He came to know: 'Discerning consciousness is Brahman.' For from discerning consciousness all these beings arise; born of consciousness they sustain themselves in life; and into consciousness they return and are absorbed at the end. Grasping this insight, he returned once more to his father Varuṇa and pleaded: 'Revered one, instruct me further about Brahman.' Varuṇa said: 'Seek Brahman through austerity; austerity is Brahman.' Bhṛgu resumed his austerity. And having practised it...
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Source
- Tradition
- Hindu
- Source text
- Taittiriya Upanishad
- Chapter
- Taittiriya Upanishad
- Verse / page
- TU.3.5
- Topics
- KnowledgeIntellectSpiritual Practice
Same theme, different voices
One attains Perfect Knowledge when one sees God in man.
We have been given this human life to understand the all-pervading, omnipresent God. This knowledge can only be given by someone who has themselves realized God. Life becomes truly happy only after meeting such a God-realized person.
Because you desired wisdom above all else, and did not ask for victory over your enemies, or riches, or long life, I will give you not only the wisdom you asked for to rule my people righteously, but also the things you did not ask for: riches, wealth, and glory, so that there will be no king like you before or after you.
There are two ways: one of knowledge and one of action. Action without knowledge, although it may be good, is ignorant and imperfect, but knowledge, even if it be unaccompanied by action, is glorious and noble.