Philosophies of India

SR No.: 007309
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Heinrich Zimmer, Joseph Campbell
Publisher: Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd
Publication Year: 1953
Total Pages: 709
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 34 MB

Page 379

BRAHMANISM
“ 'Quite so. But when the sun has set, O Yājñavalkya, what then is the light by which man is served?'
"The sage [as though to tantalize his royal pupil] answered: 'The moon then becomes his light: for it is then by the light of the moon that he sits down, goes out, works, and comes back home.'
"That is so,' said Janaka; 'but when both the sun and the moon are down, what then, () Yājñavalkya, is the light by which man is served?'
“'The fire becomes his light,' replied Yājñavalkya; 'for it is then by firelight that he sits down, goes out, works, and comes back home.'”
The emperor again agreed. “ 'O Yājsavalkya, that is true; but when the sun and moon have set and the fire has gone out, what then is the light by which man is served?'”
The sage continued to retreat. “'Sound,' he said, 'then serves as light; for it is with the voice as his light that he then sits down, goes out, works, and comes back home. O Emperor, when it is so dark that one cannot see one's own hand before one's face, if a sound is uttered. then one can follow the sound.'
“ 'That indeed is truc,' said the Emperor patiently; 'but, O Yājñavalkya, when the sun and moon have set, and the fire has gone out, and there is not a sound-what is then the light by which man is served?'”
The sage was driven in the wall. “Ātman, the Self,' he declared, 'becomes his light; for it is by the light of the Self that he sits down, goes ont, works, and comes back home.'"
The emperor was pleased; yet the discussion had still to come to his point. "'That is true, () Yājñavalkya, but of the many principles within inan, which is the Self?'”
Only when this question had been asked did the sage at last begin to teach the king."
The Self taught by Yājñavalkya to King Janaka was the same 14 Byhadāranyaka Upanişad 4. 9. 1-7.
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