Skip to main content

The Supreme Reality of Ātman and the Path to Its Realization

(Chapter 2)

द्वितीयोऽध्यायः — Adhyāya 2: Muni Kāṇḍa ( The Chapter of the Sage)

Chapter Quiz

Verse 1

dṛptabālākir hānūcāno gārgya āsa | sa hovācājātaśatruṃ kāśyaṃ brahma te bravāṇīti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ sahasram etasyāṃ vāci dadmaḥ, janako janaka iti vai janā dhāvantīti

AI Translation

There was a man of the Gargya clan named Proud Balaki, who was well-read. He said to Ajatashatru, king of Kashi, "Let me declare Brahman to you." Ajatashatru said, "For this offer, I give you a thousand cows. People indeed run after Janaka, saying 'Janaka, Janaka!'"

Verse 2

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāsāv āditye puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatrur mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | atiṣṭhāḥ sarveṣāṃ bhūtānāṃ mūrdhā rājeti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste 'tiṣṭhāḥ sarveṣāṃ bhūtānāṃ mūrdhā rājā bhavati

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in the sun, him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Do not speak to me about him! I meditate upon him as preeminent, the head and king of all beings. He who meditates upon him thus becomes preeminent, the head and king of all beings."

Verse 3

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāsau candre puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | bṛhan pāṇḍaravāsāḥ somo rājeti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste 'harahar sutaḥ prasuto bhavati | nāsyānnaṃ kṣīyate

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in the moon, him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Do not speak to me about him! I meditate upon him as the great, white-robed King Soma. He who meditates upon him thus has Soma pressed for him day after day, and his food never diminishes."

Verse 4

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāsau vidyuti puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | tejasvīti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste tejasvī ha bhavati | tejasvinī hāsya prajā bhavati

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in lightning, him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Do not speak to me about him! I meditate upon him as radiant. He who meditates upon him thus becomes radiant, and his offspring become radiant."

Verse 5

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāyam ākāśe puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | pūrṇam apravartīti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste pūryate prajayā paśubhir nāsyāsmāl lokāt prajodvartate

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in space, him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Do not speak to me about him! I meditate upon him as full and non-moving. He who meditates upon him thus is filled with offspring and cattle, and his lineage is never cut off from this world."

Verse 6

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāyaṃ vāyau puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | indro vaikuṇṭho 'parājitā seneti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste jiṣṇur hāparājiṣṇur bhavaty anyatastyajāyī

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in the air, him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Do not speak to me about him! I meditate upon him as Indra, the irresistible, and as the unconquered army. He who meditates upon him thus becomes victorious, invincible, and conquers his rivals."

Verse 7

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāyam agnau puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | viṣāsahir iti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste viṣāsahir ha bhavati | viṣāsahir hāsya prajā bhavati

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in fire, him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Do not speak to me about him! I meditate upon him as forbearing. He who meditates upon him thus becomes forbearing, and his offspring become forbearing."

Verse 8

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāyam apsu puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | pratirūpa iti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste pratirūpaṃ haivainam upagacchati nāpratirūpam | atho pratirūpo 'smāj jāyate

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in water, him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Do not speak to me about him! I meditate upon him as the counterpart. He who meditates upon him thus, what is agreeable comes to him, not what is disagreeable; and an offspring born to him is a counterpart of him."

Verse 9

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāyam ādarśe puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | rociṣṇur iti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste rociṣṇur ha bhavati | rociṣṇur hāsya prajā bhavati | atho yaiḥ saṃnigacchati | sarvāṁs tān atirocate

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in the mirror—him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Please do not speak to me of him. I meditate upon him as the radiant one." He who meditates upon him as such becomes radiant; his offspring also become radiant, and he outshines all those with whom he comes in contact.

Verse 10

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāyaṃ yantaṃ paścāc chabdo 'nūdeti etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | asur iti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste sarvaṃ haivāsmiṁlloka āyureti | nainaṃ purā kālāt prāṇo jahāti

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The sound that follows a walking person—him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Please do not speak to me of him. I meditate upon him as life-force (Asu)." He who meditates upon him as such reaches the full span of life in this world, and breath does not depart from him before his time.

Verse 11

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāyaṃ dikṣu puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | dvitīyo 'napaga iti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste dvitīyavān ha bhavati | nāsmād gaṇaś chidyate

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in the quarters—him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Please do not speak to me of him. I meditate upon him as the second, the inseparable companion." He who meditates upon him as such becomes possessed of a companion, and his group is never separated from him.

Verse 12

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāyaṃ chāyāmayaḥ puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | mṛtyur iti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste sarvaṃ haivāsmiṁlloka āyureti | nainaṃ purā kālāt mṛtyur āgacchati

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who consists of shadow—him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Please do not speak to me of him. I meditate upon him as death." He who meditates upon him as such reaches the full span of life in this world, and death does not approach him before his time.

Verse 13

sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāyam ātmani puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | ātmanvīti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste ātmanvī ha bhavati | ātmanvinī hāsya prajā bhavati | sa ha tūṣṇīm āsa gārgyaḥ

AI Translation

Gargya said: "The person who is in the self—him indeed I meditate upon as Brahman." Ajatashatru said: "Please do not speak to me of him. I meditate upon him as self-possessed." He who meditates upon him as such becomes self-possessed, and his offspring become self-possessed. Thereupon Gargya became silent.

Verse 14

sa hovācājātaśatruḥ etāvannū3 iti | etāvaddhīti | naitāvatā viditaṃ bhavatīti | sa hovāca gārgyaḥ upa tvāyānīti

AI Translation

Ajatashatru said: "Is that all?" Gargya replied: "That is all." Ajatashatru said: "By this much alone Brahman is not known." Gargya said: "Let me come to you as a pupil."

Verse 15

sa hovācājātaśatruḥ pratilomaṃ caitad yad brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyam upeyād brahma me vakṣyatīti | vyeva tvā jñapayişyāmīti | taṃ pāṇāv ādāyottasthau | tau ha puruṣaṃ suptam ājagmatuḥ | tam etair nāmabhir āmantrayāṁ cakre bṛhan pāṇḍaravāsaḥ soma rājann iti | sa nottasthau | taṃ pāṇināpeṣaṃ bodhayāṁ cakāra | sa hottasthau

AI Translation

Ajatashatru said: "It is contrary to tradition for a Brahmana to approach a Kshatriya thinking, 'He will instruct me about Brahman.' Yet I shall make you understand clearly." Taking him by the hand, he got up. The two went to a sleeping man. Ajatashatru addressed him by these names: "O Great One, O Clad in White, O King Soma!" He did not get up. So he rubbed him with his hand until he woke him, and then he stood up.

Verse 16

sa hovācājātaśatruḥ yatraiṣa etat supto 'bhūd ya eṣa vijñānamayaḥ puruṣaḥ kvaiṣa tadābhūt kuta etad āgād iti | tad u ha na mene gārgyaḥ

AI Translation

Ajatashatru said: "When this person, who consists of consciousness, was thus asleep, where was he then, and whence did he return?" Gargya did not know this.

Verse 17

sa hovācājātaśatruḥ yatraiṣa etatsupto'bhūdya eṣa vijñānamayaḥ puruṣastadeṣāṁ prāṇānāṁ vijñānena vijñānamādāya ya eṣo'ntarhṛdaya ākāśastasmiñchete | tāni yadā gṛhṇāti | atha haitatpuruṣaḥ svapiti nāma | tadgṛhīta eva prāṇo bhavati | gṛhītā vāg | gṛhītaṁ cakṣur | gṛhītaṁ śrotram | gṛhītaṁ manaḥ

AI Translation

Ajātaśatru said: 'When this person, consisting of consciousness, was fully asleep, he absorbed the consciousness of these senses through his own consciousness and lay in the space within the heart. When he draws them in, then the person is said to sleep (svapiti). Then the organ of breath is withdrawn, speech is withdrawn, the eye is withdrawn, the ear is withdrawn, and the mind is withdrawn.'

Verse 18

sa yatraitatsvapnyayā carati te hāsya lokāḥ | taduteva mahārājo bhavatyuteva mahābrāhmaṇaḥ | utevoccāvacaṁ nigacchati | sa yathā mahārājo jānapadān gṛhītvā sve janapade yathākāmaṁ parivartetaevamevaiṣa etatprāṇān gṛhītvā sve śarīre yathākāmaṁ parivartate

AI Translation

When he moves in dream, these are his worlds. Then he becomes, as it were, a great king, or a great Brahmana, or enters high and low states. Just as a great king, taking his subjects along, moves about in his realm as he pleases, even so this self, taking the senses along, moves about in its own body according to its pleasure.

Verse 19

atha yadā suṣupto bhavati | yadā na kasya cana veda | hitā nāma nādyo dvāsaptatiḥ sahasrāṇi hṛdayātpurītatamabhipratiṣṭhante | tābhiḥ pratyavasṛpya purītati śete | sa yathā kumāro vā mahārājo vā mahābrāhmaṇo vātighnīmānandasya gatvā śayīta | evamevaiṣa etacchete

AI Translation

Next, when he is in deep sleep and knows nothing whatsoever, there are seventy-two thousand channels called Hitā leading from the heart to the pericardium. Creeping back through these, he rests in the pericardium. Just as a young boy, a great king, or a noble Brahmana might sleep after reaching the pinnacle of bliss, even so does he sleep.

Verse 20

sa yathorṇavābhistantunocceredyathā agneḥ kṣudrā viṣphuliṅgā vyuccarantyevamevāsmādātmanaḥ sarve prāṇāḥ sarve lokāḥ sarve devāḥ sarvāṇi bhūtāni vyuccaranti | tasyopaniṣatsatyasya satyamiti | prāṇā vai satyaṁ teṣāmeṣa satyam

AI Translation

As a spider moves out along its thread, or as small sparks emerge from a fire, even so from this Self issue forth all vital forces, all worlds, all gods, and all beings. Its secret teaching (Upanishad) is 'The Truth of Truth'. The vital forces are indeed truth, and this Self is the Truth of them.

Key Takeaways & AI Summary

This chapter explores the profound teachings of The Supreme Reality of Ātman and the Path to Its Realization. It includes 66 verses detailing core themes like "dṛptabālākir hānūcāno gārgya āsa | sa hovācājātaśatruṃ kāśyaṃ brahma te bravāṇīti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ sahasram etasyāṃ vāci dadmaḥ", "sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāsāv āditye puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatrur mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | atiṣṭhāḥ sarveṣāṃ bhūtānāṃ mūrdhā rājeti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste 'tiṣṭhāḥ sarveṣāṃ bhūtānāṃ mūrdhā rājā bhavati", "sa hovāca gārgyaḥ ya evāsau candre puruṣa etam evāhaṃ brahmopāsa iti | sa hovācājātaśatruḥ mā maitasmin saṃvadiṣṭhāḥ | bṛhan pāṇḍaravāsāḥ somo rājeti vā aham etam upāsa iti | sa ya etam evam upāste 'harahar sutaḥ prasuto bhavati | nāsyānnaṃ kṣīyate".The largest and one of the most ancient Principal Upanishads from the Shukla Yajur Veda — containing the Mahāvākya "Aham Brahmāsmi" (I am Brahman) and the profound dialogues of Sage Yajnavalkya on the nature of the Self, consciousness, and liberation.