Kathopanishad ..

in simple words !! Part 5

( Valli 6 of 2nd Adhyaya )

The Valli six starts with a very interesting concept of Brahman and the world rooted in Brahman. This is also to akin to the famous Sloka in the 15 th chapter of Bhagavad-Gita

In Kathopanishad the Sanskrit text actually does not use the word “tree” or Vruksa . It does use the word this is “Aswattha”. Aswattha being a known name of a Vruksha the explanation tended to link the whole thing to a tree. Aswattha in the true Sanskrit elaboration means impermanent. When Yama said “Esho Aswattha “it could simply be “it is impermanent”. Rooted up above in the Brahman spreading its branches below the Samsara is impermamanent. It is absolutely true and in line with the philosophy which declares life as transient and impermanent.

- this part 5 is a continuation of Part 1, Part 2 ,part 3 and part 4 presented earlier

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తా Kathopanishad Valli 6 ( 2.3)

The Valli six starts with a very interesting concept of Brahman and the world rooted in Brahman. This is also to akin to the famous first Sloka in the 15th chapter of Bhagavad-Gita

ఊర్ధ్వమూల మథశ్శాఖంఅశ్వత్థం ప్రాహురవ్యయమ్|
ऊर्ध्वमूल मथश्शाखंअश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्

In Kathopanishad the Sanskrit text actually does not use the word “tree” or Vruksa . It does use the word "Aswattha". This is “Aswattha”. Aswattha being a known name of a Vruksha the explanation probably tends to link the whole thing to a tree. Aswattha in the true Sanskrit elaboration also means impermanent. When Yama said “Esho Aswattha “it could simply be “this impermanent ”. Rooted up above in the Brahman spreading its branches below the Samsara is impermamanent. It is absolutely true and in line with the philosophy which declares life as transient and impermanent.

As elaborated by Sankara and for us in a more simple way by Chinmaya it is not about the upside down tree. It is about the all forms being rooted in the source up above that is Brahman.

Yama starts his teaching in Valli6 with this sloka on Aswattha !!

ఊర్ధ్వమూలో వాక్ శాఖా
ఏషో అశ్వత్థః సనాతనః
తదేవ శుక్రం తద్ బ్రహ్మ
తదేవ అమృతముచ్యతే |
ऊर्ध्वमूलो वाक् शाखा
एषो अश्वत्थः सनातनः
तदेव शुक्रं तद् ब्रह्म
तदेव अमृतमुच्यते ।
Rooted up above in the Brahman spreading its branches below this is impermanent and this is ancient.

Yama explains to Nachiketa about the Aswattha the impermanent tree . It is the tree of creation, which is rooted above in Brahman and sends its branches downward into the phenomenal world. The dualities of life are its branches . But the origin of the tree is eternally pure. From the highest angelic form to the minutest atom all owe the origins to him. He is the foundation of the Universe and there is nothing beyond him.

Yama says "This is the truth you wanted to know"

యదిదం కించ జగత్ సర్వం
ప్రాణ ఏజతి నిః సృతమ్ |
यदिदं किंच जगत् सर्वं
प्राण एजति निः सृतम् ।
Whatever there is in the Universe has evolved from the Prana and vibrates in Prana.

Whatever there is in the Universe is evolved from the Prana and vibrates in Prana. That is a mighty terror. For fear of him the fire burns . For fear of him Sun shines. For fear of him Indra and Vayu and death speed forth !

The concept of whole world sun moon etc running in great terror is that they all follow rigid laws (in the modern scientific world may be - the Maxwell's laws ) as though Brahman is standing by with a Vajrayudaha. The universe is in fact running smoothly and harmoniously following the laws of nature. The law of nature is the Vajrayudha.

ఇంద్రియాణాం పృథక్భావం
ఉదయాస్త మయౌ చ యత్ |
इंद्रियाणां पृथक्भावं
उदयास्त मयौ च यत् ।

" One who understands the true nature of the " indriayas" their raise and fall"

Yama tells Nachiketa - One who understands the true nature of the sense organs their raise and fall knows self to be independent of these "indriyas", he will be free from the dualities of life.

ఇంద్రియేభ్యః పరం మనః
మనసః సత్వముత్తమమ్ |
इंद्रियेभ्यः परं मनः
मनसः सत्वमुत्तमम् ।
Mind is more powerful than the "indriyas". But more powerful than the mind is the intellect !

Mind is more powerful than the "indriyas". More powerful than the mind is the intellect . Yama continues his teaching. "More powerful than mind is the intellect . More powerful than the intellect is the self. More powerful than the self is the imperceptible or the un-manifested. More powerful than the un-manifested is the Brahman who is present every where. One who realizes this Brahman reaches immortality and is free from everything !!

Yama continues his teaching on seeing / experiencing the Brahman

న సందృశే తిష్టతి రూపమస్య న చక్షుసా పస్యతి కశ్చనైనం
न संदृशे तिष्टति रूपमस्य न चक्षुसा पस्यति कश्चनैनं
His form is not a form to be seen, and no body saw with their eyes

Yama tells Nachiketa - "His form is not a form to be seen, and no body saw with their eyes. He is seen by the self in the cave of the heart , by a man whose intellect is awake whose mind struggles to achieve the same. The one who realizes becomes immortal" .

Yama continues " When one's sense organs and the mind are stilled and the intellect is at rest, that is the ultimate state of repose ". This firm holding back of senses is known as Yoga . The man who attains this state is aware of self. But this state is delicate state, for Yoga comes and goes ! No body can attain this state by simple words or deeds. Only those who attained such a state can tell that such state exists !

నైవ వాచా న మనసా ప్రాప్తుం శక్యో న చక్షుసా
नैव वाचा न मनसा प्राप्तुं शक्यो न चक्षुसा

Neither by speech nor by mind or the eyes

Neither by speech nor by mind or the eyes one can attain this. Only the one who attained this can say what it is. First one must know that it exists and then believe that state is attainable and continuously strive for the same.
యదా సర్వే ప్రముచ్యన్తే కామా యే స్య హృది శ్రితాః
यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते कामा ये स्य हृदि श्रिताः

When the desires that arise are dissolved

Yama explains to Nachiketa - " when one has moved beyond the desires then he attains immortality and attains the state of Brahman.

యదా సర్వే ప్రభిధ్యన్తే హృదయ స్యేహ గ్రన్థయః |
यदा सर्वे प्रभिध्यन्ते हृदय स्येह ग्रन्थयः

When all the knots in the mind are dissolved

Yama continues his explanation . "When all the knots in the mind are dissolved then one attains immortality and attains the state of Brahman"

శతం చైకా చ హృదయస్య నాడ్యః
శతం చైకా చ హృదయస్య నాడ్యః
There are hundred and one nerves in the heart !

Yama says , "There are hundred and one nerves in the heart. one of them goes through the head . The one going up through that attains immortality. Other traveling other nerves departs to different worlds

అంగ ుషఠమాత్రః పురుషోన్తరాత్మా సదా జనానాం హృదయే సన్నివిష్టః
अंगुष्ठमात्रः पुरुषोन्तरात्मा सदा जनानां हृदये सन्निविष्टः
The Purusha the inner self of the size of the thumb is ever seated in the heart of all living beings

Yama concludes his teaching : " The Purusha the inner self of the size of the thumb is ever seated in the heart of all living beings. With perseverance man should draw him out from his body as one draws stalk from the blade of grass . One should know Him as pure and death less".
మృత్యుప్రోక్అంగ ుషనచికేతో అథ లబ్ధ్వా|
मृत्युप्रोक्तं नचिकेतो अथ लब्ध्वा।

Nachiketa having acquired this wisdom..

Thus Nachiketa having acquired this wisdom taught by the Ruler of death , together with all rules of Yoga free from impurity and death attained Brahman. So also will it be with any other who like wise knows the nature of the Self !!

ఓమ్ సహనావవతు | సహనౌభునక్తు |
సహవీర్యం కరవావహై |
తేజస్వి నావధీతమస్తు మావిద్విషావహై ||
ఓమ్ శాంతిః శాంతిః శాంతిః
ओम् सहनाववतु । सहनौभुनक्तु ।
सहवीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु माविद्विषावहै ॥
ओम् शांतिः शांतिः शांतिः .

May he protect us both. May he be pleased with us . May we acquire strength. May our study bring us illumination. May there be no enmity among us


Om santih Santih Santih !!

Om tat sat ||