Shvetashvatara Upanishad 3.20Famous
beginner
अणोरणीयानणहतो महीयान् आत्मास्य जन्तोर्निहितो गुहायाम्। तमक्रतुः पश्यति वीतशोको धातुः प्रसादान्महिमानमीशम्॥
aṇoraṇīyānmahato mahīyān ātmāsya jantornihito guhāyām | tamakratuḥ paśyati vītaśoko dhātuḥ prasādānmahimānamīśam ||
"Smaller than the smallest, greater than the greatest - the Self is hidden in the cave of the heart of this creature. One who is free from desires sees that majesty of the Lord, through the grace of the Creator, and becomes free from sorrow."
What This Means:
Smaller than the small, greater than the great - the Self is hidden in every heart. By being free from desire and through divine grace, one sees the Lord's glory and becomes free from sorrow.
Going Deeper:
This famous verse (also in Katha) emphasizes the paradox of Atman and the conditions for its realization: desirelessness and grace.
How To Apply This:
The Self is both infinitely small and infinitely great. Through desirelessness and grace, see this glory and be free from sorrow.
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