MUNDAKA UPANISHAD - 14. Swami Advayananda.
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6 Chapters (64 Mantras)
Chapter-1.
Section-2.
2. A CLOSE LOOK AT RITUALS : (Mantras 10-22, 13 no.)
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Friday, October 28, 2022. 06:00.
Post - 14.
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14.Mantram - 2.5: The Flames Lead One to Heaven
1 "eteshu yah charate bhraaja-maaneshu, 2 yathaa kaalam cha ahutayo hi aadadaayan;
3 tam nayanti etaah sooryasya rashmayah, 4 yatra devaanaam patih ekah adhivaasah."
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Translation :
1 eteshu yah charate bhraaja-maaneshu, = He who, into these (seven) moving tongues of shining flames,
2 yathaa kaalam cha ahutayo hi aadadaayan; = at the proper time, makes his offerings of oblations,
3 tam nayanti etaah sooryasya rashmayah, = him do the flames lead, as the rays of the sun (lead its light),
4 yatra devaanaam patih ekah adhivaasah. = to the region of the Gods, where the One Lord of Heaven (Indra) resides.
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Commentary :
The idea given above connecting fire to meditation is given more credibility in these
lines.
1-2 The very act of making an offering into fire generates a feeling of sanctity in
one’s mind. If this act is repeated many times, as for instance in the Gayatri Havan when the
Mantra is repeated 108 times with an offering after each Mantra, then it could well be
considered to be a meditation.
3-4 If this is so, then speaking of the flames as “leading one to heaven” isn’t really
far-fetched. The comparison with the rays of light from the sun carrying the warmth and
energy down to us on earth is a beautiful example of how this could be possible. The flames
similarly carry our minds “to heavenly regions”, to states purer than we normally are in.
The suggestion is very strong, indeed, that when we sit before the sacred fire during
a Havan, we should do so with faith that this is actually happening to us. Even as the fire
burns the wood, we should feel that our sins are being burned away with each oblation
offered. How much more meaningful would our fire ritual become by doing so!
*****
Next-
15. Mantram -2.6.
To be continued
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