Krishjan

Chapter 4 — Fourth Chapter

Aitareya

6 Shloka • Translation Only

In a person, this being first becomes the embryo, in the form of seed (retas). This seed is the essence of vitality gathered from all the limbs and faculties of the body. Thus, a person bears his own self within himself. When he deposits this seed in a woman, it develops into new life. That is his first birth.

That seed, having entered the woman, becomes one with her own being. Just as a part of her own body, so does she regard and nourish it. Therefore, she does not harm it. She cherishes and nurtures this self of his that has come to dwell within her.

She, being the nourisher of the child, is herself worthy of being cared for and honored. The woman carries the embryo within her. Even before the child is born, the father supports and nurtures the child. By nurturing the child before and after birth, he is in fact nurturing his own self, for through this continuation the worlds are sustained through successive generations. Thus the continuity of life is maintained. This is his second birth.

This son becomes the father's very self, appointed to continue his virtuous works and responsibilities. Then the father's other self—the embodied individual—having accomplished what was to be done and having reached old age, departs from this world. And departing from here, he is born again. That is his third birth.

Concerning this, the sage declared: “While still in the womb, I came to know all the births of the gods. A hundred iron fortresses guarded me, yet like a swift falcon I broke free and flew forth.” This was spoken by the sage Vāmadeva while still abiding in the womb. The verse expresses the realization that true knowledge of the Ātman is not dependent upon physical birth or age. Even before birth, Vāmadeva attained insight into the divine origin of existence and the nature of the Self. The “hundred iron fortresses” symbolize the limitations and coverings of embodied existence, while the falcon's flight represents the liberated consciousness transcending those limitations through knowledge.

He who knows thus, having attained this realization, upon the breaking up of the body and departing from it, rises beyond and reaches that heavenly state. There, having attained all worthy fulfillments and the highest good, he becomes immortal. He becomes immortal indeed.