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144 THE DOCTRINE OF LIBERATION IN INDIAN RELIGIONS manifest and unmanifest; without Him the soul (ātma) is bound. At one place we are told that this whole world is a projection of braman. He is also called the Great Lord (maheśvara) and possessed of the mysterious power (māyin).45
The Svetāśvatara:Upanişad contains many elements of yogic culture and self-control. Thus it describes rudimentary techniques of yoga and dhyāna. The elements of yoga are described in Katha-Upanişad also. It is said that when the five senses are quietened together with the mind, and the intellect is also stilled, this is described as the highest course. "This they consider as yoga, this firm holding back of the senses, then one becomes undistracted.”:46
Mention may be made here of the important part played by the syllable Om. The Katha-Upanisad describes it as the essence of Vedas. Knowledge of Om is indeed the knowledge brahman. The text declares the following:
“That syllable, truly, indeed is brahman, That syllable indeed is the supreme, Knowing that syllable, truly indeed, Whatever one desires is his. That is the best support, That is the supreme support. Knowing that support, One becomes happy in the brahma-world.”:47
This unique significance of Om is set forth more powerfully in the Māņdük ya-Upanişad. “Om, this syllable is this whole world...the past, the present, the future-everything is just the word Om.” Towards the end of the text this Om is identified with the self (ātman). “He who knows this, with his self enters the Self, yea, he who knows this.” Thus the knowledge of the mystic word om is also an integral part of the Upanişadic path to liberataion. The MundakaUpanişad dwells on the importance of Om in the following beautiful figure :
“Taking as a bow the great weapon of the Upanişad, one should put upon it an arrow sharpened by meditation. Stretching it with a thought directed to the essence of that, penetrate that. Imperishable as the mark, my friend. The mystic syllable Om
45. 46. 47.
Ibid., IV. 9-10, Katha Upanişad, 11.6.11. R.E. Humc's translation. Ibid., II. 16-17. R.E. Hume's translation.
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