Kena Upanishad 3.9
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तदभ्यद्रवत्तमभ्यवदत्कोऽसीति वायुर्वा अहमस्मीत्यब्रवीन्मातरिश्वा वा अहमस्मीति ॥
tad abhyadravat tam abhyavadat ko 'sīti vāyur vā aham asmīty abravīn mātariśvā vā aham asmīti ||
"He ran to It. It asked: "Who are you?" He replied: "I am Vayu. I am Matarishvan (he who moves in space, the cosmic breath).""
What This Means:
Vayu gave his name and title, identifying himself as the cosmic breath that pervades all space. Like Agni, he defined himself by his function.
Going Deeper:
Matarishvan is a Vedic name for Vayu emphasizing his role as the breath of the cosmos. But even this vast function doesn't touch the absolute.
How To Apply This:
Even the breath that keeps us alive moment to moment is not the ultimate. It too has a source. Who breathes the breath?
Key Sanskrit Terms:
Vāyu= WindMātariśvan= One who moves in space, cosmic breath
#identity#breath#cosmos#self-definition