Scripture

One who has withdrawn all their senses into the Self, and who has not caused pain to any creature except as permitted by the scriptures, conducts themselves in this way throughout their life. They reach the World of Brahman after death and do not return.

As Scripture says, 'Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen' (Hebrews 11:1).

O King, as I recall again and again this sacred and wondrous dialogue between Keshava and Arjuna, I am filled with joy again and again.

The Blessed Lord said: I proclaimed this imperishable yoga to Vivasvan; Vivasvan taught it to Manu; Manu declared it to Ikshvaku.

This supreme secret of Vedanta, set forth in an earlier age, should not be given to one who is not tranquil, nor to one who is not a son or a worthy student.

Among these two, the lower knowledge comprises the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda, phonetics, ritual, grammar, etymology, metre, and astronomy. The higher knowledge is that by which the imperishable Brahman is directly realised.

Brahma, the first among the gods, arose as the creator of the universe and the guardian of all worlds. He transmitted the knowledge of Brahman—the very ground of all knowledge—to Atharva, his eldest son.

Even the person who listens to it with faith and without ill-will — even that one shall be liberated and shall attain the auspicious realms of the righteous.

This must never be spoken to one without austerity, nor to one without devotion, nor to one unwilling to hear — and never to one who speaks ill of Me.

Om, Tat, Sat — these three are declared to be the threefold designation of Brahman. By these, of old, were ordained the priests, the Vedas, and the sacred rites.

Thus, O sinless one, I have declared this most secret teaching. Understanding this, one becomes truly wise and fulfils all that is to be done, O Bharata.

That which the Veda-knowers call the Imperishable, into which the passionless ascetics enter, desiring which they practice celibacy — that state I shall declare to you in brief.

Then observe those among the learned who are reflective, disciplined, not appointed by compulsion, gentle, and devoted to righteousness — conduct yourself there as they would. And in cases where you face accusation — again, observe those learned ones who are reflective, disciplined, gentle, and devoted to righteousness — act toward such matters as they would. This is the command, this is the teaching, this is the secret doctrine of the Veda, this is the instruction. This is how it must be reverenced, verily this is how it must be reverenced.

Sir, tell us the Upanishad. The Upanishad has been declared to you. We have declared to you the Upanishad which is Brahman.

That is hidden in the Vedas, in the secret Upanishads. Brahma knows it as the womb of Brahman. The gods and seers of old who knew that — they became absorbed in That and truly immortal.

This is the truth that the seer Angiras declared of old: one who has not kept the vow does not truly study this. Salutation to the supreme seers! Salutation to the supreme seers!

The knowledge that Brahma revealed to Atharva—that very wisdom of Brahman—Atharva in turn passed on to Angiras of old. Angiras then imparted it, in its highest and lowest aspects, to Bharadvaja Satyavaha.

Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the state of those who worship with faith, yet set aside the injunctions of scripture — is it sattva, rajas, or tamas?

Therefore let scripture be your authority in determining what is to be done and what is not to be done. Knowing what is ordained by scriptural injunction, you ought to act accordingly here.

One who discards the injunctions of scripture and acts from the impulse of desire attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.