Mundaka Upanishad 2.11
intermediate
तपःश्रद्धे ये ह्युपवसन्त्यरण्ये शान्ता विद्वांसो भैक्षचर्यां चरन्तः। सूर्यद्वारेण ते विरजाः प्रयान्ति यत्रामृतः स पुरुषो ह्यव्ययात्मा॥
tapaḥśraddhe ye hyupavasantyaraṇye śāntā vidvāṃso bhaikṣacaryāṃ carantaḥ | sūryadvāreṇa te virajāḥ prayānti yatrāmṛtaḥ sa puruṣo hyavyayātmā ||
"But those who practice tapas and faith in the forest, peaceful, wise, living on alms - they pass through the sun's door, spotless, to where dwells that immortal, imperishable Purusha."
What This Means:
In contrast to ritualists, the forest-dwelling contemplatives who practice austerity and faith reach the immortal Purusha - permanent liberation.
Going Deeper:
This verse points to the higher path: not ritual but tapas, not social religion but forest contemplation, not heaven but the Imperishable.
How To Apply This:
Consider: What path leads to the permanent? Simplify, contemplate, seek the imperishable.
#forest dwellers#tapas#immortal Purusha