Uttara Gita
Uttara Gita
[Initiation of Arjuna by Sri Krishna into Yoga and Jnana]
English Translation and Notes by B. K. Laheri, F.T.S.
Published by Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar, Madras, India
E-Text Source: Canadian Theosophical Association
Publisher's Note:
The Uttara Gita, as its name implies, and as the first few lines of Chapter-I
explain, is the subsequent instruction, coming after that set forth in the
Bhagavad-Gita,.
Those who have not read carefully the Bhagavad-Gita, (Text in Devanagiri and
Translation in English by Dr. Annie Besant, Popular Edition published by the
Theosophical Society) should do so before starting upon the study of the Uttara
Gita,. They will then perceive how the latter amplifies and gives practical
details upon points which the former, in its intention of only setting forth the
broad outlines of instruction, passes over with merely a general reference.
This translation of Babu Rai Baroda K.Laheri, F.T.S., appeared in Lucifer,
November and December, 1892.
CHAPTER-I
ARJUNA, after the successful issue of the battle of Kuruksetra, amidst the
pleasures of rank, riches, and prosperity, had forgotten the priceless
instructions imparted to him by Sri Krishna, on the eve of that memorable
battle. He now asks Kesava again to propound to him the secrets of the Brahma-jnana.
ARJUNA ASKED:
1, 2 & 3.
O Kesava, [ Kesava means the manifested Logos, the union of Visnu, Brahma and
Mahesvara, or the combined Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas Gunas. The word "Kesava" is
from Ka-isa-va] tell me the knowledge of that Brahman that is One, and without
its like and rival, without Upadhi (attributes) beyond the Akasa, source of all
purity, that which cannot be approached by argument, or reached by conception,
the unknowable and the unknown, and that which is absolutely free from births
and deaths. O Kesava, impart to me the knowledge of that which is Absolute, the
only above ode Eternal Peace and Purity, the Instrumental (Nimitta) and Material
(Upadana) cause of the Universe, though itself causeless and free from all
connection. Tell me, O Kesava, the knowledge of that which dwells in every
heart, and that which combines the fact of knowledge and the thing knowable in
Itself.
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
4. O thou long-armed one, thou who art the crest-jewel of the Pandu dynasty, O
Arjuna, thou art most intelligent, because thou hast asked me a question which
is at once most sublime and magnificent - to attain the knowledge of the
boundless Tattvas. Hear, therefore, O Arjuna, attentively what I wish to say on
the matter.
5. He is called Brahman, who, devoid of all desires, and by the process of Yoga,
sits in that state of meditation in which he assimilates his own Self-mantra (Pranava
or Aum) with the Hamsa (Paramatma).
6. For the human being, the attainment of the state of Hamsa (I am He), within
his own limits, is considered the highest jnana. That which remains merely a
passive witness between the Hamsa and Non-Hamsa, i.e., the Paramatman and the
destructible portion of the human being, is the Aksara Purusa in the form of
Kutasha-Caitanya (Atma-Buddhi). When the knower finds and sees this Akara Purusa
in him, he is saved from all future troubles of birth and death in this world.
7. The word "Kakin" is the compound of ka + aka + in. The first syllable Ka
means happiness, the second Aka means misery, and the third In denotes
possessing: therefore one that possesses happiness and misery - the Jiva - is
called "Kakin". Again the vowel a at the end of the syllable Ka is the conscious
manifestation of Mula-Prakrti or the Jiva form of the Brahman; therefore when
this a disappears, there remains only the K, which is the One great indivisible
Bliss - Brahman.
8. He who is always able to retain his life-breath (Pranavayu) within himself,
both at the time of walking and rest, can extend the period of his life over a
thousand years.
9. Conceive so much of the manifested Akasa (sky) as can be brought within the
range of one's own mental view, as one undivided Brahman then merge the Atman
into it, and it, into your own self; this done, i.e., when the Atman is made one
with the Akasa, think of nothing else - as moon, stars, etc. - in the sky. [
This is the Nirvikalpa Samadhi - the subjective concentration of the mind, in
which both the mind and life-breath become still like a flame without air.
There are two well-known processes of practising Yoga: viz., to concentrate the
mind (a) at the point where the nose ends, and (b) where the root of the nose
begins. The result in both cases is the same as are the further processes of
practice, but in either case the instruction of a Guru is necessary, otherwise
it is absolutely impossible to succeed. ]
10. Such a seeker of Brahman, after fixing his mind as aforesaid, and shutting
himself out of all objective knowledge (Ajnana), should hold fast the support of
unchangeable Jnana, and think of the One Indivisible Brahman in the inner and
outer Akasa, that exists at the end of the nose, and into which the life-breath
merges.
11. Freed from both nostrils where the life-breath disappears, there (i.e., in
the heart) fix thy mind, O Partha, [ another name of Arjuna. ] and meditate upon
the All-Supreme Isvara.
12. Think of the Siva, there, as devoid of all conditions of life, pure but
without lustre (Prabha), mindless, Buddhi-less.
13. The signs of Samadhi are the negation of all positive conditions of life and
the complete enthralment or subjugation of all objective thoughts.
14. Although the body of the meditator may now and then become somewhat unsteady
at the time of meditation, yet he is to consider that the Paramatma is
immovable. This is the sign of the Samadhi.
15. He that considers the Paramatman as without Matra, i.e., neither short nor
long in metre, soundless, unconnected with vowels, and beyond the Bindu, (Point)
i.e., Anusvara, (which produces a nasal sound), beyond the Nada, i.e., the voice
that rises from the throat, etc., and beyond the Kalas, i.e., the different
phases of this sound, is the real knower of the Vedas.
16. He that has acquired Vijnana, (the Supreme Knowledge) by the aid of Jnana,
i.e.., the knowledge derived from books of Philosophy and instruction from a
Guru, and has learned to place the object of this knowledge in his heart, and he
that has acquired peace of mind, such a person requires no Yoga for further
practice, and no meditation for further conception.
17. The syllable (Aum) with which the Vedas begin, which figures in the middle
of the Vedas, and with which the Vedas end, unites Prakrti with its Own Self;
but that which is beyond this Prakrti-united-Pranava is Mahesvara.
18. A boat is necessary until one gets to the other side of the river, but when
a man once crosses the stream, the boat is no longer necessary for his purpose.
19. As a husbandman throws away the husks, after thrashing out the corn, so does
also an intelligent person give up the study of books after he has attained
knowledge from them.
20. As light is necessary to find the wished-for object in a dark chamber, but
when once the object is found, the light is put aside as unnecessary: so also
when the Object of the Supreme Knowledge, that is kept hidden by the illusions
of Maya, is once found out by the torch of Knowledge, the Knowledge itself is
afterwards put aside as unnecessary.
21. As milk is not necessary for a person who is already satisfied with the
drink of nectar, so also Vedas are not required for man who has already known
the Supreme Deity.
22. Thrice fortunate is the Yoga who has thus satiated his thirst by the nectar
of knowledge; he is henceforth bound to no Karma, as he has become the knower of
the Tattvas.
23. He that has known the unspeakable Pranava as the one continuous sound of a
big gong, or like one unbroken thread (Dhara) of oil, without division and
separation, understand the real meaning of the Vedas.
24. He, that uses his own Atman as one Arani (a piece of wood that produces fire
when rubbed), and Pranava as the other and constantly rubs the two together, he
will very soon see the hidden fire thus produced by the friction of the two,
even as he produces the fire that is hidden in the bosom of the Arani
25. As long as one does not see within himself that sublime Rupa which is purer
than purity itself, and which beams forth like a smokeless light, he should
continue his meditations with a steady mind, fixing his thoughts upon that Rupa
(form).
26. The Jivatman, although (considered to be) very distant from Paramatman, is
still very near to it; and although it has a body, still it is without body; the
Jivatman itself is pure, omnipotent and self-evident.
27. Although it (Jivatman) is (considered to be) in the body, still it is not in
the body; it is not affected by any change of the body, nor does it take part in
any enjoyment appertaining to the body nor can it be bound down or conditioned
by anything that binds the body.
28 & 29. All oil exists in the seed (i.e., pervading the whole of it) and butter
(Ghrta) in cheese (Ksira, i.e., milk boiled and thickened). As smell exists in
the flower, and juice in fruits, so does the Jivatman which permeates the whole
universe, also exists in the human body. Like the fire hidden in the bosom of
wood, and like the air that pervades the whole limitless Akasa, Atman, the
dweller in the caves of Manas, unseen and unperceived, becomes its own expressor,
and walks in the Akasa of the human heart.
30. Though the Jivatman dwells in the heart,yet it has its abode in the mind;
and though dwelling in the heart it is itself mindless. The Yogi, who sees such
an Atman in his own heart through the help of his own mind, gradually becomes a
Siddha himself.
31. He that has been able to make his mind entirely unsupported and one with the
Akasa, and to know the unchangeable One, his state is called the state of
Samadhi.
32. Though living upon air he that daily practises Samadhi to make himself happy
with the drink of the Yoga-nectar, becomes able to destroy the destroyer.
33. He that contemplates the Atman as No-thing above, No-thing below, No-thing
in the middle, and No-thing all round, his state is called the state of Samadhi.
(That is Niralamba, non-supported or self-supported samadhi) The Yogi who thus
realizes the No-thingness of the Atman becomes free from all virtues and vice.
ARJUNA ASKED:
34. Tell me, O Kesava, how Yogis should meditate upon the colourless and
formless Brahman, when the mind is unable to think upon that which it has never
seen, and that which can be seen is material, and consequently subject to
destruction (change)?
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
35. That which is full above, full below, full in the middle, and full all
round, is the All-full Atman and he that contemplates the Atman thus, is said to
be in the state of Samadhi.
ARJUNA ASKED:
36. Tell me, O Kesava, how the Yogi is to practise meditation when the Salamba
which thou has just described is unreal and that which is Niralamba means No-thingness?
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
37. He who, after purifying his mind, contemplates the pure Paramatman, and
looks unto his own Self as he one vast undivided whole of the manifested
universe, becomes happy by knowing the Brahman.
ARJUNA ASKED:
38. All the letters have long and short metrical sound, they (letters) are also
joined by the Bindu (Anusvara-point) and the latter (Bindu) when disjoined,
merges itself into the Nada (sound), but where does the Nada merge.
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
39 & 40. Light exists in the voice of the ceaseless Sound, and Manas (thought)
in that light; the Space where the Manas disappears (merges in itself) is the
Supreme Foot of Visnu. Aiming at the unknowable, where the Sound of the Pranava,
led up on high by the Life-Air, disappears, that Space is called the Supreme
Foot of Visnu.
ARJUNA ASKED:
41. Tell me, Okesava, when the Life-Breath leaves this body of five elements,
and the tenement itself is again reduced to them (the elements), where do the
virtue and vice of the man go, and who do they accompany?
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
42 & 43. The destiny produced by the result of virtue and vice, the Essence of
the five Bhatas - the mind (lower mind), the five senses, and the controlling
genii (Devatas) of the five organs of Karma, all these by reason of the Ahankara
(personality) of the mind accompany the Jiva as long as it remains ignorant of
the knowledge of the Tattvas.
ARJUNA ASKED:
44. O Krishna, the Jiva, in the state of Samadhi, leaves all the movable and
immovable objects of the world, but what is it that leaves the Jiva so as to
remove the nama of Jivaship?
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
45. The Prana Vayu always passes between the mouth and the nostrils; the Akasa
drinks (absorbs) the Prana (i.e., when the Jiva leaves the body, after acquiring
the knowledge of the Tattvas); thus when the Prana is once absorbed the Jiva
does not figure again as Jiva in the arena of this world.
ARJUNA ASKED:
46. The Akasa that pervades the whole Universe also encompasses this objective
world. It is therefore both in and out of everything. Now tell me, O Krishna,
what it is that is beyond this Akasa.
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
47. O Arjuna, the Akasa is called Sunya (vacuum), because it means the want or
absence of things or anything. This Akasa has the quality of Sound, but that
which gives it the power of Sound (as emptiness cannot produce any sound),
thought Itself Soundless, is the unknown and unknowable Brahman.
ARJUNA ASKED:
48. It is evident that the letters are pronounced by means of the teeth, lips,
palate, throat, etc.; therefore how can they (letters) be termed indestructible
(Nitya), when their destructibility is apparent on their very face?
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
49. That letter is called indestructible which is self-pronunciation, i.e.,
without the efort of any pronunciation, which is neither vowel nor consonant,
which is beyond the eight places of pronunciation, which is not subject to long
or short accents, and which is thoroughly devoid of the Usma Varnas (i.e, the
four letters, S'a, Sa, Sa, Ha, called Usma on account of their pronunciation
depending greatly on the help of Vayu or air - meaning, therefore, subject to no
air or breath).
ARJUNA ASKED:
50. Tell me, O Krishna, how, by closing their external senses and knowing that
Brahman, which lies concealed in every matter and every substance, the Yogins
realize Nirvana Mukti (i.e., absolute freedom from every kind of bondage)?
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
51. The Yogins see the Atman within (them: this they do) when they shut out all
their external senses (not by any physical action); for such a person when he
leaves his body, his Buddhi [ Students must distinguish between the Vedantic use
of this term and the significance assigned to it in the Esoteric Philosophy. ]
(i.e. material intelligence) dies away, and with the death of his Buddhi his
ignorance also dies away (i.e., he becomes spiritual).
52. As long as the Tattvas are not known to a person, so long it is necessary
for him to practise concentration of mind by shutting out external senses, but
once the thoroughly attains the knowledge of the Tattvas he identifies himself
with the Universal Soul.
53. From the nine openings (portals) of the body, the waters of knowledge always
pass out; consequently one cannot know the Brahman unless he becomes as pure as
the Brahman Itself. (Meaning, the powers of mind should be concentrated within,
and not allowed to dwell upon external objects through the nine openings.)
54. Thy body itself is exceedingly impure, but that which takes a body (Jivatman)
is purity itself; he that has known the difference of the real nature of these
two never troubles himself with the question of purity; for, whose purity,
should he search after? (The Jivatman is always pure.)
CHAPTER-II
ARJUNA ASKED:
1. Tell me, Okesava, what is the evidence when one, knowing the Brahman as the
all-pervading and all-knowing Paramesvara, believes himself to be one with It?
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
2. As water in water, milk in milk and (clarified) butter in butter, so the
Jivatman and Paramatman become one in union without any distinction and
difference.
3. He who with undivided attention endeavours to unite the Jivatman with the
Paramatman according to the manner prescribed by the Sastras (i.e., Rsis) to him
the all-pervading and universal Light shows itself in due time.
ARJUNA ASKED:
4. When, by acquiring knowledge, the knower becomes the object of knowledge
itself, then he frees himself from all bondage by the virtue of his knowledge,
and what need is there for practice of Yoga or meditation?
SRI BHAGAVAN SAID:
5. He, in whom the light of knowledge always shines forth, has his Buddhi
constantly fixed on the Brahman, and with the fire of supreme knowledge he is
able to burn down the bonds of Karma.
6. Such a knower of the Tattvas, by the realization of the Paramatman that is
pure as the spotless Akasa and without a second, lives in it (i.e., Paramatman)
without any Upadhi (i.e., being free from all attributes), as water enters into
water.
7. Atman is Suksma like Akasa , and therefore it cannot be seen by the eyes, nor
can the inner Atman, which is like the Vayu (air) bee seen either; but he who
has been able to fix his Inner-Atman by the Niralamba Samadhi, and has learned
to direct the course of his external senses inward, can know the unity of the
Atman and Antaratman (Inner Soul or Mind).
8. Wherever a Jnanin may die, and in whatever manner his death may happen, he
becomes one with Atman when he leases his body, even as the Akasa in the pot
becomes one with its parent Akasa when the pot is broken, matters not where nor
how it breaks.
9. Know by the process of Anvaya and Vyatireka that the Atman which pervades the
whole body is beyond the the three states of consciousness - waking, dreaming
and dreamless sleep.
[ In the state in which although the material consciousness is absent, still the
presence of the Atman is perceived as a witness to that state, this process is
called the Anvaya; whereas the ignorance by which the man in the Sthula Sarira,
does not perceive the presence of the Atman, although it is ever-present, is
called Vyatireka. This twofold process exists in each of the above-mentioned
three states of consciousness.
10. He who has been able to dwell with his mind for one moment on a single point
(i.e., to perceive the Light of Caitanya) frees himself from the sins of his
past hundred births. [ This probably means that the "vision of the fields of
eternity" can never be attained until a person is purified from the "sins" of
past births.]
11. On the right side spreads the Pingala Nadi (i.e., from the sole of the right
foot right up to the top of the head where the Sahasrara exists),[ For
clairvoyant description of the six centres in the human body please see
"Chakras" with Illustrations, by C.W.Leadbeater] it is bright and shining like a
great circle of Fire (or the Sun); this product of virtue (Pingala) is called
the vehicle of the devas. (Meaning, that those who can fix their mind in this
Nadi, can journey through the sky like Devas; therefore it is called the "Deva-Yana"
or the vehicle of the Devas.)
12. On the left side stretches forth the Ida (i.e., from the sole of the left
foot up to the Sahasrara at the top of the head), the brightness of this Nadi is
comparatively less, like the disk or circle of the Moon; it dwells with the
breath of the left nostril and it is called the vehicle of the Pitrs. (Meaning,
that those who can fix their mind in this Nadi, can ascend the Pitr Loka and no
further; hence it is called "Pitr-Yana" or the vehicle of the Pitrs.)
13 & 14. Like the backbone of a Veena, or harp, the long tract of bone with many
joints that stretches from the seat right up to the head of a human being is
called the Meru-Danda (spinal cord). There is a minute aperture or hole that
passes right through this Meru-Danda from the Muladhara to the head; it is
through this hole that there passes a Nadi which the yogis called the Brahma-Nadi
or Susumna.
15. Susumna is a fine nerve that passes between the Ida and Pingala. From this
Susumna all the Jnana-Nadis (sensory nerves) take their birth: hence it is
called the Jnana-Nadi.
[That Nadi that takes its origin from the Sahasrara, and growing gradually
finer, descends through the canal of the spinal column, is called the Susumna.
At first nine sets of smaller Nadis spring from it and spread towards the eyes
and other organs of sense, etc.: afterwards from each joint of the spinal column
to which the pairs of ribs are attached, one on either side, and underneath each
rib, there are successively stretched thirty-two sets of Nadis, with innumerable
branchlets covering the whole body like a network; these produce the sense of
touch and perform other necessary work requisite for the upkeep of the Sthula
Sarira. These Nadis are so fine in their texture that if 400 of them be
collected and tied together,still they cannot be seen by the naked eye; thou so
fine, still they are, like pipes, hollow and in this space there exists a
certain substance,like oil, in which the Caitanya reflects; for this reason the
Rsis call the Susumna the parent of all these smaller Nadis, the Jnana-Nadi, and
consider it to be just like a tree with its innumerable branches covering the
whole of the human body,the root being upwards - at the Sahasrara - and the
branches downwards.]
16. The Sun, the Moon, and the other Devatas, the fourteen Lokas of Bhur, Bhuvar,
etc., the ten directions,East, West, etc., the sacred places, the seven
oceans,the Himalaya and other mountains, the seven Islands of Jambu, etc., the
seven sacred rivers, Ganga, etc., the four Vedas, all the sacred philosophies,
the sixteen vowels and twenty-four consonants,the Gayatri and other sacred
Mantras, the eighteen Puranas and all the Upa-Puranas included, the three Gunas,
Mahat itself, the root of the Jivas, the Jivas and their Atman, the ten breaths,
the whole world, in fact, consisting of all these, exists in the Susumna.
[As all outward objects that are cognizable by the human senses are reflected in
the Susumna Nadi, therefore the Rsis call this body the "microcosm". For
instance,when you see the sun, moon, or the stars, you do not actually go near
to them in order to see, but you see them because they are reflected in your
Susumna Nadi. If your mind had the power to go out of your body, in order to see
them, then you would be able to see all and everything that lies in the "Royal
Road", and in such a case you would know all and every occurrence that takes
place in every quarter of this globe, nay, and somewhere else, in this vast
universe.]
17. As various Nadis have sprung up from the Susumna, the receptacle of the
Inner soul of all Jivas - and are stretched out in all directions of the
physical body, therefore it is considered like a huge tree reversed. The
Tattva-Jnanins alone are able to walk on every branch of this tree by the help
of Prana-Vayu.
18. In this human body there exist seventy-two thousand Nadis which admit of
sufficient space for entrance into them through Vayu; the Yogins alone become
acquainted with the true nature of these Nadis by the virtue of their
Yoga-Karma.
19. Having closed up the nine portals of the body, and being acquainted with the
source and nature of the Nadis that stretch up and down the seats of the several
organs of sense, the Jiva, rising to the state of superior knowledge with the
aid of the Life-Breath, attains Moksa.
20. On the left side of this Susumna, and near the point of the nose, there
exists the Indra-Loka by name called Amaravati; and the bight luminous sphere
that exists in the eyes is known by the name of Agni-Loka.
[Of the nine sets of nerves springing from the Susumna, at first one set enters
into the organ of sight, but it forms into a circle before branching out and
entering into both the eyes, this circle is called Agni-Loka. Similarly the
circle which the second set of the nerves make before entering into the
nostrils, is known by the name of Amaravati or the capital of Indra-Loka.]
21. Near the right ear exists the Yama-Loka (the place of death) known by the
name of Samyamani, and on its side exists the sphere of the Nairrta Deva, called
by the name of Nairrta-Loka.
[Yama-Loka means the sphere of Death, because there exists such a delicate place
near the ear that slight injury is likely to cause death to a person; hence this
sphere is called Yama-Loka.
Nairrta-Loka is also called Rakso-Loka. At the side of Yama-Loka there exists a
place the nerves of which enable a person to masticate hard things such as meat,
etc.; hence this place is known by the name of Nairrta-Loka or Rakso-Loka]
22. On the west (i.e., of the Susumna),and situated in the back, there exists
the sphere of Varuna called by the name of Vibhavari: and on the side of the
ears, the sphere is known as Gandhavati This is the seat of the Vayu.
[There is a certain place in the back of a man which the ordinary people of he
Hindus touch with their wet fingers at the time of performing the halting
ceremony. This place is called Vibhavari, because here the nerves are so
sensitive, that no sooner one fixes his attention there than he becomes covered
with Maya and falls into sleep. The term Vibhavari means night or darkness.
Similarly the place beside the ears, whence the air carries the smell, is called
Gandhavati, meaning the place of smell; the place which starts the air to carry
the smell into the nostrils is called the Vayu-Loka.]
23. On the north side of Susumna, extending from the throat up to the left ear,
and in the sphere of Kubera, known by the name of Pushpavati, exists the
Candra-Loka.
[Kubera is the god of riches of the Hindu Mythology; his place is called
Puspavati, meaning place of golden flowers.]
24. In the left eye and in connection with the Isanya direction exists Siva-Loka,
known by the name of Manonmani; the Brahmapuri that exist in the head should be
considered as the microcosm in the human body (because it is the root and origin
of the Jnana-Nadi Susumna, therefore called Manomaya-Jagat, or the world of
mind).
25. Like the dreadful fire at the time of Pralaya, the eternal dwells at the
sole of the feet; the same all-pure eternal imparts blessing, both above, below,
in the middle, in and out (of the body).
[When one dwelling in Susumna, drinks the nectar of happiness, then whatever
obstacles may appear to him both from above, below, or the middle of his
body,they instantly disappear no sooner the mediator fixes his mind on the
eternal dwelling at the sole of his feet.] [ Referring to the direction of
certain magnetic currents. ]
26. The lower portion, or the sole of the foot, is called Atala; the upper
portion, or the top, is called Vitala; the upper part of the joint between the
leg and foot (i.e., the ankle) is called Nitala, and knee (Jangha) is called
Sutala.
27. The lower portion of the thigh (Janu) is called Mahatala; the upper portion
of it (Uru) is called Rasatala, and the loin (Kati) is termed Talatala. In this
way it is proper to know the seven Patalas that exist in the human body.
28. In the Patalas where the serpents live in coils, and below the navel, is the
place known by the name of Bhogindra; this dreadful place, like a burning Hell
and Doomsday Fire, is termed Mahapatala; in this sphere, the eternal known by
the name of Jiva, displays itself in serpentine coils like a circle.
29. Bhur-Loka exists in the navel; in the armpit [ This localizes a great
nervous and magnetic centre that directs every motion of the arms.] exists the
Bhuvar, while the Svarga-Loka, with the sun, moon and stars, dwells in the
heart.
30. The Yogis realize perfect bliss by imagining the seven Lokas,the Sun, Moon,
Mars, Mercury, Jupiter,Venus, Saturn, and innumerable other Lokas like Dhruva,
etc., in the heart.
31. In the heart (of the person who thus imagines) dwells the Mahar-Loka, the
Jana-Loka exists in the throat, the Tapo-Loka between the two eyebrows, while
the Satya-Loka exists in the head.
32 & 33. This Brahmanda shaped Earth [ That is, like the egg of Brahma.]
dissolves itself into Water, the Water is dried up by fire, the Air swallows up
the Fire, and the Akasa drinks the Air in turn; but the Akasa itself is
assimilated in the Mind, the Mind in Buddhi, the Buddhi in Ahankara, the
Ahankara in Citta, and the Citta in Ksetrajna (i.e., Atman or Spirit).
[Ahankara here means "self-consciousness", Mahat, or the Third Logos; it
corresponds to the Mind in the human principles. Citta means the "abstract
consciousness", the Second Logos, corresponding to Buddhi of the human
principles. Ksetra-jna, or the knower of the planes, means the Spirit or the
First Logos, corresponding to the Atman of the human principles of the exoteric
Theosophy. Mind here means the Kama Mind, and Buddhi means the faculty of
ascertaining truth.
According to the definition given by Sri Sankaracharya in his Viveka-Chudamani[
Text in Devanagiri and Translation in English by Mohini Mohan Chatterji. ], the
Mind, Buddhi, Ahankara, and Citta are the four handmaids of Antahkarana; the
quality of Mind is to doubt, that of Buddhi is to ascertain, Citta retains or
keeps, while Ahankara, expresses its self-consciousness or shows "I-am-ness".
The place of the mind is the throat, that of Buddhi the mouth, Citta dwells in
the navel, while Ahankara resides in the heart.] [ All the explanations in
brackets are mere translations, except this portion, which I have simply
explained from the teachings of "H.P.Blavatsky" and "Sri Sri Sankaracharya ]
34. The Yogins who contemplate me with one mind as "I am he" are saved from the
sins collected during a hundred millions of Kalpas.
35. As the Akasa of the pot is absorbed in the Mahakasa when the pot is broken,
so also the ignorance-bound Jivatman is absorbed in the Paramatman when
ignorance is destroyed.
36. He who has been able to acquire the knowledge of the Tattvas that the
Jivatman is absorbed in the Paramatman, even as the Akasa of the Pot is absorbed
in the Mahakasa, becomes undoubtedly free from the chain of ignorance, and goes
into the sphere of the Light of Supreme Knowledge and Wisdom.
37. If a man practise asceticism and severe austerity for a thousand years,
standing on one leg only, he cannot realize one-sixteenth part of the benefit
gained by Dhyana Yoga (meditation).
Those that constantly chant the four Vedas and read other religious works and
yet fail to realize "I am that Brahman", they are like the spoons that are used
for every cooking operation, but yet remain without a single taste of the foods
they prepare.
As the ass bears the burden of sandal (wood), whereby he feels only the weight
of the load and not the virtue of the sandal, even so is the case of the
(nominal) readers of the many Sastras, because they do not understand the real
meaning of them, but carry them about like the beast of burden.
38. As long as one does not acquire the knowledge of the Tattvas, so long should
he attentively perform all good acts, observe purity of body and mind, perform
religious sacrifice, and acquire experience and wisdom by visiting sacred
places.
39. At the time when the body oscillates backward and forward, the Brahmana who
hesitates to believe that he is Brahman fails to understand the great subtle
Atman, even if he be conversant with the four Vedas.
[At the time of practising meditation, when the Susumna commences dancing up and
down the spinal cord by the force of the uprising Fire of Brahma, then the Linga
Sarira within begins to move, which necessarily moves or swings the physical
body; if at such a time one fails to consider himself "I am That" his study of
the Vedas and Sastras is simply useless.
Linga is from the word Lina , which means to unite. As it makes possible the
union with Brahman or Atman, therefore it is called Linga; Sarira is from the
root ISri, I to emaciate, as it emaciates itself with the belief that "I am
Brahman" therefore it is called Sarira. Therefore Linga Sarira means that body
which emaciates itself and finally enables the Jiva to unite with Atman. Linga
Sarira is increased by constant talking and other actions, therefore the less is
spoken, etc., the better; it is no good increasing the Linga Sarira.]
40. Although the cows may be of different colours,but the colour of their milk
is one and the same; even so in the case of the Jiva, the bodies may look
different, but the Atman is one and the same in all.
41. Food, sleep, fear, and sexual desire men have in common with brutes; it is
the addition of knowledge (i.e., the faculty of knowledge of Buddhi) only that
makes him a man; if, therefore, he is devoid of this he is but equal to a brute.
42. In the morning a man performs the necessities of life, in the middle of the
day he fills his stomach with food, in the evening he satisfies the cravings of
his sexual desire, and afterwards falls into the embraces of deep sleep- such is
the case with the beasts also.
43 & 44. That hundred millions of Jiva and thousands of Nada-Bindus [ See the
Voice of the Silence by H.P.Blavatsky for the Explanation of Nada. Bindu is the
point where the Nada ends and is absorbed in the eternal; Bindu, therefore, is
the mediatrix, the lady in the Bhagavata who acted as a go-between between
Krishna, the Atma, and Radha, the Manas. ] are constantly destroyed and absorbed
in that All-Purity, therefore the firm conviction that "I am Brahman" is known
to be the only cause of Moksa for Great Souls (Mahatma).
45. Two words bind and liberate the Jivas respectively, the firm belief of "I"
and "mine" (Mama) holds fast and binds the Jiva down, and the absence or want of
the same (Nirmama) liberates him from all bondage.
46. When the Mind becomes free from all desires and passions, then only the idea
of duality ceases. When there arises that state of Advaita feeling (al in One
and One in all), there dwell the supreme Feet of the Brahman.
47. As an hungry person imply wastes his energy in vain when he strikes the air
with blows for food, so also a reader of the Vedas and others Sastras simply
wastes his time and energy, if, notwithstanding his study, he fails to realize
that "I am Brahman".
CHAPTER-III
1. Sastras are innumerable, and again it takes a long time to understand their
real meaning (even if one succeeds in going through them); life is short, but
the obstacles are many; therefore the intelligent should only take the real
meaning of them as a Hamsa (swan) separates the milk only out of milk-mixed
water.
2. The Puranas, the Bharata, the Vedas, and various other Sastras, wife,
children, and family are simply so many obstacles on the path of Yoga-practice.
[This is not intended either for beginners or for ordinary people; it is
intended for those only who have risen very high, i.e., above the world of
matter.]
3. Dost thou desire to know all by thy own experience - that this is knowledge,
and that is worth knowing, etc., - then thou shalt fail to know the end of the
Sastras even if thine age be over a thousand years.
4. Considering life to be very impermanent, try to know only the indestructible
Sat, give up the unnecessary reading of books, and worship Truth.
5. Out of all the beautiful objects that exist in this world, most are intended
either to please the tongue or give pleasures to sex: if you can relinquish the
pleasures of both these,then where is the necessity of this world for you.
(Meaning that these two constitute the essence of selfishness in a man's mind;
discard them, and you get rid of the selfish feeling, thereby living for virtue
and the good of humanity alone.)
6. The sacred rivers after all are but waters and the idols worshipped are
nothing but either stones,metals, or earth. Yogis go neither to the former nor
worship the latter, because within themselves exist all sacred places and the
synthesis of all idols.
7. Agni or Fire is the god of the twice-born who are given to sacrifice; the
Munis call the Atman within them their god, the less intelligent portion worship
the idols, but the Yogis see Brahman equally everywhere - both in the fire,
within themselves, in idols, and all around.
8. As a blind man cannot see the sun although it lightens the whole world, so
those blind of knowledge, or the spiritually blind, also cannot perceive the
Omnipresent Eternal Peace that encompasses the whole universe.
9. Wherever the Mind (of a Tattvajnanin) goes, it sees the Paramatman there
because all and everything is full with the One Brahman.
10. As the serene bright sky is observable with all its panorama of forms,
names, and colours, so he who is able to realize the idea that "I am Brahman" -
in spite of all forms, names, and colours - alone can see the eternal Paramatman
actually.
11. The Yogi, while meditating, should contemplate that "I am the whole
universe"; in this manner he shall see that Paramatman - the Abode of Supreme
Bliss - with the eyes of his knowledge. As long as he shall think of the Akasa
and identify himself with it, so long shall he consider the All-pervading
Paramatman like Akasa itself, for the Great Subtle Production from the Portal of
Moksa, the All-full Abode of Nirvana, the Eternal Paramatman dwells in the heart
of all Jiva, in the form of the Ray of Knowledge - the Spiritual Soul - in man;
this Paramatman should be known as the Brahmatman of the Paramatman-knowing
Yogis.
12. He who has been able to identify himself with the whole universe - as the
One Brahman - should carefully avoid the desire of eating every man's food and
selling all kinds of things.
[There would be no difference between a man and a dog, if he takes impure food
and eats every body's bread. Impure trade also destroys the purity of a man's
mind.
13. Where the Yogis stay for one second or even half a second, that place
becomes sacred like Kuruksetra., Prayaga and Naimisaranya because the thought of
Spirituality for one brief second has a greater effect than one thousand
millions of sacrifices.
14. The Yogi who considers this universe as nothing but the One Brahman, at once
destroys both virtue and vice; consequently for him there is neither friend nor
enemy, happiness nor misery, gain nor loss, good nor bad, honour nor dishonour,
praise nor blame; all these become alike to him.
15. When a patched-up cloak with a hundred holes in it, is able to keep off the
summer's heat and winter's cold, then what is the necessity for wealth and
riches for a man whose heart is devoted to the worship of Kesava (Brahman).
16. O Arjuna, the Yogi should not think about or concern himself for his
maintenance; if, however, such a thought is necessary at all, then let him beg
for alms simply to maintain his body, and protect himself form cold by the
clothes of charity; to him diamond and stones, green vegetables and coarse rice,
and all other objects in this world, are of equal value (i.e., he becomes
indifferent to all).
17. O Arjuna, he who does not covet material objects, never takes birth again in
this world.