Adhyaya 4
Original Sanskrit
1 अथ गार्ग्यो ह वै बालाकिरनूचानः संस्पृष्ट आस सोऽयमुशिनरेषु संवसन्मत्स्येषु कुरुपञ्चालेषु काशीविदेहेष्विति सहाजातशत्रुं काश्यमेत्योवाच । ब्रह्म ते ब्रवाणीति तं होवाच अजातशत्रुः । सहस्रं दद्मस्त इत्येतस्यां वाचि जनको जनक इति वा उ जना धावन्तीति ॥
2 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष आदित्ये पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठाः । बृहत्पाण्डरवासा अतिष्ठाः सर्वेषां भूतानां मूर्धेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्तेऽतिष्ठाः सर्वेषां भूतानां मूर्धा भवति ॥
3 स होवाचा बालाकिर्य एवैष चन्द्रमसि पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठाः सोमो राजान्नस्यात्मेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो मेवमुपास्तेऽन्नस्यात्मा भवति ॥
4 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष विद्युति पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठास्तेजस आत्मेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते तेजस आत्मा भवति ॥
5 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष स्तनयित्नौ पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठाः शब्दस्यात्मेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते शब्दस्यात्मा भवति ॥
6 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष आकाशे पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठाः पूर्णमप्रवर्ति ब्रह्मेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते पूर्यते प्रजया पशुभिर्नो एव स्वयं नास्य प्रजा पुरा कालात्प्रवर्तते ॥
7 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष वायौ पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठा इन्द्रो वैकुण्ठोऽपराजिता सेनेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते । जिष्णुर्ह वापराजिष्णुरन्यतस्यजायी भवति ॥
8 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैषोऽग्नौ पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठा विषासहिरिति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते विषासहिर्वान्वेष भवति ॥
9 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैषोऽप्सु पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठा नाम्न्यस्यात्मेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते नाम्न्यस्यात्मा भवतीत्यधिदैवतमथाध्यात्मम् ॥
10 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष आदर्शे पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठाः प्रतिरूप इति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते प्रतिरूपो हैवास्य प्रजायामाजायते नाप्रतिरूपः ॥
11 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष प्रतिश्रुत्कायां पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठा द्वितीयोऽनपग इति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते विन्दते द्वितीयाद्द्वितीयवान्भवति ॥
12 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष शब्दः पुरुषमन्वेति तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठा असुरिति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते नो एव स्वयं नास्य प्रजा पुरा कालात्संमोहमेति ॥
13 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष च्छायापुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठा मृत्युरिति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते नो एव स्वयं नास्य प्रजा पुरा कालात्प्रमीयते ॥
14 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष शारीरः पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठाः प्रजापतिरिति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते प्रजायते प्रजया पशुभिः ॥
15 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष प्राज्ञ आत्मा येनैतत्पुरुषः सुप्तः स्वप्नमाचरति तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठा यमो राजेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्ते सर्वं हास्मा इदं श्रैष्ठ्याय गम्यते ॥
16 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष दक्षिणेऽक्षन्पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठा नाम्न आत्माऽग्नेरात्मा ज्योतिष आत्मेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्त एतेषां सर्वेषामात्मा भवति ॥
17 स होवाच बालाकिर्य एवैष सव्येऽक्षन्पुरुषस्तमेवाहमुपास इति तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मा मैतस्मिन्समवादयिष्ठाः सत्यस्यात्मा विद्युत आत्मा तेजस आत्मेति वा अहमेतमुपास इति स यो हैतमेवमुपास्त एतेषां सर्वेषामात्मा भवतीति ॥
18 तत उ ह बालाकिस्तूष्णीमास तं होवाचाजातशत्रुरेतावन्नु बालाका३इ इत्येतावद्धीति होवाच बालाकिस्तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्मृषा वै किल मा समवादयिष्ठा ब्रह्म ते ब्रवाणीति । स होवाच यो वै बालाक एतेषां पुरुषाणां कर्ता यस्य वैतत्कर्म स वै वेदितव्य इति तत उ ह बालाकिः समित्पाणिः प्रतिचक्रामोपायानीति तं होवाचजातशत्रुः प्रतिलोमरूपमेव स्याद्यत्क्षत्रियो ब्राह्मणमुपनयेत् । एहि व्येव त्वा ज्ञपयिष्यामीति तं ह पाणावभिपद्य प्रवव्राज तौ ह सुप्तं पुरुषमीयतुस्तं हाजातशत्रुरामन्त्रयांचक्रे । बृहत्पाण्डरवासः सोमराजन्निति । स उ ह तूष्णीमेव शिश्ये । तत उ हैनं यष्ट्याविचिक्षेप स तत एव समुत्तस्थौ तं होवाचाजातशत्रुः । क्वैष एतद्वालोके पुरुषोऽशयिष्ट क्वैतदभूत्कुत एतदागा३दिति । तत उ ह बालाकिर्न विजज्ञौ ॥
19 तं होवाचाजातशत्रुर्यत्रैष एतद्बालाके पुरुषोऽशयिष्ट यत्रैतदभूद्यत एतदागाद्धिता नाम हृदयस्य नाड्यो हृदयात्पुरीततमभिप्रतन्वन्ति तद्यथा सहस्रधा केशो विपाटितस्तावदण्व्यः पिङ्गलस्याणिम्ना तिष्ठन्ति । शुक्लस्य कृष्णस्य पीतस्य लोहितस्येति तासु तदा भवति । यदा सुप्तः स्वप्नं न कञ्चन पश्यत्यस्मिन्प्राण एवैकधा भवति तथैनं वाक्सर्वैर्नामभिः सहाप्येति चक्षुः सर्वै रूपैः सहाप्येति श्रोत्रं सर्वैः शब्दैः सहाप्येति मनः सर्वैर्ध्यातैः सहाप्येति स यदा प्रतिबुध्यते यथाग्नेर्ज्वलतो सर्वा दिशो विस्फुलिङ्गा विप्रतिष्ठेरन्नेवमेवैतस्मादात्मनः प्राणा यथायतनं विप्रतिष्ठन्ते प्राणेभ्यो देवा देवेभ्यो लोकास्तद्यथा क्षुरः क्षुरध्यानेऽवहितः स्याद्विश्वंभरो वा विश्वंभरकुलाय एवमेवैष प्राज्ञ आत्मेदं शरीरमात्मानमनुप्रविष्ट आ लोमभ्य आ नखेभ्यः ॥
20 तमेतमात्मानमेतमात्मनोऽन्ववस्यति यथा श्रेष्ठिनं स्वास्तद्यथा श्रेष्ठैः स्वैर्भुङ्क्ते यथा वा श्रेष्ठिनं स्वा भुञ्जन्त्येवमेवैष प्राज्ञात्मैतैरात्मभिर्भुङ्क्ते । एवं वै तमात्मानमेत आत्मानो भुञ्जन्ति । स यावद्ध वा इन्द्र एतमात्मानं न विजज्ञे तावदेनमसुरा अभिबभूवुः । स यदा विजज्ञेऽथ हत्वासुरान्विजित्य सर्वेषां देवानां श्रैष्ठ्यं स्वाराज्यमाधिपत्यं परीयाय एवैवं विद्वान्सर्वान्पाप्मनोऽपहत्य सर्वेषां भूतानां श्रैष्ठ्यं स्वाराज्यमाधिपत्यं पर्येति य एवं वेद य एवं वेद ॥
ॐ वाङ्मे मनसि प्रतिष्ठिता । मनो मे वाचि प्रतिष्ठितम् । आविरावीर्म एधि । वेदस्य मा आणीस्थः । श्रुतं मे माप्रहासीः ।अनेनाधीतेनाहोरात्रान्सन्दधामि । ऋतं वदिष्यामि। सत्यं वदिष्यामि । तन्मामवतु । तद्वक्तारमवतु । अवतु मामवतुवक्तारम् ॥ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
॥ इति कौषीतकिब्राह्मणोपनिषत्समाप्ता ॥
Musean translation
Machine-assisted translation from Sanskrit. Source transcription by Sanskrit Wikisource contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
1 Balaki Gargya was a learned and widely known man. He had lived among the Ushinaras, the Matsyas, the Kurus and Panchalas, and the people of Kashi and Videha. He came to Ajatashatru, king of Kashi, and said, “Let me tell you of Brahman.” Ajatashatru answered, “For those words, we give you a thousand. People run about saying, ‘Janaka! Janaka!’”
2 Balaki said, “It is the person in the sun that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as the great one, clothed in white, standing above all, the head of all beings. One who meditates on him in this way stands above all and becomes the head of all beings.”
3 Balaki said, “It is the person in the moon that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as King Soma, the self of food. One who meditates on him in this way becomes the self of food.”
4 Balaki said, “It is the person in lightning that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as the self of radiance. One who meditates on him in this way becomes the self of radiance.”
5 Balaki said, “It is the person in thunder that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as the self of sound. One who meditates on him in this way becomes the self of sound.”
6 Balaki said, “It is the person in space that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as Brahman, full and unmoving. One who meditates on him in this way is filled with offspring and cattle. Neither he nor his offspring depart before their time.”
7 Balaki said, “It is the person in the wind that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as Indra Vaikuntha, the unconquered host. One who meditates on him in this way is victorious, never vanquished, and conquers others.”
8 Balaki said, “It is the person in fire that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as the overcomer. One who meditates on him in this way becomes an overcomer.”
9 Balaki said, “It is the person in the waters that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as the Self in its name. One who meditates on him in this way becomes the Self in its name.” So much for the deities; now for the self.
10 Balaki said, “It is the person in the mirror that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as the counterpart. One who meditates on him in this way has a child born in his likeness, not one unlike him.”
11 Balaki said, “It is the person in the echo that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as the companion who never leaves. One who meditates on him in this way gains from a companion and has a companion.”
12 Balaki said, “It is the sound that follows a person that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on it as the life-breath. One who meditates on it in this way—neither he nor his offspring lose consciousness before their time.”
13 Balaki said, “It is the person in the shadow that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as death. One who meditates on him in this way—neither he nor his offspring die before their time.”
14 Balaki said, “It is the person within the body that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as Prajapati. One who meditates on him in this way brings forth offspring and cattle.”
15 Balaki said, “It is the aware Self, through which a sleeping person moves in dreams, that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as King Yama. For one who meditates on him in this way, all this comes together to establish his preeminence.”
16 Balaki said, “It is the person in the right eye that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as the self of name, the self of fire, and the self of light. One who meditates on him in this way becomes the self of all these.”
17 Balaki said, “It is the person in the left eye that I meditate on.” Ajatashatru answered, “Do not speak to me of that. I meditate on him as the self of truth, the self of lightning, and the self of radiance. One who meditates on him in this way becomes the self of all these.”
18 Then Balaki fell silent. Ajatashatru asked him, “Is that all, Balaki?” “That is all,” Balaki answered. Ajatashatru said, “You spoke falsely to me, then, when you said, ‘Let me tell you of Brahman.’ Balaki, it is the maker of these persons, the one whose work all this is, that must be known.” Then Balaki came to him with fuel in his hands, saying, “Let me approach you as a pupil.” Ajatashatru answered, “It would be against the accustomed order for a warrior to initiate a brahmin. Come; I will nevertheless make it known to you.” Taking him by the hand, he went out. They came to a sleeping man. Ajatashatru called to him: “Great one! Clothed in white! King Soma!” But the man lay there in silence. Then he prodded him with a staff, and the man rose at once. Ajatashatru asked Balaki, “Where was this person lying, Balaki? Where had he been? From where has he come?” Balaki did not know.
19 Ajatashatru said to him, “Balaki, as for where this person was lying, where he had been, and from where he has come: there are channels of the heart called Hita, stretching from the heart to the membrane around it. They are as fine as a hair split a thousand times, holding a subtle substance, tawny, white, black, yellow, and red. He is in these then. When, asleep, he sees no dream, he becomes one in this breath. Then speech enters him with all names; sight enters him with all forms; hearing enters him with all sounds; mind enters him with all its thoughts. When he wakes, just as sparks from a blazing fire scatter in every direction, so the breaths scatter from this Self, each to its own dwelling; from the breaths come the deities, and from the deities the worlds. As a razor lies within its case, or the all-sustaining fire within its nest, so this aware Self has entered this body, this self, down to the hairs and down to the nails.”
20 These selves attend upon this Self as a chief’s own people attend upon him. Just as one takes enjoyment with the best of one’s own people, or a chief’s own people enjoy their chief, so this aware Self takes enjoyment through these selves, and these selves enjoy that Self. As long as Indra did not know this Self, the Asuras overcame him. When he knew it, he slew the Asuras and conquered them; he attained preeminence, sovereignty, and lordship over all the gods. In the same way, one who knows this casts off all evils and attains preeminence, sovereignty, and lordship over all beings—one who knows this, one who knows this.
Om. May my speech be grounded in my mind. May my mind be grounded in my speech. Be manifest to me, be manifest. Be the two anchors of the Veda for me. May what I have heard never leave me.Through this study I join day and night. I will speak what is right. I will speak what is true. May that protect me. May that protect the speaker. Protect me; protect the speaker.Om. Peace, peace, peace.
Here ends the Kaushitaki-Brahmana Upanishad.
Plain English translation
Independent machine-assisted translation from Sanskrit. Source transcription by Sanskrit Wikisource contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
1 Balaki Gargya was a learned man with wide connections. He had lived among the Ushinaras, the Matsyas, the Kurus and Panchalas, and the Kashis and Videhas. He came to Ajatashatru, the king of Kashi, and said, "Let me tell you about Brahman."
Ajatashatru told him, "For those words alone, we give you a thousand. People really do flock to Janaka, calling out, ‘Janaka! Janaka!’"
2 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in the sun."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as the great one dressed in white, standing above all, the head of all beings. Anyone who meditates on him this way stands above all and becomes the head of all beings."
3 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in the moon."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as King Soma, the Self of food. Anyone who meditates on him this way becomes the Self of food."
4 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in lightning."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as the Self of brilliance. Anyone who meditates on him this way becomes the Self of brilliance."
5 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in thunder."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as the Self of sound. Anyone who meditates on him this way becomes the Self of sound."
6 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in space."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as Brahman, complete and never passing away. Anyone who meditates on him this way has an abundance of children and livestock. Neither he nor his children pass away before their time."
7 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in the wind."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as Indra Vaikuntha, the undefeated army. Anyone who meditates on him this way is victorious, never defeated, and conquers others."
8 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in fire."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as the one who overpowers others. Anyone who meditates on him this way becomes someone who overpowers others."
9 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in the waters."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as the Self in its name. Anyone who meditates on him this way becomes the Self in its name."
That is the teaching about the gods. Now comes the teaching about oneself.
10 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in a mirror."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as a likeness. Anyone who meditates on him this way has a child born in his likeness, not a child unlike him."
11 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in an echo."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as a companion who never leaves. Anyone who meditates on him this way gains from a companion and has a companion."
12 Balaki said, "I meditate on the sound that follows a person."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as life. For anyone who meditates on him this way, neither he nor his children lose consciousness before their time."
13 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in a shadow."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as death. For anyone who meditates on him this way, neither he nor his children die before their time."
14 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in the body."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as Prajapati. Anyone who meditates on him this way becomes fruitful in children and livestock."
15 Balaki said, "I meditate on the aware Self through which a person has dreams while asleep."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as King Yama. All this yields to the supremacy of anyone who meditates on him this way."
16 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in the right eye."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as the Self of name, the Self of fire, and the Self of light. Anyone who meditates on him this way becomes the Self of all these."
17 Balaki said, "I meditate on the person in the left eye."
Ajatashatru told him, "Don't discuss him with me on those terms. I meditate on him as the Self of truth, the Self of lightning, and the Self of brilliance. Anyone who meditates on him this way becomes the Self of all these."
18 Then Balaki fell silent. Ajatashatru asked him, "Is that all, Balaki?"
"That's all," Balaki replied.
Ajatashatru told him, "Then you were wrong to tell me, ‘Let me tell you about Brahman.’ Balaki, the one who makes these persons, the one whose work this is—he is the one to be known."
Then Balaki came back with firewood in his hand and said, "Let me become your student."
Ajatashatru told him, "It would go against the proper order for a member of the warrior class to initiate a brahmin as a student. Come, I will simply help you understand."
He took him by the hand and went out. They came to a sleeping man. Ajatashatru called to him, "Great one dressed in white! King Soma!" But the man just lay there silently. Then Ajatashatru prodded him with a staff, and he got up at once.
Ajatashatru asked Balaki, "Where in the world was this person sleeping just now? Where was he then? Where has he come from?"
Balaki did not know.
19 Ajatashatru told him, "Balaki, this is where this person was sleeping, where he was then, and where he has come from. The heart has channels called Hita that extend from the heart to the membrane around it. They are as thin as a hair split into a thousand parts. They consist of fine matter that is golden brown, white, black, yellow, and red. He is in these channels at that time. When he is asleep and sees no dream at all, he becomes one with this breath alone. Then speech enters him along with all names. The eye enters him along with all forms. The ear enters him along with all sounds. The mind enters him along with everything it has thought about.
"When he wakes up, the breaths spread out from this Self to their own places, just as sparks from a blazing fire would scatter in every direction. From the breaths come the gods; from the gods come the worlds. Just as a razor is tucked into its case, or the fire that sustains everything into its nest, this aware Self has entered this body as its very self, right to the hairs and nails.
20 "These selves stay with that Self as a leader's people stay with him. Just as a person enjoys being with the best of his own people, or a leader's people enjoy their leader, this aware Self has experiences through these selves. These selves likewise experience that Self.
"As long as Indra did not know this Self, the Asuras overpowered him. When he came to know it, he killed and defeated the Asuras and attained supremacy, self-rule, and sovereignty over all the gods. In just this way, someone who knows this drives away all evils and attains supremacy, self-rule, and sovereignty over all beings—anyone who knows this, anyone who knows this."
Om. May my speech be based in my mind. May my mind be based in my speech. Make yourself clearly known to me. Be the two supports of my knowledge of the Veda. May what I have heard stay with me.Through this study I join day and night. I will say what is right. I will say what is true. May that protect me. May it protect the teacher. Protect me; protect the teacher.Om. Peace, peace, peace.
Here ends the Kaushitaki-Brahmana Upanishad.
About this section
Adhyaya 4 is part of Kaushitaki Upanishad by Unknown. This page sets the Sanskrit original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is section 4 of 4 in the work, which is kept in the Hindu tradition.
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