Part Two, First Valli

2.1.1 The Self-existent made the openings of the senses face outward;so one looks outward, not into the inner Self.But a certain wise one, longing for immortality,turned his gaze back and saw the Self within.

2.1.2 The foolish pursue desires outside themselvesand enter the far-flung snare of Death.But the wise, knowing immortality,do not seek the lasting among transient things here.

2.1.3 By that one knows form, taste, scent, sound, touch, and the pleasures of union.What remains here beyond its knowing?This indeed is that.

2.1.4 By that one sees both the realm of dreams and the realm of waking.Knowing the great, all-pervading Self, the wise do not grieve.

2.1.5 Whoever knows at close hand this living Self, the enjoyer of sweetness,the lord of what has been and what will be, no longer recoils from anything.This indeed is that.

2.1.6 Whoever has seen among beings the one born of ardor in the beginning, born before the waters,and standing within the secret chamber of the heart—this indeed is that.

2.1.7 She who arises with the breath of life, Aditi filled with the gods,who entered the heart's chamber and stands there, born along with beings—this indeed is that.

2.1.8 The all-knowing fire rests in the two fire-sticks, well tended like an embryo in the womb.Day after day Agni is worthy of worship by watchful people who bring offerings.This indeed is that.

2.1.9 That from which the sun rises, and into which it sets:all gods rest in it; none passes beyond it.This indeed is that.

2.1.10 What is here is just what is there; what is there is likewise here.From death to death goes one who sees multiplicity here.

2.1.11 Only by the mind can this be grasped; there is no multiplicity here at all.From death to death goes one who sees multiplicity here.

2.1.12 The thumb-sized Person stands in the center of the self,lord of what has been and what will be; one no longer recoils from anything.This indeed is that.

2.1.13 The thumb-sized Person is like a flame without smoke,lord of what has been and what will be; he is today and he is tomorrow.This indeed is that.

2.1.14 As rain falling on steep mountains runs down in many streams,so one who sees the natures of things as separate runs after them.

2.1.15 As pure water poured into pure water becomes just like it,so becomes the Self of the sage who knows, Gautama.

2.1.1 The Self-existent One made the senses face outward;so people look outward, not at the Self within.But one wise person turned their eyes inward and saw the inner Self,wanting to be free from death.

2.1.2 Foolish people follow pleasures outside themselvesand enter death's wide-spread trap.But wise people know there is freedom from deathand do not seek what lasts forever among things that do not last.

2.1.3 What is it through which one knows forms, tastes, smells, sounds, touches, and sexual pleasure?What remains beyond it?This is that.

2.1.4 Through it one sees both the dream state and the waking state.Knowing the great Self that is everywhere, a wise person does not grieve.

2.1.5 One who knows this nearby living Self, which tastes life's rewards,as the ruler of past and future, does not shrink away from anything after that.This is that.

2.1.6 Whoever sees the one born before all else from the heat of creation, born before the waters,who has entered and stays in the heart's cave among living beings:this is that.

2.1.7 The divine mother Aditi, who comes to be with the life breath,who has entered and stays in the heart's cave, and was born with living beings:this is that.

2.1.8 Fire, which knows all that is born, is hidden in the two fire sticks, like a child carefully carried in a pregnant woman.Every day, people who stay alert and bring offerings should honor the fire.This is that.

2.1.9 It is where the sun rises and where it sets.All the gods rest on it; no one goes beyond it.This is that.

2.1.10 What is here is there; what is there is also here.Whoever sees them as different here goes from death to death.

2.1.11 Only the mind can grasp this: there is no difference here at all.Whoever sees difference here goes from death to death.

2.1.12 The thumb-sized Person lives at the center of the Self.This ruler of past and future causes one to shrink away from nothing.This is that.

2.1.13 The thumb-sized Person is like a flame without smoke.Ruling past and future, it is the same today and tomorrow.This is that.

2.1.14 As rainwater falling on a mountain runs down in different directions,so someone who sees separate things runs after those very things.

2.1.15 As clean water poured into clean water becomes just like it,so does the Self of a wise person who understands, Gautama.