CHHANDOGYA UPANISHAD

CHHANDOGYA UPANISHAD

chapter one : section 1

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  1. Worship ye OM, the eternal syllable, OM is Udgitha, the chant of Sama-veda; for with OM they begin the chant of Sama. And this is the exposition of OM.

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  1. Earth is the substantial essence of all these creatures and the waters are the essence of earth; herbs of the field are the essence of the waters, man is the essence of the herbs. Speech is the essence of man, Rig-veda the essence of Speech, Sama the essence of Rik. Of Sama OM is the essence.

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  1. This is the eighth essence of the essences and the really essential, the highest and it belongs to the upper hemisphere of things.

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  1. Which among things and which again is Rik; which among things and which again is Sama; which among things and which again is OM of the Udgitha — this is now pondered.

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  1. Speech is Rik, Breath is Sama; the Imperishable is OM of Udgitha. These are the divine lovers. Speech and Breath, Rik and Sama.

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  1. As a pair of lovers are these and they cling together in OM the eternal syllable; but now when the beloved and her lover meet, verily, they gratify each the desire of the other.

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  1. He becomes a gratifier of the desires of men who with this knowledge worships OM the eternal syllable.

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  1. Now this OM is the syllable of Assent; for to whatsoever one assents, one says OM; and assent is blessing of increase. Verily he becomes a blesser and increaser of the desires of men who with this knowledge worships OM the eternal syllable.

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  1. By OM the triple knowledge proceeds; with OM the priest recites the Rik, with OM he pronounces the Yajur, with OM he chants the Sama. And all this is for the heaping up of the Imperishable and by the greatness of It and the Delightfulness.

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  1. He does works by OM who has the knowledge, and he also who has it not; but these are diverse, the Knowledge and the Ignorance. Whatsoever work one does with knowledge, with faith and with the secret of Veda, it becomes to him more virile and mighty. This is the exposition of the Eternal letters.


chapter one : section 2

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  1. The Gods and the Demons strove together and both were children of the Almighty Father. Then the Gods took up for weapon OM of Udgitha, for they said, “With this we shall overcome these Titans.ˮ

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  1. The Gods worshipped OM as Breath in the nostrils; but the Demons came and smote it with the arrow of Evil; therefore it smells both alike, the sweet scent and the evil odour. For it is smitten through and through with Evil.

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  1. Then the Gods worshipped OM as Speech; but the Demons came and smote it with the arrow of Evil; therefore it speaks both alike, Truth and Falsehood. For it is smitten through and through with Evil.

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  1. Then the Gods worshipped OM as the Eye; but the Demons came and smote it with the arrow of Evil; therefore it beholds both alike, the fair to see and the foul of favour. For it is smitten through and through with Evil.

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  1. Then the Gods worshipped OM as the Ear; but the Demons came and smote it with the arrow of Evil; therefore it hears both alike, that which is well to hear and that which is harsh and unseemly. For it is smitten through and through with Evil.

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  1. Then the Gods worshipped Udgitha as Mind but the Demons came and smote it with the arrow of Evil; therefore it conceives both alike, right thoughts and unlawful imaginations. For it is smitten through and through with Evil.

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  1. Then the Gods worshipped OM as this which is Breath in the mouth and the Demons rushing against it dashed themselves to pieces; as when an object strikes against firm and solid rock, it dashes to pieces upon the rock.

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  1. And even as an object hurling against firm and solid rock dashes itself to pieces, so he hurls himself upon destruction whoso desires evil against the Knower or whoso does him hurt; for the Knower is as that firm and solid rock.

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  1. With this Breath one cognises neither sweet scent nor ill odour, for it has flung Evil from it. Whatsoever one eats with this or drinks, thereby it cherishes the other breaths. At the end and last when he finds not the breath, the Spirit goes out from the body; verily he opens wide the mouth as he goes.

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  1. Angiras worshipped OM of Udgitha as Breath in the mouth and men think of Breath in the mouth as Angiras because it is essence of the members of the body.

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  1. By the strength of Angiras, Brihaspati worshipped OM as Breath in the mouth, and men think of the Breath as Brihaspati, because Speech is the great goddess and Breath is the lord of Speech.

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  1. By the strength of Brihaspati, Ayasya worshipped OM as Breath in the mouth and men think of the Breath as Ayasya, because ʼtis from the mouth it comes.

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  1. By the strength of Ayasya, Baka the son of Dalbha knew the Breath. And he became the Chanter of the Sama among the Naimishiyas and he chants their desires for them unto fulfilment.

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  1. Verily, he becomes a chanter unto fulfilment of the desires of men who with this knowledge worships OM of Udgitha, the eternal syllable. Thus far concerning Self is the exposition.

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