Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Upanisadic influence on...
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himself but for the upliftment of others. He sees no difference between himself and others, 90
Upanisads emphasise on certain disciplines for the realisation of Supreme Reality, Upanisads mainly emphasise on a life of tranquility, truth, penance, insight and right pursuit. Unless these conditions are fulfilled the aspirant after spiritual life may never hope to realise the Self. The Katha Upanisad declares that unless a man has stopped from doing wrong, unless he is entirely composed himfelf, it may not be possible for him, however highly strong his intellect may be, to reach the Atman by force of mere intellect. 91 The Mundaka Upanisad insists upon truth and the life of penance, right insight and the life of celibacy as essential conditions for the realisation of Atman.92 Katha Upanisad criticises the life of impurity, ignorance and uncontrolled mind by saying that he who has no proper insight or understanding, who has no control over his mind, and who is ever impure, does not reach that place. 9 It emphasises on proper understanding, self-control and purity.94
Upanisads also emphasise the moral aspect of the individual for realisation of Reality. In the Katha Upanisad we are told that it is only when the whole moral being is purged of evil that one is able to realise the greatness of God.95 After purification of mind and body one realises the Atman and becomes one with the Brahman as pure water poured into pure water becomes the same. 96 Mundaka Upanisad declares that it is only when a perfect catharsis of the whole moral being takes place by the cleanness of illumination that one is able to realise the immaculate God after meditation, for, he can be attained neither by sight nor by word of mouth, nor by any other senses, nor by penance, nor by any actions whatsoever. 97
90. MSA. V-2 and XIV-31.
91. Nävirato duscaritat näsanto na samahitaḥ. Nasanta manas o vapi prajñänenainamapnuyat. Kath. Up. I-II-23.
92. Satyena labhyah tapasa hyeşa ima samyak juanenabrahmacaryena nity am. Mund. Up. III-1-5.
93. Yastu avijñāṇavān bhavati amanaskaḥ sadā asucih. Na sa tatpadamapnoti. Kath. Up. I-III-7.
91. Yastu vijñānavan bhavati sa manaskaḥ sada suci. Sa tu tat padamapnoti, Kath. Up. 1-III-8.
95, Tamakratul vitasoko dhatu prasadanmahimanamisah. Kath. Up. I-II-20.
96. Yathodakam suddhe Sud Ihamasiktam tādṛgeva bhavati. Kath Up. II-IV-15.
97. Jñanaprasadena višuddha satvah tatastu tam pasyate nişkalam dhyāyamanaḥ, Mund Up. III-I-8.