Flame-waves from the Upanishad-sea, part 1
Rutgers University; New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA 18 February 1972I
transliteration
Aum bhur bhuvah svah
tat savitur varenyam
bhargo devasya dhimahi
dhiyo yo nah pracodayat
translation
We meditate on the Transcendental Glory of the Deity Supreme, who is inside the heart of the earth, inside the life of the sky and inside the soul of the Heaven. May He stimulate and illumine our minds.
comment
Illumination needed; here is the answer. Transcendental Illumination transforms the animal in us, liberates the human in us, and manifests the Divine in us.
II
transliteration
Purnam adah purnam idam purnat purnam udacyate
purnasya purnam adaya purnam evavasisyate
translation
Infinity is that. Infinity is this.
From Infinity, Infinity has come into existence.
From Infinity, when Infinity is taken away, Infinity remains.
comment
Infinity is the concealed Breath of the Pilot Supreme.
Infinity is the revealed Life of the Supreme’s Boat.
Infinity is the fulfilled Body of the Goal Supreme.
III
transliteration
Asato ma sad gamaya
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya
Mrtyor mamrtam gamaya
translation
Lead me from the unreal to the Real.
Lead me from darkness to Light.
Lead me from death to Immortality.
comment
The unreal in us desires the pleasure-life of the finite. The Real in us aspires for the God-Life of the Infinite.
Darkness is the discovery of the doubting and frustrated mind. Light is the discovery of the aspiring and dedicated heart.
Death—where is the cat? Miaowing nowhere. Immortality — where is the lion? Roaring all-where.
IV
transliteration
Anor aniyan mahato mahiyan atmasya jantor nihito guhayam
translation
Smaller than the smallest life, larger than the infinite Vast,
The soul breathes in the secret heart of man.
comment
The soul is God’s eternal child and man’s great-grandfather.
As God’s eternal child, the soul unceasingly plays.
As man’s eternal grandfather, the soul perpetually enjoys rest.
V
transliteration
Vedaham etam puru. sam mahantam adityavarnam tamasah parastat
translation
I have known this Great Being, effulgent as the sun, beyond the boundaries of tenebrous gloom.
comment
Before our realisation, this Great Being quenched our heart’s thirst. After our realisation, we feed the Soul’s hunger of this Great Being.
VI
transliteration
Satyam eva jayate
translation
Truth alone triumphs.
comment
Truth is God’s Crown offered to God by God Himself.
Truth realised, God is forever caught.
VII
transliteration
Devebhyah kam avrnita mrtyum
Prajayai kam amrtam navrnita.
translation
For the sake of the Gods, he [Brihaspati] chose death.
He chose not Immortality for the sake of man.
comment
Brihaspati houses the flowing life of the Gods and treasures the glowing love of man.
VIII
transliteration
Uru nas tanve tan
Uru ksayaya nas krdhi
Uru no yamdhi jivase
translation
For our body give us freedom.
For our dwelling give us freedom.
For our life give us freedom.
comment
God’s Compassion is the freedom of our body. God’s Concern is the freedom of our dwelling. God’s Love is the freedom of our life.
IX
transliteration
Agnir jyotir jyotir agnir
Indro jyotir jyotir indrah
Suryo jyotir jyotih suryah
translation
Agni is Light and the Light is Agni.
Indra is Light and the Light is Indra.
Surya is Light and the Light is Surya.
comment
Light is Love revealed.
Light is Life manifested.
Light is God fulfilled.
X
transliteration
Anandaddhyeva khalvimani bhutani jayante Anandena jatani jivanti Anandam prayantyabhisamvisanti
translation
From Delight we came into existence.
In Delight we grow.
At the end of our journey’s close, into Delight we retire.
comment
God has written an open letter to His human children. His letter runs: “My sweetest children, you are the only delight of My universal Existence.”
XI
transliteration
Hiranmayena patrena satyasyapihitam mukham
Tat tvam pusan apavrnu satyadharmaya drstaye
translation
The Face of Truth is covered with a brilliant golden orb. Remove it, O Sun, so that I who am devoted to the Truth may behold the Truth.
comment
The Face of Truth awakens us.
The Eye of Truth feeds us.
The Heart of Truth builds us.
XII
transliteration
Saha navavatu saha nau bhunaktu
Saha viryam karavavahai
translation
May He protect us together.
May He own us together.
May He give unto us vigour and virility.
comment
God, Guru, and disciple: God is Compassion and Protection; Guru is Concern; the disciple is dedication. When these three work together, perfect Perfection shines and it will shine throughout Eternity.
XIII
transliteration
Yenaham namrta syam
Kim aham tena kuryam
translation
What shall I do with the things that cannot make me immortal?
Comment
God is eternally proud of His human children because they embody His own Immortality.
XIV
transliteration
Madhuman me parayanam
Madhumat punarayanam
translation
Sweet be my departure from home.
Sweet be my return.
comment
My sweet departure from my eternal Home has made me feel how brave I am.
My sweet return to my eternal Home shall make me feel how fortunate I am.
