Section 2.1

2.1.1 There was a learned man of the Gargya clan, the proud Balaki. He said to Ajatashatru, king of Kashi, “I will tell you of Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “For that offer we give you a thousand cows. People keep running to Janaka, crying, ‘Janaka! Janaka!’”

2.1.2 Gargya said, “The person there in the sun—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as the one who stands above all beings, their head and king.”Whoever reveres him in this way stands above all beings as their head and king.

2.1.3 Gargya said, “The person there in the moon—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as the great one, clothed in white, King Soma.”For whoever reveres him in this way, Soma is pressed and poured day after day. His food does not run out.

2.1.4 Gargya said, “The person there in lightning—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as the radiant one.”Whoever reveres him in this way becomes radiant. His offspring become radiant.

2.1.5 Gargya said, “The person here in space—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as the full, unmoving one.”Whoever reveres him in this way is filled with offspring and livestock. His line does not die out from this world.

2.1.6 Gargya said, “The person here in the wind—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as Indra, the irresistible one, the unconquered army.”Whoever reveres him in this way is victorious, never defeated, a conqueror of his enemies.

2.1.7 Gargya said, “The person here in fire—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as the vanquisher.”Whoever reveres him in this way becomes a vanquisher. His offspring become vanquishers.

2.1.8 Gargya said, “The person here in the waters—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as the fitting one.”Whoever reveres him in this way meets only with what is fitting, not with what is unfitting. And a child in his own likeness is born to him.

2.1.9 Gargya said, “The person here in a mirror—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as the shining one.”Whoever reveres him in this way becomes shining. His offspring become shining. And he outshines everyone he encounters.

2.1.10 Gargya said, “The sound that follows behind a person walking—this is what I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as life.”Whoever reveres him in this way reaches the full span of life in this world. Breath does not leave him before his time.

2.1.11 Gargya said, “The person here in the directions—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as the companion who never leaves.”Whoever reveres him in this way has a companion. His company is not severed from him.

2.1.12 Gargya said, “The person here who consists of shadow—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as death.”Whoever reveres him in this way reaches the full span of life in this world. Death does not come to him before his time.

2.1.13 Gargya said, “The person here within oneself—this is the one I revere as Brahman.”Ajatashatru said, “Do not speak to me of this one. I revere him as self-possessed.”Whoever reveres him in this way becomes self-possessed. His offspring become self-possessed.Then Gargya fell silent.

2.1.14 Ajatashatru said, “Is that all?”“That is all.”“With that much, it is not yet known.”Gargya said, “Let me come to you as a pupil.”

2.1.15 Ajatashatru said, “It goes against the usual order for a brahmin to approach a warrior, thinking, ‘He will tell me of Brahman.’ Still, I will make you understand.”He took him by the hand and stood up. The two came to a sleeping man. He addressed him by these names: “Great one, clothed in white! King Soma!” The man did not rise. He woke him by pressing him with his hand. Then the man rose.

2.1.16 Ajatashatru said, “When this person who consists of awareness was asleep just now, where was he then? From where has he come back?”Gargya did not know.

2.1.17 Ajatashatru said, “When this person who consists of awareness was asleep just now, he gathered into himself, through his awareness, the awareness of these vital powers and lay in the space within the heart. When he gathers them in, the person is said to sleep. Then breath is held within; speech is held within; sight is held within; hearing is held within; mind is held within.

2.1.18 “When he moves about in dreams, those are his worlds. There he seems to become a great king, or a great brahmin; he seems to enter high and low conditions. As a great king might take his people with him and move at will through his own country, so he takes these vital powers with him and moves at will through his own body.

2.1.19 “Then, when he is sound asleep, when he is aware of nothing at all, he slips back through the channels called Hita, seventy-two thousand of them, which extend from the heart to the membrane surrounding it, and lies within that membrane. As a child, a great king, or a great brahmin might lie having reached the utmost bliss, so he lies then.

2.1.20 “As a spider comes forth along its thread, as tiny sparks fly out from a fire, so all vital powers, all worlds, all gods, all beings come forth from this Self. Its secret name is ‘the truth of truth.’ The vital powers are truth, and this is their truth.”

2.1.1 Proud Balaki Gargya was learned in the Vedas. He said to Ajatashatru, the king of Kashi, “Let me tell you about Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “For those words we give you a thousand cows. People keep rushing to Janaka, saying, ‘Janaka! Janaka!’”

2.1.2 Gargya said, “I worship the person in the sun as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as the one who stands above all beings, their head and king.” Whoever worships him this way stands above all beings as their head and king.

2.1.3 Gargya said, “I worship the person in the moon as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as the great one dressed in white, King Soma.” Whoever worships him this way has soma pressed and poured out for him every day. His food does not run out.

2.1.4 Gargya said, “I worship the person in lightning as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as the brilliant one.” Whoever worships him this way becomes brilliant. His offspring become brilliant.

2.1.5 Gargya said, “I worship the person in space as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as full and unmoving.” Whoever worships him this way becomes filled with offspring and livestock. His line of descendants does not die out in this world.

2.1.6 Gargya said, “I worship the person in the wind as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as Indra, the irresistible one, the undefeated army.” Whoever worships him this way becomes a conqueror who cannot be conquered, victorious over enemies.

2.1.7 Gargya said, “I worship the person in fire as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as the one who overcomes.” Whoever worships him this way becomes someone who overcomes. His offspring become people who overcome.

2.1.8 Gargya said, “I worship the person in water as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as the fitting one.” Whoever worships him this way encounters only what is fitting, not what is unfitting. And someone like him is born from him.

2.1.9 Gargya said, “I worship the person in a mirror as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as the shining one.” Whoever worships him this way becomes someone who shines. His offspring shine. And he outshines everyone he meets.

2.1.10 Gargya said, “I worship the sound that follows a person walking as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about it that way. I worship it as life.” Whoever worships it this way reaches his full lifespan in this world. His breath does not leave him before his time.

2.1.11 Gargya said, “I worship the person in the directions as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as the companion who never leaves.” Whoever worships him this way has a companion. His company does not break away from him.

2.1.12 Gargya said, “I worship the person made of shadow as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as death.” Whoever worships him this way reaches his full lifespan in this world. Death does not come to him before his time.

2.1.13 Gargya said, “I worship the person in oneself as Brahman.” Ajatashatru said, “No, do not speak to me about him that way. I worship him as the self-possessed one.” Whoever worships him this way becomes self-possessed. His offspring become self-possessed. Then Gargya fell silent.

2.1.14 Ajatashatru said, “Is that all?”“Yes, that is all.”“That much does not make Brahman known.”Gargya said, “Let me come to you as a student.”

2.1.15 Ajatashatru said, “It goes against the usual order for a Brahmin to approach a member of the warrior class, thinking, ‘He will tell me about Brahman.’ Still, I will make you understand.” Taking him by the hand, he stood up. They came to a sleeping man. He addressed him by these names: “Great one! Dressed in white! Soma! King!” The man did not get up. He woke him by pressing him with his hand, and the man got up.

2.1.16 Ajatashatru said, “When this person consisting of awareness was asleep just now, where was he? Where did he come back from?” Gargya did not know the answer.

2.1.17 Ajatashatru said, “When this person consisting of awareness was asleep just now, he had taken up the awareness of these faculties through his own awareness and was lying in the space within the heart. When he takes them in, the person is said to sleep. Then the breath is taken in, speech is taken in, sight is taken in, hearing is taken in, and the mind is taken in.

2.1.18 “When he moves about in dreams, those are his worlds. There he becomes, as it were, a great king or a great Brahmin. He seems to reach high places and low. Just as a great king takes his subjects with him and moves around his own country as he likes, so this person takes these faculties with him and moves around his own body as he likes.

2.1.19 “But when he is sound asleep and is aware of nothing at all, he travels back through the seventy-two thousand channels called Hita, which run from the heart to the membrane around it, and lies in that membrane. Just as a child, a great king, or a great Brahmin might lie down after reaching the height of happiness, so he lies there.

2.1.20 “As a spider moves out along its thread, and as tiny sparks fly out from a fire, so all breaths, all worlds, all gods, and all beings come out of this Self. Its secret name is ‘the truth of truth.’ The breaths are truth, and this is their truth.”