Mysticism -- Hinduism; Religion; Sanskrit literature -- Translations into English
Those who are devoid of discrimination and fail to distinguish between real
and unreal, the fleeting and the permanent, set their hearts on the changeable
things of this world; hence they entangle themselves in the net of insatiable
desire, which leads inevitably to disappointment and suffering. To such, death
must seem a reality because they identify themselves with that which is born
and which dies. But the wise, who see deeper into the nature of things, are no
longer deluded by the charm of the phenomenal world and do not seek for
permanent happiness among its passing enjoyments.
III
That by which one knows form, taste, smell, sound, touch and
sense enjoyments, by That also one knows whatever remains (to be
known). This verily is That (which thou hast asked to know).
IV
That by which a mortal perceives, both in dream and in waking, by
knowing that great all-pervading Atman the wise man grieves no
more.
In these verses the teacher tries to make plain that all knowledge, as well as
all sense perception, in every state of consciousness--sleeping, dreaming or
waking--is possible only because the Self exists. There can be no knowledge or
perception independent of the Self. Wise men, aware of this, identify
themselves with their Higher Self and thus transcend the realm of grief.
V
He who knows this Atman, the honey-eater (perceiver and enjoyer
of objects), ever near, as the lord of the past and future, fears
no more. This verily is That.
VI
He who sees Him seated in the five elements, born of Tapas (fire
of Brahman), born before water; who, having entered the cave of
the heart, abides therein --this verily is That.
This verse indicates that He, the Great Self, is the cause of all
created objects. According to the Vedas, His first manifestation
was Brahma, the Personal God or Creator, born of the fire of
wisdom. He existed before the evolution of the five elements--
earth, water, fire, air and ether; hence He was "born before
water." He is the Self dwelling in the hearts of all creatures.
VII
He who knows Aditi, who rises with Prana (the Life Principle),
existent in all the Devas; who, having entered into the heart,
abides there; and who was born from the elements--this verily is
That.
This verse is somewhat obscure and seems like an interpolated amplification of
the preceding verse.
VIII
The all-seeing fire which exists hidden in the two sticks, as the
foetus is well-guarded in the womb by the mother, (that fire) is
to be worshipped day after day by wakeful seekers (after wisdom),
as well as by sacrificers. This verily is That.
Fire is called all-seeing because its light makes everything
visible. In Vedic sacrifices the altar fire was always kindled
by rubbing together two sticks of a special kind of wood called
Arani. Because fire was regarded as one of the most perfect
symbols of Divine wisdom, it was to be worshipped by all seekers
after Truth, whether they followed the path of meditation or the
path of rituals.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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