That self is indeed Brahman; it is also identified with the intellect, the mind and the vital breath, with the eyes and ears, with earth, water, air and akasa, with fire and with what is other than fire, with desire and with absence of desire, with anger and with absence of anger, with righteousness and unrighteousness, with all-it is identified, as is well known, with this (i.e. what is perceived) and with that (i.e. what is inferred). According as it acts and according as it behaves, so it becomes: by doing good it becomes good and by doing evil it becomes evil. It becomes virtuous through virtuous action and evil through evil action. Others, however, say that the self is identified with desire alone. As is its desire, so is its resolution; and as is its resolution, so is its deed; and whatever deed it does, that it reaps.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, IV-Death and the Hereafter, 5
Regarding this there is the following verse: Because of attachment, the transmigrating self, together with its work, attains that result to which its subtle body or mind clings. Having exhausted in the other world the results of whatever work it did in this life, it returns from that world to this world for fresh work.’ Thus does the man who desires transmigrate. But as to the man who does not desire-who is without desire, who is freed from desire, whose desire is satisfied, whose only object of desire is the Self-his organs do not depart. Being Brahman, he merges in Brahman.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, IV-Death and the Hereafter, 6
Regarding this there are the following verses: When all the desires that dwell in his heart are got rid of, then does the mortal man become immortal and attain Brahman in this very body.’ Just as the slough of a snake lies, dead and cast away, on an ant-hill, even so lies this body. Then the self becomes disembodied and immortal Spirit, the Supreme Self (Prana), Brahman, the Light. Janaka, Emperor of Videha, said: I give you, venerable Sir, a thousand cows.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, IV-Death and the Hereafter, 7
Regarding this there are the following verses: ’The subtle, ancient path stretching far away has been touched (reached) by me; nay, I have realized it myself. By this path the wise, the knowers of Brahman, move on to the celestial sphere (Liberation) after the fall of this body, having been freed even while living.’
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, IV-Death and the Hereafter, 8
’Some speak of it as white, others as blue, grey, green, or red. This path is realized by a knower of Brahman and is trod by whoever knows Brahman, has done good deeds and is identified with the Supreme Light.’
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, IV-Death and the Hereafter, 9
