Prashna Upanishad 1.10Famous
intermediate
अथोत्तरेण तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण श्रद्धया विद्ययात्मानमन्विष्यादित्यमभिजयन्ते। एतद्वै प्राणानामायतनमेतदमृतमभयमेतत्परायणमेतस्मान्न पुनरावर्तन्त इत्येष निरोधः तदेष श्लोकः॥
athottareṇa tapasā brahmacaryeṇa śraddhayā vidyayātmānamanviṣyādityamabhijayante | etadvai prāṇānāmāyatanametadamṛtamabhayametadparāyaṇametasmānna punarāvartanta ityeṣa nirodhaḥ tadeṣa ślokaḥ ||
"But by the northern path, through austerity, celibacy, faith, and knowledge, seeking the Self, they attain the sun. This is the abode of life-energies, the immortal, the fearless, the supreme goal. From there, they do not return. This is the cessation (of rebirth). On this, there is a verse:"
What This Means:
The northern path - through self-discipline, knowledge, and seeking the Self - leads to the sun (the ultimate reality). From there, one never returns to the cycle of birth and death.
Going Deeper:
Devayana leads to moksha. The "sun" here represents Brahman, the immortal reality. This is the goal of spiritual life.
How To Apply This:
Focus on self-knowledge, discipline, and faith. These lead to permanent freedom, not temporary gains.
#northern path#liberation#no return#immortal