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Taittiriya Upanishad

Taittirīyopaniṣad

Taittiriyopanishad

Krishna Yajurveda, Taittiriya shakha; Mukhya Upanishad, listed 7th of 108 in the Muktika canon. Three vallis: Shiksha Valli (12 anuvakas), Brahmananda / Ananda Valli (9 anuvakas), and Bhrigu Valli (10 anuvakas). Famous for the pancha-kosha model of the five sheaths, the convocation address of the Shiksha Valli (satyam vada dharmam chara, matrdevo bhava), and the realization Anando Brahma, that Brahman is bliss.

The Taittiriya Upanishad moves in three arcs. The Shiksha Valli begins with phonetics and the disciplines of study, teaches meditation on the sacred combinations and the vyahritis (bhur bhuvah suvah), and closes with the most quoted graduation charge in Indian education: after finishing the Veda the teacher tells the departing student to speak the truth, practice dharma, never neglect study, and to hold mother, father, teacher and guest as gods. The Ananda / Brahmananda Valli defines Brahman as satyam jnanam anantam, the real, knowledge, the infinite, and then lays out the five sheaths (koshas) nested within a person: the sheath made of food (annamaya), of breath (pranamaya), of mind (manomaya), of understanding (vijnanamaya), and of bliss (anandamaya), pointing beyond even words, for from That speech turns back with the mind, unable to reach it. It measures out the calculus of bliss, rising from one human joy to the joy of Brahman, and declares raso vai sah, He is the very savour, tasting whom one becomes blissful. The Bhrigu Valli tells how Bhrigu, sent by his father Varuna, discovers Brahman step by step through tapas: food, then breath, then mind, then understanding, and finally realizes ananda, that all beings are born of Brahman, live by Brahman and merge into Brahman as food, ending in the exultant song aham annam, I am food, I am the eater of food.

Shanti Patha (Taittiriya, Krishna Yajurveda)

ॐ शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः । शं नो भवत्वर्यमा । शं न इन्द्रो बृहस्पतिः । शं नो विष्णुरुरुक्रमः । नमो ब्रह्मणे । नमस्ते वायो । त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि । त्वामेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्म वदिष्यामि । ऋतं वदिष्यामि । सत्यं वदिष्यामि । तन्मामवतु । तद्वक्तारमवतु । अवतु माम् । अवतु वक्तारम् । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ।।

oṃ śaṃ no mitraḥ śaṃ varuṇaḥ | śaṃ no bhavatvaryamā | śaṃ na indro bṛhaspatiḥ | śaṃ no viṣṇururukramaḥ | namo brahmaṇe | namaste vāyo | tvameva pratyakṣaṃ brahmāsi | tvāmeva pratyakṣaṃ brahma vadiṣyāmi | ṛtaṃ vadiṣyāmi | satyaṃ vadiṣyāmi | tanmāmavatu | tadvaktāramavatu | avatu mām | avatu vaktāram | oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||

May Mitra be good to us, may Varuna be good. May Aryaman be good to us. May Indra and Brihaspati be good. May the wide-striding Vishnu be good to us. Salutation to Brahman. Salutation to you, O Vayu. You alone are the visible Brahman. You alone I shall call the visible Brahman. I shall call you the right (rita); I shall call you the true (satya). May That protect me; may it protect the teacher. May it protect me; may it protect the teacher. Om peace, peace, peace.

Shiksha Valli, Anuvaka 1

Mantra 1

ॐ शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः । शं नो भवत्वर्यमा । शं न इन्द्रो बृहस्पतिः । शं नो विष्णुरुरुक्रमः । नमो ब्रह्मणे । नमस्ते वायो । त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि । त्वामेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्म वदिष्यामि । ऋतं वदिष्यामि । सत्यं वदिष्यामि । तन्मामवतु । तद्वक्तारमवतु । अवतु माम् । अवतु वक्तारम् । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ।। १ ।।

oṃ śaṃ no mitraḥ śaṃ varuṇaḥ | śaṃ no bhavatvaryamā | śaṃ na indro bṛhaspatiḥ | śaṃ no viṣṇururukramaḥ | namo brahmaṇe | namaste vāyo | tvameva pratyakṣaṃ brahmāsi | tvāmeva pratyakṣaṃ brahma vadiṣyāmi | ṛtaṃ vadiṣyāmi | satyaṃ vadiṣyāmi | tanmāmavatu | tadvaktāramavatu | avatu mām | avatu vaktāram | oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ || 1 ||

May Mitra be good to us, may Varuna be good. May Aryaman be good to us. May Indra and Brihaspati be good. May the wide-striding Vishnu be good to us. Salutation to Brahman. Salutation to you, O Vayu. You alone are the visible Brahman. You alone I shall call the visible Brahman. I shall call you the right; I shall call you the true. May That protect me and protect the teacher. May it protect me; may it protect the teacher. Om peace, peace, peace.

Mantra 2

ॐ शीक्षां व्याख्यास्यामः । वर्णः स्वरः । मात्रा बलम् । साम सन्तानः । इत्युक्तः शीक्षाध्यायः ।। २ ।।

oṃ śīkṣāṃ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ | varṇaḥ svaraḥ | mātrā balam | sāma santānaḥ | ityuktaḥ śīkṣādhyāyaḥ || 2 ||

Now we shall expound the science of pronunciation (shiksha): sound, accent, quantity, effort, evenness and continuity. Thus is the chapter on pronunciation declared.

Mantra 3

सह नौ यशः । सह नौ ब्रह्मवर्चसम् । अथातः संहिताया उपनिषदं व्याख्यास्यामः । पञ्चस्वधिकरणेषु । अधिलोकमधिज्यौतिषमधिविद्यमधिप्रजमध्यात्मम् । ता महासंहिता इत्याचक्षते । अथाधिलोकम् । पृथिवी पूर्वरूपम् । द्यौरुत्तररूपम् । आकाशः सन्धिः । वायुः सन्धानम् । इत्यधिलोकम् । अथाधिज्यौतिषम् । अग्निः पूर्वरूपम् । आदित्य उत्तररूपम् । आपः सन्धिः । वैद्युतः सन्धानम् । इत्यधिज्यौतिषम् । अथाधिविद्यम् । आचार्यः पूर्वरूपम् । अन्तेवास्युत्तररूपम् । विद्या सन्धिः । प्रवचनं सन्धानम् । इत्यधिविद्यम् । अथाधिप्रजम् । माता पूर्वरूपम् । पितोत्तररूपम् । प्रजा सन्धिः । प्रजननं सन्धानम् । इत्यधिप्रजम् । अथाध्यात्मम् । अधरा हनुः पूर्वरूपम् । उत्तरा हनुरुत्तररूपम् । वाक्सन्धिः । जिह्वा सन्धानम् । इत्यध्यात्मम् । इतीमा महासंहिताः । य एवमेता महासंहिता व्याख्याता वेद । सन्धीयते प्रजया पशुभिः । ब्रह्मवर्चसेनान्नाद्येन सुवर्ग्येण लोकेन ।। ३ ।।

saha nau yaśaḥ | saha nau brahmavarcasam | athātaḥ saṃhitāyā upaniṣadaṃ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ | pañcasvadhikaraṇeṣu | adhilokamadhijyautiṣamadhividyamadhiprajamadhyātmam | tā mahāsaṃhitā ityācakṣate | athādhilokam | pṛthivī pūrvarūpam | dyauruttararūpam | ākāśaḥ sandhiḥ | vāyuḥ sandhānam | ityadhilokam | athādhijyautiṣam | agniḥ pūrvarūpam | āditya uttararūpam | āpaḥ sandhiḥ | vaidyutaḥ sandhānam | ityadhijyautiṣam | athādhividyam | ācāryaḥ pūrvarūpam | antevāsyuttararūpam | vidyā sandhiḥ | pravacanaṃ sandhānam | ityadhividyam | athādhiprajam | mātā pūrvarūpam | pitottararūpam | prajā sandhiḥ | prajananaṃ sandhānam | ityadhiprajam | athādhyātmam | adharā hanuḥ pūrvarūpam | uttarā hanuruttararūpam | vāksandhiḥ | jihvā sandhānam | ityadhyātmam | itīmā mahāsaṃhitāḥ | ya evametā mahāsaṃhitā vyākhyātā veda | sandhīyate prajayā paśubhiḥ | brahmavarcasenānnādyena suvargyeṇa lokena || 3 ||

May glory be ours together; may the radiance of sacred knowledge be ours together. Now we expound the hidden teaching of combination, in five spheres: the worlds, the lights, knowledge, offspring, and the self. These are called the great combinations. In the worlds: earth is the prior form, heaven the latter form, space the junction, air the joiner. In the lights: fire is the prior form, the sun the latter form, water the junction, lightning the joiner. In knowledge: the teacher is the prior form, the pupil the latter form, knowledge the junction, instruction the joiner. In offspring: the mother is the prior form, the father the latter form, the child the junction, procreation the joiner. In the self: the lower jaw is the prior form, the upper jaw the latter form, speech the junction, the tongue the joiner. These are the great combinations. Whoever knows them thus expounded is joined with offspring, cattle, the radiance of knowledge, food, and the heavenly world.

Mantra 4

यश्छन्दसामृषभो विश्वरूपः । छन्दोभ्योऽध्यमृतात्सम्बभूव । स मेन्द्रो मेधया स्पृणोतु । अमृतस्य देव धारणो भूयासम् । शरीरं मे विचर्षणम् । जिह्वा मे मधुमत्तमा । कर्णाभ्यां भूरि विश्रुवम् । ब्रह्मणः कोशोऽसि मेधया पिहितः । श्रुतं मे गोपाय । आवहन्ती वितन्वाना । कुर्वाणाऽचीरमात्मनः । वासांसि मम गावश्च । अन्नपाने च सर्वदा । ततो मे श्रियमावह । लोमशां पशुभिः सह स्वाहा । आ मा यन्तु ब्रह्मचारिणः स्वाहा । वि मा यन्तु ब्रह्मचारिणः स्वाहा । प्र मा यन्तु ब्रह्मचारिणः स्वाहा । दमायन्तु ब्रह्मचारिणः स्वाहा । शमायन्तु ब्रह्मचारिणः स्वाहा । यशो जनेऽसानि स्वाहा । श्रेयान्वस्यसोऽसानि स्वाहा । तं त्वा भग प्रविशानि स्वाहा । स मा भग प्रविश स्वाहा । तस्मिन्सहस्रशाखे नि भगाहं त्वयि मृजे स्वाहा । यथाऽऽपः प्रवता यन्ति । यथा मासा अहर्जरम् । एवं मां ब्रह्मचारिणः । धातरायन्तु सर्वतः स्वाहा । प्रतिवेशोऽसि प्र मा भाहि प्र मा पद्यस्व ।। ४ ।।

yaśchandasāmṛṣabho viśvarūpaḥ | chandobhyo'dhyamṛtātsambabhūva | sa mendro medhayā spṛṇotu | amṛtasya deva dhāraṇo bhūyāsam | śarīraṃ me vicarṣaṇam | jihvā me madhumattamā | karṇābhyāṃ bhūri viśruvam | brahmaṇaḥ kośo'si medhayā pihitaḥ | śrutaṃ me gopāya | āvahantī vitanvānā | kurvāṇā'cīramātmanaḥ | vāsāṃsi mama gāvaśca | annapāne ca sarvadā | tato me śriyamāvaha | lomaśāṃ paśubhiḥ saha svāhā | ā mā yantu brahmacāriṇaḥ svāhā | vi mā yantu brahmacāriṇaḥ svāhā | pra mā yantu brahmacāriṇaḥ svāhā | damāyantu brahmacāriṇaḥ svāhā | śamāyantu brahmacāriṇaḥ svāhā | yaśo jane'sāni svāhā | śreyānvasyaso'sāni svāhā | taṃ tvā bhaga praviśāni svāhā | sa mā bhaga praviśa svāhā | tasminsahasraśākhe ni bhagāhaṃ tvayi mṛje svāhā | yathā''paḥ pravatā yanti | yathā māsā aharjaram | evaṃ māṃ brahmacāriṇaḥ | dhātarāyantu sarvataḥ svāhā | prativeśo'si pra mā bhāhi pra mā padyasva || 4 ||

May that Indra who is the bull of the metres, of all forms, born from the metres out of the immortal, strengthen me with wisdom. O god, may I become a holder of the immortal. May my body be able, my tongue most sweet; may I hear much with my ears. You are the sheath of Brahman, veiled by intellect; guard what I have heard. May Fortune, bringing and spreading, providing without delay clothing, cattle, food and drink for me always, bring me prosperity rich in wool and cattle: svaha. May students come to me, svaha; may they come from all sides, svaha; may they come well, svaha; may they come self-controlled, svaha; may they come at peace, svaha. May I become renowned among people, svaha; may I be the best among the wealthy, svaha. O gracious one (Brahman), may I enter into you, svaha; O gracious one, enter into me, svaha. In you of a thousand branches, O gracious one, I purify myself, svaha. As waters flow down a slope, as months roll into the year, so, O Ordainer, may students come to me from every side, svaha. You are a refuge; shine upon me, come to me.

Mantra 5

भूर्भुवः सुवरिति वा एतास्तिस्रो व्याहृतयः । तासामु ह स्मैतां चतुर्थीम् । माहाचमस्यः प्रवेदयते । मह इति । तद्ब्रह्म । स आत्मा । अङ्गान्यन्या देवताः । भूरिति वा अयं लोकः । भुव इत्यन्तरिक्षम् । सुवरित्यसौ लोकः । मह इत्यादित्यः । आदित्येन वाव सर्वे लोका महीयन्ते । भूरिति वा अग्निः । भुव इति वायुः । सुवरित्यादित्यः । मह इति चन्द्रमाः । चन्द्रमसा वाव सर्वाणि ज्योतींषि महीयन्ते । भूरिति वा ऋचः । भुव इति सामानि । सुवरिति यजूंषि । मह इति ब्रह्म । ब्रह्मणा वाव सर्वे वेदा महीयन्ते । भूरिति वै प्राणः । भुव इत्यपानः । सुवरिति व्यानः । मह इत्यन्नम् । अन्नेन वाव सर्वे प्राणा महीयन्ते । ता वा एताश्चतस्रश्चतुर्धा । चतस्रश्चतस्रो व्याहृतयः । ता यो वेद । स वेद ब्रह्म । सर्वेऽस्मै देवा बलिमावहन्ति ।। ५ ।।

bhūrbhuvaḥ suvariti vā etāstisro vyāhṛtayaḥ | tāsāmu ha smaitāṃ caturthīm | māhācamasyaḥ pravedayate | maha iti | tadbrahma | sa ātmā | aṅgānyanyā devatāḥ | bhūriti vā ayaṃ lokaḥ | bhuva ityantarikṣam | suvarityasau lokaḥ | maha ityādityaḥ | ādityena vāva sarve lokā mahīyante | bhūriti vā agniḥ | bhuva iti vāyuḥ | suvarityādityaḥ | maha iti candramāḥ | candramasā vāva sarvāṇi jyotīṃṣi mahīyante | bhūriti vā ṛcaḥ | bhuva iti sāmāni | suvariti yajūṃṣi | maha iti brahma | brahmaṇā vāva sarve vedā mahīyante | bhūriti vai prāṇaḥ | bhuva ityapānaḥ | suvariti vyānaḥ | maha ityannam | annena vāva sarve prāṇā mahīyante | tā vā etāścatasraścaturdhā | catasraścatasro vyāhṛtayaḥ | tā yo veda | sa veda brahma | sarve'smai devā balimāvahanti || 5 ||

Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah: these are the three sacred utterances. A fourth of them, Mahah, the seer Mahachamasya made known. That is Brahman; that is the Self; the other deities are its limbs. Bhuh is this world, Bhuvah the mid-region, Suvah the world beyond, Mahah the sun; by the sun all worlds are magnified. Bhuh is fire, Bhuvah air, Suvah the sun, Mahah the moon; by the moon all lights are magnified. Bhuh is the Rig verses, Bhuvah the Sama chants, Suvah the Yajus formulas, Mahah is Brahman; by Brahman all the Vedas are magnified. Bhuh is the out-breath, Bhuvah the down-breath, Suvah the diffused breath, Mahah is food; by food all the breaths are magnified. These four, each fourfold, are the four times four utterances. Whoever knows them knows Brahman; to him all the gods bring offerings.

Mantra 6

स य एषोऽन्तर्हृदय आकाशः । तस्मिन्नयं पुरुषो मनोमयः । अमृतो हिरण्मयः । अन्तरेण तालुके । य एष स्तन इवावलम्बते । सेन्द्रयोनिः । यत्रासौ केशान्तो विवर्तते । व्यपोह्य शीर्षकपाले । भूरित्यग्नौ प्रतितिष्ठति । भुव इति वायौ । सुवरित्यादित्ये । मह इति ब्रह्मणि । आप्नोति स्वाराज्यम् । आप्नोति मनसस्पतिम् । वाक्पतिश्चक्षुष्पतिः । श्रोत्रपतिर्विज्ञानपतिः । एतत्ततो भवति । आकाशशरीरं ब्रह्म । सत्यात्म प्राणारामं मन आनन्दम् । शान्तिसमृद्धममृतम् । इति प्राचीनयोग्योपास्स्व ।। ६ ।।

sa ya eṣo'ntarhṛdaya ākāśaḥ | tasminnayaṃ puruṣo manomayaḥ | amṛto hiraṇmayaḥ | antareṇa tāluke | ya eṣa stana ivāvalambate | sendrayoniḥ | yatrāsau keśānto vivartate | vyapohya śīrṣakapāle | bhūrityagnau pratitiṣṭhati | bhuva iti vāyau | suvarityāditye | maha iti brahmaṇi | āpnoti svārājyam | āpnoti manasaspatim | vākpatiścakṣuṣpatiḥ | śrotrapatirvijñānapatiḥ | etattato bhavati | ākāśaśarīraṃ brahma | satyātma prāṇārāmaṃ mana ānandam | śāntisamṛddhamamṛtam | iti prācīnayogyopāssva || 6 ||

There is this space within the heart, and in it dwells the Person made of mind, immortal, golden. Between the two palates, where the uvula hangs down like a nipple, is the passage of Indra; there, where the roots of the hair part, one pushes apart the crown of the skull. Saying Bhuh, one is established in fire; Bhuvah, in air; Suvah, in the sun; Mahah, in Brahman. One gains self-rule; one gains the lord of the mind; one becomes lord of speech, lord of sight, lord of hearing, lord of understanding. And then one becomes this: Brahman whose body is space, whose self is the real, whose delight is breath, whose bliss is mind, full of peace, immortal. Thus, O Prachinayogya, meditate.

Mantra 7

पृथिव्यन्तरिक्षं द्यौर्दिशोऽवान्तरदिशाः । अग्निर्वायुरादित्यश्चन्द्रमा नक्षत्राणि । आप ओषधयो वनस्पतय आकाश आत्मा । इत्यधिभूतम् । अथाध्यात्मम् । प्राणो व्यानोऽपान उदानः समानः । चक्षुः श्रोत्रं मनो वाक्त्वक् । चर्म मांसं स्नावास्थि मज्जा । एतदधिविधाय ऋषिरवोचत् । पाङ्क्तं वा इदं सर्वम् । पाङ्क्तेनैव पाङ्क्तं स्पृणोतीति ।। ७ ।।

pṛthivyantarikṣaṃ dyaurdiśo'vāntaradiśāḥ | agnirvāyurādityaścandramā nakṣatrāṇi | āpa oṣadhayo vanaspataya ākāśa ātmā | ityadhibhūtam | athādhyātmam | prāṇo vyāno'pāna udānaḥ samānaḥ | cakṣuḥ śrotraṃ mano vāktvak | carma māṃsaṃ snāvāsthi majjā | etadadhividhāya ṛṣiravocat | pāṅktaṃ vā idaṃ sarvam | pāṅktenaiva pāṅktaṃ spṛṇotīti || 7 ||

Earth, mid-region, heaven, the quarters and the intermediate quarters; fire, air, sun, moon, stars; water, plants, trees, space and the self: this is the fivefold order among the elements. Now the fivefold within the self: the out-breath, diffused breath, down-breath, up-breath and even breath; sight, hearing, mind, speech and touch; skin, flesh, sinew, bone and marrow. Having so arranged it, the seer said: all this is set in fives; by the fivefold one completes the fivefold.

Mantra 8

ॐ इति ब्रह्म । ॐ इतीदं सर्वम् । ॐ इत्येतदनुकृतिर्ह स्म वा अप्यो श्रावयेत्याश्रावयन्ति । ॐ इति सामानि गायन्ति । ॐ शोमिति शस्त्राणि शंसन्ति । ॐ इत्यध्वर्युः प्रतिगरं प्रतिगृणाति । ॐ इति ब्रह्मा प्रसौति । ॐ इत्यग्निहोत्रमनुजानाति । ॐ इति ब्राह्मणः प्रवक्ष्यन्नाह ब्रह्मोपाप्नवानीति । ब्रह्मैवोपाप्नोति ।। ८ ।।

oṃ iti brahma | oṃ itīdaṃ sarvam | oṃ ityetadanukṛtirha sma vā apyo śrāvayetyāśrāvayanti | oṃ iti sāmāni gāyanti | oṃ śomiti śastrāṇi śaṃsanti | oṃ ityadhvaryuḥ pratigaraṃ pratigṛṇāti | oṃ iti brahmā prasauti | oṃ ityagnihotramanujānāti | oṃ iti brāhmaṇaḥ pravakṣyannāha brahmopāpnavānīti | brahmaivopāpnoti || 8 ||

AUM is Brahman; AUM is all this. AUM is the word of assent: when told 'Recite,' they call out AUM and recite. With AUM they sing the Sama chants; with 'OM SHOM' they recite the hymns of praise. With AUM the adhvaryu priest gives the response; with AUM the Brahma priest gives assent; with AUM one consents to the fire offering. With AUM the brahmin, about to recite, says 'May I attain Brahman,' and Brahman he indeed attains.

Mantra 9

ऋतं च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । सत्यं च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । तपश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । दमश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । शमश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । अग्नयश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । अग्निहोत्रं च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । अतिथयश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । मानुषं च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । प्रजा च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । प्रजनश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । प्रजातिश्च स्वाध्यायप्रवचने च । सत्यमिति सत्यवचा राथीतरः । तप इति तपोनित्यः पौरुशिष्टिः । स्वाध्यायप्रवचने एवेति नाको मौद्गल्यः । तद्धि तपस्तद्धि तपः ।। ९ ।।

ṛtaṃ ca svādhyāyapravacane ca | satyaṃ ca svādhyāyapravacane ca | tapaśca svādhyāyapravacane ca | damaśca svādhyāyapravacane ca | śamaśca svādhyāyapravacane ca | agnayaśca svādhyāyapravacane ca | agnihotraṃ ca svādhyāyapravacane ca | atithayaśca svādhyāyapravacane ca | mānuṣaṃ ca svādhyāyapravacane ca | prajā ca svādhyāyapravacane ca | prajanaśca svādhyāyapravacane ca | prajātiśca svādhyāyapravacane ca | satyamiti satyavacā rāthītaraḥ | tapa iti taponityaḥ pauruśiṣṭiḥ | svādhyāyapravacane eveti nāko maudgalyaḥ | taddhi tapastaddhi tapaḥ || 9 ||

Right conduct, and study and teaching; truth, and study and teaching; austerity, and study and teaching; self-restraint, and study and teaching; tranquillity, and study and teaching; the sacred fires, and study and teaching; the fire offering, and study and teaching; guests, and study and teaching; human duty, and study and teaching; offspring, procreation and continuance of the line, and study and teaching: all these are to be practised. Satyavacha of the Rathitara line says, truth above all; Taponitya of the Paurushishti line says, austerity above all; Naka of the Maudgalya line says, study and teaching alone, for that is austerity, that indeed is austerity.

Mantra 10

अहं वृक्षस्य रेरिवा । कीर्तिः पृष्ठं गिरेरिव । ऊर्ध्वपवित्रो वाजिनीव स्वमृतमस्मि । द्रविणं सवर्चसम् । सुमेधा अमृतोक्षितः । इति त्रिशङ्कोर्वेदानुवचनम् ।। १० ।।

ahaṃ vṛkṣasya rerivā | kīrtiḥ pṛṣṭhaṃ gireriva | ūrdhvapavitro vājinīva svamṛtamasmi | draviṇaṃ savarcasam | sumedhā amṛtokṣitaḥ | iti triśaṅkorvedānuvacanam || 10 ||

I am the mover of the tree of the world. My renown is high like a mountain peak. Upward-purified, pure as the radiance in the sun, I am the very immortal. I am shining wealth; I am wise, sprinkled with the nectar of immortality. This is the utterance of self-knowledge of the seer Trishanku.

Mantra 11

वेदमनूच्याचार्योऽन्तेवासिनमनुशास्ति । सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर । स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः । आचार्याय प्रियं धनमाहृत्य प्रजातन्तुं मा व्यवच्छेत्सीः । सत्यान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । धर्मान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । कुशलान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । भूत्यै न प्रमदितव्यम् । स्वाध्यायप्रवचनाभ्यां न प्रमदितव्यम् । देवपितृकार्याभ्यां न प्रमदितव्यम् । मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव । यान्यनवद्यानि कर्माणि । तानि सेवितव्यानि । नो इतराणि । यान्यस्माकं सुचरितानि । तानि त्वयोपास्यानि । नो इतराणि । ये के चास्मच्छ्रेयांसो ब्राह्मणाः । तेषां त्वयाऽऽसनेन प्रश्वसितव्यम् । श्रद्धया देयम् । अश्रद्धयाऽदेयम् । श्रिया देयम् । ह्रिया देयम् । भिया देयम् । संविदा देयम् । अथ यदि ते कर्मविचिकित्सा वा वृत्तविचिकित्सा वा स्यात् । ये तत्र ब्राह्मणाः संमर्शिनः । युक्ता आयुक्ताः । अलूक्षा धर्मकामाः स्युः । यथा ते तत्र वर्तेरन् । तथा तत्र वर्तेथाः । अथाभ्याख्यातेषु । ये तत्र ब्राह्मणाः संमर्शिनः । युक्ता आयुक्ताः । अलूक्षा धर्मकामाः स्युः । यथा ते तेषु वर्तेरन् । तथा तेषु वर्तेथाः । एष आदेशः । एष उपदेशः । एषा वेदोपनिषत् । एतदनुशासनम् । एवमुपासितव्यम् । एवमु चैतदुपास्यम् ।। ११ ।।

vedamanūcyācāryo'ntevāsinamanuśāsti | satyaṃ vada | dharmaṃ cara | svādhyāyānmā pramadaḥ | ācāryāya priyaṃ dhanamāhṛtya prajātantuṃ mā vyavacchetsīḥ | satyānna pramaditavyam | dharmānna pramaditavyam | kuśalānna pramaditavyam | bhūtyai na pramaditavyam | svādhyāyapravacanābhyāṃ na pramaditavyam | devapitṛkāryābhyāṃ na pramaditavyam | mātṛdevo bhava | pitṛdevo bhava | ācāryadevo bhava | atithidevo bhava | yānyanavadyāni karmāṇi | tāni sevitavyāni | no itarāṇi | yānyasmākaṃ sucaritāni | tāni tvayopāsyāni | no itarāṇi | ye ke cāsmacchreyāṃso brāhmaṇāḥ | teṣāṃ tvayā''sanena praśvasitavyam | śraddhayā deyam | aśraddhayā'deyam | śriyā deyam | hriyā deyam | bhiyā deyam | saṃvidā deyam | atha yadi te karmavicikitsā vā vṛttavicikitsā vā syāt | ye tatra brāhmaṇāḥ saṃmarśinaḥ | yuktā āyuktāḥ | alūkṣā dharmakāmāḥ syuḥ | yathā te tatra varteran | tathā tatra vartethāḥ | athābhyākhyāteṣu | ye tatra brāhmaṇāḥ saṃmarśinaḥ | yuktā āyuktāḥ | alūkṣā dharmakāmāḥ syuḥ | yathā te teṣu varteran | tathā teṣu vartethāḥ | eṣa ādeśaḥ | eṣa upadeśaḥ | eṣā vedopaniṣat | etadanuśāsanam | evamupāsitavyam | evamu caitadupāsyam || 11 ||

Having taught the Veda, the teacher instructs the pupil: Speak the truth. Practise dharma. Do not neglect study. Having brought the teacher a pleasing gift, do not cut off the thread of your line. Do not swerve from truth. Do not swerve from dharma. Do not neglect your welfare. Do not neglect prosperity. Do not neglect study and teaching. Do not neglect the duties to the gods and the ancestors. Be one to whom the mother is a god. Be one to whom the father is a god. Be one to whom the teacher is a god. Be one to whom the guest is a god. Only those deeds that are blameless should be done, not others. Only those good practices of ours should be followed, not others. Whatever brahmins are superior to us, you should refresh them by offering a seat. Give with faith; do not give without faith. Give in proportion to your means; give with modesty; give with awe; give with fellow-feeling. And if you should have doubt about an action or about conduct, then act as the thoughtful, capable, gentle brahmins there, devoted to dharma, would act in that case. So too with those who are accused: act as such brahmins would act toward them. This is the command. This is the teaching. This is the secret of the Veda. This is the instruction. Thus should one meditate; thus indeed should this be practised.

Mantra 12

शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः । शं नो भवत्वर्यमा । शं न इन्द्रो बृहस्पतिः । शं नो विष्णुरुरुक्रमः । नमो ब्रह्मणे । नमस्ते वायो । त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि । त्वामेव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मावादिषम् । ऋतमवादिषम् । सत्यमवादिषम् । तन्मामावीत् । तद्वक्तारमावीत् । आवीन्माम् । आवीद्वक्तारम् । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ।। १२ ।।

śaṃ no mitraḥ śaṃ varuṇaḥ | śaṃ no bhavatvaryamā | śaṃ na indro bṛhaspatiḥ | śaṃ no viṣṇururukramaḥ | namo brahmaṇe | namaste vāyo | tvameva pratyakṣaṃ brahmāsi | tvāmeva pratyakṣaṃ brahmāvādiṣam | ṛtamavādiṣam | satyamavādiṣam | tanmāmāvīt | tadvaktāramāvīt | āvīnmām | āvīdvaktāram | oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ || 12 ||

May Mitra be good to us, may Varuna be good. May Aryaman be good to us. May Indra and Brihaspati be good. May the wide-striding Vishnu be good to us. Salutation to Brahman. Salutation to you, O Vayu. You alone are the visible Brahman. You alone I have called the visible Brahman. I have called you the right; I have called you the true. That has protected me; it has protected the teacher. It has protected me; it has protected the teacher. Om peace, peace, peace.

Ananda Valli, Anuvaka 1

Mantra 1

ॐ ब्रह्मविदाप्नोति परम् । तदेषाऽभ्युक्ता । सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं ब्रह्म । यो वेद निहितं गुहायां परमे व्योमन् । सोऽश्नुते सर्वान्कामान्सह । ब्रह्मणा विपश्चितेति । तस्माद्वा एतस्मादात्मन आकाशः सम्भूतः । आकाशाद्वायुः । वायोरग्निः । अग्नेरापः । अद्भ्यः पृथिवी । पृथिव्या ओषधयः । ओषधीभ्योऽन्नम् । अन्नात्पुरुषः । स वा एष पुरुषोऽन्नरसमयः । तस्येदमेव शिरः । अयं दक्षिणः पक्षः । अयमुत्तरः पक्षः । अयमात्मा । इदं पुच्छं प्रतिष्ठा । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ।। १ ।।

oṃ brahmavidāpnoti param | tadeṣā'bhyuktā | satyaṃ jñānamanantaṃ brahma | yo veda nihitaṃ guhāyāṃ parame vyoman | so'śnute sarvānkāmānsaha | brahmaṇā vipaściteti | tasmādvā etasmādātmana ākāśaḥ sambhūtaḥ | ākāśādvāyuḥ | vāyoragniḥ | agnerāpaḥ | adbhyaḥ pṛthivī | pṛthivyā oṣadhayaḥ | oṣadhībhyo'nnam | annātpuruṣaḥ | sa vā eṣa puruṣo'nnarasamayaḥ | tasyedameva śiraḥ | ayaṃ dakṣiṇaḥ pakṣaḥ | ayamuttaraḥ pakṣaḥ | ayamātmā | idaṃ pucchaṃ pratiṣṭhā | tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati || 1 ||

AUM. The knower of Brahman attains the highest. On this it has been said: Brahman is the real, knowledge, the infinite. Whoever knows it as set in the cave of the heart, in the highest space, gains all desires together, together with Brahman the wise. From this very Self space arose; from space, air; from air, fire; from fire, water; from water, earth; from earth, plants; from plants, food; from food, the person. This person is made of the essence of food. Of him this is the head, this the right side, this the left side, this the trunk (self), and this the tail, the foundation. On this too there is a verse.

Mantra 2

अन्नाद्वै प्रजाः प्रजायन्ते । याः काश्च पृथिवीं श्रिताः । अथो अन्नेनैव जीवन्ति । अथैनदपि यन्त्यन्ततः । अन्नं हि भूतानां ज्येष्ठम् । तस्मात्सर्वौषधमुच्यते । सर्वं वै तेऽन्नमाप्नुवन्ति । येऽन्नं ब्रह्मोपासते । अन्नं हि भूतानां ज्येष्ठम् । तस्मात्सर्वौषधमुच्यते । अन्नाद्भूतानि जायन्ते । जातान्यन्नेन वर्धन्ते । अद्यतेऽत्ति च भूतानि । तस्मादन्नं तदुच्यत इति । तस्माद्वा एतस्मादन्नरसमयात् । अन्योऽन्तर आत्मा प्राणमयः । तेनैष पूर्णः । स वा एष पुरुषविध एव । तस्य पुरुषविधताम् । अन्वयं पुरुषविधः । तस्य प्राण एव शिरः । व्यानो दक्षिणः पक्षः । अपान उत्तरः पक्षः । आकाश आत्मा । पृथिवी पुच्छं प्रतिष्ठा । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ।। २ ।।

annādvai prajāḥ prajāyante | yāḥ kāśca pṛthivīṃ śritāḥ | atho annenaiva jīvanti | athainadapi yantyantataḥ | annaṃ hi bhūtānāṃ jyeṣṭham | tasmātsarvauṣadhamucyate | sarvaṃ vai te'nnamāpnuvanti | ye'nnaṃ brahmopāsate | annaṃ hi bhūtānāṃ jyeṣṭham | tasmātsarvauṣadhamucyate | annādbhūtāni jāyante | jātānyannena vardhante | adyate'tti ca bhūtāni | tasmādannaṃ taducyata iti | tasmādvā etasmādannarasamayāt | anyo'ntara ātmā prāṇamayaḥ | tenaiṣa pūrṇaḥ | sa vā eṣa puruṣavidha eva | tasya puruṣavidhatām | anvayaṃ puruṣavidhaḥ | tasya prāṇa eva śiraḥ | vyāno dakṣiṇaḥ pakṣaḥ | apāna uttaraḥ pakṣaḥ | ākāśa ātmā | pṛthivī pucchaṃ pratiṣṭhā | tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati || 2 ||

From food indeed all creatures are born, whatever rest upon the earth; by food alone they live, and into food they pass at the end. Food is the eldest of beings, and so is called the healing of all. All food do they obtain who worship food as Brahman. Food is the eldest of beings, and so is called the healing of all. From food beings are born; being born, they grow by food; it is eaten and it eats beings, and so it is called food. Other than and within this self made of the essence of food is another self, made of breath, and by it the first is filled. This too has the shape of a person; conforming to the human shape of the other, it too takes human shape. Of it, breath is the head, the diffused breath the right side, the down-breath the left side, space the trunk, earth the tail and foundation. On this too there is a verse.

Mantra 3

प्राणं देवा अनु प्राणन्ति । मनुष्याः पशवश्च ये । प्राणो हि भूतानामायुः । तस्मात्सर्वायुषमुच्यते । सर्वमेव त आयुर्यन्ति । ये प्राणं ब्रह्मोपासते । प्राणो हि भूतानामायुः । तस्मात्सर्वायुषमुच्यत इति । तस्यैष एव शारीर आत्मा । यः पूर्वस्य । तस्माद्वा एतस्मात्प्राणमयात् । अन्योऽन्तर आत्मा मनोमयः । तेनैष पूर्णः । स वा एष पुरुषविध एव । तस्य पुरुषविधताम् । अन्वयं पुरुषविधः । तस्य यजुरेव शिरः । ऋग्दक्षिणः पक्षः । सामोत्तरः पक्षः । आदेश आत्मा । अथर्वाङ्गिरसः पुच्छं प्रतिष्ठा । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ।। ३ ।।

prāṇaṃ devā anu prāṇanti | manuṣyāḥ paśavaśca ye | prāṇo hi bhūtānāmāyuḥ | tasmātsarvāyuṣamucyate | sarvameva ta āyuryanti | ye prāṇaṃ brahmopāsate | prāṇo hi bhūtānāmāyuḥ | tasmātsarvāyuṣamucyata iti | tasyaiṣa eva śārīra ātmā | yaḥ pūrvasya | tasmādvā etasmātprāṇamayāt | anyo'ntara ātmā manomayaḥ | tenaiṣa pūrṇaḥ | sa vā eṣa puruṣavidha eva | tasya puruṣavidhatām | anvayaṃ puruṣavidhaḥ | tasya yajureva śiraḥ | ṛgdakṣiṇaḥ pakṣaḥ | sāmottaraḥ pakṣaḥ | ādeśa ātmā | atharvāṅgirasaḥ pucchaṃ pratiṣṭhā | tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati || 3 ||

After breath the gods breathe, and so do men and beasts. Breath is the life of beings, and so is called the life of all. Those who worship breath as Brahman attain the full span of life, for breath is the life of beings, and so is called the life of all. This is the embodied self of the former one. Other than and within this self made of breath is another self, made of mind, and by it this is filled. This too has the shape of a person. Of it, the Yajus is the head, the Rig the right side, the Sama the left side, the teaching the trunk, the Atharva-Angirasa hymns the tail and foundation. On this too there is a verse.

Mantra 4

यतो वाचो निवर्तन्ते । अप्राप्य मनसा सह । आनन्दं ब्रह्मणो विद्वान् । न बिभेति कदाचनेति । तस्यैष एव शारीर आत्मा । यः पूर्वस्य । तस्माद्वा एतस्मान्मनोमयात् । अन्योऽन्तर आत्मा विज्ञानमयः । तेनैष पूर्णः । स वा एष पुरुषविध एव । तस्य पुरुषविधताम् । अन्वयं पुरुषविधः । तस्य श्रद्धैव शिरः । ऋतं दक्षिणः पक्षः । सत्यमुत्तरः पक्षः । योग आत्मा । महः पुच्छं प्रतिष्ठा । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ।। ४ ।।

yato vāco nivartante | aprāpya manasā saha | ānandaṃ brahmaṇo vidvān | na bibheti kadācaneti | tasyaiṣa eva śārīra ātmā | yaḥ pūrvasya | tasmādvā etasmānmanomayāt | anyo'ntara ātmā vijñānamayaḥ | tenaiṣa pūrṇaḥ | sa vā eṣa puruṣavidha eva | tasya puruṣavidhatām | anvayaṃ puruṣavidhaḥ | tasya śraddhaiva śiraḥ | ṛtaṃ dakṣiṇaḥ pakṣaḥ | satyamuttaraḥ pakṣaḥ | yoga ātmā | mahaḥ pucchaṃ pratiṣṭhā | tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati || 4 ||

That from which words turn back, together with the mind, unable to reach it: the one who knows that bliss of Brahman fears nothing at any time. This is the embodied self of the former one. Other than and within this self made of mind is another self, made of understanding, and by it this is filled. This too has the shape of a person. Of it, faith is the head, right the right side, truth the left side, absorption the trunk, the great principle the tail and foundation. On this too there is a verse.

Mantra 5

विज्ञानं यज्ञं तनुते । कर्माणि तनुतेऽपि च । विज्ञानं देवाः सर्वे । ब्रह्म ज्येष्ठमुपासते । विज्ञानं ब्रह्म चेद्वेद । तस्माच्चेन्न प्रमाद्यति । शरीरे पाप्मनो हित्वा । सर्वान्कामान्समश्नुत इति । तस्यैष एव शारीर आत्मा । यः पूर्वस्य । तस्माद्वा एतस्माद्विज्ञानमयात् । अन्योऽन्तर आत्माऽऽनन्दमयः । तेनैष पूर्णः । स वा एष पुरुषविध एव । तस्य पुरुषविधताम् । अन्वयं पुरुषविधः । तस्य प्रियमेव शिरः । मोदो दक्षिणः पक्षः । प्रमोद उत्तरः पक्षः । आनन्द आत्मा । ब्रह्म पुच्छं प्रतिष्ठा । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ।। ५ ।।

vijñānaṃ yajñaṃ tanute | karmāṇi tanute'pi ca | vijñānaṃ devāḥ sarve | brahma jyeṣṭhamupāsate | vijñānaṃ brahma cedveda | tasmāccenna pramādyati | śarīre pāpmano hitvā | sarvānkāmānsamaśnuta iti | tasyaiṣa eva śārīra ātmā | yaḥ pūrvasya | tasmādvā etasmādvijñānamayāt | anyo'ntara ātmā''nandamayaḥ | tenaiṣa pūrṇaḥ | sa vā eṣa puruṣavidha eva | tasya puruṣavidhatām | anvayaṃ puruṣavidhaḥ | tasya priyameva śiraḥ | modo dakṣiṇaḥ pakṣaḥ | pramoda uttaraḥ pakṣaḥ | ānanda ātmā | brahma pucchaṃ pratiṣṭhā | tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati || 5 ||

Understanding directs the sacrifice, and directs the rites as well. All the gods worship understanding as the eldest Brahman. If one knows understanding as Brahman and does not stray from it, one leaves behind the evils in the body and gains all desires. This is the embodied self of the former one. Other than and within this self made of understanding is another self, made of bliss, and by it this is filled. This too has the shape of a person. Of it, the pleasing is the head, joy the right side, delight the left side, bliss the trunk, Brahman the tail and foundation. On this too there is a verse.

Mantra 6

असन्नेव स भवति । असद्ब्रह्मेति वेद चेत् । अस्ति ब्रह्मेति चेद्वेद । सन्तमेनं ततो विदुरिति । तस्यैष एव शारीर आत्मा । यः पूर्वस्य । अथातोऽनुप्रश्नाः । उताविद्वानमुं लोकं प्रेत्य कश्चन गच्छती । आहो विद्वानमुं लोकं प्रेत्य कश्चित्समश्नुता उ । सोऽकामयत । बहु स्यां प्रजायेयेति । स तपोऽतप्यत । स तपस्तप्त्वा । इदं सर्वमसृजत । यदिदं किञ्च । तत्सृष्ट्वा । तदेवानुप्राविशत् । तदनुप्रविश्य । सच्च त्यच्चाभवत् । निरुक्तं चानिरुक्तं च । निलयनं चानिलयनं च । विज्ञानं चाविज्ञानं च । सत्यं चानृतं च सत्यमभवत् । यदिदं किञ्च । तत्सत्यमित्याचक्षते । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ।। ६ ।।

asanneva sa bhavati | asadbrahmeti veda cet | asti brahmeti cedveda | santamenaṃ tato viduriti | tasyaiṣa eva śārīra ātmā | yaḥ pūrvasya | athāto'nupraśnāḥ | utāvidvānamuṃ lokaṃ pretya kaścana gacchatī | āho vidvānamuṃ lokaṃ pretya kaścitsamaśnutā u | so'kāmayata | bahu syāṃ prajāyeyeti | sa tapo'tapyata | sa tapastaptvā | idaṃ sarvamasṛjata | yadidaṃ kiñca | tatsṛṣṭvā | tadevānuprāviśat | tadanupraviśya | sacca tyaccābhavat | niruktaṃ cāniruktaṃ ca | nilayanaṃ cānilayanaṃ ca | vijñānaṃ cāvijñānaṃ ca | satyaṃ cānṛtaṃ ca satyamabhavat | yadidaṃ kiñca | tatsatyamityācakṣate | tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati || 6 ||

He becomes as if non-existent who knows Brahman as non-being. Whoever knows 'Brahman is' is thereby known as existing. This is the embodied self of the former one. Now follow the questions: does the ignorant one, on departing, reach that world? Or does the knowing one, on departing, attain that world? He desired: May I be many, may I be born. He performed austerity; having performed austerity, he created all this, whatever there is. Having created it, into it he entered. Having entered it, he became the formed and the formless, the defined and the undefined, the based and the baseless, the conscious and the unconscious, the real and the unreal; whatever is here, all that became the real. Therefore they call it the real. On this too there is a verse.

Mantra 7

असद्वा इदमग्र आसीत् । ततो वै सदजायत । तदात्मानं स्वयमकुरुत । तस्मात्तत्सुकृतमुच्यत इति । यद्वै तत्सुकृतम् । रसो वै सः । रसं ह्येवायं लब्ध्वाऽऽनन्दी भवति । को ह्येवान्यात्कः प्राण्यात् । यदेष आकाश आनन्दो न स्यात् । एष ह्येवानन्दयाति । यदा ह्येवैष एतस्मिन्नदृश्येऽनात्म्येऽनिरुक्तेऽनिलयनेऽभयं प्रतिष्ठां विन्दते । अथ सोऽभयं गतो भवति । यदा ह्येवैष एतस्मिन्नुदरमन्तरं कुरुते । अथ तस्य भयं भवति । तत्त्वेव भयं विदुषोऽमन्वानस्य । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ।। ७ ।।

asadvā idamagra āsīt | tato vai sadajāyata | tadātmānaṃ svayamakuruta | tasmāttatsukṛtamucyata iti | yadvai tatsukṛtam | raso vai saḥ | rasaṃ hyevāyaṃ labdhvā''nandī bhavati | ko hyevānyātkaḥ prāṇyāt | yadeṣa ākāśa ānando na syāt | eṣa hyevānandayāti | yadā hyevaiṣa etasminnadṛśye'nātmye'nirukte'nilayane'bhayaṃ pratiṣṭhāṃ vindate | atha so'bhayaṃ gato bhavati | yadā hyevaiṣa etasminnudaramantaraṃ kurute | atha tasya bhayaṃ bhavati | tattveva bhayaṃ viduṣo'manvānasya | tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati || 7 ||

In the beginning this was non-being; from it being was born. It made itself by itself, and so it is called well-made. That which is well-made is the very savour (rasa). For, having gained this savour, one becomes blissful. Who indeed could breathe out, who could breathe in, if this bliss were not in the space of the heart? It is this that bestows bliss. When one finds fearless footing in that which is unseen, bodiless, undefined and without support, then one has reached fearlessness. But when one makes even the least separation in it, then fear arises for him. That, indeed, is the fear of one who is learned but does not reflect. On this too there is a verse.

Mantra 8

भीषाऽस्माद्वातः पवते । भीषोदेति सूर्यः । भीषाऽस्मादग्निश्चेन्द्रश्च । मृत्युर्धावति पञ्चम इति । सैषाऽऽनन्दस्य मीमांसा भवति । युवा स्यात्साधुयुवाऽध्यायकः । आशिष्ठो दृढिष्ठो बलिष्ठः । तस्येयं पृथिवी सर्वा वित्तस्य पूर्णा स्यात् । स एको मानुष आनन्दः । ते ये शतं मानुषा आनन्दाः । स एको मनुष्यगन्धर्वाणामानन्दः । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । ते ये शतं मनुष्यगन्धर्वाणामानन्दाः । स एको देवगन्धर्वाणामानन्दः । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । ते ये शतं देवगन्धर्वाणामानन्दाः । स एकः पितॄणां चिरलोकलोकानामानन्दः । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । ते ये शतं पितॄणां चिरलोकलोकानामानन्दाः । स एक आजानजानां देवानामानन्दः । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । ते ये शतमाजानजानां देवानामानन्दाः । स एकः कर्मदेवानां देवानामानन्दः । ये कर्मणा देवानपियन्ति । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । ते ये शतं कर्मदेवानां देवानामानन्दाः । स एको देवानामानन्दः । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । ते ये शतं देवानामानन्दाः । स एक इन्द्रस्यानन्दः । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । ते ये शतमिन्द्रस्यानन्दाः । स एको बृहस्पतेरानन्दः । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । ते ये शतं बृहस्पतेरानन्दाः । स एकः प्रजापतेरानन्दः । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । ते ये शतं प्रजापतेरानन्दाः । स एको ब्रह्मण आनन्दः । श्रोत्रियस्य चाकामहतस्य । स यश्चायं पुरुषे । यश्चासावादित्ये । स एकः । स य एवंवित् । अस्माल्लोकात्प्रेत्य । एतमन्नमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रामति । एतं प्राणमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रामति । एतं मनोमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रामति । एतं विज्ञानमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रामति । एतमानन्दमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रामति । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ।। ८ ।।

bhīṣā'smādvātaḥ pavate | bhīṣodeti sūryaḥ | bhīṣā'smādagniścendraśca | mṛtyurdhāvati pañcama iti | saiṣā''nandasya mīmāṃsā bhavati | yuvā syātsādhuyuvā'dhyāyakaḥ | āśiṣṭho dṛḍhiṣṭho baliṣṭhaḥ | tasyeyaṃ pṛthivī sarvā vittasya pūrṇā syāt | sa eko mānuṣa ānandaḥ | te ye śataṃ mānuṣā ānandāḥ | sa eko manuṣyagandharvāṇāmānandaḥ | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | te ye śataṃ manuṣyagandharvāṇāmānandāḥ | sa eko devagandharvāṇāmānandaḥ | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | te ye śataṃ devagandharvāṇāmānandāḥ | sa ekaḥ pitṝṇāṃ ciralokalokānāmānandaḥ | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | te ye śataṃ pitṝṇāṃ ciralokalokānāmānandāḥ | sa eka ājānajānāṃ devānāmānandaḥ | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | te ye śatamājānajānāṃ devānāmānandāḥ | sa ekaḥ karmadevānāṃ devānāmānandaḥ | ye karmaṇā devānapiyanti | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | te ye śataṃ karmadevānāṃ devānāmānandāḥ | sa eko devānāmānandaḥ | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | te ye śataṃ devānāmānandāḥ | sa eka indrasyānandaḥ | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | te ye śatamindrasyānandāḥ | sa eko bṛhaspaterānandaḥ | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | te ye śataṃ bṛhaspaterānandāḥ | sa ekaḥ prajāpaterānandaḥ | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | te ye śataṃ prajāpaterānandāḥ | sa eko brahmaṇa ānandaḥ | śrotriyasya cākāmahatasya | sa yaścāyaṃ puruṣe | yaścāsāvāditye | sa ekaḥ | sa ya evaṃvit | asmāllokātpretya | etamannamayamātmānamupasaṃkrāmati | etaṃ prāṇamayamātmānamupasaṃkrāmati | etaṃ manomayamātmānamupasaṃkrāmati | etaṃ vijñānamayamātmānamupasaṃkrāmati | etamānandamayamātmānamupasaṃkrāmati | tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati || 8 ||

Out of fear of it the wind blows; out of fear the sun rises; out of fear of it fire and Indra, and Death as the fifth, hasten to their work. Now this is the calculus of bliss. Take a youth, a good youth, learned, most hopeful, most firm, most strong, and let this whole earth be his, full of all wealth: that is one measure of human bliss. A hundred human blisses make one bliss of the human gandharvas, and likewise of a learned man unstruck by desire. A hundred blisses of the human gandharvas make one of the divine gandharvas; a hundred of these, one of the ancestors in their long-lasting worlds; a hundred of these, one of the gods born in the heaven of the gods; a hundred of these, one of the gods by works; a hundred of these, one of the gods; a hundred of these, one of Indra; a hundred of these, one of Brihaspati; a hundred of these, one of Prajapati; a hundred of these, one bliss of Brahman, and likewise of a learned man unstruck by desire. The one who is in the person and the one who is in the sun: these are one. Whoever knows this, on departing from this world, reaches this self made of food, then this self made of breath, then this self made of mind, then this self made of understanding, then this self made of bliss. On this too there is a verse.

Mantra 9

यतो वाचो निवर्तन्ते । अप्राप्य मनसा सह । आनन्दं ब्रह्मणो विद्वान् । न बिभेति कुतश्चनेति । एतं ह वाव न तपति । किमहं साधु नाकरवम् । किमहं पापमकरवमिति । स य एवं विद्वानेते आत्मानं स्पृणुते । उभे ह्येवैष एते आत्मानं स्पृणुते । य एवं वेद । इत्युपनिषत् ।। ९ ।।

yato vāco nivartante | aprāpya manasā saha | ānandaṃ brahmaṇo vidvān | na bibheti kutaścaneti | etaṃ ha vāva na tapati | kimahaṃ sādhu nākaravam | kimahaṃ pāpamakaravamiti | sa ya evaṃ vidvānete ātmānaṃ spṛṇute | ubhe hyevaiṣa ete ātmānaṃ spṛṇute | ya evaṃ veda | ityupaniṣat || 9 ||

That from which words turn back, together with the mind, unable to reach it: the one who knows that bliss of Brahman fears nothing from any quarter. This thought does not torment him: 'Why did I not do good? Why did I do evil?' The one who knows thus saves the self from both these; for he who knows thus strengthens the self against both. This is the hidden teaching.

Bhrigu Valli, Anuvaka 1

Mantra 1

ॐ भृगुर्वै वारुणिः । वरुणं पितरमुपससार । अधीहि भगवो ब्रह्मेति । तस्मा एतत्प्रोवाच । अन्नं प्राणं चक्षुः श्रोत्रं मनो वाचमिति । तं होवाच । यतो वा इमानि भूतानि जायन्ते । येन जातानि जीवन्ति । यत्प्रयन्त्यभिसंविशन्ति । तद्विजिज्ञासस्व । तद्ब्रह्मेति । स तपोऽतप्यत । स तपस्तप्त्वा ।। १ ।।

oṃ bhṛgurvai vāruṇiḥ | varuṇaṃ pitaramupasasāra | adhīhi bhagavo brahmeti | tasmā etatprovāca | annaṃ prāṇaṃ cakṣuḥ śrotraṃ mano vācamiti | taṃ hovāca | yato vā imāni bhūtāni jāyante | yena jātāni jīvanti | yatprayantyabhisaṃviśanti | tadvijijñāsasva | tadbrahmeti | sa tapo'tapyata | sa tapastaptvā || 1 ||

AUM. Bhrigu, the son of Varuna, approached his father Varuna: 'Sir, teach me Brahman.' To him he declared this: food, breath, sight, hearing, mind, speech (are aids to knowing it). Then he said to him: That from which these beings are born, by which, being born, they live, and into which, on departing, they enter: seek to know that. That is Brahman. Bhrigu performed austerity. Having performed austerity,

Mantra 2

अन्नं ब्रह्मेति व्यजानात् । अन्नाद्ध्येव खल्विमानि भूतानि जायन्ते । अन्नेन जातानि जीवन्ति । अन्नं प्रयन्त्यभिसंविशन्तीति । तद्विज्ञाय । पुनरेव वरुणं पितरमुपससार । अधीहि भगवो ब्रह्मेति । तं होवाच । तपसा ब्रह्म विजिज्ञासस्व । तपो ब्रह्मेति । स तपोऽतप्यत । स तपस्तप्त्वा ।। २ ।।

annaṃ brahmeti vyajānāt | annāddhyeva khalvimāni bhūtāni jāyante | annena jātāni jīvanti | annaṃ prayantyabhisaṃviśantīti | tadvijñāya | punareva varuṇaṃ pitaramupasasāra | adhīhi bhagavo brahmeti | taṃ hovāca | tapasā brahma vijijñāsasva | tapo brahmeti | sa tapo'tapyata | sa tapastaptvā || 2 ||

he knew food as Brahman. For from food indeed these beings are born; by food, being born, they live; into food they enter on departing. Having known this, he again approached his father Varuna: 'Sir, teach me Brahman.' He said to him: Seek to know Brahman by austerity; austerity is Brahman. He performed austerity. Having performed austerity,

Mantra 3

प्राणो ब्रह्मेति व्यजानात् । प्राणाद्ध्येव खल्विमानि भूतानि जायन्ते । प्राणेन जातानि जीवन्ति । प्राणं प्रयन्त्यभिसंविशन्तीति । तद्विज्ञाय । पुनरेव वरुणं पितरमुपससार । अधीहि भगवो ब्रह्मेति । तं होवाच । तपसा ब्रह्म विजिज्ञासस्व । तपो ब्रह्मेति । स तपोऽतप्यत । स तपस्तप्त्वा ।। ३ ।।

prāṇo brahmeti vyajānāt | prāṇāddhyeva khalvimāni bhūtāni jāyante | prāṇena jātāni jīvanti | prāṇaṃ prayantyabhisaṃviśantīti | tadvijñāya | punareva varuṇaṃ pitaramupasasāra | adhīhi bhagavo brahmeti | taṃ hovāca | tapasā brahma vijijñāsasva | tapo brahmeti | sa tapo'tapyata | sa tapastaptvā || 3 ||

he knew breath as Brahman. For from breath indeed these beings are born; by breath, being born, they live; into breath they enter on departing. Having known this, he again approached his father Varuna: 'Sir, teach me Brahman.' He said to him: Seek to know Brahman by austerity; austerity is Brahman. He performed austerity. Having performed austerity,

Mantra 4

मनो ब्रह्मेति व्यजानात् । मनसो ह्येव खल्विमानि भूतानि जायन्ते । मनसा जातानि जीवन्ति । मनः प्रयन्त्यभिसंविशन्तीति । तद्विज्ञाय । पुनरेव वरुणं पितरमुपससार । अधीहि भगवो ब्रह्मेति । तं होवाच । तपसा ब्रह्म विजिज्ञासस्व । तपो ब्रह्मेति । स तपोऽतप्यत । स तपस्तप्त्वा ।। ४ ।।

mano brahmeti vyajānāt | manaso hyeva khalvimāni bhūtāni jāyante | manasā jātāni jīvanti | manaḥ prayantyabhisaṃviśantīti | tadvijñāya | punareva varuṇaṃ pitaramupasasāra | adhīhi bhagavo brahmeti | taṃ hovāca | tapasā brahma vijijñāsasva | tapo brahmeti | sa tapo'tapyata | sa tapastaptvā || 4 ||

he knew mind as Brahman. For from mind indeed these beings are born; by mind, being born, they live; into mind they enter on departing. Having known this, he again approached his father Varuna: 'Sir, teach me Brahman.' He said to him: Seek to know Brahman by austerity; austerity is Brahman. He performed austerity. Having performed austerity,

Mantra 5

विज्ञानं ब्रह्मेति व्यजानात् । विज्ञानाद्ध्येव खल्विमानि भूतानि जायन्ते । विज्ञानेन जातानि जीवन्ति । विज्ञानं प्रयन्त्यभिसंविशन्तीति । तद्विज्ञाय । पुनरेव वरुणं पितरमुपससार । अधीहि भगवो ब्रह्मेति । तं होवाच । तपसा ब्रह्म विजिज्ञासस्व । तपो ब्रह्मेति । स तपोऽतप्यत । स तपस्तप्त्वा ।। ५ ।।

vijñānaṃ brahmeti vyajānāt | vijñānāddhyeva khalvimāni bhūtāni jāyante | vijñānena jātāni jīvanti | vijñānaṃ prayantyabhisaṃviśantīti | tadvijñāya | punareva varuṇaṃ pitaramupasasāra | adhīhi bhagavo brahmeti | taṃ hovāca | tapasā brahma vijijñāsasva | tapo brahmeti | sa tapo'tapyata | sa tapastaptvā || 5 ||

he knew understanding as Brahman. For from understanding indeed these beings are born; by understanding, being born, they live; into understanding they enter on departing. Having known this, he again approached his father Varuna: 'Sir, teach me Brahman.' He said to him: Seek to know Brahman by austerity; austerity is Brahman. He performed austerity. Having performed austerity,

Mantra 6

आनन्दो ब्रह्मेति व्यजानात् । आनन्दाद्ध्येव खल्विमानि भूतानि जायन्ते । आनन्देन जातानि जीवन्ति । आनन्दं प्रयन्त्यभिसंविशन्तीति । सैषा भार्गवी वारुणी विद्या । परमे व्योमन्प्रतिष्ठिता । स य एवं वेद प्रतितिष्ठति । अन्नवानन्नादो भवति । महान्भवति प्रजया पशुभिर्ब्रह्मवर्चसेन । महान्कीर्त्या ।। ६ ।।

ānando brahmeti vyajānāt | ānandāddhyeva khalvimāni bhūtāni jāyante | ānandena jātāni jīvanti | ānandaṃ prayantyabhisaṃviśantīti | saiṣā bhārgavī vāruṇī vidyā | parame vyomanpratiṣṭhitā | sa ya evaṃ veda pratitiṣṭhati | annavānannādo bhavati | mahānbhavati prajayā paśubhirbrahmavarcasena | mahānkīrtyā || 6 ||

he knew bliss as Brahman. For from bliss indeed these beings are born; by bliss, being born, they live; into bliss they enter on departing. This is the knowledge of Bhrigu, learned from Varuna, established in the highest space. Whoever knows this is firmly established; he becomes possessed of food and an eater of food; he becomes great in offspring, cattle and the radiance of sacred knowledge, great in renown.

Mantra 7

अन्नं न निन्द्यात् । तद्व्रतम् । प्राणो वा अन्नम् । शरीरमन्नादम् । प्राणे शरीरं प्रतिष्ठितम् । शरीरे प्राणः प्रतिष्ठितः । तदेतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितम् । स य एतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितं वेद प्रतितिष्ठति । अन्नवानन्नादो भवति । महान्भवति प्रजया पशुभिर्ब्रह्मवर्चसेन । महान्कीर्त्या ।। ७ ।।

annaṃ na nindyāt | tadvratam | prāṇo vā annam | śarīramannādam | prāṇe śarīraṃ pratiṣṭhitam | śarīre prāṇaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ | tadetadannamanne pratiṣṭhitam | sa ya etadannamanne pratiṣṭhitaṃ veda pratitiṣṭhati | annavānannādo bhavati | mahānbhavati prajayā paśubhirbrahmavarcasena | mahānkīrtyā || 7 ||

One should not disparage food: that is the discipline. Breath is food, and the body is the eater of food. The body rests upon breath, and breath rests upon the body. Thus this food rests upon food. Whoever knows this food as resting upon food is firmly established; he becomes possessed of food and an eater of food; he becomes great in offspring, cattle and the radiance of sacred knowledge, great in renown.

Mantra 8

अन्नं न परिचक्षीत । तद्व्रतम् । आपो वा अन्नम् । ज्योतिरन्नादम् । अप्सु ज्योतिः प्रतिष्ठितम् । ज्योतिष्यापः प्रतिष्ठिताः । तदेतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितम् । स य एतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितं वेद प्रतितिष्ठति । अन्नवानन्नादो भवति । महान्भवति प्रजया पशुभिर्ब्रह्मवर्चसेन । महान्कीर्त्या ।। ८ ।।

annaṃ na paricakṣīta | tadvratam | āpo vā annam | jyotirannādam | apsu jyotiḥ pratiṣṭhitam | jyotiṣyāpaḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ | tadetadannamanne pratiṣṭhitam | sa ya etadannamanne pratiṣṭhitaṃ veda pratitiṣṭhati | annavānannādo bhavati | mahānbhavati prajayā paśubhirbrahmavarcasena | mahānkīrtyā || 8 ||

One should not reject food: that is the discipline. Water is food, and light (fire) is the eater of food. Light rests upon water, and water rests upon light. Thus this food rests upon food. Whoever knows this food as resting upon food is firmly established; he becomes possessed of food and an eater of food; he becomes great in offspring, cattle and the radiance of sacred knowledge, great in renown.

Mantra 9

अन्नं बहु कुर्वीत । तद्व्रतम् । पृथिवी वा अन्नम् । आकाशोऽन्नादः । पृथिव्यामाकाशः प्रतिष्ठितः । आकाशे पृथिवी प्रतिष्ठिता । तदेतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितम् । स य एतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितं वेद प्रतितिष्ठति । अन्नवानन्नादो भवति । महान्भवति प्रजया पशुभिर्ब्रह्मवर्चसेन । महान्कीर्त्या ।। ९ ।।

annaṃ bahu kurvīta | tadvratam | pṛthivī vā annam | ākāśo'nnādaḥ | pṛthivyāmākāśaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ | ākāśe pṛthivī pratiṣṭhitā | tadetadannamanne pratiṣṭhitam | sa ya etadannamanne pratiṣṭhitaṃ veda pratitiṣṭhati | annavānannādo bhavati | mahānbhavati prajayā paśubhirbrahmavarcasena | mahānkīrtyā || 9 ||

One should make food abundant: that is the discipline. Earth is food, and space is the eater of food. Space rests upon earth, and earth rests upon space. Thus this food rests upon food. Whoever knows this food as resting upon food is firmly established; he becomes possessed of food and an eater of food; he becomes great in offspring, cattle and the radiance of sacred knowledge, great in renown.

Mantra 10

न कञ्चन वसतौ प्रत्याचक्षीत । तद्व्रतम् । तस्माद्यया कया च विधया बह्वन्नं प्राप्नुयात् । अराध्यस्मा अन्नमित्याचक्षते । एतद्वै मुखतोऽन्नं राद्धम् । मुखतोऽस्मा अन्नं राध्यते । एतद्वै मध्यतोऽन्नं राद्धम् । मध्यतोऽस्मा अन्नं राध्यते । एतद्वा अन्ततोऽन्नं राद्धम् । अन्ततोऽस्मा अन्नं राध्यते । य एवं वेद । क्षेम इति वाचि । योगक्षेम इति प्राणापानयोः । कर्मेति हस्तयोः । गतिरिति पादयोः । विमुक्तिरिति पायौ । इति मानुषीः समाज्ञाः । अथ दैवीः । तृप्तिरिति वृष्टौ । बलमिति विद्युति । यश इति पशुषु । ज्योतिरिति नक्षत्रेषु । प्रजातिरमृतमानन्द इत्युपस्थे । सर्वमित्याकाशे । तत्प्रतिष्ठेत्युपासीत । प्रतिष्ठावान्भवति । तन्मह इत्युपासीत । महान्भवति । तन्मन इत्युपासीत । मानवान्भवति । तन्नम इत्युपासीत । नम्यन्तेऽस्मै कामाः । तद्ब्रह्मेत्युपासीत । ब्रह्मवान्भवति । तद्ब्रह्मणः परिमर इत्युपासीत । पर्येणं म्रियन्ते द्विषन्तः सपत्नाः । परि येऽप्रिया भ्रातृव्याः । स यश्चायं पुरुषे । यश्चासावादित्ये । स एकः । स य एवंवित् । अस्माल्लोकात्प्रेत्य । एतमन्नमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रम्य । एतं प्राणमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रम्य । एतं मनोमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रम्य । एतं विज्ञानमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रम्य । एतमानन्दमयमात्मानमुपसंक्रम्य । इमांल्लोकान्कामान्नी कामरूप्यनुसंचरन् । एतत्साम गायन्नास्ते । हा ३ वु हा ३ वु हा ३ वु । अहमन्नमहमन्नमहमन्नम् । अहमन्नादो ३ ऽहमन्नादो ३ ऽहमन्नादः । अहं श्लोककृदहं श्लोककृदहं श्लोककृत् । अहमस्मि प्रथमजा ऋता ३ स्य । पूर्वं देवेभ्योऽमृतस्य ना ३ भायि । यो मा ददाति स इदेव मा ३ वाः । अहमन्नमन्नमदन्तमा ३ द्मि । अहं विश्वं भुवनमभ्यभवा ३ म् । सुवर्न ज्योतीः । य एवं वेद । इत्युपनिषत् ।। १० ।।

na kañcana vasatau pratyācakṣīta | tadvratam | tasmādyayā kayā ca vidhayā bahvannaṃ prāpnuyāt | arādhyasmā annamityācakṣate | etadvai mukhato'nnaṃ rāddham | mukhato'smā annaṃ rādhyate | etadvai madhyato'nnaṃ rāddham | madhyato'smā annaṃ rādhyate | etadvā antato'nnaṃ rāddham | antato'smā annaṃ rādhyate | ya evaṃ veda | kṣema iti vāci | yogakṣema iti prāṇāpānayoḥ | karmeti hastayoḥ | gatiriti pādayoḥ | vimuktiriti pāyau | iti mānuṣīḥ samājñāḥ | atha daivīḥ | tṛptiriti vṛṣṭau | balamiti vidyuti | yaśa iti paśuṣu | jyotiriti nakṣatreṣu | prajātiramṛtamānanda ityupasthe | sarvamityākāśe | tatpratiṣṭhetyupāsīta | pratiṣṭhāvānbhavati | tanmaha ityupāsīta | mahānbhavati | tanmana ityupāsīta | mānavānbhavati | tannama ityupāsīta | namyante'smai kāmāḥ | tadbrahmetyupāsīta | brahmavānbhavati | tadbrahmaṇaḥ parimara ityupāsīta | paryeṇaṃ mriyante dviṣantaḥ sapatnāḥ | pari ye'priyā bhrātṛvyāḥ | sa yaścāyaṃ puruṣe | yaścāsāvāditye | sa ekaḥ | sa ya evaṃvit | asmāllokātpretya | etamannamayamātmānamupasaṃkramya | etaṃ prāṇamayamātmānamupasaṃkramya | etaṃ manomayamātmānamupasaṃkramya | etaṃ vijñānamayamātmānamupasaṃkramya | etamānandamayamātmānamupasaṃkramya | imāṃllokānkāmānnī kāmarūpyanusaṃcaran | etatsāma gāyannāste | hā 3 vu hā 3 vu hā 3 vu | ahamannamahamannamahamannam | ahamannādo 3 'hamannādo 3 'hamannādaḥ | ahaṃ ślokakṛdahaṃ ślokakṛdahaṃ ślokakṛt | ahamasmi prathamajā ṛtā 3 sya | pūrvaṃ devebhyo'mṛtasya nā 3 bhāyi | yo mā dadāti sa ideva mā 3 vāḥ | ahamannamannamadantamā 3 dmi | ahaṃ viśvaṃ bhuvanamabhyabhavā 3 m | suvarna jyotīḥ | ya evaṃ veda | ityupaniṣat || 10 ||

One should not turn anyone away who comes for lodging: that is the discipline. Therefore by any means whatever one should obtain abundant food. They say for such a one 'Food is made ready.' If food is given with honour, food is given to him with honour; if given in a middling way, food comes to him in a middling way; if given with disregard, so it comes to him: for the one who knows this. It is well-being in speech, acquisition and preservation in the out-breath and down-breath, action in the hands, movement in the feet, release in the organ of evacuation: these are the human meditations. Now the divine ones: satisfaction in rain, power in lightning, glory in cattle, light in the stars, procreation, immortality and bliss in the generative organ, all in space. Let one meditate on it as the support: one becomes supported. As the great: one becomes great. As the mind: one becomes thoughtful. As homage: desires bow before him. As Brahman: one becomes possessed of Brahman. As the death-ground of Brahman: around him die his hating rivals and his unloved foes. The one who is in the person and the one who is in the sun: these are one. Whoever knows this, on departing from this world, reaches this self made of food, then made of breath, then of mind, then of understanding, then of bliss, and roams these worlds, eating what he wishes and taking what form he wishes, and sits singing this Sama chant: Ha-a-vu! Ha-a-vu! Ha-a-vu! I am food, I am food, I am food! I am the eater of food, the eater of food, the eater of food! I am the maker of the verse, the maker of the verse, the maker of the verse! I am the firstborn of the cosmic order, before the gods, the navel of immortality. Whoever gives me, he alone preserves me. I, who am food, eat the eater of food. I have overcome the whole world. I am radiant like the sun. Whoever knows this. This is the hidden teaching.

Why it matters today

Every year, in convocation halls and last-day-of-school assemblies, someone quotes a line without always knowing where it comes from: speak the truth, walk in dharma. That line is Taittiriya Upanishad, Shiksha Valli, Anuvaka 11. It is a teacher's parting words to a student walking out the gate for the last time, and it is startlingly practical: do not neglect your study, do not let the family line break, give with faith and never without it, and when in doubt about right conduct, watch how the thoughtful and unhurried people around you act, and act as they do. The same valli gives the four that a young person is told to treat as divine: mother, father, teacher, guest. The Ananda Valli maps something anyone who has ever tried to describe deep contentment already half-knows: that you are not only your body (the sheath made of food) but also your breath, your mind, your understanding, and, innermost, a layer that is simply joy. And it admits the limit of language directly, in a phrase teachers still love: from That, words turn back, with the mind, unable to reach it. The Bhrigu Valli is a story of a son who keeps going back to his father with the same question, does the work each time, and finds a deeper answer, until the answer becomes a song.