This fire which is within a man and digests food that is eaten is Vaisvanara. Its sound is that which one hears by stopping the ears. When a man is about to leave the body, he hears this sound no more.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad V, IX–Meditation on the Vaisvanara Fire, 1
When a man departs from this world, he reaches the air. The air opens there for him as wide as the hole of a chariot wheel. Through this opening he ascends and reaches the sun. The sun opens there for him as wide as the hole of a lambara. By this opening he ascends and reaches the moon. The moon opens there for him as wide as the hole of a drum. By this opening he ascends and reaches a World free from grief and cold. There he dwells for endless years.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad V, X–The Path of the Departing Soul, 1
The supreme austerity is indeed that a man suffers when he is ill. He who knows this wins the highest world. The supreme austerity is indeed that a man, after death, is carried to the forest. He who knows this wins the highest world. The supreme austerity is indeed that a man, after death, is laid on the fire. He who knows this wins the highest world.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad V, XI-The Supreme Austerities, 1
Some say that food is Brahman; but this is not so, for food decays without the vital breath (prana). Others say that the vital breath is Brahman; but this is not so, for the vital breath dries up without food. These two deities (food and the vital breath), when they become united, attain the highest state (Brahmanhood). Thus reflecting, Pratrida said to his father: What good, indeed, can I do him who knows this and what evil can I do him either?
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad V, XII-Meditation on Food and the Vital Breath as Brahman, 1
You are fair, O Night, like a well-shaped chalice! You possess the grace of a youthful maiden! Full of eyes, you lovingly reveal your forms, adorning yourself with the stars of heaven.
Atharva Veda XIX, 49, 8
