Upanishads Insights – Selections From the Upanishads, an Ancient Hindu Text, Part 2 of 2

Taittiriyaka Upanishad

Second Valli: Seventh Anuvaka “‘In the beginning this was non-existent (not yet defined by form and name). From it was born what exists. That made itself its Self, therefore it is called the Self-made.’ That which is Self-made is a flavor (can be tasted), for only after perceiving a flavor can anyone perceive pleasure. Who could breathe, who could breathe forth, if that bliss (Brahman) existed not in the ether (in the heart)? For He alone causes blessedness.

When he finds freedom from fear and rest in that which is invisible, incorporeal, undefined, unsupported, then he has obtained the fearless. For if he makes but the smallest distinction in it, there is fear for him. But that fear exists only for one who thinks himself wise, (not for the true sage.)”

Svetasvatara Upanishad

First Adhyaya “The Highest Brahman is the safe support, it is imperishable. The Brahma-students, when they have known what is within this (world), are devoted and merged in the Brahman, free from birth.

The Lord supports all this together, the perishable and the imperishable, the developed and the undeveloped. The (living) self, not being a lord, is bound, because he has to enjoy (the fruits of works); but when he has known the God, he is freed from all fetters.

There are two, one knowing [the Divine], the other not-knowing [the self], both unborn, one strong, the other weak; there is She, the unborn, through whom each man receives the recompense of his works; and there is the infinite Self (appearing) under all forms, but Himself inactive. When a man finds out these three, that is Brahma.

That which is perishable is the Pradhâna (the first), the immortal and imperishable is Hara. The one God rules the perishable (the pradhâna) and the (living) self. From meditating on Him, from joining Him, from becoming one with Him there is further cessation of all illusion in the end.

When that God is known, all fetters fall off, sufferings are destroyed, and birth and death cease. From meditating on Him there arises, on the dissolution of the body, the third state, that of universal lordship; but he only who is alone, is satisfied.”