E’en as a lamp stirred by a gentle zephyr,

So flares up he who moves among the celestial gods [angels].

But he who knows this — he is a knower of unity, he is a

knower of duality!

He will go to the Sole Abode and become partaker of its

[bliss]!

They who rise forth perpetually like the spray-drops,

Like the lightning that is hid in the highest heaven —

They, verily, by force of their source of glorious light

Correspond unto the fire [only] like its twisting flames.

Sacrifice [to GOD alone, whose light has]

two forms, in space and in one’s own self

36 Assuredly, indeed, of the light-Brahma [GOD’s light] there are these two forms: one, the Tranquil (santa); and the other, the Abounding.

Now, of that which is the Tranquil, space (kha) is the

support. And of that which is the Abounding, food here is

the support.

Therefore one should offer sacrifice [to GOD alone] in the sacrificial space

(vedi) with sacred verses (mantra), herbs, ghee, flesh, sacrificial

cakes, boiled rice, and the like, and also — regarding the mouth

as the Ahavaniya fire — with food and drink cast (avasrsta)

in the mouth, for the sake of an abundance of vigor, for the

winning of the holy (punya) world, and for immortality [eternal life in the Garden].

On this point they quote: ‘One who is desirous of heaven

(svarga) should offer the Agnihotra sacrifice. One wins the

realm of Yama with the Agnishtoma sacrifice, the realm of the

moon (Soma) with the Uktha, the realm of the sun (surya) with

the Shodasin (the sixteen-day sacrifice), an independent realm

with the Atiratra sacrifice, that of the Lord of Creation (Prajapati) with the sacrifice which continues to the end of a thousand years.’

The Inner Soul in the material world

furnishes the individual’s and the sun’s existence

As the existence of a lamp

Is because of combination of wick, support, and oil,

So these two, the self and the bright (sun),

Exist [by GOD’s decree] because of the combination of the Inner One and

the world-egg.

The offering of food passes through fire

to the sun and back into life

37 Therefore, one should [glorify GOD] with Om [for] that unlimited bright power. This has been manifested in threefold wise: in fire, in the sun, and in the breath of life.

Now, the channel [which is between them] causes the abundance of food that has been offered in this fire to go unto the

sun. The moisture which flows therefrom rains down like a

chant (Udgitha). Thereby living creatures here exist. From

living creatures come offspring.

On this point they quote: ‘The oblation which has been

offered in the fire it causes to go unto the sun. The sun rains

that down with its rays. Thereby arises food; from food, the

production of beings.’

For thus has it been said: —

The offering fitly cast in fire

Arises up unto the sun.

From out the sun, rain is produced [by GOD’s leave];

From rain, food; living creatures thence.

The course to the ultimate Brahma [GOD]

even here in the body

38 He who performs the Agnihotra sacrifice rends the net of eager desire (lobha).

Thence, having cut off confusion (sammoha), he no longer

approves of anger.

Meditating upon desire, he then cuts through the fourfold

sheath of Brahma.

Thence he goes to the highest ether. There, truly, having

cut through the spheres of the sun, of the moon, of fire, and

of Pure Being, himself being purified (suddha), he [knows] the

Intelligence (caitanya) which [rules over] Pure Being (sattva),

immovable, immortal, unshaken, enduring, named Vishnu [GOD the All-Pervading], the

ultimate abode, endowed with true desires and with omniscience,

independent, which stands in its own greatness. On this point

they quote: —

In the midst of the sun stands the moon (Soma);

In the midst of the moon, fire.

[Beyond] Pure Being (sattva) [is] the Unshaken One.

Having meditated upon [the soul] which is of the measure of a

thumb or of a span within the body, more subtile than the

subtile, then one goes to the supreme condition; for therein

all desires are contained. On this point they quote: —

Of size of thumb or span within the body,

A light of twofold or of threefold brightness,

This [is from] Brahma who is being praised,

The great GOD — [He encompasses] all beings!

Om! Adoration to Brahma [GOD]! yea, adoration!

Seventh Prapathaka

[GOD’s signs: the world-sun and its rays]

1 Agni [GOD the Radiant], the Gayatri meter, the Trivrit hymn, the Rathantara chant, the spring season, the Prana breath, the stars, the Vasu gods [angels], issue forth to the east; they shine, they rain, they praise, they enter again within and peer through an opening.

He [GOD] is unthinkable, formless, unfathomable, concealed, unimpeachable, compact, impenetrable, devoid of Qualities, pure,

brilliant, [governing] Qualities (guna), fearful, unproduced, a

master [of all], omniscient, munificent, immeasurable, without

beginning or end, illustrious, unborn, intelligent, indescribable,

the creator of all, the [Lord of the soul] of all, the [Knower] of all, the lord of all, the [nearer to all than the jugular vein].

2 Indra [GOD the Mighty], the Trishtubh meter, the Pancadasa hymn, the Brihad chant, the summer season, the Vyana breath, the moon, the Rudra gods [angels], issue forth to the south. They shine, they rain, they praise, they enter again within and peer through an opening.

He is without beginning or end, unmeasured, unlimited, not

to be moved by another, independent, devoid of marks, formless,

of endless power, the creator, the enlightener.

3 The Maruts [angels], the Jagati meter, the Saptadasa hymn, the Vairupa chant, the rainy season, the Apana breath, the planet Venus, the Aditya gods [angels], issue forth to the west. They shine, they rain, they praise, they enter again within and peer through an opening.

That is tranquil, soundless, fearless, sorrowless, blissful,

satisfied, steadfast, immovable, immortal, enduring, named

Vishnu (the Pervader), the ultimate abode.

4 The Visvadevas [angels], the Anushtubh meter, the Ekavimsa hymn, the Vairaja chant, the autumn season, the Samana breath, Varuna [GOD the All-Seeing], the Sadhya gods [angels], issue forth to the north. They shine, they rain, they praise, they enter again within and peer through an opening.

He is pure within, clean, void, tranquil, breathless, selfless,

endless.

5 Mitra and Varuna [GOD the Friend and the All-Seeing], the Pankti meter, the Trinava and Trayastrimsa hymns, the Sakvara and Raivata chants, the winter and the dewy seasons, the Udana breath, the Angirases, the moon, issue forth above. They shine, they rain, they praise, they enter again within and peer through an opening.

. . . Him who is called Om, a leader, brilliant, sleepless,

ageless, deathless, sorrowless.

6 Sani (Saturn), Rahu (the Dragon’s Head), Ketu (the Dragon’s Tail), serpents, the Rakshasas (ogres), the Yakshas (sprites), men, birds, deer, elephants, and the like issue forth below. They shine, they rain, they praise, they enter again within and peer through an opening.

. . . He who is intelligent, the avenger, [encompassing] all, imperishable, pure, clean, shining, patient, tranquil.

The one unlimited [GOD, Lord] of the whole world

7 He, truly, indeed, is the Self (Atman) [nearer than the jugular vein], very subtile, kindled like fire, [formless]. This whole world is [in His hand]. [Through] Him creatures here are woven.

He is the Self which is free from evil, ageless, deathless,

sorrowless, free from uncertainty, free from fetters, whose conception is the Real, whose desire is the Real. He is the

supreme Lord. He is the ruler of beings. He is the protector

of beings. He is the separating bridge [or dam, setu].

This Soul (Atman) [GOD], assuredly, indeed, is [called] Isana (Lord),

Sambhu (the Beneficent), Bhava (the Existent), Rudra (the

Terrible), Prajapati (Lord of Creation), Visvasrij (Creator

of All), Truth (satya), Life (prana), Spirit (hamsa), Sastri

(Punisher, or Commander, or Teacher), the Unshaken, Vishnu

(Pervader).

He who [made] the fire, and [the soul] here in the heart, and

[the sun] yonder — He is One.

To Thee who art [Lord of] this, [the formless], [who encompasses] the real ether, be adoration!

Warnings against the disorderly and against false teachers

8 Now then, the hindrances to knowledge, O king.

Verily, the source of the net of delusion (moha) is the fact of

the association of one who is worthy of heaven with those who