Our Sanatan is a treasure trove of philosophies and life lessons. The Upanishads delve into concepts like "Self-realisation", "Brahman" or "Supreme Being" and "Atman" or "Supreme Self". Puranas grasp the concept of the Supreme power using the medium of stories. Upanishads and Vedas are technically superior in terms of philosophies and thought processes, making them challenging for common people to understand, but the Puranas present similar ideas in a more accessible and interesting story format.
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Aum Shantih, Shantih, Shantih!
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This is my first story from the Puranas, and as I told youall last time, in my channel, I will narrate stories from both the Upanishads and the Puranas. So please like, share, and subscribe to my channel if you haven’t done so. Also, if you want to have a direct conversation with me, pleaseemail me at arghyathinks@gmail.com.
Rishi Jaimini had a few intriguing questions on the great text named "Bharata", so he asked Sage Markandeya about them. Sage Markendeya redirected Rishi Jaimini to the four birds who knew everything about "Bharata". These birds were learned and could talk in a human voice. Today's podcast is from the Markandeya Purana and the story tells us about the four birds.
Who were these four birds who knew everything about the great battle of Kurukshetra?
Why were they able to talk in human voice and possess Vedic knowledge?
Let's dive deep into this new episode in the channel "Stories from Upanishads and Puranas"
Episode 28 - Story of King Brihaadratha and the path to moksha – Chapter 1 – Maitreya Upanishad
samedi 23 septembre 2023 • Durée 17:29
Today's story is taken from Maitreya Upanishad. This story is featured in chapter 1 of the Upanishad. This chapter describes the dialogue between the great ascetic king Brihaadratha from the Ikshvaaku dynasty or Solar dynasty and Sage Saakaayana.
Please like, share, subscribe and download my podcast “Stories from Upanishads”, available on multiple podcast streaming platforms. Also, visit my website https://www.storiesfromupanishads.com, listen to my earlier podcast episodes, and read some of the blogs available.
BU presents most of the stories from the life of the ancient vedic sage Yagnavalkya and many of them also feature King Janaka of Videha. Today's story is part 1 of never ending conversation between the Sage and the King. In this story, the king learns about Speech, Sight, Hearing, Vital Force, Mind and Heart are forms of Supreme Brahman!
Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.”
Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads.
Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license.
Ananda Shankar - Subh the Auspicious, - Internet Archives
Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit.
The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami
Episode 17 - Yagnavalya and Maitreyi
dimanche 26 février 2023 • Durée 33:41
What is immortality?
Knowing that “Truth” itself is "Immortality"! Freedom from all fears is "Immortality"! Fear of death, fear of poverty, fear of insecurity, fear of pain and sorrow, fear of losing a near one, fear of unknown, beyond these fears lies "immortality".
Why do we love our spouse, parents or children?
We love our spouse, parents and our children not because we love them rather because we love ourselves. We love our "Self" or "Aatman"! The “Self” or “Aatman” is everything! Everything springs from the “Self”, it dissolves in It and remains imbued with It during continuance, for it cannot be perceived apart from the “Self”. Therefore everything is “Self”!
Just as a lump of salt when dissolve completely in water and cannot be taken out of it again, but the salt makes every drop of that water salty, similarly, does the individual "Self or Aatman" dissolves into the limitless “Being” or "Brahman" and cannot be separated from it.
Although that “Being” itself carries in it the essence of every individual "Self".
After death, there is no body and once the body is no more, the "Self" or "Aatman" dissolves into "Brahman" and there is nothing to perceive!
The means of immortality is the knowledge of the “Aatman”, with the renunciation of everything as part of it. When “That” is known, whole universe is known. It is dearer than everything else, hence it must be realised when it is heard from a spiritual teacher or guru and reflected through reasoning or logical contemplation.
Our bodies are a powerhouse of energy, which helps us to sustain throughout our lifetime. When our body dies, this energy is released and becomes a part of the energy that sustains the world. This energy helps plants to grow, animals to reproduce, earth and other planets stay in their individual orbits, bring atoms together to make molecules and everything and anything else in this universe. It is the same vibrant energy in all organisms and celestial bodies although it is so fabulously diverse array of bodies, shapes and forms. That cosmic energy, has been around since before the earth existed, is the reason the world exists and will be there well after the universe is gone. So realise that “” are the cosmic energy, it stands to reason that "" will be around forever.
Episode 16- Story of King Pravahana, Sage Uddalaka Aaruni and Shwetaketu
mercredi 8 février 2023 • Durée 37:40
My dear friends and listeners, it’s been a while I could upload any new episode. The reason being multiple, but here I am with a new story from the Upanishads. Before I begin, my earnest request to you to follow, subscribe, like, share and download my podcast. It will immensely help me to keep going and provide you with these contents. Also please do write to me at my email address arghyathinks@gmail.com. I receive emails from my listeners and we discuss lot of things and often goes into a discovery session on various questions. It’s real fun and interesting.
Today’s story is a follow up or continuation stories from three characters on which I have already told you earlier. Pravahana’s story was discussed in Episode 14 i.e. Story of 3 friends - Pravahana, Silaka and Chaikitayana and Uddalaka Aaruni and Shwetaketu’s story was discussed in Episode 15 - Tat Tvam Asi - Story of Uddalaka Aaruni and Shwetaketu. I would highly recommend you to listen to them to understand the continuity.
As per the book - The character of the Self in Ancient India by Brian Black brings in portrayal of character contributes in philosophical position of the texts. Such as the character of Shwetaketu, which has been mentioned in the Brihaddarankya Upanishad, Chhandogya Upanishads and Kausitaki Upanishad. As per Upanishadic researcher Patrick Olivelle, there are variations in the character and presentation and different Upanishads present the same story in a different ways. He argues that this variation in presentation is deliberate and that each version has its own narrative logic. So different portrayals of Shwetaketu and Pravahana Jaivali in different Upanishads tells us something about the overall stance. Olivelle concluded that Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad favors the east and is critical about Kuru-Paanchala Brahmins and presents Shwetaketu as a rude and spoiled brahmin. However in Chhandogya Upanishad the portrayal is more conservative and presents the story of Shwetaketu and Uddalaka Aaruni more positively. Thus portrayal of certain characters in the Upanishads is a part of narrative strategy and political positioning of the texts. If incase you have not listened to my story of Tat Tvam Asi, please do listen to that episode. In Brihaadaaranyaka and Chhandogya Upanishad, Shwetaketu’s story introduces the teachings of five fires and the two paths whereas in Kausitaki Upanishad it introduces the doctrine of the path to heaven.
Episode 15- "Tat Tvam Asi" - Story of Uddalaka Aaruni and Shwetaketu
samedi 21 janvier 2023 • Durée 52:32
Podcast Credits -
The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami
Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads.
Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit.
Episode 14- Story of 3 friends - Pravahana, Silaka and Chaikitayana
dimanche 8 janvier 2023 • Durée 11:03
Today I will be telling you a story from Chaandogya Upanishad. It is featured in the 8th Khanda of the book, and it is about 3 young well versed scholars named Pravahana Jivala, Silaka Salavat and Chaikitayana Dalbhya. This is a story which involves a deep curiosity amongst these 3 young men. Our Vedic rishis, sages and scholars always regarded experience or anubhava to be the paramount, next they would regard the scriptures or Shrutis and lastly they would regard the reasoning and logic as most important.
So when these 3 young scholars met, were very curious to learn who had what experience of Truth!
They were all well versed in Udgita and wanted to have a friendly discussion on it.
Friends, if you remember I have explained about Udgitha in the episode “Story of Praana”. I would really request the new listeners to listen to that first before listening to this story.
Back to the story,
….3 scholars sat down under a shady Banyan tree, kept their bags beside them. All of them were earnest students of the Vedas, they meditated on Aum, the sound symbol of the Ultimate Reality or God. They followed meditation techniques as per Sama Veda. They decided to exchange their experiences on Udgita, which is the singing hymns of Sama Veda and forms of Vedic sacrifices.
After drinking a sip of water, wiping off the sweat from his forehead, Pravahana said -
“Dear friends, I think you both must start telling your experiences first. Let me listen to it.” Both Silaka and Chaikitayana agreed happily. They knew that Pravahana was destined to become a king later on.
Silaka first questioned Chaikitayana, “May I ask you a question?”
Chaikitayana nodded and said - “yes please go ahead!”
Silaka smiled and asked -“ What is the origin of the Saman or Udgita?”
Chaikitayana smiled and said - “Voice, or Swara. Naturally without swara or voice we cannot chant the Sama veda….and Udgita is a part of this veda!”
Then Silaka asked - “What is the origin of voice or swara?”
Episode 13 - Proud Balaki
lundi 2 janvier 2023 • Durée 26:24
Today’s episode is named - Proud Balaki! This story is featured in BU Chapter 2, Section 1 and features one of the greatest kings of India - Ajaatashatru. He was also known as Kunika and was son of Bimbisara. He was a contemporary to both Bhagwaan Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. I hope you all must be knowing about Bhagwaan Mahavira and Gautama Buddha!
As a result he is referenced in both Jain and Buddhist literature. Interestingly, name of his mother is different in different literatures. As per Jain literature his mother’s name was queen Chellana where as as per Buddhist literature his mother’s name was Kosala Devi. However, both queen Chellana and Kosala Devi were referred as “Vaidehi” so he was also called “Vaidehi Putra”.
Ajaatashatru is believed to live around 492 to 460 BCE and was one of the most important king of Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha. He forcefully took over Kingdom of Magadha from his father - Bimbisara and imprisoned him. He captured Vaishali and occupied Kashi or Benaras. Under his able rule Magadha became one of the most powerful kingdom of North India. He is believed to have invented two types of weapons which was used in wars in those days, first one being - Ratha-musala (Scythed Chariot) or chariot with swords or spike attached to its wheels, you may have seen that in many movies such as 300 or Baahubali. The second weapon was Maha-shila-kantaka - an engine to throw large boulders. You must have seen this in numerous movies such as in Lords of the Ring, Baahubali and many others. Apart from his military inventions and skilled warfare, he was also very learned, a scholar and was very well versed in various Indian scriptures.
Baalaaki who was the son of Balaakaaa from Garg family was a upasaka and a renowned scholar. However there was some very indifferent about him, ….he was very proud of his knowledge and scholarship. One fine day, he went to the court of the king Ajaatashatru and told him -
“O venerable king, I am Baalaaki Garg… son of Balaakaa Garg. I wish to tell you about Brahman!”
Ajaatshatru was pleased to hear this proposal and immediately announced -“Really, o learned scholar, if you tell me about it then I shall award you with one thousand cows!”
After a pause, the king continued with a smile - “I know King Janaka who is benevolent and generous and loves to listen to great debates and scholastic discussions on spirituality and Brahman! I too have some of his qualities.”
My dear listeners and friends, today I am going to move away from Yagnavalkya’s adventures and tell a new story from Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad. The reason why I am doing this is for a purpose! I want to bring in some variety to my storytelling from Upanishads. Yagnavalkya’s debates were high on philosophy and required extreme attention and mindfulness to understand. Today’s story is lighter although still possess deep inner meanings and philosophy which we will unearth! Today’s story - “What the thunder said” is featured in Chapter 5, section 2 of Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad. Let’s enjoy the story!
Aeons ago, gods, humans and demons who were the children of Prajaapati i.e.Viraaj, the Creator, lived together in the tutelage as his students. When their education was formally coming to an end, the pupils decided to ask their teacher - the Creator a final piece of advise and enlighten them, so that they can march towards their life’s destiny and goal.
Before we move on with the story - We must understand few important concepts. The word “Narayana” which we refer to the God himself signifies - Narayam-ayana which means - “the goal of mankind”. To achieve the goal we require a guru. Just like in our modern era, students going to schools to learn academics and life skills are taught by their teachers who are their gurus. The sportsmen and women require coaches who can guide them, train them better so that they can achieve their goal. In professions such as Software or any other, we also have goals and it’s our seniors or leaders who act as our teachers or guru and makes us to realise our goals. Be it education, profession, spirituality or sports we must have goals and which is only be achieved if we have a teacher or a guru. God cannot come down to earth to guide us, and neither we humans can go to God to take his advice. So God takes the form of a Guru to guide us.
We have recited a very popular verse -
“Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Deva Maheshwara,
Guru Shaakshaath param Brahma, Tasmayi Shri Guruvey Namaha.”
Now coming back to the Story - Prajaapati was a master psychologist. He could cure all those who approached him. He knew all his pupils and their nature. So he reserved his upadesha or advise until they approached him.
Episode 11 - Yagnavalkya in King Janaka's Symposium
vendredi 16 décembre 2022 • Durée 46:34
Dear listeners, from the last 3 episodes of my podcast, you have been listening to Yagnavalkya’s debates in the King Janaka’s Symposium. You heard the debates of Ashwala, Aartbhaaga with Yagnavalkya in part 1, then followed by debates of Bhujyu, Usasta and Kahola with Yagnavalkya in part 2. Yagnavalkya was almost declared as a winner in the debates when he was challenged by Gargi Vaachaknavi in part 3, however after listening to his philosophies on Brahman, she decided that she must admit that Yagnavalkya was the greatest scholar in the symposium and no one can think of defeating him in knowledge on Brahman. Yagnavalkya was the undisputed winner at the symposium and left with the prize of thousand cows with ten gold coins.
Although Yagnavalkya’s debates in the symposium had ended with this victory and announcement of Gargi as he being the greatest knower of Brahman, her open challenge was not liked by many!
One such scholar was Vidagdha, son of Saakala. After the symposium was over, he confronted Yagnavalkya and and him -
“Yagnavalkya, so far you have been impressive with your knowledge and philosophies on Brahman. Can you answer my questions?”
Yagnavalkya smiled and nodded his headed. This challenge was sudden and he was not expecting anyone to debate him after Gargi’s open announcement. However, ego played a bigger role!
“How many gods are there?” Questioned Vidagdha.
Friends, before Yagnavalkya answers to the question asked, I would like to deviate a bit and tell you a story. This is on Nivid mantras. Once devas wanted to perform a complex yagna or sacrifice. But the yagna hid himself from them. Since there was no other way out devas decided to perform a simpler fire sacrifice. They started reciting Nivid Mantras during the sacrifice. As they were nearing the end of the sacrifice, they realised that they could remember the steps of the complex Yagna. Eventually, their sacrifice was successful.
Nivids are named after Devas or gods. They indicate Viswadevas, and present the number of Vedic gods in form of a riddle as it says the number of Devas or gods is 33 or 303 or 3003. Many modern indologists such as Dr.B.C.Sidharth of Birla Science Institute believe this to be an astronomical unit. As per him, each progression in this arithmetic sequence adds a step of refinement to estimate the length of a year. For instance the Lunar cycle provides a measure of month, however please note that a year is more than such 12 month units. In Medieval times, this was resolved by introduction of leap year. However in Ancient times, this issue was synchronised with lunar month counts to equinoxes. So intercalary or extra days where added after a fixed count of months. 33 intercalary days approximately were added in a year so that it would measure 365 days and 303 intercalary days would add to a year to measure 365.2421. In Rigveda, Sage Vishwamitra has given the number of Gods to be 3339 which is actually an addition of 33+303+3003. This number when considered as the number of intercalary days gives the average year length to be 365.2424.
Co-narrated by : Jiniya Goswami
You
You
This is immortality, at least feels like immortality.
Let's find out in today's story on Yagnavalkya and Maitreyi.
This podcast was created on Hubhopper studio. If you wish to start your own podcast for free, visit www.hubhopperstudio.com. Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.”
Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada,
“The Brihdaaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads.
Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit.
The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami
Co-narrated by : Jiniya Goswami
Another important point to note is that in CU seem to emphasize on the formal instructions between the teacher and student more such as Story of Tat Tvam Asi. BU focuses mostly on debates such as stories of Yaagnavalkya.
Today’s story is featured in Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad Chapter 6, section 2. Chronologically this story falls after episode 15, when Shwetaketu gained the knowledge of Tat Tvam Asi from his father Uddalaka Aaruni.
As per book - “Political History of Ancient India” by Hemchandra Raychaudhuri, Pravahana Jaivali was a Paanchaala king and contemporary to King Janaka of Videha. We have already heard his story when he and his two other friends exchanged their experiences of Brahman and how he brought out the significance of Om. As a king Pravahana was a good ruler and was ruling his kingdom as per the ancient Hindu Polity as explained by Bheeshma in Shanti Parva of Mahabharata. Pravahana was a man of action, knower of truth and a preceptor of Aatman.
As we have seen that courtroom of King Janaka of Videha was filled with scholars and well-versed brahmins, so was King Pravahana’s courtroom. It was also filled with innumerable eminent scholars and brahmins questing for fame, name and money.
Today’s story begins from the point when Shwetaketu weaponised with the knowledge of vedas and true knowledge from his father about Brahman comes to King Pravahana’s courtroom.
Completely drenched in arrogance about the knowledge of vedas and Brahman, which he used as a means to measure other’s knowledge, asks the guards of the courtroom seeking to see the king.
The guards informed the king about Shwetaketu’s arrival.
Pravahana knew about the deadly pride, which has coiled Shwetaketu completely like a python. He also knew that this will not bring any fame rather will only aid in his downfall. So he decided to teach him a lesson. He asked the guards to bring him in the courtroom.
As Shwetaketu entered boldly, he saw great scholars, wise men and courtmen sitting in the courtroom. They were all looking at him. They were curious to know about what will happen next. Shwetaketu burned with his pride didn’t bother to pay much heed to these great scholars and rather walked up straight to the king.
The king smiled and without showing much respect said -
“Oh boy! Have you been taught by your father?”
King Pravahana being a Kshatriya, addressing a Brahmin in this manner was quite unexpected. This shook Shwetaketu and other brahmins in the court room.
Taken a back, Shwetaketu replied -
“Yes sir!”
“If you have a doubt, please question me!”
The king nodded and smiled and thought for a while. Then he asked the brahmin -
“Do you know how it is that the beings travel over different paths after death? How they would return to this world?
Shwetaketu was not expecting such a question. He had no idea on what he would respond to. So he said -“No sir, I don’t know about it!”
The king asked his next question -
“How is it that the world of the dead is never filled although many die and pass away?”
Before Shwetaketu could answer anything, the king asked his next question -“ How does the water that is offered as oblation rises and speaks with the human voice as it were?”
The king continued his next question - “What is Devayana that is access to the way of the gods and Pitriyana or the access to the way of the manes and how does one gain access to them?”
Then the king continued, we have heard the words of the mantra from the sages -
Dwe suti ashri-na-vam pitrinaa -
Maham devaa-naa-mut matyaarnaam,
Taabhya-midam vishwa-me-jatsameti,
Yadantra Pitram Maatram cha || iti;
Naahamat ekanchan vedeti howach||
Which means - I have heard of two routes for men, leading to the gods and to then manes. Going along with them all this is united. They lie between the father i.e. heaven and the mother i.e earth.
Shwetaketu was completely stumped, he was at the loss of words and could only nod and said “Sir, I dont know them!”
These questions pertained to the secret lore of the Kshatriyas, and had been jealously guarded by them as Raajaguhya or royal secret.
Completely uprooted Shwetaketu stood there in the courtroom not knowing what to do next.
The king invited him to stay. He asked the court ladies to bring water for washing his feet and customary offerings for the respected guests.
Shwetaketu rejected the invite and hurried away from the court room.
Boiling with anger, he came back to his father the Sage Uddalaka Aaruni. He was so angry that he didn’t even greeted his parents. The sage knew something was cooking up.
Shwetaketu asked his father - “Father, how do you say that you have taught me everything, every branch of knowledge?”
Sage asked - “What happened my child? You seemed to be hurt by someone”
Angry Shwetaketu roared - “That wretched Kshatriya King Pravahana asked me questions and I didn’t know the answers to any one of them! See how I am disgraced in the court room filled with scholars and learned men and women. I could not answer even one question asked by that Kshatriya and it is all because of you!”
Then Shwetaketu told his father about the questions which the king had asked!
On hearing these questions, the sage told his son - “My child, believe me, I have taught you everything I knew of. As far as Pravahana’s questions unfortunately I too don’t have complete answers to them. That’s why they weren’t taught to you.”
Let me propose you something my child, let us both go to the king’s court as a seeker of truth and as students.
Shwetaketu was adamant, and refused to go as he thought he was humiliated by the king in the courtroom. He could not bear any single moment in that courtroom. After repeated pleading, the sage failed to convince his son.
Uddalaka decided to go alone. He went to the courtroom of the king and with all humility greeted all the scholars and the king.
The reception that awaited him was entirely different. The king gave him a seat, washed his feet, and made him the reverential offerings of cattle and horses.
With all humility he told the king - “I am grateful to you my king, for all the honour and offer of gifts! But I haven’t come here for the sake of gifts. I have come here to seek the answers to the questions you have asked my son Shwetaketu. Please grant me the treasure of knowledge, which is far superior than any type of treasure or wealth! I approach you as a student my king!
The king was deeply touched by the sage’s humility and hunger for his knowledge. He knew that it is this sincerity which qualifies the seeker to the reception of the knowledge of Brahman.
With folded hands the King told the sage -
“O Sage Uddalaka, please do not take offence with us. This learnings were never shared with the Brahmins in the past. However, your sincerity and humility is pristine as your earnestness is also excellent and which has won my heart, so I shall teach you about it. So please listen to the answers.”
The king continued, but he started responding to the fourth question first as this would bring out the solution to the other questions. He started explaining Panchaagni Vidya that is the knowledge of five fires.
Friends Panchaagni Vidya is also mentioned in Chhandogya Upanishads in Chapter 5 and also in BU. This knowledge or Vidya presents the symbolic Agni or fire is the object of meditation and has 5 important aspects to it and they are three worlds i.e. heaven, earth and intermediate space, man and woman. This knowledge or Vidya is taught in connection with the ‘Doctrine of Transmigration of Souls’ as the ‘Doctrine of decent’. The Panchaagni Vidya or the Knowledge of the 5 fires explains how the body is linked to the universe and why the mind’s true nature is to manifest its will in the universe. The Five Fires, called the Panchaagnis, are not physical fires but meditation techniques. The Fire, here, is symbolic of a sacrifice which one performs through contemplation. The elemental matter gets converted into life or a person gradually by going through five different stages. These five different stages represent five different sacrifices or Paanchaagni.
In CU, it conceives the entire universal activity of creation as a Yagna or Sacrifice, where everything is connected. This sacrifice knowledge is known as Panchaagni Vidya.
Coming back to the story, the king began is Panchaagni Vidya with the first fire i.e, Swargaloka-
“O sage, that Swarga or heaven is a fire and of that fire , the sun is the fuel or Samit or sacrificial stick, the rays of the sun are its smoke, the days its flames, the four quarters its cinder and the intermediate quarters are its sparks. In this fire the gods offer faith and out of that offering King Moon is born.”
Here what is meant is that heaven is the first fire and sun is the fuel to that fire because the sun illuminates the heaven. The rays its smoke because of its similarity of rising from the fuel, for the rays emanate from the sun, and smoke as we know it comes out from the fuel. The day its flame, because both are bright! Due to sun, the day shines brightly so are the flames which shines brightly. The four quarters are its cinder, because both present a pacified state as it is like a space where there is no heat or lustre. The intermediate quarters its sparks, because they are scattered like sparks. In this fire of heaven possess such attributes, the gods i.e. Indra offer faith as oblation. When Agnihotra is performed, the jivas become Soma Raja I,e, King Moon and enter swargaloka or heaven. Thus out of that offering King moon which are king of manes and Brahmins are born.
Then the king continued to explain about the second fire which is Parjanya -
Parjanya the god of rain is a fire, the year is its fuel, the clouds its smoke, lightening its flame, thunder its cinder, and the rumblings its sparks. In this fire the gods offer Soma Raja or the King Moon. Out of that offering rain is produced.”
This means - the second receptacle of the two oblations in the order of their return is Parjanya which is fire. The year is its fuel, for this fire Parjanya is kindled by that as it revolves with its parts commencing with autumn and ending with summer. The clouds its smoke, being produced from smoke, or because of its cloudy appearance. Lightning its flame, since both are luminous. Thunder its cinder, because both represent a pacified state and are hard. The rumblings of the clouds its sparks, because both scatter and are numerous. In this receptacle of the two oblations the gods, those very priests mentioned earlier, offer King Moon, who was produced out of the offering of ‘faith’ in the fire of heaven, he is offered in the second fire, that of Parjanya and out of that offering of the moon, rain is produced.
The King now started explaining about the third fire. -
“This world is a fire, the earth is its fuel, fire its smoke, the night is its flame, the moon its cinder, and stars its sparks. In this fire the gods offer rain. Out of that offerings, food is produced.
In this the king meant is the world where all creatures are born and experience the results of their past deeds, it contains of actions, its factors and its results. This world is the third fire. The earth is the fuel for this fire as it is kindled by the earth which is provided with numerous materials for enjoyment of living beings. Fire is its smoke, as they both rise above from their abode that is the earth. The night is its flame because both are created when they come in contact with the fuel. That means as flame is produced by the contact of fuel with fire, so is the night by the contact of the fuel of the earth, for the earth’s shadow is called the darkness of the night. The moon is the cinder and is created from flames. The cinder produced from the flames and so is the moon in the night because both represents the pacified state. The stars its sparks because both scatter. The food is produced only when there is adequate rain fall so food is produced from rain.
Again the king continued to explain about the fourth fire.
“The Man is the fourth fire, O sage, the open mouth is its fuel. The
Tat Tvam Asi - That Art Thou - Story of Uddalaka and Shwetaketu
Dear friends and listeners, today’s episode is very important as it talks about the one of the four Mahavaakya’s mentioned in the Upanishads. Tat Tvam Asi - which means “That Art Thou” or “That is you!” Today’s story is about the great Vedic sage Uddalaka Aaruni and his son Shwetaketu. This story is mentioned in Chaandogya Upanishad, 6th Prapathaka or section. Before we start today’s story a bit about both the principle characters.
Sage Uddalaka is mentioned in many philosophical discussions mentioned in both Chaandogya and Brihaadaaranyaka upanishad, which are two of the oldest Upanishads. He lived few centuries before Gautama Buddha and was one of the most well known Vedic teacher and guru. It is believed that he lived around 7th Centuary BCE.
According to Ben-Ami Scharfstein, a professor emeritus of Philosophy at Tel Aviv University, Uddalaka Aruni was one of the first philosophers in recorded history. Debiprasad Chattopadhyay, the famous marxist philosopher established him as the first “Natural Scientist” in the intellectual history of the world.
He was the first ever sage to find out that the world, including human beings, is fundamentally made up of three elements, food, water and heat, in fact today we’ll learn about it in much detail.
Uddalaka Aaruni was a descendant of Gautama lineage from Kuru-Panchala region. He was pupil of his father Sage Aruna and Patanchala Kaapya. He defeated Prāaciīnayogya Śauceya and likely Bhadrasena Ājātaśatrava in debate. Friends, please dont get confused with Ajatashatru here, Bhadrasena Ajaatasatrava was a brahmin priest at the time of Uddalaka Aruni and Yaagnavalkya, much earlier than the king Ajaatashatru. You may remember that in my earlier episode in which I talked about the debate between Yaagnavalkya and Gargi Vachaknavi, I briefly spoke about Uddalaka Aaruni and how he was defeated by Yaagnavalkya in King Janaka’s symposium. Ironically sage Uddalaka Aaruni was the teacher or guru of Yaagnavalkya. Sometimes in many scriptures he was called Vajashravas.
Now let me bring some controversy before I being today’s story! As per the various Puranas and scriptures it is not very clear that Vajasravas was Uddalaka Aaruni as there may be some differences between the names Auddalaki Aaruni and Uddalaki Aaruni. As per Max Muller, the renowned indologist at Oxford, claims them to be different person! However, as per him,… Adi Shankaracharya considered them to be same Aaruni in his bhasya or commentries on Upanishads. If we believe in Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary then, Sage Uddalaka Aaruni is Sage Vajasravas and he had 3 children named Nachiketa, Shwetaketu and Sujata. We all know Nachiketa’s story from Katha Upanishad. If not, please do listen to my retelling of the famous story in this podcast series. If we believe in Max Muller’s theory, then Uddalaka Aaruni was a different sage from the same lineage of Sage Vajasravas who was father of Nachiketa.
Another controversy, it is also believed that Shwetaketu was not a biological child of Sage Uddalaka Aaruni. It is believed that the Sage practiced Niyoga, in which a woman has a man other than her husband father a child with her, either because her husband is unable to father a child or because he’s dead. This story is kind of touched in Adi Parva of Mahabharata during a conversation between Kunti and Pandu before the divine births of their children through Niyoga with Lord Dharma, Vaayu, Indra, and the Ashvinikumars.
There are many confusion in such off-shoot stories in various scriptures as we also know that Uddalaka Aaruni’s daughter was Sujata, who was married to Sage Kahoda and the famous deformed sage Ashtavaakra was the son of Sujata and Kahoda.
Let me now talk about a bit about Shwetaketu, son of Sage Uddalaka Aaruni and he is known for many things. He was the one who abolished polyandry, the practice of a wife having multiple husbands, as described in the Aadi Parva of the Mahabharata. (A husband having multiple wives, on the other hand, is a well-established practice). And he was the uncle of the famous sage Ashtavaakra, the purported author of the Ashtavaakra Gita. And he is said to have written a text which formed the basis of a certain work of Vatsayaana. Shwetaketu has been referenced across several Upanishads, He is referenced in Brihaadaaranya Upanishad, Chaandogya Upanishd and also in Kausitaki Upanishad.
So, my dear friends let’s concentrate on today’s story. Today’s episode is an ode to the great sage Uddalaka and his Mahavakya “Tat Tvam Asi”.
Sage Uddalaka had a son name Shwetaketu. Until the age of 12 he was like a normal child, spending his time playing with his friends, playing pranks on others and was having a gala time of his life. The great sage thought that it was time when Shwetaketu must be initiated into Brahminhood and must be sent to a gurukul for learning and understanding Vedic scriptures.
One day, the sage called upon young Shwetaketu and told -
“Soumya, there has never being one in our family who is a Brahmin by birth. All of our ancestors were well versed in Vedic scriptures and I think so you should be!”
Shwetaketu like an obedient son, agreed and went away to a gurukul of Sandeepan Muni. He spent 12 long years learning Vedas and other Vedic scriptures which was an achievement in itself. It was a popular belief then, that one can learn all four vedas and other Vedic scriptures in 48 years however, Shwetaketu was able to learn them in just 12 years. He had grown into a handsome man with somewhat arrogant with his supreme achievement, self-assured and bit of swagger. He considered himself to be the master of vedas.
When he returned home from the his tutelage, he touched the feet of his mother and father. The Sage now asked his son - “Soumya, what will you do next?”
Shwetaketu grinned and said -“Next…I want to win the symposiums and debates in King Janaka of Videha’s courtroom.”
As soon as he said that, the Sage understood that his son was sinking into the quicksand of amour propre.
So he wanted to bring him back into the paths of humility and non-arrogance. He was aware that Brahmagyaana and pride were highly incompatible. A person stricken with egoism and pride cannot realise the Self or Brahman! So the sage decided to teach his son.
He asked him -“Soumya, I believe you are now familiar with that wisdom, by which you can hear the unheard, think the unthought and know the unknown?”
On hearing such a question from his dad, Shwetaketu was taken aback. It seemed that his knowledge of scriptures was superficial and couldn’t grasp the import of his father’s question. He wondered how it was possible that the unknown, unheard, and unthinkable could come within the reach of thought and mind!
Puzzled and shaken, he asked his father - “O my revered father, I thought I had learnt and discovered a lot in the past 12 years. But…I am afraid that I am not familiar with the wisdom you are asking? Perhaps my acharyas and gurus in the gurukul never taught me this! I believe it will be best if you tell me about that!”
Saying that Shwetaketu sat at his father’s feet with folded hands and looked at him eagerly.
Uddalaka was happy to see his son, so eager to learn. He understood that his hunger for knowledge is still there and not crushed under the weight of his arrogance.
Uddalaka said - “I will tell you my son! Follow me please.”
Then the sage took his son outside his house into the lush green fields and sat down at a spot where a lump of clay was lying.
He smiled and said to his son -“It is like this, son, if you know well the essence of something , you will. “Know” everything that carries that essence. Even if it takes on hundreds of forms and shapes or may bear thousands of different names.”
Then he picked up a lump of clay in his hands and said -“ Soumya, for instance, by knowing the lump of clay, its texture, its feel, how it moves on a wheel of the potter or how it forms shapes with your hand, you can create thousands of articles from it. You may not know all of their names or even know them but in essence, what you must always know that it is always made of clay! It is clay. So clay is the cause where as articles made from clay such as a clay pot is the effect.”
Uddalaka paused a while, Shwetaketu nodded and looked still bit confused.
Uddalaka continued -
“Okay, let me give you another example. By knowing just one trinket made of copper, one knows and understands everything else made of copper. Everything else has different names, just a name, have different forms, which is just a form, but in reality the truth is it is copper.
Similarly Saumya, if you observe any object made of iron, one understands everything else made of iron. It may have different names and forms but in reality it is only iron.
If you take a lump of gold, and melt it to make beautiful ornaments. Then if we melt it again, they would reduce to their original form that is a lump of gold. Thus gold is the cause where as whatever the goldsmith makes are its effects.
It is like this, Soumya, by understanding the one true reality of the universe, you understand every other thing in the universe. Never mind that it is present in millions of forms and names.”
Shwetaketu sat up straight, looking very inquisitive and eager to understand further. He said - “That makes a lot of sense Bhagwaan. But all those wise men and acharyas never told me or taught me about this one supreme reality, the one universal essence, that is by understanding which everything in the universe may be understood. Please tell me more father. I am eager to know about it!”
Friends just a small break here, doesn’t it feel you warm and fuzzy, that Uddalaka the teacher in this case addresses Shwetaketu as Soumya that means - dear one! In Upanishads, most of the times the teacher address their students as “Soumya” and the student addresses the teacher as “Bhagwaan” - powerful, respected, worshipped and blessed. This indicates the mutual relationship between a student and the teacher.
Now coming back to the story….
Uddalaka stood up, smiled and patted his son and said -“Very well my son, now
Chaikitayana said promptly - “It is the Praana or Vital Breath. Because when the vital breath or Praana stops functioning, one cannot speak and voice becomes mute.”
Silaka immediately asked another question - “Obviously, without Praana one cannot live! So may I ask you, on what Vital Breath or Praana depend on?”
Chaikitayana said -“We may say that all life for which the Praana or Vital breath is indispensable depends on the food!”
Pravahana was quietly listening to the conversation of his two friends and was making mental notes and silently judging their conversation.
Then Silaka asked - “Then what does Food depend on?”
Chaikitayana thought for a second as said -“ Ahhhh…..Upon Water, Life itself is depended to water.”
Silaka exclaimed - “hmmm…Okay!” He asked again -“Then tell me on what is the origin of Water?”
Chaikitayana said - “It is space or Yonder as water comes from the yonder and goes back to it. It falls to earth from space in form of rainfall, fills in rivers and ponds and then again evaporates back as clouds to the space.”
Silaka thought for a second and asked again -“ Okay then tell me what is the origin of yonder or Space?”
To this question, Chaikitayana said - “Let no man carry the Saman beyond the world of Swarga or Heaven or Yonder. We recognise the Saman in the world of Swarga or Yonder, as Saman is hailed as Swarga!”
These three friends were enlarging their kingdom of knowledge. They made a common attempt to share and spread knowledge as they followed a Vedic saying “Do things together!” They realised that they have gone as far as thought can reach. Being aware of the limitations of thought, Silaka told Chaikitayana -
“O Chaikitayana, your saman is not firmly established! We cannot tell the origin of Saman! If at this time anyone who knew the origin of Saman, the your head shall surely fall off! I am afraid we cannot confine or delimit the Absolute Truth to any corner, remote or distant, of the cosmos or space. To the extent it is confined, it will stop being a symbol of Universal Truth which is free from the limitations of time and space! Therefore I believe we have to examine again our fundamental views!”
Till now Pravahana was watching and listening to his friends. He decided to intervene and said - “Both your views are partial and fragmentary. Silaka is keeping his feet on the earth and Chaikitayana has his head in the skies.”
Silaka now quesitoned Pravahana - “Then tell me, what is the origin of this world?”
Pravahana said - “Space, as all these things are created from Akaasa or Space and return to the space, Therefore Akaasa is the supreme support!
Then after a pause, Pravahana continued - “For comprehensive and complete knowledge, we require both. We need not interpret Aakaasa to mean the sky. It means the space or ether. All objects are in space but space itself is indivisible. It is inside and outside all objects. And what appears to divide space is also space!”
Then Silaka asked - “Then, what is the Truth?”
Pravahana explained - “Let us then agree to say that the Truth, the Brahman is all in all! We live, move and have our being in Brahman, both here and hereafter. The wise men always sees this Truth!”
At the end of this conversation, the three friends got up, packed their belongings. They were enriched with the knowledge and experiences from each other as it was a rare spiritual retreat. After having clarified their ideas, the three friends knelt in common salutation to the Aatman as Pranava.
After this the three friends greeted each other and they parted their ways to their individual destinations.
This podcast was created on Hubhopper studio. If you wish to start your own podcast for free, visit www.hubhopperstudio.com. Hubhopper is India's leading podcast creation platform. Start your podcast with Hubhopper studio & get your voice heard across platforms like Spotify, Gaana, Google podcasts, Wynk Music and more. Click on the link in the episode description or visit www.hubhopperstudio.com.”
Source content collected from various books on Upanishads such as “Messages of the Upanishads” by Swami Ranganathanada, “The Brhadaaranyaka Upanishad” by Swami Madhavananda, “Eight Upanishads” from Advaita Ashrama, Upanishads.org, “Vedas and Upanishads for Children” by Roopa Pai and several other write-ups and thoughts on Upanishads.
Background Music is sourced from various royalty-free music sources, Apple Loops and Internet Archives with a Non-Commercial 4.0 International license. Aum Shantih chants are from Youtube - source - Gaiea Sanskrit.
The Concept, Script, Narration and Audio Design: Arghya Goswami
Friends just a pause here, if you look into the timelines, Ajaatshatru lived around 492 - 460 BCE and during that time King Janaka also lived! So again clarifies the point that this King Janaka is not the father of Sita! This Janaka belonged to the same dynasty and was much much later that Ramayan’s Janaka.
Let’s continue with the story -
Baalaaki said - “The being who identifies himself both with the sun and the eye and who having entered the body through the eye resides in the heart as the ego as experiencer and the agent - Therefore I ask you to meditate that being as Brahman!
Ajaatshatru stopped him with a hand gesture and said - “Please don’t talk about him! I meditate upon him as all surpassing. Who exists surpassing all beings in this universe. We both know the same Brahman and you are telling me the same thing now. So stop, please don’t discuss this Brahman. If you know any other Brahman then tell me about that. I would be happy to listen to it! I meditate upon the Brahman with these attributes as the agent and the experiencer and obtain results accordingly. Sruti also say that “One becomes exactly as one meditates upon Him!”
When Ajaatshatru refuted the presentation of sun as the Brahman, Baalaaki tried to put forward another -
“That being who is in the moon, I meditate upon as Brahman!” He wanted to present moon as the Brahman to the king. But the king again interrupted him…
“Stop O Baalaaki, please stop telling me about this Brahman! I meditate upon him as the great, white robed, radiant Soma! That being in the moon and also in the heart or mind as the experiencer and agent. The Considering the moon and the drink yielding creeper Soma that is offered in the sacrifices, I meditate upon that as Brahman. One who meditates upon him as principal and auxiliary sacrifices everyday will never have shortage of food! Because he meditates upon Brahman as consisting of food.
Baalaaki’s presentation of Brahman as moon was completely unsuccessful! The vision of having one thousand cows as a gift from the king lured him to present Brahman in another way!
Baalaaki continued -
That being who is in lightening, I meditate upon him as Brahman!”
As he wanted to continue to talk on Brahman as lightening, the king stopped him again!
“Dear Baalaaki, would you be wasting my precious time talking about the Brahman which I already know? There is one god in lightening, the skin and the heart. It’s attribute is powerful. I meditate upon him as all Powerful, one who meditates upon him as such becomes all powerful and his progeny too becomes powerful. ”
Baalaaki was in a fix! With his limited knowledge, he was getting trapped and wanted to tell something to the king on Brahman which he may not know! He thought maybe he want to think something bigger and larger than sun, moon and lightening!
He said to the king -“ That being who is in the Space or Ether, I meditate him as Brahman!”
The king again stopped him abruptly and said - No, no my friend! This is not the Brahman I want to hear about! There is one god in the space or ether, in the ether enclosed by the heart and in the heart Full and unmoving are its two attributes. I meditate upon him as the full, and unmoving! One who meditates upon him with the attribute of fullness is always filled with his progeny and cattle and when meditated with the attribute of immobility or unmoving, which represents that his progeny will be never extinct from this world and continue his progeny.
Baalaaki was getting frustrated, but the imagination of one thousand cows, he him blind and closed all his doors leading to his brain and heart. He asked another question - “This being who is in the air, I meditate to him a Brahman!”
The king interrupted and said - “ There is one god in air, the vital force and the heart! Its attributes are irresistible and undefeated. One who meditates upon him as these attributes will have an irresistible and undefeated and unvanquished army, the one which never get defeated by its enemies. So please dont talk about this Brahman as I already practice it everyday!
Baalaaki’s bag of knowledge was on the verge of emptiness, he continued his presentation of Brahman as Fire, which was again interrupted and was stopped by the king. The king told him that there is one god in fire, speech and the heart and it’s attribute is being tolerant for others or forbearing. He meditates him as forbearing as his progeny will become forbearing too.
Then Baalaaki tried to present Brahman as Water! That too was an unsuccessful attempt as the king told him that there is one god in water, the seed and the heart. It’s attribute is agreeable and he meditates upon him as agreeable as it results in coming of only agreeable things and not the ones which are contrary.
After this failed effort, the proud scholar told the king about the Brahman represented as a looking glass. The king again told him there is one god in a looking glass and in other reflecting objects such as a sword, and in the intellect, which is made of pure materials. Its attribute is the shining, and he meditates upon him as the shining and as a result his progeny will always shine.
Frustrated Baalaaki now told the king about the sound that issues behind a man as he walks. He meditates upon as Brahman. The king in response said that the vital force is the cause of life in this body to be the one. Life is the attribute. The result of the meditation is that he attains his full term of life in this world, even if troubled by diseases, he will complete his full life term before departing this world.
Again Baalaaki told the king about the being who is in the quarters and is meditated upon as Brahman. King laughed and stopped him. He told the scholar, there is one god in the quarters, the ears and the heart. The Aswin twins are never separated from each other. His attributes are - being attached with a companion and not being separated from one another, the quarters and the Aswins have these characteristics. One who meditates upon this remembering these attributes gets this result.
Then Baalaaki, the son of Balaaka Garg told the king about the being who identifies himself with the shadow and can be meditated upon as Brahman. The king responded that there is one god in the shadow which is external darkness and internally it is ignorance which is a veil or a cover. Its attribute is the death. The result of the meditation is that he will not die prematurely and will be free from death due to some disease.
Then awkward Baalaaki again tried to put in another representation of Brahman. He said that the Being who is in the Self, is meditated upon as Brahman. Ajaatashatru immediately stopped him and said, there is one god in Self or Hiraanyagarbha, in the intellect and in the heart. His attribute is Self-Possessed. The result of the mediation is that he becomes self-possessed and his progeny also becomes self-possessed. The difference of intellect in individuals is also extended to his progeny.
After listening to the explanation of Brahman from the king, the scholar Baalaaki stooped down. He realised that he still doesnt have enough knowledge to debate on Brahman. He was humbled by a king in the courtroom. Baalaaki has realised that the price of wisdom is beyond riches. How can a possession of thousand cows be comparable to the Supreme Knowledge of Brahman? The pride of birth in a high caste, the pride of half baked knowledge are all his folly and are completely meaningless.
Ajaatshatru now asked the scholar-
“Is that all you know?”
Baalaaki with heavy heart and filled with unfathomable shame said - “Yes, my lord, this is all I know!”
The king told him - “I am sorry to say, Baalaaki, by knowing this much one cannot claim that he knows Brahman! You have to learn more, know more!”
Then with folded hands, Baalaaki realising his grave mistake and his foolishness kneeled down in front of the King and said “Please accept me as your student!”
Ajaatshatru told Baalaaki - “what you are asking me is exactly opposite to what is followed as a custom! A Brahmin must teach a Kshatriya, but today a Brahmin has approached a Kshatriya for gaining knowledge on Brahman!….I accept you as my student O Baalaaki!
The king knew that Baalaaki’s view of Brahman was conditioned by the inherent limitations of the physical body. It was only confined to the waking consciousness. But Brahman itself is unconditioned. So the king wanted to demonstrate this fact to Baalaaki.
He took the scholar by his hand and asked him to stand up, hoping that this will ease him a bit. Then they walked across the palace to a place where a man was sleeping under a shade. At first, the king addressed him by calling him as with all nice names. The man didn’t wake up.
King now went close to him and shook him to wake him up. He kept on shaking and pushing him till he awoke.
Now the king asked Baalaaki - “Can you tell me where the consciousness in this man was when he was fast asleep? How did it come back when he awoke?”
Baalaaki shook his head and with shame said - “I don’t know my lord”
The king replied - “O scholar Baalaaki, now listen carefully! Consciousness means awareness. But it need not necessarily mean awareness of something else. Awareness of something else implies the existence of an external object. Pure consciousness, awareness does not depend on the external object as it is self-luminous.”
After a pause, the king spun up another concrete example.
He said - “Baalaaki, the sun continues to shine even if there were no worlds for it to shine upon! The same is the case with consciousness. In the stage of deep sleep, the awareness merges in itself. For there is nothing else for it to be aware of! But it does not mean that it stops being aware! When emerging from a deep sleep, one is aware that one has slept well . This is an indication that consciousness survives. This could as well be called pure consciousness to distinguish it from the consciousness of something else, of some object!”
Baalaaki after listening to this, thought for a while and got a doubt and asked the king -
“Sir, Does it mean that we have only to fall asleep in order to be with Brahman?”
The king smiled and appreciated the question as it was quite a valid doubt. He said - “That was just an illustration Baalaaki! I spoke of sleep consciousness. We are in Brahman all the time, whether we are awake or asleep! All that is is necessary is to aware of this fact. I will give you another example.
Suppose due to some emergency such as a war, a king’s son was brought up among the shepherds. After some years, when the conditions were favourable, he was reinstated in his position as the prince or Yuvaaraj. He now knew he was a prince. The person was the same, but his outlook has now changed! Same is the case with Brahman, Baalaaki! Nothing needs to be done as we are not acquiring Brahman afresh. All that is necessary is to remove the blocks, the path of awareness. Brahman is this the Truth of Truth
Finally the king told Baalaaki - “ The Brahman is immortal, unlimited, infinite. That is all we may express about Brahman. The body is mortal, limited and finite. There is no other or more appropriate description of Brahman than the expression - “Not this, not this” This may be a double negation, but it does not cease to be true, as the fact is - this is Truth of Truth i.e. Satyasya Satyam!
Friends that was today’s story of the proud scholar Baalaki. I hope you enjoyed it as much I enjoyed narrating it to you.
As customary in my show, I will ask you 3 questions from today’s story, and I will definitely acknowledge you and may be invite you for a chit chat in one of my future episodes.
First question - What do you mean by Truth of Truth?
Next question - Was Baalaaki prepared to talk about Brahman? Explain your answer!
Last question - Why did Baalaaki asked the King to teach him about Brahman?
Please that’s it folk for today! Please subscribe, follow, download and ofcourse leave your valuable review comments about my show. It will help me to improve and provide you with better content in the
Gods were first among the pupils to approach the Creator for his final advise. Prajaapati - the Creator did something marvellous! As he spoke, the thunder roared! The sound which gods could hear was a syllable “Da”. The Supreme Father asked his pupils - the gods - “Dear child did you understand my advise?”
The gods looked at each other and with folded hands shook their heads. One of the god said - “Yes O Venerable One, we have understood!”
The gods had completed the word from the first syllable as their guru’s advise and said to the Creator
“You advised us the syllable “Da” - for us which means - “Daamyata” or “Self Restraint” or “Self Control”! You are telling us to exercise Self-restraint!”
The Creator said - “You have understood my child!”
Prajaapati was pleased as he could give his final advise to the gods and they could understand and interpreted it as per their temperament. The gods in general are inhabitants of regions of pleasure and happiness, as a reward for their virtuous qualities. However, the pursuit of pleasures is always very risky and just like walking on a tip of a sword! Unless they put in Self Restraint or Self Control in correct places, they may exhaust their virtue and can become slaves of flesh and pleasure! “Daamyata” or Self Restraint will keep them in check and control! Just like a boat responding to an expert captain or navigator, their heart should respond beating obediently to the call, the exhortation to achieve Self-Restraint!
When the gods went back to their place, next to ask advise from the Supreme Father were the humans.
Humans came to their guru and asked -
“O my father, the all powerful and all knowing One! Please give us your final advise!”
Pleased Creator when spoke the thunder roared - “Da”
The Creator asked humans - “My children, did you understand?”
Humans looked at each other and nodded their head and said - “Yes, O almighty One, we have understood! You have advised the first syllable “Da” which means - “Datta” or “The Giver” . You are asking us to Give and give generously!”
The Creator smiled and said - “You have understood! I am very pleased”
The Creator was pleased because he knew the very nature and temperament of humans. They were suffering from an incurable and chronic disease of greediness. The Creator knew they were greedy and selfish. They always believed in hoarding more than they needed, never letting go of what they considered their own! This advise of “Datta” or giving generously will balance that temperament. The Prajaapati had exhorted them to be selfless!
Humans went back to their place with their advise.
Last to approach the Creator were the demons. They asked their guru -“ O Guru, our Supreme Father! What advice do you have for us?”
As the Creator spoke, the thunder roared - “Da”!
The creator asked the demons - “My children did you understand my advise?”
The Demons looked at each other and happily said - “ Yes, my father, we understood! You have advised the first syllable “Da” which means - “Dayadhvam” Which is being compassionate. You are asking us to be compassionate.
Pleased Creator said - “Yes, you have understood my children!”
The Creator was pleased because the demons could understand his advise of being compassionate as he very well knew their temperament. The demons by nature were cruel, bloodthirsty and violent. So the advise - Dayadhvam or being compassionate will balance their temperament.
The demons went back to their place.
Thus each stormy night, Praajapati’s children never forget the divine advice through the Thunder’s roar as it repeats the Supreme Teachings - “Da - Da- Da” or “Daamyata - Datta and Dayadhvam! The result is peace, Shantih!”
Friends some extra information, which you may find very interesting. Did you know the famous poet T.S Elliot was deeply influenced by Upanishads? As Cleo McNelly Kearns has documented, Elliot had his own copy of Upanishads, which was gifted to him by Harward Scholar Charles Lanman, who taught him Sanskrit in the graduate school.
Elliot had used the concepts from Brihaadaaranyaka Upanishad’s - “What thunder said” in his poem - The Waste Land. The basic idea of the poem is that -
A waste land waits for a rain shower to fertilise it. So does the mind of a man waits for the fertilising shower of liberating ideas. They reveal to us latent possibilities of life. If the faith and hope they inspire in us were lacking, life would be a vale of tears. Philosophy - Tattwa Jnana, lightens the burden of life and throws light on the path of life.
I will now read out an excerpt from the poem - The Waste Land” by TS Elliot.
Ganga was sunken, and the limp leaves
Waited for rain, while the black clouds
Gathered far distant, over Himavant.
The jungle crouched, humped in silence.
Then spoke the thunder
DA
Datta: what have we given?
My friend, blood shaking my heart
The awful daring of a moment’s surrender
Which an age of prudence can never retract
By this, and this only, we have existed
Which is not to be found in our obituaries
Or in memories draped by the beneficent spider
Or under seals broken by the lean solicitor
In our empty rooms
DA
Dayadhvam: I have heard the key
Turn in the door once and turn once only
We think of the key, each in his prison
Thinking of the key, each confirms a prison
Only at nightfall, aethereal rumours
Revive for a moment a broken Coriolanus
DA
Damyata: The boat responded
Gaily, to the hand expert with sail and oar
The sea was calm, your heart would have responded
Gaily, when invited, beating obedient
To controlling hands
That was all about today’s episode. The three questions -
“What is the meaning, which the gods interpreted from the syllable - Da”,
Next question -
What is the meaning, which the humans interpreted from the syllable “Da”?
The last question -
“What is the meaning, which the demons interpreted from the syllable “Da”?
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Now let’s listen to Yagnavalkya’s response. He said boldly “As many as are indicated in Nivid Mantras of Viswadevas that is 303 and 3003.
Vidagdha said - “Very well! Then answer my next question…how many gods exactly are there Yagnavalkya?”
Yagnavalkya said “33 gods”.
“Oh, okay, then tell me how many gods exactly are there?” Again asked Vidagdha.
Yagnavalkya again replied - “6”
“Oh ho! Now you are changing the number again, so I am asking you again tell me how many gods are exactly there, Yagnavalkya?”
Now Yagnavalkya smiled and said “3”
Vidagdha again asked the same question and now Yaganvalkya replied “2”. Vidagdha continued to ask the same question again and now Yagnavalkya relied “1 and half”. Now visually irritated Vidagdha asked him the same question again as Yagnavalkya was changing the response each time.
This time Yagnavalkya replied - “1”.
Now Vidagdha changed the question track as he was quite frustrated with the response and so he asked - “ Which are those 303 and 3003 gods?”
Friends, here Vidagdha first asked the larger number of gods then funnelled to smaller number of gods and finally now asked their identity!
Yagnavalkya replied -
“There are only 33 gods and there are manifestation of them”
Vidagdha asked - “Then which are those 33 gods?”
Yagnavalkya replied - “ 8 Vasus, 11 Rudras and 12 Aadityas, these makes 31 and then Indra and Prajaapati. These all make up to 33 gods.”
Vidagdha asked again -
“Which are the Vasus?”
Yagnavalkya replied -
“Fire, the earth, air, the sky, the sun, heaven, the moon, and the stars, these are the 8 vasus. These transform into bodies and organs of all beings which server as support for their work and these gods help every being to live and they themselves live too. Since they help others to live i.e. Vas, therefore they are called Vasus.”
Vidagdha will not let it go so easily, so he continued his questions -
“Which are Rudras then?”
Yagnavalkya calmly replied -“10 organs of human body and 11th one is the mind. When they depart the person dies and makes everyone weep i.e rud, so they are called Rudras!”
Vidagdha again asked -
“Which are Aadityas?”
Yagnavalkya replied -“12 months of a year are Aadityas. As the earth goes through revolution around the sun, they carry a person with it along with his work. Because they go taking i.e. Aadaa, all this with them, therefore they are called Aadityas.”
Then Vidagdha asked again -
“Which is Indra and which is Prajaapati?”
Yagnavalkya replied -
“Indra is cloud itself and Prajaapati is sacrifice”
Vidagdha continued -
“Which is the cloud?”
Yagnavalkya replied -
“Thunder, i.e. vigour or strength, which can kill others… that is Indra’s function”
We know that Indra in Vedic context and Zeus in Greek mythology are associated with thunder, often they are visualised carrying a thunder. Indra’s thunder is called “Vajra”. So you see here, how Indra is associated to thunder because of his strength and vigour.
Vidagdha again asked -
“Which is the sacrifice?”
Yagnavalkya replied -
“Animals, because a sacrifice has no form of its own and depends on its means. The animals are its means, therefore they are called sacrifice!”
Vidagdha asked him -
“Yagnavalkya, in your earlier response you said there are 6 gods? Right? You have been changing your response frequently! So tell me which are those 6 gods?”
Yagnavalkya smiled and said -
“Vidagdha I made no mistake when you asked me about the number of gods, the 6 gods which I mentioned are Fire, the Earth, Air, the Sky, the Sun, and the Heaven! These are same Vasus except the moon and stars which makes it 6 gods. In fact, my previous response of 33 gods are actually included in these 6. They are wider manifestations of these 6 gods!”
Then Vidagdha jumped on with another question trying to clarify the contradictions in Yagnavalkya’s response -
“But you also said there are 3 gods Yagnavalkya? Explain me that now?”
Yagnavalkya calmly pointed to the sky and replied -
“These 3 gods are the 3 worlds alone, From the previous 6 gods, the Earth and fire together make 1 god, The Sky and Air makes another and the heaven and Sun makes the 3rd god. So there are 3 gods! In these 3 gods all gods are comprised and infused!”
Vidagdha again asked him -
“You also told there are 2 gods? Explain?”
Yagnavalkya said -
“Matter and the Vital Force as these comprise of all gods that have been enumerated earlier.”
Vidagdha took a long breath and asked-
Then what about the one and half gods? You told us that too! Explain?
Yagnavalkya explained -
This is the Air that blows! Some scholars say that since air blows as one substance then how it can be one and half? I would debate it as it is one and half because through its presence and all this attains surpassing glory!
Vidagdha again asked -
“Yagnavalkya then you also said there is only one god! Explain us that?”
Yagnavalkya replied -
“That one god is the Vital Force or Hiranyagarbha. The Golden Cosmic Egg. It is the manifestation of Brahman, it is also called Tyat or That. It is remoteness, it is the vastness, it is the void! Thus the gods are one and many. Infinite gods are included in the limited number as mentioned in Nivid Mantras. These are again included in successive smaller numbers from 33 to one - Vital Force or Hiranyagarbha! As it is that one Vital Force or Hiranyagarbha that can expand into all those numbers up to the infinite. Thus the Vital Force alone is one and infinite as also possess intermediate numbers. That this one god, the vital force which has different names, forms, functions, activities and powers. These different attributes are due to the individual differences of qualification of each manifestation.
Vidagdha asked him again, now kind of mocking him -
“Do you know who resides in the earth, whose instrument of vision is fire, whose light is the Manas or the thought and who is the ultimate resort of entire body and organs? Only true scholars will know this!”
Friends, in the above question, what Vidagdha wanted to know about the god who as the earth for this body, fire for his eye, weighs all matter through the mind or thinks through the mind, identifies himself with the earth, and is possessed of a body and organs. The elements of the body such as skin, flesh, blood is derived from the mother, which represents the field. The elements such as bone, marrow and sperm derived from the father which represents the seed. He also claimed that only true scholars will know this and challenged Yagnavalkya!
Yagnavalkya said -
“Yes, I know whom are you talking about? It is the very being who is identified with the body! But there is something more about it Vidagdha, won’t you ask me about it?”
Yagnavalkya mocked him back and asked him that his question was not complete! Furious Vidagdha immediately asked him -
“Then tell me what is the cause of this?”
Yagnavalkya replied -
“It’s Nectar or Chyle! The watery essence of the food that is eaten by a woman to produce blood in her body. When she is pregnant and she passes on his blood through her placenta or umbilical chord to her foetus. The foetus receives the blood, nutrition, oxygen and other life support from it. This blood from the mother helps to produce the skin, flesh, and blood of the foetus, which are the support of its bone and marrow!”
Friends… just a step back from the story, don’t you think Upanishads are very rich texts, which are way-way advanced from it’s time!
How did our ancient Indian rishis and sages, who composed these Upanishads knew about the embryology way earlier than the science of embryology itself was established in the 18th century. First thoughts on embryonic development came from Aristotle and then the early works on embryology came from various researchers and scholars such as Aldrovandi, Leonardo Va Vinci, Marcello Malpighi and many others. Awesome isn’t it?
Vidagdha continued his questions, again mocking Yagnavalkya -
“Yagnavalkya, do you know a true scholar must know who has lust or sexual desires as his body, who sees everything thing through intellect, who weighs all matters through thought, who is the ultimate resort of the entire body and organs?”
Yagnavalkya replied back mockingly -
“Yes I know whom are you asking about who is the ultimate resort of the entire body and organs. The one who is lustful and intelligent, filled with wealth of emotions! Go on Vidagdha you need to ask me something more as your question is really incomplete!”
Irritated Vidagdha asked him immediately -
“What is the cause of this?”
Yagnavalkya smiled and confidently replied -
“It is a women! She is the only one cause for whom the man’s desires are inflamed! She is the one who is full of intellect, she is the only one who is filled with ocean of emotions.
Vidagdha didn’t stop and continued to ask his questions to Yagnavalkya -
“Do you know about the one whose abode is the colours, who sees through the eye, whose thoughts are like light and weighs all matters with it and the ultimate resort of the entire body and organs?”
Yagnavalkya told -
“O Vidagdha your question needs to be completed as I know who is that, who is ultimate resort of the entire body and organs, it the very being which is also present in the sun! So come on and ask me the complete question!”
Vidagdha, again irritated by this, quickly asked him -
“What is the cause of this?”
Vagnavalkya smiled and replied -
“It is the ‘Eye’, dear Vidagdha as eye is the only truth for the human body. What we see is the truth! We see colours using the eye. The mighty Sun has Sun rays which is composed of these colours. As per scriptures, for the sun among the gods is the product of the eye in one’s body. So ‘Eye’ is the ‘Truth’!”
Vidagdha was now feeling the pressure and was desperate to ask something to Yagnavalkya which he may fumble and may not be able to answer! He changed his questions and asked -
“A true scholar would only know that being, whose presence is in the space or Antariksha, whose can see using the ear, who thinks on all matters and weighs them accordingly and the ultimate resort is the entire body and organs.”
Yagnavalkya on hearing this replied -
“Your question is still incomplete! I know the being who is identified with the ear and with the time of hearing!”
Vidagdha asked -
“Then tell me what is the cause of this ?”
Yagnavalkya immediately replied -
“Its the four quarters of Brahman, Vidagdha! As per the scriptures, it is from the quarters that this particular being within the body is produced.”
Vidagdha seemingly frustrated and continued to ask his mindless questions and started testing Yagnavalkya’s patience!
He asked again -
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