of Brahman, O King, the sons of Prajāpati have ascended the path to Brahman. Contentment, endurance of opposites, tranquility—these are attained through the practice of yoga. This is the most secret teaching; it should not be recited to one who is not a son, not a disciple, or not peaceful. It should be given only to one who is devoted, endowed with all virtues.'