Section 6.1

6.1.1 There was Shvetaketu, Aruni's son. His father said to him, "Shvetaketu, go and live the life of a sacred student. My dear, no one of our family leaves his studies undone and becomes a brahmin in name alone."

6.1.2 So at twelve years old he went to his teacher. At twenty-four, having studied all the Vedas, he returned, proud, convinced of his learning, and stiff with conceit. His father said to him:

6.1.3 "Shvetaketu, my dear, since you are so proud, so convinced of your learning, so stiff with conceit, did you ask for that instruction by which what has not been heard becomes heard, what has not been thought becomes thought, and what has not been understood becomes understood?" "Sir, what is that instruction?"

6.1.4 "My dear, just as through a single lump of clay everything made of clay may be understood—a modification is a name resting on speech; the clay alone is real.

6.1.5 "My dear, just as through a single copper bead everything made of copper may be understood—a modification is a name resting on speech; the copper alone is real.

6.1.6 "My dear, just as through a single nail clipper everything made of black iron may be understood—a modification is a name resting on speech; the black iron alone is real. Such, my dear, is that instruction."

6.1.7 "Surely those revered teachers did not know this. If they had known it, how could they have failed to tell me? But you, sir, must tell me." "So be it, my dear," he said.

6.1.1 There was a boy named Shvetaketu, Aruni's son. His father told him, "Shvetaketu, go and live as a student of sacred learning. My dear, no one in our family goes without study and becomes a brahmin by birth alone."

6.1.2 At twelve he went to a teacher. At twenty-four, after studying all the Vedas, he came home proud, convinced of his learning, and stiff with conceit. His father said to him:

6.1.3 "Shvetaketu, my dear, now that you are so proud, so convinced of your learning, and so stiff with conceit, did you ask about the teaching by which what has not been heard becomes heard, what has not been thought becomes thought, and what has not been understood becomes understood?" "Sir, what is that teaching like?"

6.1.4 "My dear, through one lump of clay, everything made of clay can be understood. The different form is only a name used in speech. Only the clay is real.

6.1.5 "My dear, through one copper bead, everything made of copper can be understood. The different form is only a name used in speech. Only the copper is real.

6.1.6 "My dear, through one nail clipper, everything made of black iron can be understood. The different form is only a name used in speech. Only the black iron is real. That, my dear, is what the teaching is like."

6.1.7 "Surely those respected teachers did not know this. If they had known it, why would they not have told me? Sir, please tell me yourself." "Yes, my dear," he said.