MUNDAKA UPANISHAD - 44. Swami Advayananda.

Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad:

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Tuesday, 30 Jan 2024. 06:45.

6 Chapters (64 Mantras)

4. PENETRATING BRAHMAN

(Mantras - 33-43, 11 no.)

triteeya mundake, prathamah khandah – 

Here begins the first Section of the Third Canto.

5. THE “TWO BIRDS” METAPHOR 

(Mantras - 44-53,  10 no.) 

Post - 44.

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THE HIGHER KNOWLEDGE or Para Vidya has been presented in its essential form in 

the last Chapter. It is complete in itself. By this, the Imperishable Truth may be attained. The 

imagery of the bow and arrow enhanced the presentation of this Vidya, so as to make it 

easily grasped by the intellect. However, there is much more that can be said about Para 

Vidya which will assist the reader to grasp the knowledge more clearly. 

This ancillary information is now given in Chapters 5 and 6, which comprise Part III of 

the Upanishad. Covered in this section are various auxilliary hints, practices and spiritual 

advice to seekers of Para Vidya which are, as it were, useful extensions or adornments to 

the main body that has already been constructed in Part II.  

We begin this Part with the well-known metaphor of the “Two Birds”, from which 

we draw very interesting and valuable help for our Sadhana. This analogy is reminiscent of 

the analogy of the “Two Drinkers” we encountered in the Katha Upanishad (Text 20). Both 

examples are almost identical as far as the knowledge it advances is concerned. Both relate 

to the Jeeva-Brahman relationship. 

THE METAPHOR IN SCRIPTURES:

 The Upanishads provide us with some amazing imagery that has a value all its own in 

conveying subtle ideas. What a good metaphor does can hardly be evaluated in terms of 

words. It is true that a metaphor cannot replace the Truth, but it brings us to the very door 

of Truth with an ease that is unmatched. 

Metaphors transcend the intellect. Truth, too, transcends intellect. The difference is 

that the former is conceived by the mind of man, while the latter is independent of any 

assessments of man. Metaphors can cross the barriers posed by the intellect. A freedom to 

think helps us to grasp the truth. In this way, metaphors help us to comprehend by giving us 

space to visualize. Indeed, they do not give the logic, yet they can indicate it in fewer words 

than an elaborate thesis would. They do take us to lofty heights of thought by the power of 

the space they create in our minds. Any metaphor, however, has its limitations, and one 

must be careful not to “kill” a metaphor by dissecting it too much. 

44 - Mantram - 5.1: The “Two Birds” Analogy 

1 

dvau suparnaa, sayujaa   =  There are two birds, bound to each other 

sakhaayaa,   =  in close friendship.

2 

samaanam vriksham   =  On the very same tree,

parishasvajaate;   =  are they perched. 

3 

tayor-anyah    =  Among the two, one of them  eats

pippalam svaadu atti   =   the fruits (of the tree) with great relish; 

4 

anashnan anyah   =  The other, without eating anything, 

abhichaakasheeti.   =  simply looks on, (as a spectator). 

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1

 Firstly, Sri Shankaracharyaji performs a grammar surgery on the words of this line – 

he converts all of them into their dual form according to the generally accepted Panini 

grammar format. Vedic Samskrit is not obliged to follow Panini’s grammar rules. The Vedic 

Rishis are permitted to have their own grammar rules which Panini himself does not 

challenge. Panini, the backbone of Samskrit grammar, has done an exceptional job of 

streamlining Samskrit grammar in the post-Vedic period. His format for this line would be: 

Dwau Suparnau Sayujau Sakhaayau– all the underlined portions indicate the dual  form of the nouns. 

Some translate the last word as “having the same name”, rather than “having 

friendship”. Friendship is already included by their close association. The two birds are not 

alien to each other, they are of the same kind, they have a very close bond. One rarely finds 

birds of different flocks on the same branch. But how do we know they are birds? 

Suparna means “leaf”, not “bird”; Parna has a synonym named Patra; Patra comes 

from a root which means “to glide, to alight”; in this indirect manner comes the translation 

of the original word as “a bird, gliding onto a leaf”. Sri Shankaracharyaji shows great 

intellectual honesty and delicacy in revealing this derivation, and we cannot but help admire 

his dexterity, a characteristic trait of this divinely inspired commentator. 

Who are these birds? Whom do they represent? We have yet to see – 

2

 They are perched on the same tree, on the same branch. The word ‘same’, 

Samaanam, is deeply analysed by the Bhashyakara. He reads into it the sense of a definite 

identity between them. The relationship suggested is so close that he even suggests that 

they ‘hug or cling to each other’ as birds do. The Pippalam is the banyan tree which we 

come across in the Geeta in Chapter 13. Its roots are “upward” and branches “downward”. 

By now the reader would see that a mystic interpretation is already in the pipeline. Why are 

the birds clinging onto this tree so tightly? 

3 

Of these two, one of them; eats the fruit of the tree with great relish. 

4

The other bird, without eating, Abhichaakasheeti – just looks on. The mystery gets 

deeper. A very deep relationship is suggested here. Why is the second bird so austere and 

so observant, nay, so caring over the first? We spare the reader the complex derivation of 

the verb mentioned here, lest he thinks this is going to be a Samskrit lesson! 

Are they perhaps in love with each other? From their behavior, it appears that one of 

them does not know the other; but the other knows fully well that its companion is more 

than just a friend – it is a dear relative. Are they perhaps related to each other as an 

individual soul is related to the Supreme Soul? Or would that be too far-fetched? 

Indeed, a rather mystic puzzle has been placed before us. We are made to wait 

anxiously for the next verse to unravel the mystery behind these two birds. 

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NEXT

45 - Mantram - 5.2: The Metaphor Expanded & Explained 

To be continued

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