KATHOUPANISHAD - 77. Swami Advayananda.

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Monday 03, February 2025, 09:35.
KATHA UPANISHAD  
Part 2 – Total 49 Mantras 
Chapters 2.1, 2.2 & 2.3 
Chapter 2.1: (15 Mantras) 
BRAHMAN – ABSOLUTE INTELLIGENCE 
Mantram - 2.1.12 & 13: Upasana: The “Thumb-Sized” Brahman  
Post - 77.

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Mantram - 2.1.12 & 13: Upasana: The “Thumb-Sized” Brahman  

Mantram- 12.

1 

Angushtha-maatrah purushah = The Purusha of the size of a thumb 

2 

madhye aatmani tishthati; = resides in the middle (core) of the body. 

3 

eeshaanah bhoota bhavyasya = He is the Lord of the past and future – 

4 

na tatah vijugupsate.=  knowing Him one does not fear thereafter. 

5 

Etat vai tat. = This is verily That! 

Mantram- 13

6 

Angushtha-maatrah purushah = The Purusha of the size of a thumb  

7 

jyotih iva adhoomakah; = is like a light without smoke. 

8 

eeshaanah bhoota bhavyasya = He is the Lord of the past and future – 

9 

sah eva adya sa u shvah. = He exists today, and He will exist tomorrow. 

10 

Etat vai tat. = This is verily That! 

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Upasana or Contemplation: 

The word Contemplation is used generally in the sense of an Upasana, using some external prop or support, either visual or audible. The word Meditation is used in the sense of uniting with the Self in Samadhi using no external prop and thereafter going on to Nirvikalpa Samadhi. The difference is one of gaining more proficiency in the practice.

In these two mantras, an Upasana exercise is being taught. One learns to focus his mind on a fixed point within the body. It may be an object like the “Thumb-sized Purusha”, or it may be a point of light – “without smoke” could be a touch of intended humour, referring to the lighting of bidis, or home-made cigarettes by the Sadhu community! 

Clearly, the words need neither be taken literally nor precisely – that the Self is “thumb-sized”, or a “light without smoke” or it is “seated” in this physical body. These are means by which the trainee, the Upasaka, is introduced to the practice of Upasana. As he progresses, the supports are dropped, and proper meditation begins.

The symbols used can vary considerably. In the Narayana Sukta we come across a symbol for the heart as an inverted lotus. We have the symbol “OM”, audible as well as visual, serving the same purpose. People from different cultures choose their own symbols. 

There is a whole family of symbols. The reader should not be confused and give up what he may already be using in his own practice. The idea is quite universal.  

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Next

Mantram - 2.1.14:  Dispersion Into Plurality

Continued

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