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B. Physiological Upanishads- treat of Sarira, the body.
Sariraka-Upanishad SelectionsIn the body, what is hard is [related to] earth; liquid [is related to] water; that which is hot [metabolism] is (of) fire [warmth]; that which moves about is [related to] [subtle wind, or] vayu; what is perforated is [related to] akash. (113) The seat of manas is the end of the throat, that of buddhi the face, that of ahankara the heart. (113) Walking, scratching, opening and closing the gross eyes, etc., are of the essence of vayu. (114) Non-killing, veracity, not stealing, continence, non-covetousness, refraining from anger, serving the guru, purity (in mind and body), contentment, right conduct, abstinence from self-praise, freedom from pompousness, firm conviction in the existence of God, and not causing any injury to others – all these are to be known as sattvika-gunas chiefly. (114) Jagrata (waking state), svapna (dreaming state), sushupti (dreamless sleeping state), and turya (the fourth state beyond these three) are the four states. . . . Turya is that state having jiva alone. Regarding jivatma and Paramatma (enjoying the three states) of a person with opened eyes, with closed eyes, and with eyes in an intermediate state with neither, jiva is said to be the Kshetrajna (the lord of the body). (114)
Garbha-Upanishad SelectionsThe mouth (exists) in speech [etc.], the hand in lifting [etc.], the feet in walking [etc.], the anus in excreting [and more], and the genitals in enjoying [too]. (116) Through buddhi, one knows and determines; through manas, he thinks and fancies; through chitta, he recollects; through ahankara, he feels the idea of 'I'. Thus these perform their respective functions. (117) There are six kinds of rasas (essences or tastes) – sweet, sour, saltish, bitter, astringent, and pungent. (117) An ignorant man becomes subject to the cycle of re-births. (p. 123) I formerly committed sins. I now reap their fruits. (p. 120) There is much suffering whilst living in the womb. (119), and birth is the seed of sorrow. (119) The body [normally] is born, grows, matures, decays, and dies. (117) There is none living who does not perform yajna (sacrifice). This body is (created) for yajna, and arises out of yajna and changes according to yajna. If this yajna is continued in a direction changed (from the right course, or is abused), then it leads to an ocean of misery. (p 122) If I get myself freed from the womb, then I shall seek refuge in that supreme Lord who is the lord of souls. (120) |
