Khandogya-Upanishad: Fifth Prapathaka, Second Khanda

Updated May 14, 2020 | Infoplease Staff
1. Breath said: “What shall be my food?.” They answered: “Whatever there is, even unto dogs and birds.” Therefore this is food for Ana (the breather). His name is clearly Ana. To him who knows this there is nothing that is not (proper) food.

2. He said: “What shall be my dress?” They answered: “Water.” Therefore wise people, when they are going to eat food, surround their food before and after with water. He (prâna) thus gains a dress, and is no longer naked.

3. Satyakama Gabala, after he had communicated this to Gosruti Vaiyaghrapadya, said to him: “If you were to tell this to a dry stick, branches would grow, and leaves spring from it.

4. If a man wishes to reach greatness, let him perform the Diksha (a preparatory rite) on the day of the new moon, and then, on the night of the full moon, let him stir a mash of all kinds of herbs with curds and honey, and let him pour ghee on the fire (avasathya laukika), saying; “Svaha to the oldest and the best.” After that let him throw all that remains (of the ghee) into the mash.

5. In the same manner let him pour ghee on. the fire, saying, “Svaha to the richest.” After that let him throw all that remains together into the mash.

In the same manner let him pour ghee on the fire, saying, “Svaha to the firm rest.” After that let him throw all that remains together into the mash.

In the same manner let him pour ghee on the fire, saying, “Svaha to success.” After that let him throw all that remains together into the mash.

6. Then going forward and placing the mash in his hands, he recites: “Thou (Prâna) art Ama by name, for all this together exists in thee. He is the oldest and best, the king, the sovereign. May he make me the oldest, the best, the king, the sovereign. May I be all this.

7. Then he eats with the following Rik verse at every foot: “We choose that food”—here he swallows—“Of the divine Savitri (prâna)”—here he swallows—“The best and all-supporting food”—here he swallows—“We meditate on the speed of Bhaga (Savitri, prâna)”—here he drinks all.

8. Having cleansed the vessel, whether it be a kamsa or a kamasa, he sits down behind the fire on a skin or on the bare ground, without speaking or making any other effort. If in his dream he sees a woman, let him know this to be a sign that his sacrifice has succeeded.

9. On this there is a Sloka: “If during sacrifices which are to fulfil certain wishes he sees in his dreams a woman, let him know success from this vision in a dream, yea, from this vision in a dream.

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