Prashna Upanishad 1.9
intermediate
संवत्सरो वै प्रजापतिस्तस्यायने दक्षिणं चोत्तरं च। तद्ये ह वै तदिष्टापूर्ते कृतमित्युपासते ते चान्द्रमसमेव लोकमभिजयन्ते। त एव पुनरावर्तन्ते तस्मादेत ऋषयः प्रजाकामा दक्षिणं प्रतिपद्यन्ते। एष ह वै रयिर्यः पितृयाणः॥
saṃvatsaro vai prajāpatistasyāyane dakṣiṇaṃ cottaraṃ ca | tadye ha vai tadiṣṭāpūrte kṛtamityupāsate te cāndramasameva lokamabhijayante | ta eva punarāvartante tasmādeta ṛṣayaḥ prajākāmā dakṣiṇaṃ pratipadyante | eṣa ha vai rayiryaḥ pitṛyāṇaḥ ||
"The year is Prajapati; it has two paths - southern and northern. Those who worship through ritual and charity go to the lunar world. They return again. Therefore, sages desiring offspring follow the southern path. This is the path of the fathers, which is Rayi (matter)."
What This Means:
There are two cosmic paths after death: the southern path (of the moon/matter) leads to return, while the northern path leads beyond. Those focused on rituals and worldly desires take the southern path.
Going Deeper:
Pitryana (path of the fathers) leads to rebirth; Devayana (path of the gods) leads to liberation. This is the crucial distinction.
How To Apply This:
Consider: Are your actions aimed at temporary results, or at permanent liberation?
#two paths#southern path#rebirth#year as time