Chandogya Upanishad 8.9Famous
intermediate
य आत्मानमनुविद्य व्रजन्त्येतांश्च सत्यान्कामांस्तेषां सर्वेषु लोकेषु कामचारो भवति। अथ ये अनन्विद्य व्रजन्त्येतांश्च सत्यान्कामांस्तेषां सर्वेषु लोकेष्वकामचारो भवति॥
ya ātmānamanuviदya vrajanyetāṃśca satyānkāmāṃsteṣāṃ sarveṣu lokeṣu kāmacāro bhavati | atha ye ananvidya vrajantyetāṃśca satyānkāmāṃsteṣāṃ sarveṣu lokeṣvakāmacāro bhavati ||
"Those who depart having known the Self and these true desires - for them there is freedom in all worlds. But those who depart without having known the Self and these true desires - for them there is no freedom in any world."
What This Means:
If you know the Self and true desires before death, you are free in all worlds. Without this knowledge, there is no freedom anywhere.
Going Deeper:
Self-knowledge before death is essential. The contrast between kamachara (freedom to fulfill desires) and akamachara (no such freedom) emphasizes urgency.
How To Apply This:
Know the Self before death. This knowledge grants freedom. Without it, you remain bound.
#Self-knowledge#freedom#urgency#death