Shvetashvatara Upanishad 1.9

The Quest for the EternalYajur Veda

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Shvetashvatara Upanishad 1.9
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ज्ञाज्ञौ द्वावजावीशनीशौ अजा ह्येका भोक्तृभोग्यार्थयुक्ता। अनन्तश्चात्मा विश्वरूपो ह्यकर्ता त्रयं यदा विन्दते ब्रह्ममेतत्॥

jñājñau dvāvajāvīśanīśau ajā hyekā bhoktṛbhogyārthayuktā | anantaścātmā viśvarūpo hyakartā trayaṃ yadā vindate brahməmetat ||

"Two are unborn - the knowing and the unknowing, the Lord and the non-lord. One unborn is connected with the enjoyer and the enjoyed. The infinite Self is universal, non-active. When one finds this triad, that is Brahman."

What This Means:

There are three unborn principles: the knowing Lord (Ishvara), the unknowing individual soul (jiva), and Nature (prakriti) which provides objects of enjoyment. Beyond them is the infinite, action-less Self.

Going Deeper:

This verse presents the Sankhya-influenced framework: Purusha (conscious), Prakriti (unconscious), and their relationship. But it adds Ishvara as the ruling principle, synthesizing theism with Sankhya.

How To Apply This:

Distinguish between God, soul, and nature. Knowing this triad reveals Brahman.

#three principles#Ishvara#jiva#prakriti#Sankhya