Mundaka Upanishad

Excerpts

The Higher Knowledge

By means of the Higher Knowledge the wise behold everywhere Brahman, which otherwise cannot be seen or seized, which has no root or attributes, no eyes or ears, no hands or feet; which is eternal and omnipresent, all-pervading and extremely subtle; which is imperishable and the source of all beings. (1.1.6)

As the spider sends forth and draws in its thread, as plants grow on the earth, as hair grows on the head and the body of a living man — so does everything in the universe arise from the Imperishable. (1.1.7)

Brahman expands by means of austerity, and from It primal matter is produced; from matter, Prana; from Prana, mind; from mind, the elements; from the elements, the worlds; thence works, and from the works, their immortal fruits. (1.1.8)

For him who knows all and understands everything, whose austerity consist of knowledge - from Him, the Imperishable Brahman, are born Brahma, name, form, and food. (1.1.9)

To that pupil who has duly approached him, whose mind is completely serene, and whose senses are controlled, the wise teacher should indeed rightly impart the Knowledge of Brahman, through which one knows the immutable and the true Purusha. (1.2.13)

This is the truth: As, from a blazing fire, sparks essentially akin to it fly forth by the thousand, so also, my good friend, do various beings come forth from the imperishable Brahman and unto Him again return. (2.1.1)

'Aum is the Bow'

Aum is the bow; the atman is the arrow; Brahman is said to be the mark. It is to be struck by an undistracted mind. Then the atman becomes one with Brahman, as the arrow with the target. (2.2.4)

In Him are woven heaven, earth, and the space between, and the mind with all the sense-organs. Know that non-dual Atman alone and give up all other talk. He is the bridge to Immortality. (2.2.5)

He moves about, becoming manifold, within the heart, where the arteries meet, like the spokes fastened in the nave of a chariot wheel. Meditate on Atman as Om. Hail to you! May you cross beyond the sea of darkness! (2.2.6)

Two birds, united always and known by the same name, closely cling to the same tree. One of them eats the sweet fruit; the other looks on without eating. (3.1.1)

This Atman, resplendent and pure, whom the sinless sannyasins behold residing within the body, is attained by unceasing practice of truthfulness, austerity, right knowledge, and continence. (3.1.5)

Truth alone prevails, not falsehood. By truth the path is laid out, the Way of the Gods, on which the seers, whose every desire is satisfied, proceed to the Highest Abode of the True. (3.1.6)

That Brahman shines forth, vast, self-luminous, inconceivable, subtler than the subtle. He is far beyond what is far, and yet here very near at hand. Verily, He is seen here, dwelling in the cave of the heart of conscious beings. (3.1.7)

How to Know Brahman?

Brahman is not grasped by the eye, nor by speech, nor by the other senses, nor by penance or good works. A man becomes pure through serenity of intellect; thereupon, in meditation, he beholds Him who is without parts. (3.1.8)

He, the knower of the self, knows that Supreme Abode of Brahman, which shines brightly and in which the universe rests. Those wise men who, free from desires, worship such a person transcend the seed of birth. (3.2.1)

He who, cherishing objects, desires them, is born again here or there through his desires. But for him whose desires are satisfied and who is established in the Self, all desires vanish even here on earth. (3.2.2)

This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3.2.3)

This Atman cannot be attained by one who is without strength or earnestness or who is without knowledge accompanied by renunciation. But if a wise man strives by means these aids, his soul enters the Abode of Brahman. (3.2.4)

As flowing rivers disappear in the sea, losing their names and forms, so a wise man, freed from name and form, attains the Purusha, who is greater than the Great. (3.2.8)

He who knows the Supreme Brahman verily becomes Brahman. In his family no one is born ignorant of Brahman. He overcomes grief; he overcomes evil; free from the fetters of the heart, he becomes immortal. (3.2.9)

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THE UPANISHADS — Overview — The Greatest Sayings — Brahman — Universal Prayer KATHA UPANISHAD — Importance of a Guru — Brahman is Aum — Nature of Atman — Realizing Atman KENA UPANISHAD — True Goal of Life ISHA UPANISHAD — Ignorance PRASNA UPANISHAD — Power of Aum AITAREYA UPANISHAD — Brahman is Consciousness

MANDUKYA UPANISHAD — Importance of Aum Gaudapada Karika — Understanding Maya — Non-duality of Atman — The Nature of Brahman — Dreaming and Waking — Reincarnation — Soul is Immortal MUNDAKA UPANISHAD — The Higher Knowledge — 'Aum is the Bow' — How to Know Brahman? SVETASVATARA UPANISHAD — Practice of Yoga — Manifestations of Brahman

TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD — Invocation — The Knower of Brahman — Brahman is Bliss (Ananda) CHANDOGYA UPANISHAD — Gayatri Mantra — Everything is a Name — Brahman is Being (Sat) BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD — Prana — That Thou Art — Aspects of the Universe — Self-Realization — States of Consciousness — Liberation

 

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Reference to Kriya Yoga Raja Yoga

Book I: Introduction Samadhi ('Oneness') Book II: Introduction Sadhana ('Practice')

Book III: Introduction Vibhuti ('Powers') Book IV: Introduction Kaivalya ('Liberation')