Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.8Famous
intermediate
न वा अरे देवानां कामाय देवाः प्रियाः भवन्ति। आत्मनस्तु कामाय देवाः प्रियाः भवन्ति। न वा अरे भूतानां कामाय भूतानि प्रियाणि भवन्ति। आत्मनस्तु कामाय भूतानि प्रियाणि भवन्ति। न वा अरे सर्वस्य कामाय सर्वं प्रियं भवति। आत्मनस्तु कामाय सर्वं प्रियं भवति॥
na vā are devānāṃ kāmāya devāḥ priyāḥ bhavanti | ātmanastu kāmāya devāḥ priyāḥ bhavanti | na vā are bhūtānāṃ kāmāya bhūtāni priyāṇi bhavanti | ātmanastu kāmāya bhūtāni priyāṇi bhavanti | na vā are sarvasya kāmāya sarvaṃ priyaṃ bhavati | ātmanastu kāmāya sarvaṃ priyaṃ bhavati ||
""Not for the sake of gods are gods dear, but for the Self. Not for the sake of beings are beings dear, but for the Self. Not for the sake of all is all dear, but for the Self. It is the Self that should be seen, heard, reflected upon, and meditated on.""
What This Means:
Even gods and all beings are loved for the Self. Therefore, see, hear, reflect on, and meditate on the Self.
Going Deeper:
The climax: everything loved is loved for the Self. Four practices: shravana, manana, nididhyasana (hearing, reflection, meditation).
How To Apply This:
Direct all your love-energy to the Self. See it, hear it, contemplate it, meditate on it.
#gods#all beings#everything#four practices