Chapter concerning Bhrigu

Bhrigu's progressive learning through reflection

3.1.1 Bhrigu, the son of Varuna, verily, approached his father, and said: "Declare God, Sir!"

To him he taught the signs of God in food, in breath, in sight, in hearing, in mind, in speech.

Then he said to him: "That, verily, from whom beings here are born, by whose provision when born they live, to whom on deceasing they return, be desirous of understanding Him. He is God."

He performed austerity and reflection. Having reflected, [2] he understood that food is God's gift, and is a sign of Him. For truly, indeed, beings here are born from food, when born they live by food, on deceasing they enter into food.

Having understood that, he again approached his father, and said: "Declare God, Sir!"

Then he said to him: "Desire to understand God by reflection. Reflection is the way."

He performed austerity and reflection. Having reflected, [3] he understood that breath is God's gift, and is a sign of Him. For truly, indeed, beings here are born with breath, when born they live by breath, on deceasing breath departs.

Having understood that, he again approached his father, and said: "Declare God, Sir!"

Then he said to him: "Desire to understand God by reflection. Reflection is the way!"

He performed austerity and reflection. Having reflected, [4] he understood that mind is God's gift, and is a sign of Him. For truly, indeed, beings here are born with mind, when born they live by mind.

Having understood that, he again approached his father, and said: "Declare God, Sir!"

Then he said to him: "Desire to understand God by reflection. Reflection is the way."

He performed austerity and reflection. Having reflected, [5] he understood that understanding is God's gift, and is a sign of Him. For truly, indeed, beings here are born with understanding, when born they live by understanding.

Having understood that, he again approached his father, and said: "Declare God, Sir!"

Then he said to him: "Desire to understand God by reflection. Reflection is the way."

He performed austerity and reflection. Having reflected, [6] he understood that God is the Most Merciful. For truly, indeed, beings here are born from His mercy, when born they live by His mercy, on deceasing they return to His mercy.

This is the knowledge of Bhrigu, son of Varuna, established in the highest heaven. He who knows this becomes established. He becomes a partaker of good food, possessing food. He becomes great in offspring, in cattle, in the splendor of sacred knowledge, great in fame.

3.7.1 One should not blame food. That is the rule.

The reciprocal relations of food, supporting and supported

Breath, verily, is food. The body is an eater of food. The body is established on breath; breath is established on the body. So food is established on food.

He who knows that food which is established on food becomes established. He becomes a partaker of good food, possessing food. He becomes great in offspring, in cattle, in the splendor of sacred knowledge, great in fame.

3.8.1 One should not despise food. That is the rule.

Water, verily, is food. Light is an eater of food. Light is established on water; water is established on light. So food is established on food.

He who knows that food which is founded on food becomes established. He becomes a partaker of good food, possessing food. He becomes great in offspring, in cattle, in the splendor of sacred knowledge, great in fame.

3.9.1 One should make for himself much food. That is the rule.

The earth, verily, is food. Space is an eater of food. Space is established on the earth; the earth is established on space. So food is established on food.

He who knows that food which is established on food becomes established. He becomes a partaker of good food, possessing food. He becomes great in offspring, in cattle, in the splendor of sacred knowledge, great in fame.

A giver of food, prospered accordingly

3.10.1 One should not refuse any one at one's dwelling. That is the rule.

Therefore in any way whatsoever one should obtain much food. Of such a one people say: "Food has succeeded for him!"

This food, verily, being prepared for the suppliant at the beginning, for him food is prepared at the beginning. This food, verily, being prepared in the middle, for him food is prepared in the middle. This food, verily, being prepared at the end, for him food is prepared at the end, [2] for him who knows this.

God's provision in the human and the world

As preservation in speech, acquisition and preservation in the in-breath and the off-breath, work in the hands, motion in the feet: these are the human recognitions of God's provision. Now the divine: satisfaction in rain, strength in lightning, [3] splendor in cattle, light in the stars, procreation, and the all in space.

The thankful receive from God

One should be thankful to God as the foundation; one becomes possessed of a foundation.

One should be thankful to God for greatness; one becomes great.

One should be thankful to God for the mind; one becomes possessed of mindfulness.

[4] One should adore God; desires come in due course to one.

Both the man who is here and the sun that is yonder are God's creation; the one Lord is over both.

[5] He who knows this, on departing from this world, proceeding on to the stage that consists of food, proceeding on to the stage that consists of breath, proceeding on to the stage that consists of mind, proceeding on to the stage that consists of understanding, proceeding on to the stage that consists of bliss, goes in the Garden eating what he desires, in the forms that please him.

[6] He who knows this has a brilliantly shining light.

Such is the teaching!