MUNDAKOUPANISHAD - 58. Swami Advayananda.

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Sunday 11, Aug 2024. 07:00.
6 Chapters (64 Mantras)
Here begins the second Section of the Third Canto. 
6. QUALITIES SEEN IN A SAGE 
(Mantras -54-64, 11 no.) 
57 - Mantram - 6.4: More Qualities that Are Needed
Post - 58.

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57 - Mantram - 6.4: More Qualities that Are Needed:

1 

na ayam aatmaa = This is Self is not attained  

This Self is not attained =  by those without inner strength

 2 

na cha pramaadaat tapasah = nor by those who are inadvertent;

vaa api alingaat; = nor by those practicing ill-advised austerities  

3 

etaih upaayaih yatate yah tu = but the wise man who strives by the proper means as

vidvaan, = advised here (i.e. with vigour, attention and propriety), 

4 

tasya eshah aatmaa vishate = in his case, the Jeeva of its own accord 

brahma dhaama. = attains union with Brahman, its very foundation.

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As one progresses on the path of spirituality, the difficulties to be surmounted also 

get intensified. To overcome these in this phase of one’s Sadhana requires specialist equip

ment in the Sadhaka. This verse focuses on these supportive qualities which the aspirant has 

to cultivate.

1

 Bala: Without strength the Atman cannot be attained. Strength in this context 

refers to the strength one draws simply by abiding in the Self as much as possible. That is 

the foothold or anchorage one needs to adhere to the path in spite of difficulties. 

2a

 Na Pramaadaat: “not by the inadvertent”. We have already studied this in great 

detail in Viveka Chudamani. When we try to clean out the mind, a reactionary process takes 

place in which our mind fights back to hold its ground. It refuses to leave its ‘lawful abode’. 

It tries its utmost to dislodge us from the pursuit of spiritual life, by drawing on all our past 

weaknesses and bringing them to our memory. It requires great vigilance to stave off such 

reactions from the mind. 

2b

 Tapasah: Tapas was earlier defined as concentration of mind. Now, when we 

have grown stronger and progressed further, it refers to the strong will by which one firmly 

adheres to the knowledge gained during Sravana, and converts it to conviction during 

Manana. The fire of knowledge is invoked to eliminate the old ignorance-ridden tendencies 

or Vasanas. 

Linga in this context means the vow of monasticism. The knowledge should lead us 

to physical renunciation or Sannyasa, monasticism. This gives maximum time for the 

aspirant to do intense meditation. The austerity that is Alingaat, is an ill-advised austerity. It 

does not lead one towards Sannyasa. 

3

 Etaih Upaayaih: “By the above-mentioned means”. The man of knowledge strives 

diligently by proper means. When he does so…

4

 Brahma-Dhama: The soul of such a striving person enters the supreme abode of 

Brahman. This is the goal that he has been striving for – it is reached successfully.  

The next five verses, from 5-9, tell us more about the Realised sage or Jnani who has 

transcended all sense of limitation with respect to his Upadhis of body, mind and intellect. 

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Next

58 -Mantram-6.5: Jivanmukti: At the “Moment of Realisation” 

Continued

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