This Inspirer God, the Friend whom we adore, has bestowed on our Fathers life, power, and riches. Let him drink Soma, rejoicing in our offerings. In his Law walks the pilgrim!
Atharva Veda VII, 14, 4
Understanding is, verily, greater than meditation. Understanding makes one understand the Rig-Veda, the Yajur-Veda, the Sama-Veda, the Atharva-Veda as the fourth, the epics and the ancient lore as the fifth, the Veda of the Vedas, the rules of sacrifices by which the Manes are gratified, the science of numbers, the science of portents, the science of time, logic, ethics, etymology, Brahma-vidya, the science of elemental spirits, the science of weapons, astronomy, the science of serpents and the fine arts; heaven, earth, air, water, fire, gods, men, cattle, birds, herbs, trees; animals, together with worms, flies and ants; and also righteousness and unrighteousness, the true and the false, the good and the bad, the pleasant and the unpleasant, food and taste, this world and yonder world. Meditate on understanding.
Sama Veda, Chandogya Upanishad VII, VII – Understanding as Brahman, 1
He who meditates on understanding as Brahman attains the worlds of understanding and knowledge and can, of his own free will, reach as far as understanding reaches-he who meditates on understanding as Brahman. Narada said: Venerable Sir, is there anything greater than understanding? Of course there is something greater than understanding. Please tell that to me, venerable Sir.
Sama Veda, Chandogya Upanishad VII, VII – Understanding as Brahman, 2
Strength is, verily, greater than understanding. One strong man causes a hundred men of understanding to tremble. When a man is strong he can rise. If he rises he can attend on the teachers. If he attends on them he can become their intimate companion as a pupil. If he is their intimate companion he can watch their conduct, listen to their instruction, reflect on what he hears, become convinced of what he reflects on, act and enjoy the result of action. By strength the earth stands firm, by strength the mid-region, by strength heaven, by strength the mountains, by strength the gods and men, by strength cattle and birds, herbs and trees and animals, together with worms, flies and ants, by strength the world stands firm. Meditate upon strength.
Sama Veda, Chandogya Upanishad VII, VIII – Strength as Brahman, 1
He who meditates on strength as Brahman can, of his own free will, reach as far as strength reaches-he who meditates on strength as Brahman. Narada said: Venerable Sir, is there anything greater than strength? Of course there is something greaterthan strength. Please tell that to me, venerable Sir.
Sama Veda, Chandogya Upanishad VII, VIII – Strength as Brahman, 2
