Book Title: Satapatha Bramhana Part 05
Author(s): Julius Eggeling
Publisher: Oxford


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Page 1496
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288
VEDÅNTA-SOTRAS..
have made the Agni Vaisvanara a sign of the days.'-It also denotes a divinity, so Ri. Samh. I, 98, 1, 'May we be in the favour of Vaisvanara, for he is the king of the kings,' &c. And finally it denotes the highest Self, as in the passage, ‘He offered it in the Self, in the heart, in Agni Vaisvanara'; and in Pra. Up. I, 7, 'Thus he rises as Vaisvanara, assuming all forms, as breath of life, as fire.'-And the characteristic marks mentioned in the introductory clauses of the Khandogya-text under discussion admit of interpretations agreeing with every one of these meanings of the word Vaisvanara.
Against this prima facie view the Satra declares itself. The term 'Vaisvanara' in the Khåndogya-text denotes the highest Self, because the common 'term is there qualified by attributes specially belonging to the highest Self. For the passage tells us how Aupamanyava and four other great Rishis, having met and discussed the question as to what was their Self and Brahman, come to the conclusion to go to Uddalaka because he is reputed to know the Vaisvânara Self. Uddalaka, recognising their anxiety to know the Vaisvânara Self, and deeming himself not to be fully informed on this point, refers them to Asvapati Kaikeya as thoroughly knowing the Vaisvânara Self; and they thereupon, together with Uddalaka, approach Asvapati. The king duly honours them with presents, and as they appear unwilling to receive them, explains that they may suitably do so, he himself being engaged in the performance of a religious vow; and at the same time instructs them that even men knowing Brahman must avoid what is forbidden and do what is prescribed. When thereupon he adds that he will give them as much wealth as to the priests engaged in his sacrifice, they, desirous of Release and of knowing the Vaisvanara Self, request him to explain that Self to them. Now it clearly appears that as the Rishis are said to be desirous of knowing that Brahman which is the Self of the individual souls ( what is our Self, what is Brahman'), and therefore search for some one to instruct them on that point, the Vaisvanara Self-to a person acquainted with which they address themselves —
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