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Today, it’s a pleasure to present selections from the eighth to tenth khanda in the first prapâthaka in the Khandogya-Upanishad from the book “The Upanishads,” translated by Max Müller. This text explains the deeper meaning of the Udgîtha, a chant of the Sama Veda, and highlights the importance of meditating on the Om to attain eternal liberation. The Udgîtha is also associated with Om, which is considered the origin of all things. KHÂNDOGYA-UPANISHAD. EIGHTH KHANDA. “There were once three men, well-versed in Udgîtha, Silaka Sâlâvatya, Kaikitâyana, Dâlbhya, and Pravâhana Gaivali. They said: ‘We are well-versed in Udgîtha. Let us have a discussion on Udgîtha.’ They all agreed and sat down. Then Pravâhana Gaivali said: ‘Sirs, do you both speak first, for I wish to hear what two Brâhmanas have to say. Then Silaka Sâlâvatya said to Kaikitâyana Dâlbhya: ‘Let me ask you.’ ‘Ask,’ he replied. ‘What is the origin of the Sâman?’ ‘Tone (svara),’ he replied. ‘What is the origin of tone?’ ‘Breath,’ he replied. ‘What is the origin of breath?’ ‘Food,’ he replied. ‘What is the origin of food?’ ‘Water,’ he replied. ‘What is the origin of water?’ ‘That world (Heaven),’ he replied. ‘And what is the origin of that world?’ He replied: ‘Let no man carry the Sâman beyond the world of Svarga (Heaven). We (recognise) the Sâman in the world of Svarga, for the Sâman is extolled as Svarga (Heaven).’ […]” NINTH KHANDA. “‘What is the origin of this world?’ ‘Ether,’ he replied. For all these beings take their rise from the ether, and return into the ether. Ether is older than these; ether is their rest. He is indeed the Udgîtha (Om = Brahman), greater than great (parovarîyas), he is without end. He who knowing this meditates on the Udgîtha, the greater than great, obtains what is greater than great, he conquers the worlds which are greater than great. Atidhanvan Saunaka, having taught this Udgîtha to Udara-sândilya, said: ‘As long as they will know in your family this Udgîtha, their life in this world will be greater than great. And thus also will be their state in the other world.’ He who thus knows the Udgîtha, and meditates on it thus, his life in this world will be greater than great, and also his state in the other world, yea, in the other world.” […]
