Videha

Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 02 Nov 2011 13:07 and updated at 02 Nov 2011 13:07

BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD NOUN

BrihadArUpa3 1 Aum. Janaka, Emperor of Videha, performed a sacrifice in which gifts were freely distributed. Vedic scholars from Kuru and Panchala were assembled there. Emperor Janaka of Videha had a desire to know, Which is the most erudite of these Vedic scholars He had a thousand cows confined in a pen, and on the horns of each cow were fixed ten Padas (of gold).
BrihadArUpa3 2 He said to them, Revered Brahmanas, let him who is the best Vedic scholar among you drive these cows (home). None of the Brahmanas dared. Then Yajnavalkya said to a pupil of his, Dear Samasravas, please drive these cows (home). He drove them. The Brahmanas were enraged. How does he dare to call himself the best Vedic scholar among us there was a Hotr of Emperor Janaka of Videha named Asvala. He now asked Yajnavalkya, Yajnavalkya, are you indeed the best Vedic scholar among us Yajnavalkya replied, I bow to the best Vedic scholar, I just want the cows Thereupon the Hotr Asvala determined to interrogate him.
BrihadArUpa3 2 She said, I (shall ask) you (two questions). As a man of Banaras or the King of Videha, scion of a warlike dynasty, might string his unstrung bow and appear close by, carrying in his hand two bamboo tipped arrows highly painful to the enemy, even so, O Yajnavalkya, do I confront you with two questions. Answer me those Ask, O Gargi
BrihadArUpa4 1 Aum. Janaka, Emperor of Videha, took his seat, when there came Yajnavalkya. Janaka said to him, Yajnavalkya, what has brought you here To have some animals, or to hear some subtle questions asked Both, O Emperor said Yajnavalkya.
BrihadArUpa4 1 Janaka, Emperor of Videha, rose from his lounge and approaching Yajnavalkya said, Salutations to you, Yajnavalkya, please instruct me Yajnavalkya replied, As one wishing to go a long distance, O Emperor, should secure a Chariot or a boat, so have you fully equipped your mind with so many secret names (of Brahman). You are likewise respected and wealthy, and you have studied the Vedas and heard the Upanishads; (but) where will you go when you are separated from this body I do not know, sir, where I shall go Then I will tell you where you will go Tell me, sir
BrihadArUpa4 4 Of the sage (who is identified with the vital force), the east is the eastern vital force, the south the southern vital force, the west the western vital force, the north the northern vital force, the direction above the upper vital force, the direction below the nether vital force, and all the quarters the different vital forces. This self is That which has been described as Not this, Not this It is imperceptible, for It is never perceived; undecaying, for It never decays; unattached, for It is never attached; unfettered It never feels pain, and never suffers injury. You have attained That which is free from fear, O Janaka said Yajnavalkya. Revered Yajnavalkya said Emperor Janaka, may That which is free from fear be yours, for you have made That which is free from fear known to us. Salutations to you Here is this (empire of) Videha, as well as myself at your service
BrihadArUpa4 1 Yajnavalkya went to Janaka, Emperor of Videha. He thought he would not say anything. Now Janaka and Yajnavalkya had once talked on the Agnihotra, and Yajnavalkya had offered him a boon. He had begged the liberty of asking any questions he liked; and Yajnavalkya had granted him the boon. So it was the e who first asked him.
BrihadArUpa4 7 Regarding this there is this pithy verse When all the desires that dwell in his heart (mind) are gone, then he, having been mortal, becomes immortal, and attains Brahman in this very body Just as the lifeless Slough of a snake is cast off and lies in the ant hill, so does this body lie. Then the self becomes disembodied and immortal, (becomes) the Prana (Supreme Self), Brahman, the Light. I give you a thousand (cows), sir said Janaka, Emperor of Videha.
BrihadArUpa4 23 This has been expressed by the following hymn This is the eternal glory of a knower of Brahman it neither increases nor decreases through work. (Therefore) one should know the nature of that alone. Knowing it one is not touched by evil action. Therefore he who knows it as such becomes self controlled, calm, withdrawn into himself, enduring and concentrated, and sees the self in his own self (body); he sees all as the Self. Evil does not overtake him, but he transcends all evil. Evil does not trouble him, (but) he consumes all evil. He becomes sinless, taintless, free from doubts, and a Brahmana (knower of Brahman). This is the world of Brahman, O Emperor, and you have attained it said Yajnavalkya. I give you sir, the empire of Videha, and myself too with it, to wait upon you
BrihadArUpa5 8 On this Janaka, Emperor of Videha, is said to have told Budila, the son of Asvatarasva, Well, you gave yourself out as a knower of the Gayatri; then why, alas, are you carrying (me) as an elephant He replied, Because I did not know its mouth, O Emperor Agni is its mouth. Even if they put a large quantity of fuel into the fire, it is all burnt up. Similarly, even if one who knows as above commits a great many sins, he consumes them all and becomes pure, cleansed, undecaying and immortal

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