there is no fear, that which is magnified by praise, the wide abode, the rest[1], yet being wise thou hast with firm resolve dismissed it all.
12. The wise who, by means of meditation on his Self, recognises the Ancient, who is difficult to be seen, who has entered into the dark, who is hidden in the cave, who dwells in the abyss, as God, he indeed leaves joy and sorrow far behind[2]."
13. A mortal who has heard this and embraced it, who has separated from it all qualities, and has thus reached the subtle Being, rejoices, because he has obtained what is a cause for rejoicing. The house (of Brahman) is open, I believe, O Nakiketas."
14. Nakiketas said: "That which thou seest as neither this nor that, as neither effect nor cause, as neither past nor future, tell me that."
15. Yama said: "That word (or place) which all - the Vedas record, which all penances proclaim, which men desire when they live as religious students, that word I tell thee briefly, it is Om[3].
16. That (imperishable) syllable means Brahman, that syllable means the highest (Brahman); he who knows that syllable, whatever he desires,is his.
17. This is the best support, this is the highest support; he who knows that support is magnified in the world of Brahmâ.
18. The knowing (Self) is not born, it dies not; it sprang from nothing, nothing sprang from it. The
- ↑ Cf. Khând. Up. VII, 12, 2.
- ↑ Yama seems here to propound the lower Brahman only, not yet the highest. Deva, God, can only be that as what the Old, i.e. the Self in the heart, is to be recognised. It would therefore mean, he who finds God or the Self in his heart. See afterwards, verse 21.
- ↑ Cf. Svet. Up. IV, 9; Bhag. Gitâ VIII, 11.
