Vedic Verses for 6/1/17

Yajnavalkay continued 5. Do not say: From the semen, for that is produced from the living man. A tree springs from the seed as well; after it is dead it certainly springs again. 6. If a tree is pulled up with its root, it will not spring again. From what root, tell me, does a mortal spring forth after he is cut off by death? 7. If you think he is indeed born, I say: No, he is born again. Now who should again bring him forth? The Upanishad states: It is Brahman, which is absolute Knowledge and Bliss, the ultimate goal of him who offers wealth and also of him who has realized Brahman and stands firm in It.

Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad III, IX-Yajnavalkya and Vidaghdha, 28 (cont)

Om. Janaka, Emperor of Videha, was seated to give audience when Yajnavalkya arrived. The Emperor said to him: Yajnavalkya, for what purpose have you come here? With a desire for cattle, or to hear some subtle questions asked? For both, Your Majesty, said he.

Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, I-Partial Definitions of Brahman, 1

Yajnavalkya said: Let me hear what anyone among your teachers may have told you. Jitvan, the son of Silina, told me that the organ of speech (fire) is Brahman. As anyone who had the benefit of being taught by a good mother, father and teacher should say, so did the son of Silina say that the organ of speech is Brahman; for what can be attained by a person who cannot speak? But did he tell you about its abode (body) and support? No, he did not. This Brahman is only one-footed, Your Majesty. Then you tell us, O Yajnavalkya. The physical organ of speech is its abode and the akasa is its support. It should be mediated upon as intelligence. What is intelligence, O Yajnavalkya? It is the organ of speech, Your Majesty, said Yajnavalkya.

Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, I-Partial Definitions of Brahman, 2

Through the organ of speech alone, O Emperor, are known the Rig-Veda, the Yagur-Veda, the Sama-Veda, the Atharvangirasa, history, ancient lore, the arts, the Upanishads, verses, aphorisms, explanations, commentaries, the results of sacrifices, the result of offering oblations in the fire, the results of giving food and drink, this world, the next world and all beings. The organ of speech, Your Majesty, is the Supreme Brahman. The organ of speech never deserts him who, knowing this, meditates upon it;all beings eagerly approach him; and being a god, he attains the gods. I give you a thousand cows with a bull as large as an elephant, said Emperor Janaka. Yajnavalkya replied: My father was of the opinion that one should not accept gifts from a disciple without fully instructing him.

Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV, I-Partial Definitions of Brahman, 2 (cont)

I drive to a distant place Malignity, Destruction, the Demon who grabs and ghosts who feast upon corpses. All demons and evil powers–like darkness I destroy them!

Atharva Veda VIII, 2, 12

Leave a Reply