Krishjan

Chapter 1 — Isha Upanishad

Isha

18 Shloka • Translation Only

All this—whatever moves in this moving world—is enveloped by the Lord (Īśa). By renunciation, enjoy and protect yourself. Do not covet anyone's wealth; for whose, indeed, is wealth?

One should wish to live here for a hundred years, performing actions (karma) alone. Only in this way, and not otherwise, is it possible for you to live. For such a person, action does not bind, nor does karma cling to him.

Those worlds are called sunless, covered by blinding darkness. To those worlds go, after death, all those people who are slayers of the Self (ātma-hanaḥ).

It is unmoving, yet one, and swifter than the mind. The senses (devas) cannot reach It, for It ever goes before them. Though It stands still, It outstrips all that run. In It, Mātariśvan (the cosmic life-force) sustains and orders all activities.

It moves, and It moves not. It is far away, and It is very near. It is within all this, and It is outside all this as well.

But he who sees all beings in the Self alone, and the Self in all beings— thereafter, he does not shrink away from anything, nor does he regard anything with aversion.

For one who truly knows, in whom all beings have become the Self alone— what delusion can there be, and what sorrow, for one who beholds oneness everywhere?

He is all-pervading, radiant, bodiless, without wound, without sinews, pure, and untouched by evil. He is the Seer (Kavi), the Thinker (Manīṣī), the All-surpassing One (Paribhū), the Self-existent (Svayambhū). He has duly ordered all things according to their true nature, for all eternity.

Into blinding darkness enter those who worship Avidyā (ignorance). Into a darkness even greater, as it were, enter those who are devoted solely to Vidyā (knowledge).

Different indeed, they say, is the result attained through Vidyā (knowledge); and different, they say, is the result attained through Avidyā (ignorance). Thus have we heard from the wise ones (dhīrāḥ) who explained this truth to us.

He who knows both Vidyā and Avidyā together— by Avidyā, he crosses beyond death; and by Vidyā, he attains immortality.

Into blinding darkness enter those who worship Asambhūti (the Unmanifest). Into a darkness even greater, as it were, enter those who are devoted solely to Sambhūti (the Manifest).

Different indeed, they say, is the result attained through Sambhava (the Manifest); and different, they say, is the result attained through Asambhava (the Unmanifest). Thus have we heard from the wise ones (dhīrāḥ) who explained this truth to us.

He who knows both Sambhūti and Vināśa together— by Vināśa (the perishable), he crosses beyond death; and by Sambhūti (the Imperishable Source), he attains immortality.

The face of Truth is concealed by a golden vessel. O Pūṣan, remove it, so that I, devoted to Truth, may behold It.

O Pūṣan, O Sole Seer, O Yama, O Sun, O Son of Prajāpati— withdraw your rays; gather together your dazzling light. That most auspicious form of Yours—may I behold it. That Person (Puruṣa) who is there within the Sun—I am He.

Let this vital breath (Vāyu) merge into the immortal Cosmic Breath (Anila). Then let this body be reduced to ashes. Om. O Kratu (mind, will, or conscious resolve), remember—remember what has been done. O Kratu, remember what has been done; remember.

O Agni, lead us by the auspicious path to prosperity and fulfillment. O Divine One, You who know all the ways, guide us rightly. Remove from us the crooked sin that leads us astray. To You we offer our most abundant words of reverence and salutation.