Mundaka Upanishad

Shanti Patha (Atharvaveda)

ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवाः भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः । स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवांसस्तनूभिर्व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः ।। स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः । स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु ।। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ।।

oṃ bhadraṃ karṇebhiḥ śṛṇuyāma devāḥ bhadraṃ paśyemākṣabhiryajatrāḥ | sthirairaṅgaistuṣṭuvāṃsastanūbhirvyaśema devahitaṃ yadāyuḥ || svasti na indro vṛddhaśravāḥ svasti naḥ pūṣā viśvavedāḥ | svasti nastārkṣyo ariṣṭanemiḥ svasti no bṛhaspatirdadhātu || oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||

O gods, may we hear auspicious things with our ears; may we see auspicious things with our eyes, O venerable ones. With steady limbs, praising you with our bodies, may we live out the full span that is good for the gods. May Indra of great fame grant us well-being; may Pushan the all-knowing; may Tarkshya of the undamaged wheel; may Brihaspati grant us well-being. Om peace, peace, peace.

Mantra 1

ॐ ब्रह्मा देवानां प्रथमः संबभूव विश्वस्य कर्ता भुवनस्य गोप्ता । स ब्रह्मविद्यां सर्वविद्याप्रतिष्ठामथर्वाय ज्येष्ठपुत्राय प्राह ।। १.१.१ ।।

oṃ brahmā devānāṃ prathamaḥ saṃbabhūva viśvasya kartā bhuvanasya goptā | sa brahmavidyāṃ sarvavidyāpratiṣṭhāmatharvāya jyeṣṭhaputrāya prāha || 1.1.1 ||

Brahma arose first among the gods, maker of the universe, guardian of the world. He taught Brahmavidya, the foundation of all knowledge, to his eldest son Atharva.

Mantra 2

अथर्वणे यां प्रवदेत ब्रह्माथर्वा तां पुरोवाचाङ्गिरे ब्रह्मविद्याम् । स भारद्वाजाय सत्यवाहाय प्राह भारद्वाजोऽङ्गिरसे परावराम् ।। १.१.२ ।।

atharvaṇe yāṃ pravadeta brahmātharvā tāṃ purovācāṅgire brahmavidyām | sa bhāradvājāya satyavāhāya prāha bhāradvājo'ṅgirase parāvarām || 1.1.2 ||

The knowledge that Brahma gave to Atharva, Atharva passed on to Angir. Bharadvaja gave it to Satyavaha; Bharadvaja's line carried this highest-and-lowest knowledge on to Angiras.

Mantra 3

शौनको ह वै महाशालोऽङ्गिरसं विधिवदुपसन्नः पप्रच्छ । कस्मिन्नु भगवो विज्ञाते सर्वमिदं विज्ञातं भवतीति ।। १.१.३ ।।

śaunako ha vai mahāśālo'ṅgirasaṃ vidhivadupasannaḥ papraccha | kasminnu bhagavo vijñāte sarvamidaṃ vijñātaṃ bhavatīti || 1.1.3 ||

The great householder Shaunaka approached Angiras in the proper manner and asked: Sir, by knowing what does all of this become known?

Mantra 4

तस्मै स होवाच । द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये इति ह स्म यद्ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति परा चैवापरा च ।। १.१.४ ।।

tasmai sa hovāca | dve vidye veditavye iti ha sma yadbrahmavido vadanti parā caivāparā ca || 1.1.4 ||

Angiras said to him: Those who know Brahman say two kinds of knowledge are to be known: the higher (para) and the lower (apara).

Mantra 5

तत्रापरा ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽथर्ववेदः शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणं निरुक्तं छन्दो ज्योतिषमिति । अथ परा यया तदक्षरमधिगम्यते ।। १.१.५ ।।

tatrāparā ṛgvedo yajurvedaḥ sāmavedo'tharvavedaḥ śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇaṃ niruktaṃ chando jyotiṣamiti | atha parā yayā tadakṣaramadhigamyate || 1.1.5 ||

The lower is the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, the Atharva Veda, phonetics, ritual, grammar, etymology, metre, and astronomy. The higher is that by which the Imperishable is known.

Mantra 6

यत्तदद्रेश्यमग्राह्यमगोत्रमवर्णमचक्षुःश्रोत्रं तदपाणिपादम् । नित्यं विभुं सर्वगतं सुसूक्ष्मं तदव्ययं यद्भूतयोनिं परिपश्यन्ति धीराः ।। १.१.६ ।।

yattadadreśyamagrāhyamagotramavarṇamacakṣuḥśrotraṃ tadapāṇipādam | nityaṃ vibhuṃ sarvagataṃ susūkṣmaṃ tadavyayaṃ yadbhūtayoniṃ paripaśyanti dhīrāḥ || 1.1.6 ||

That which is unseen, ungraspable, without lineage, without colour, without eye or ear, without hand or foot: eternal, all-pervading, everywhere, supremely subtle, undying, the source of all beings. That is what the wise see as the Imperishable.

Mantra 7

यथोर्णनाभिः सृजते गृह्णते च यथा पृथिव्यामोषधयः संभवन्ति । यथा सतः पुरुषात्केशलोमानि तथाऽक्षरात्संभवतीह विश्वम् ।। १.१.७ ।।

yathorṇanābhiḥ sṛjate gṛhṇate ca yathā pṛthivyāmoṣadhayaḥ saṃbhavanti | yathā sataḥ puruṣātkeśalomāni tathā'kṣarātsaṃbhavatīha viśvam || 1.1.7 ||

As a spider sends out and draws back its thread, as plants grow from the earth, as hairs grow from a living person: so from the Imperishable this whole universe arises.

Mantra 8

तपसा चीयते ब्रह्म ततोऽन्नमभिजायते । अन्नात्प्राणो मनः सत्यं लोकाः कर्मसु चामृतम् ।। १.१.८ ।।

tapasā cīyate brahma tato'nnamabhijāyate | annātprāṇo manaḥ satyaṃ lokāḥ karmasu cāmṛtam || 1.1.8 ||

Through tapas Brahman increases; from that food arises. From food come breath, mind, truth, the worlds, and the deathless found in all action.

Mantra 9

यः सर्वज्ञः सर्वविद्यस्य ज्ञानमयं तपः । तस्मादेतद्ब्रह्म नाम रूपमन्नं च जायते ।। १.१.९ ।।

yaḥ sarvajñaḥ sarvavidyasya jñānamayaṃ tapaḥ | tasmādetadbrahma nāma rūpamannaṃ ca jāyate || 1.1.9 ||

The one who is all-knowing and all-wise, whose tapas is made of knowledge: from that one arise Brahman, name, form, and food.

Mantra 1

तदेतत्सत्यं मन्त्रेषु कर्माणि कवयो यान्यपश्यंस्तानि त्रेतायां बहुधा संततानि । तान्याचरथ नियतं सत्यकामा एष वः पन्थाः सुकृतस्य लोके ।। १.२.१ ।।

tadetatsatyaṃ mantreṣu karmāṇi kavayo yānyapaśyaṃstāni tretāyāṃ bahudhā saṃtatāni | tānyācaratha niyataṃ satyakāmā eṣa vaḥ panthāḥ sukṛtasya loke || 1.2.1 ||

This is the truth: the rites that the seers saw in the mantras and spread widely in the Treta age: perform those regularly, you who desire what is right. That is your path to the world of good action.

Mantra 2

यदा लेलायते ह्यर्चिः समिद्धे हव्यवाहने । तदाऽऽज्यभागावन्तरेणाऽऽहुतीः प्रतिपादयेत् ।। १.२.२ ।।

yadā lelāyate hyarciḥ samiddhe havyavāhane | tadā''jyabhāgāvantareṇā''hutīḥ pratipādayet || 1.2.2 ||

When the flame blazes and quivers in the kindled fire that carries the oblation, then the offerings are to be placed between the two portions of ghee.

Mantra 3

यस्याग्निहोत्रमदर्शमपौर्णमासमचातुर्मास्यमनागरायणमतिथिवर्जितं च । अहुतमवैश्वदेवमविधिना हुतमासप्तमांस्तस्य लोकान् हिनस्ति ।। १.२.३ ।।

yasyāgnihotramadarśamapaurṇamāsamacāturmāsyamanāgarāyaṇamatithivarjitaṃ ca | ahutamavaiśvadevamavidhinā hutamāsaptamāṃstasya lokān hinasti || 1.2.3 ||

The fire sacrifice performed without the new-moon and full-moon rites, without the four-monthly rites, without the first-fruit rite, without a guest, without the all-gods offering, performed contrary to rule: that destroys the seven worlds.

Mantra 4

काली कराली च मनोजवा च सुलोहिता या च सुधूम्रवर्णा । स्फुलिङ्गिनी विश्वरुची च देवी लेलायमाना इति सप्त जिह्वाः ।। १.२.४ ।।

kālī karālī ca manojavā ca sulohitā yā ca sudhūmravarṇā | sphuliṅginī viśvarucī ca devī lelāyamānā iti sapta jihvāḥ || 1.2.4 ||

Kali, Karali, Manojava, Sulohita, Sudhumravarna, Sphulingini, and Vishvaruchi: these are the seven flickering tongues of flame.

Mantra 5

एतेषु यश्चरते भ्राजमानेषु यथाकालं चाहुतयो ह्यादाद्यान् । तं नयन्त्येताः सूर्यस्य रश्मयो यत्र देवानां पतिरेकोऽधिवासः ।। १.२.५ ।।

eteṣu yaścarate bhrājamāneṣu yathākālaṃ cāhutayo hyādādyān | taṃ nayantyetāḥ sūryasya raśmayo yatra devānāṃ patireko'dhivāsaḥ || 1.2.5 ||

The one who offers oblations in due time in these blazing tongues: the rays of the sun carry that one to the world where the one lord of the gods dwells.

Mantra 6

एह्येहीति तमाहुतयः सुवर्चसः सूर्यस्य रश्मिभिर्यजमानं वहन्ति । प्रियां वाचमभिवदन्तोऽर्चयन्त एष वः पुण्यः सुकृतो ब्रह्मलोकः ।। १.२.६ ।।

ehyehīti tamāhutayaḥ suvarcasaḥ sūryasya raśmibhiryajamānaṃ vahanti | priyāṃ vācamabhivadanto'rcayanta eṣa vaḥ puṇyaḥ sukṛto brahmalokaḥ || 1.2.6 ||

'Come, come,' say the radiant oblations, carrying the sacrificer on the rays of the sun, speaking kind words in welcome: this is your holy and well-earned world of Brahman.

Mantra 7

प्लवा ह्येते अदृढा यज्ञरूपा अष्टादशोक्तमवरं येषु कर्म । एतच्छ्रेयो येऽभिनन्दन्ति मूढा जरामृत्युं ते पुनरेवापि यन्ति ।। १.२.७ ।।

plavā hyete adṛḍhā yajñarūpā aṣṭādaśoktamavaraṃ yeṣu karma | etacchreyo ye'bhinandanti mūḍhā jarāmṛtyuṃ te punarevāpi yanti || 1.2.7 ||

These boats of sacrifice are frail; the rites described in the eighteen form a lesser work. Those fools who regard this alone as the highest good go again and again to old age and death.

Mantra 8

अविद्यायामन्तरे वर्तमानाः स्वयं धीराः पण्डितंमन्यमानाः । जङ्घन्यमानाः परियन्ति मूढा अन्धेनैव नीयमाना यथान्धाः ।। १.२.८ ।।

avidyāyāmantare vartamānāḥ svayaṃ dhīrāḥ paṇḍitaṃmanyamānāḥ | jaṅghanyamānāḥ pariyanti mūḍhā andhenaiva nīyamānā yathāndhāḥ || 1.2.8 ||

Living within ignorance, thinking themselves clever and learned, these fools go wandering in circles: like the blind led by the blind.

Mantra 9

अविद्यायां बहुधा वर्तमाना वयं कृतार्था इत्यभिमन्यन्ति बालाः । यत्कर्मिणो न प्रवेदयन्ति रागात्तेनातुराः क्षीणलोकाश्च्यवन्ते ।। १.२.९ ।।

avidyāyāṃ bahudhā vartamānā vayaṃ kṛtārthā ityabhimanyanti bālāḥ | yatkarmiṇo na pravedayanti rāgāttenāturāḥ kṣīṇalokāścyavante || 1.2.9 ||

Living in many ways within ignorance, the childish think they have accomplished their goal. Because those who act through desire do not come to this knowledge, they fall from that world when their merit runs out.

Mantra 10

इष्टापूर्तं मन्यमाना वरिष्ठं नान्यच्छ्रेयो वेदयन्ते प्रमूढाः । नाकस्य पृष्ठे ते सुकृतेऽनुभूत्वेमं लोकं हीनतरं वा विशन्ति ।। १.२.१० ।।

iṣṭāpūrtaṃ manyamānā variṣṭhaṃ nānyacchreyo vedayante pramūḍhāḥ | nākasya pṛṣṭhe te sukṛte'nubhūtvemaṃ lokaṃ hīnataraṃ vā viśanti || 1.2.10 ||

Those deeply confused who regard ritual and gifts as the highest and know no other good: having enjoyed on the peak of heaven the fruit of their merit, they return to this world or to one still lower.

Mantra 11

तपःश्रद्धे ये ह्युपवसन्त्यरण्ये शान्ता विद्वांसो भैक्ष्यचर्यां चरन्तः । सूर्यद्वारेण ते विरजाः प्रयान्ति यत्रामृतः स पुरुषो ह्यव्ययात्मा ।। १.२.११ ।।

tapaḥśraddhe ye hyupavasantyaraṇye śāntā vidvāṃso bhaikṣyacaryāṃ carantaḥ | sūryadvāreṇa te virajāḥ prayānti yatrāmṛtaḥ sa puruṣo hyavyayātmā || 1.2.11 ||

Those who dwell in the forest with tapas and faith, peaceful and learned, living on alms: they go forth purified through the gate of the sun to where that immortal, undying Person abides.

Mantra 12

परीक्ष्य लोकान् कर्मचितान् ब्राह्मणो निर्वेदमायान्नास्त्यकृतः कृतेन । तद्विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगच्छेत् समित्पाणिः श्रोत्रियं ब्रह्मनिष्ठम् ।। १.२.१२ ।।

parīkṣya lokān karmacitān brāhmaṇo nirvedamāyānnāstyakṛtaḥ kṛtena | tadvijñānārthaṃ sa gurumevābhigacchet samitpāṇiḥ śrotriyaṃ brahmaniṣṭham || 1.2.12 ||

Examining the worlds built up by action, a thoughtful person should come to dispassion: the uncreated is not reached by the created. To know That, one should approach a teacher with fuel in hand: one learned in scripture and established in Brahman.

Mantra 13

तस्मै स विद्वानुपसन्नाय सम्यक् प्रशान्तचित्ताय शमान्विताय । येनाक्षरं पुरुषं वेद सत्यं प्रोवाच तां तत्त्वतो ब्रह्मविद्याम् ।। १.२.१३ ।।

tasmai sa vidvānupasannāya samyak praśāntacittāya śamānvitāya | yenākṣaraṃ puruṣaṃ veda satyaṃ provāca tāṃ tattvato brahmavidyām || 1.2.13 ||

To the one who has come properly, whose mind is calm and endowed with tranquility, that learned one taught truly and in full the knowledge of Brahman by which the true Imperishable Person is known.

Mantra 1

तदेतत्सत्यं यथा सुदीप्तात्पावकाद्विस्फुलिङ्गाः सहस्रशः प्रभवन्ते सरूपाः । तथाऽक्षराद्विविधाः सोम्य भावाः प्रजायन्ते तत्र चैवापियन्ति ।। २.१.१ ।।

tadetatsatyaṃ yathā sudīptātpāvakādvisphuliṅgāḥ sahasraśaḥ prabhavante sarūpāḥ | tathā'kṣarādvividhāḥ somya bhāvāḥ prajāyante tatra caivāpiyanti || 2.1.1 ||

This is the truth: as from a blazing fire thousands of sparks leap forth all of the same nature, so from the Imperishable arise many kinds of beings, O friend, and into it they return.

Mantra 2

दिव्यो ह्यमूर्तः पुरुषः सबाह्याभ्यन्तरो ह्यजः । अप्राणो ह्यमनाः शुभ्रो ह्यक्षरात्परतः परः ।। २.१.२ ।।

divyo hyamūrtaḥ puruṣaḥ sabāhyābhyantaro hyajaḥ | aprāṇo hyamanāḥ śubhro hyakṣarātparataḥ paraḥ || 2.1.2 ||

That Person is divine, formless, inside and outside, unborn. Without breath, without mind, pure, beyond even the Imperishable.

Mantra 3

एतस्माज्जायते प्राणो मनः सर्वेन्द्रियाणि च । खं वायुर्ज्योतिरापः पृथिवी विश्वस्य धारिणी ।। २.१.३ ।।

etasmājjāyate prāṇo manaḥ sarvendriyāṇi ca | khaṃ vāyurjyotirāpaḥ pṛthivī viśvasya dhāriṇī || 2.1.3 ||

From this arise breath, mind, and all the sense-faculties; space, wind, fire, water, and earth that supports the universe.

Mantra 4

अग्निर्मूर्धा चक्षुषी चन्द्रसूर्यौ दिशः श्रोत्रे वाग्विवृताश्च वेदाः । वायुः प्राणो हृदयं विश्वमस्य पद्भ्यां पृथिवी ह्येष सर्वभूतान्तरात्मा ।। २.१.४ ।।

agnirmūrdhā cakṣuṣī candrasūryau diśaḥ śrotre vāgvivṛtāśca vedāḥ | vāyuḥ prāṇo hṛdayaṃ viśvamasya padbhyāṃ pṛthivī hyeṣa sarvabhūtāntarātmā || 2.1.4 ||

Fire is his head; moon and sun are his two eyes; the directions his ears; the Vedas his speech. Wind is his breath; the universe his heart; earth his feet. He is the inner Self of all beings.

Mantra 5

तस्मादग्निः समिधो यस्य सूर्यः सोमात्पर्जन्य ओषधयः पृथिव्याम् । पुमान् रेतः सिञ्चति योषितायां बह्वीः प्रजाः पुरुषात्संप्रसूताः ।। २.१.५ ।।

tasmādagniḥ samidho yasya sūryaḥ somātparjanya oṣadhayaḥ pṛthivyām | pumān retaḥ siñcati yoṣitāyāṃ bahvīḥ prajāḥ puruṣātsaṃprasūtāḥ || 2.1.5 ||

From him comes fire whose fuel is the sun; from the moon comes rain; from rain come plants on earth. The man pours seed into a woman: many creatures are born from this Person.

Mantra 6

तस्मादृचः साम यजूंषि दीक्षा यज्ञाश्च सर्वे क्रतवो दक्षिणाश्च । संवत्सरश्च यजमानश्च लोकाः सोमो यत्र पवते यत्र सूर्यः ।। २.१.६ ।।

tasmādṛcaḥ sāma yajūṃṣi dīkṣā yajñāśca sarve kratavo dakṣiṇāśca | saṃvatsaraśca yajamānaśca lokāḥ somo yatra pavate yatra sūryaḥ || 2.1.6 ||

From him come the Rig, Sama, and Yajur hymns, initiation, all sacrifices and rites, all fees; the year, the sacrificer, and the worlds where the moon purifies and the sun moves.

Mantra 7

तस्माच्च देवा बहुधा संप्रसूताः साध्या मनुष्याः पशवो वयांसि । प्राणापानौ व्रीहियवौ तपश्च श्रद्धा सत्यं ब्रह्मचर्यं विधिश्च ।। २.१.७ ।।

tasmācca devā bahudhā saṃprasūtāḥ sādhyā manuṣyāḥ paśavo vayāṃsi | prāṇāpānau vrīhiyavau tapaśca śraddhā satyaṃ brahmacaryaṃ vidhiśca || 2.1.7 ||

From him the gods arose in many ways: the Sadhyas, humans, animals, birds; the in-breath and out-breath, rice and barley, tapas, faith, truth, celibacy, and rule.

Mantra 8

सप्त प्राणाः प्रभवन्ति तस्मात्सप्तार्चिषः समिधः सप्त होमाः । सप्त इमे लोका येषु चरन्ति प्राणा गुहाशया निहिताः सप्त सप्त ।। २.१.८ ।।

sapta prāṇāḥ prabhavanti tasmātsaptārciṣaḥ samidhaḥ sapta homāḥ | sapta ime lokā yeṣu caranti prāṇā guhāśayā nihitāḥ sapta sapta || 2.1.8 ||

From him arise the seven breaths, seven flames, seven fuels, seven oblations. These are the seven worlds in which the breaths move: seven and seven placed in the cave of the heart.

Mantra 9

अतः समुद्रा गिरयश्च सर्वेऽस्मात्स्यन्दन्ते सिन्धवः सर्वरूपाः । अतश्च सर्वा ओषधयो रसश्च येनैष भूतैस्तिष्ठते ह्यन्तरात्मा ।। २.१.९ ।।

ataḥ samudrā girayaśca sarve'smātsyandante sindhavaḥ sarvarūpāḥ | ataśca sarvā oṣadhayo rasaśca yenaiṣa bhūtaistiṣṭhate hyantarātmā || 2.1.9 ||

From him flow all the seas, all mountains, and rivers of every kind. From him come all plants and their essences, by which the inner Self stands established in all beings.

Mantra 10

पुरुष एवेदं विश्वं कर्म तपो ब्रह्म परामृतम् । एतद्यो वेद निहितं गुहायां सोऽविद्याग्रन्थिं विकिरतीह सोम्य ।। २.१.१० ।।

puruṣa evedaṃ viśvaṃ karma tapo brahma parāmṛtam | etadyo veda nihitaṃ guhāyāṃ so'vidyāgranthiṃ vikiratīha somya || 2.1.10 ||

The Person alone is all of this: action, tapas, Brahman, the highest deathless. The one who knows this placed in the cave, O friend, cuts the knot of ignorance here in this life.

Mantra 1

आविः संनिहितं गुहाचरं नाम महत्पदमत्रैतत्समर्पितम् । एजत्प्राणन्निमिषच्च यदेतज्जानथ सदसद्वरेण्यं परं विज्ञानाद्यद्वरिष्ठं प्रजानाम् ।। २.२.१ ।।

āviḥ saṃnihitaṃ guhācaraṃ nāma mahatpadamatraitatsamarpitam | ejatprāṇannimiṣacca yadetajjānatha sadasadvareṇyaṃ paraṃ vijñānādyadvariṣṭhaṃ prajānām || 2.2.1 ||

Manifest and present, moving in the cave: this great station is placed here. Whatever moves, breathes, or blinks: know that as what is beyond the existent and non-existent, beyond knowledge, the highest among all people.

Mantra 2

यदर्चिमद्यदणुभ्योऽणु च यस्मिँल्लोका निहिता लोकिनश्च । तदेतदक्षरं ब्रह्म स प्राणस्तदु वाङ्मनस्तदेतत्सत्यं तदमृतं तद्वेद्धव्यं सोम्य विद्धि ।। २.२.२ ।।

yadarcimadyadaṇubhyo'ṇu ca yasmi~llokā nihitā lokinaśca | tadetadakṣaraṃ brahma sa prāṇastadu vāṅmanastadetatsatyaṃ tadamṛtaṃ tadveddhavyaṃ somya viddhi || 2.2.2 ||

That which shines, which is subtler than the subtle, in which the worlds and their beings are placed: that is the Imperishable Brahman; it is breath, speech, and mind; it is truth, it is the deathless. Know that, O friend: it is to be known.

Mantra 3

धनुर्गृहीत्वौपनिषदं महास्त्रं शरं ह्युपासानिशितं संधयीत । आयम्य तद्भावगतेन चेतसा लक्ष्यं तदेवाक्षरं सोम्य विद्धि ।। २.२.३ ।।

dhanurgṛhītvaupaniṣadaṃ mahāstraṃ śaraṃ hyupāsāniśitaṃ saṃdhayīta | āyamya tadbhāvagatena cetasā lakṣyaṃ tadevākṣaraṃ somya viddhi || 2.2.3 ||

Take up the great weapon of the Upanishad, the bow; place on it the arrow sharpened by meditation. Draw it with a mind gone into that state and know, O friend: the Imperishable is the target.

Mantra 4

प्रणवो धनुः शरो ह्यात्मा ब्रह्म तल्लक्ष्यमुच्यते । अप्रमत्तेन वेद्धव्यं शरवत्तन्मयो भवेत् ।। २.२.४ ।।

praṇavo dhanuḥ śaro hyātmā brahma tallakṣyamucyate | apramattena veddhavyaṃ śaravattanmayo bhavet || 2.2.4 ||

Om is the bow; the Self is the arrow; Brahman is said to be the target. It is to be pierced with undistracted attention: one becomes one with it, like the arrow in the mark.

Mantra 5

यस्मिन् द्यौः पृथिवी चान्तरिक्षमोतं मनः सह प्राणैश्च सर्वैः । तमेवैकं जानथ आत्मानमन्या वाचो विमुञ्चथामृतस्यैष सेतुः ।। २.२.५ ।।

yasmin dyauḥ pṛthivī cāntarikṣamotaṃ manaḥ saha prāṇaiśca sarvaiḥ | tamevaikaṃ jānatha ātmānamanyā vāco vimuñcathāmṛtasyaiṣa setuḥ || 2.2.5 ||

In whom sky, earth, and space are woven, along with mind and all the breaths: know that one alone as the Self. Let go of other speech. This is the bridge to the deathless.

Mantra 6

अरा इव रथनाभौ संहता यत्र नाड्यः स एषोऽन्तश्चरते बहुधा जायमानः । ओमित्येवं ध्यायथ आत्मानं स्वस्ति वः पाराय तमसः परस्तात् ।। २.२.६ ।।

arā iva rathanābhau saṃhatā yatra nāḍyaḥ sa eṣo'ntaścarate bahudhā jāyamānaḥ | omityevaṃ dhyāyatha ātmānaṃ svasti vaḥ pārāya tamasaḥ parastāt || 2.2.6 ||

Where the channels come together like spokes in a wheel's hub, there it moves within, arising in many ways. Meditate on the Self as Om. May you pass safely to the far shore beyond darkness.

Mantra 7

यः सर्वज्ञः सर्वविद्यस्यैष महिमा भुवि । दिव्ये ब्रह्मपुरे ह्येष व्योम्न्यात्मा प्रतिष्ठितः । मनोमयः प्राणशरीरनेता प्रतिष्ठितोऽन्ने हृदयं संनिधाय । तद्विज्ञानेन परिपश्यन्ति धीरा आनन्दरूपममृतं यद्विभाति ।। २.२.७ ।।

yaḥ sarvajñaḥ sarvavidyasyaiṣa mahimā bhuvi | divye brahmapure hyeṣa vyomnyātmā pratiṣṭhitaḥ | manomayaḥ prāṇaśarīranetā pratiṣṭhito'nne hṛdayaṃ saṃnidhāya | tadvijñānena paripaśyanti dhīrā ānandarūpamamṛtaṃ yadvibhāti || 2.2.7 ||

The one who is all-knowing and all-wise: this is the glory on earth. Established in the divine city of Brahman, in the space of the heart, made of mind, the leader of breath and body, resting in food, at home in the heart: the wise see through knowledge that one who shines as the form of bliss, the deathless.

Mantra 8

भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिश्छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः । क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि तस्मिन्दृष्टे परावरे ।। २.२.८ ।।

bhidyate hṛdayagranthiśchidyante sarvasaṃśayāḥ | kṣīyante cāsya karmāṇi tasmindṛṣṭe parāvare || 2.2.8 ||

When that one is seen: the knot of the heart breaks, all doubts are cut away, and all accumulated actions fall to nothing.

Mantra 9

हिरण्मये परे कोशे विरजं ब्रह्म निष्कलम् । तच्छुभ्रं ज्योतिषां ज्योतिस्तद्यदात्मविदो विदुः ।। २.२.९ ।।

hiraṇmaye pare kośe virajaṃ brahma niṣkalam | tacchubhraṃ jyotiṣāṃ jyotistadyadātmavido viduḥ || 2.2.9 ||

In the highest golden sheath dwells Brahman: pure, without parts. That is the radiant light of all lights. That is what those who know the Self know.

Mantra 10

न तत्र सूर्यो भाति न चन्द्रतारकं नेमा विद्युतो भान्ति कुतोऽयमग्निः । तमेव भान्तमनुभाति सर्वं तस्य भासा सर्वमिदं विभाति ।। २.२.१० ।।

na tatra sūryo bhāti na candratārakaṃ nemā vidyuto bhānti kuto'yamagniḥ | tameva bhāntamanubhāti sarvaṃ tasya bhāsā sarvamidaṃ vibhāti || 2.2.10 ||

There the sun does not shine, nor moon and stars; these lightnings do not flash. Then where would this fire shine? All of this shines only because that one shines. By its light alone all of this is lit.

Mantra 11

ब्रह्मैवेदममृतं पुरस्ताद्ब्रह्म पश्चाद्ब्रह्म दक्षिणतश्चोत्तरेण । अधश्चोर्ध्वं च प्रसृतं ब्रह्मैवेदं विश्वमिदं वरिष्ठम् ।। २.२.११ ।।

brahmaivedamamṛtaṃ purastādbrahma paścādbrahma dakṣiṇataścottareṇa | adhaścordhvaṃ ca prasṛtaṃ brahmaivedaṃ viśvamidaṃ variṣṭham || 2.2.11 ||

Brahman alone is the deathless ahead; Brahman behind; Brahman to the south and to the north; below and above, Brahman is spread. This whole universe is Brahman alone and Brahman is the highest.

Mantra 1

द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परिषस्वजाते । तयोरन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्त्यनश्नन्नन्यो अभिचाकशीति ।। ३.१.१ ।।

dvā suparṇā sayujā sakhāyā samānaṃ vṛkṣaṃ pariṣasvajāte | tayoranyaḥ pippalaṃ svādvattyanaśnannanyo abhicākaśīti || 3.1.1 ||

Two birds, companions and friends, clasp the same tree. One of them eats the sweet fruit; the other watches without eating.

Mantra 2

समाने वृक्षे पुरुषो निमग्नोऽनीशया शोचति मुह्यमानः । जुष्टं यदा पश्यत्यन्यमीशमस्य महिमानमिति वीतशोकः ।। ३.१.२ ।।

samāne vṛkṣe puruṣo nimagno'nīśayā śocati muhyamānaḥ | juṣṭaṃ yadā paśyatyanyamīśamasya mahimānamiti vītaśokaḥ || 3.1.2 ||

On the same tree one person sinks down, helpless, and grieves in confusion. When one sees the other: the lord and his glory, that one becomes free from sorrow.

Mantra 3

यदा पश्यः पश्यते रुक्मवर्णं कर्तारमीशं पुरुषं ब्रह्मयोनिम् । तदा विद्वान् पुण्यपापे विधूय निरञ्जनः परमं साम्यमुपैति ।। ३.१.३ ।।

yadā paśyaḥ paśyate rukmavarṇaṃ kartāramīśaṃ puruṣaṃ brahmayonim | tadā vidvān puṇyapāpe vidhūya nirañjanaḥ paramaṃ sāmyamupaiti || 3.1.3 ||

When the seer sees the golden-hued maker, the lord, the Person, the source of Brahman: that knowing one, shaking off merit and wrong, stainless, reaches supreme equality.

Mantra 4

प्राणो ह्येष यः सर्वभूतैर्विभाति विजानन् विद्वान् भवते नातिवादी । आत्मक्रीड आत्मरतिः क्रियावानेष ब्रह्मविदां वरिष्ठः ।। ३.१.४ ।।

prāṇo hyeṣa yaḥ sarvabhūtairvibhāti vijānan vidvān bhavate nātivādī | ātmakrīḍa ātmaratiḥ kriyāvāneṣa brahmavidāṃ variṣṭhaḥ || 3.1.4 ||

This very breath shines through all beings. Knowing it, the wise one does not speak more than needed. Delighting in the Self, rejoicing in the Self, active in the world: such a one is the best among those who know Brahman.

Mantra 5

सत्येन लभ्यस्तपसा ह्येष आत्मा सम्यग्ज्ञानेन ब्रह्मचर्येण नित्यम् । अन्तःशरीरे ज्योतिर्मयो हि शुभ्रो यं पश्यन्ति यतयः क्षीणदोषाः ।। ३.१.५ ।।

satyena labhyastapasā hyeṣa ātmā samyagjñānena brahmacaryeṇa nityam | antaḥśarīre jyotirmayo hi śubhro yaṃ paśyanti yatayaḥ kṣīṇadoṣāḥ || 3.1.5 ||

This Self is obtained through truth, through tapas, through right knowledge, through celibacy maintained steadily. Within the body it shines, luminous and pure: those ascetics whose faults have worn away come to see it.

Mantra 6

सत्यमेव जयते नानृतं सत्येन पन्था विततो देवयानः । येनाक्रमन्त्यृषयो ह्याप्तकामा यत्र तत्सत्यस्य परमं निधानम् ।। ३.१.६ ।।

satyameva jayate nānṛtaṃ satyena panthā vitato devayānaḥ | yenākramantyṛṣayo hyāptakāmā yatra tatsatyasya paramaṃ nidhānam || 3.1.6 ||

Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood. By truth the path of the gods is spread out: the path by which the sages whose desires are fulfilled travel to where the supreme treasure of truth abides.

Mantra 7

बृहच्च तद्दिव्यमचिन्त्यरूपं सूक्ष्माच्च तत्सूक्ष्मतरं विभाति । दूरात्सुदूरे तदिहान्तिके च पश्यत्स्विहैव निहितं गुहायाम् ।। ३.१.७ ।।

bṛhacca taddivyamacintyarūpaṃ sūkṣmācca tatsūkṣmataraṃ vibhāti | dūrātsudūre tadihāntike ca paśyatsvihaiva nihitaṃ guhāyām || 3.1.7 ||

That one is vast, divine, of a form that cannot be thought, and subtler than the subtle. It is very far, farther than far, and yet it is close here. For those who see: it is placed here in the cave of the heart.

Mantra 8

न चक्षुषा गृह्यते नापि वाचा नान्यैर्देवैस्तपसा कर्मणा वा । ज्ञानप्रसादेन विशुद्धसत्त्वस्ततस्तु तं पश्यते निष्कलं ध्यायमानः ।। ३.१.८ ।।

na cakṣuṣā gṛhyate nāpi vācā nānyairdevaistapasā karmaṇā vā | jñānaprasādena viśuddhasattvastatastu taṃ paśyate niṣkalaṃ dhyāyamānaḥ || 3.1.8 ||

It cannot be grasped by the eye, nor by speech, nor by the other senses, not by tapas or by action. By the clarity born of knowledge, with a mind made pure, the meditating one sees that one as without parts.

Mantra 9

एषोऽणुरात्मा चेतसा वेदितव्यो यस्मिन्प्राणः पञ्चधा संविवेश । प्राणैश्चित्तं सर्वमोतं प्रजानां यस्मिन् विशुद्धे विभवत्येष आत्मा ।। ३.१.९ ।।

eṣo'ṇurātmā cetasā veditavyo yasminprāṇaḥ pañcadhā saṃviveśa | prāṇaiścittaṃ sarvamotaṃ prajānāṃ yasmin viśuddhe vibhavatyeṣa ātmā || 3.1.9 ||

This subtle Self is to be known through the mind, in which the breath has entered fivefold. The mind of all living beings is woven through with these breaths. When that mind is purified, the Self shines forth.

Mantra 10

यं यं लोकं मनसा संविभाति विशुद्धसत्त्वः कामयते यांश्च कामान् । तं तं लोकं जयते तांश्च कामांस्तस्मादात्मज्ञं ह्यर्चयेद्भूतिकामः ।। ३.१.१० ।।

yaṃ yaṃ lokaṃ manasā saṃvibhāti viśuddhasattvaḥ kāmayate yāṃśca kāmān | taṃ taṃ lokaṃ jayate tāṃśca kāmāṃstasmādātmajñaṃ hyarcayedbhūtikāmaḥ || 3.1.10 ||

Whatever world the pure-minded one calls to mind and whatever desires one wishes: those worlds are won, those desires are fulfilled. Therefore the one who wants prosperity should honor the knower of the Self.

Mantra 1

स वेदैतत्परमं ब्रह्म धाम यत्र विश्वं निहितं भाति शुभ्रम् । उपासते पुरुषं ये ह्यकामास्ते शुक्रमेतदतिवर्तन्ति धीराः ।। ३.२.१ ।।

sa vedaitatparamaṃ brahma dhāma yatra viśvaṃ nihitaṃ bhāti śubhram | upāsate puruṣaṃ ye hyakāmāste śukrametadativartanti dhīrāḥ || 3.2.1 ||

That one knows this highest abode of Brahman in which the whole universe is placed and shines purely. The wise who worship that Person without personal desire: they pass beyond even this radiant abode.

Mantra 2

कामान्यः कामयते मन्यमानः स कामभिर्जायते तत्र तत्र । पर्याप्तकामस्य कृतात्मनस्तु इहैव सर्वे प्रविलीयन्ति कामाः ।। ३.२.२ ।।

kāmānyaḥ kāmayate manyamānaḥ sa kāmabhirjāyate tatra tatra | paryāptakāmasya kṛtātmanastu ihaiva sarve pravilīyanti kāmāḥ || 3.2.2 ||

The one who desires, thinking only of desired things, is born again and again among those very desires. But for the one who is fulfilled and whose self is mature, all desires dissolve here itself.

Mantra 3

नायमात्मा प्रवचनेन लभ्यो न मेधया न बहुना श्रुतेन । यमेवैष वृणुते तेन लभ्यस्तस्यैष आत्मा विवृणुते तनूं स्वाम् ।। ३.२.३ ।।

nāyamātmā pravacanena labhyo na medhayā na bahunā śrutena | yamevaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyastasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṃ svām || 3.2.3 ||

This Self is not reached through teaching, nor through intellect, nor through much hearing. It is reached only by the one whom this Self chooses. To that one the Self reveals its own form.

Mantra 4

नायमात्मा बलहीनेन लभ्यो न च प्रमादात्तपसो वाप्यलिङ्गात् । एतैरुपायैर्यतते यस्तु विद्वांस्तस्यैष आत्मा विशते ब्रह्मधाम ।। ३.२.४ ।।

nāyamātmā balahīnena labhyo na ca pramādāttapaso vāpyaliṅgāt | etairupāyairyatate yastu vidvāṃstasyaiṣa ātmā viśate brahmadhāma || 3.2.4 ||

This Self is not reached by the weak, not by the careless, not by those who perform only the outward signs of tapas. But the one who strives through these means with knowledge: that one's Self enters the abode of Brahman.

Mantra 5

संप्राप्यैनमृषयो ज्ञानतृप्ताः कृतात्मानो वीतरागाः प्रशान्ताः । ते सर्वगं सर्वतः प्राप्य धीरा युक्तात्मानः सर्वमेवाविशन्ति ।। ३.२.५ ।।

saṃprāpyainamṛṣayo jñānatṛptāḥ kṛtātmāno vītarāgāḥ praśāntāḥ | te sarvagaṃ sarvataḥ prāpya dhīrā yuktātmānaḥ sarvamevāviśanti || 3.2.5 ||

Having reached this, the sages are fulfilled in knowledge, their selves mature, free from attachment, at peace. Wise and self-possessed, they go everywhere and reach everywhere, and enter into all.

Mantra 6

वेदान्तविज्ञानसुनिश्चितार्थाः संन्यासयोगाद्यतयः शुद्धसत्त्वाः । ते ब्रह्मलोकेषु परान्तकाले परामृताः परिमुच्यन्ति सर्वे ।। ३.२.६ ।।

vedāntavijñānasuniścitārthāḥ saṃnyāsayogādyatayaḥ śuddhasattvāḥ | te brahmalokeṣu parāntakāle parāmṛtāḥ parimucyanti sarve || 3.2.6 ||

Those who have settled the meaning through Vedanta knowledge, who are ascetics steady in the yoga of renunciation, whose minds are pure: they all become fully free at the final dissolution, liberated in the worlds of Brahman.

Mantra 7

गताः कलाः पञ्चदश प्रतिष्ठा देवाश्च सर्वे प्रतिदेवतासु । कर्माणि विज्ञानमयश्च आत्मा परेऽव्यये सर्व एकीभवन्ति ।। ३.२.७ ।।

gatāḥ kalāḥ pañcadaśa pratiṣṭhā devāśca sarve pratidevatāsu | karmāṇi vijñānamayaśca ātmā pare'vyaye sarva ekībhavanti || 3.2.7 ||

The fifteen parts return to their foundations; all the gods return to their respective sources. Actions and the Self made of knowledge: all become one in that highest Imperishable.

Mantra 8

यथा नद्यः स्यन्दमानाः समुद्रेऽस्तं गच्छन्ति नामरूपे विहाय । तथा विद्वान् नामरूपाद्विमुक्तः परात्परं पुरुषमुपैति दिव्यम् ।। ३.२.८ ।।

yathā nadyaḥ syandamānāḥ samudre'staṃ gacchanti nāmarūpe vihāya | tathā vidvān nāmarūpādvimuktaḥ parātparaṃ puruṣamupaiti divyam || 3.2.8 ||

As rivers flowing onward merge into the sea and give up their name and form, so the one who knows, freed from name and form, reaches that divine Person who is beyond the beyond.

Mantra 9

स यो ह वै तत्परमं ब्रह्म वेद ब्रह्मैव भवति नास्याब्रह्मविच्चुले भवति । तरति शोकं तरति पाप्मानं गुहागुन्धिभ्यो विमुक्तोऽमृतो भवति ।। ३.२.९ ।।

sa yo ha vai tatparamaṃ brahma veda brahmaiva bhavati nāsyābrahmaviccule bhavati | tarati śokaṃ tarati pāpmānaṃ guhāgundhibhyo vimukto'mṛto bhavati || 3.2.9 ||

The one who knows that highest Brahman becomes Brahman itself. In that one's family no one remains ignorant of Brahman. That one crosses over sorrow, crosses over wrong, freed from the knots of the heart, and becomes deathless.

Mantra 10

तदेतदृचाऽभ्युक्तम् । क्रियावन्तः श्रोत्रिया ब्रह्मनिष्ठाः स्वयं जुह्वत एकर्षिं श्रद्धयन्तः । तेषामेवैतां ब्रह्मविद्यां वदेत शिरोव्रतं विधिवद्यैस्तु चीर्णम् ।। ३.२.१० ।।

tadetadṛcā'bhyuktam | kriyāvantaḥ śrotriyā brahmaniṣṭhāḥ svayaṃ juhvata ekarṣiṃ śraddhayantaḥ | teṣāmevaitāṃ brahmavidyāṃ vadeta śirovrataṃ vidhivadyaistu cīrṇam || 3.2.10 ||

This is what the sacred verse declares: to those who are active, learned in scripture, established in Brahman, who themselves with faith offer into the one Seer: to those only should this knowledge of Brahman be given, to those who have properly observed the head-vow.

Mantra 11

तदेतत्सत्यमृषिरङ्गिराः पुरोवाच नैतदचीर्णव्रतोऽधीते । नमः परमर्षिभ्यो नमः परमर्षिभ्यः ।। ३.२.११ ।।

tadetatsatyamṛṣiraṅgirāḥ purovāca naitadacīrṇavrato'dhīte | namaḥ paramarṣibhyo namaḥ paramarṣibhyaḥ || 3.2.11 ||

This truth the sage Angiras declared of old: the one who has not observed the vow should not study this. Salutation to the supreme sages; salutation to the supreme sages.