KAIVALYA UPANISHAD: “The Homogeneity of Brahman” - 4. Swami Gurubhaktananda.

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Thursday 18, December 2025, 06:45.           
KAIVALYA UPANISHAD: “The Homogeneity of Brahman” 
from the Atharva Veda: 26 Mantras: 
Reflections:  Swami Gurubhaktananda: 

#on the Series of 8 Lectures:  Swami Advaitananda. of the 15th Batch Sandeepany Vedanta Course held at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Powai, Mumbai: From 23rd November – 30th November 2012.
Mantram - 3a: The Importance of Renunciation:
Post: 4

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Mantram - 3a: The Importance of Renunciation:

 9. 

na karmanaa na prajayaa dhanena =  Not by work, nor by progeny, nor by wealth, but 

10. 

tyaagena eke amritatwam aanashuh; = by renunciation alone, Immortality is attained. 

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9-10.

The usual means by which we get things done in the world – namely, through  work, through family members and through wealth – are eliminated here for the attainment spiritual goals. For both the paths that are listed in the next section, the common accepted means is RENUNCIATION. Only the degree of renunciation varies in the two paths.  

The practice of renunciation for each goal is different. This is explained clearly in the  next section. The two pathways to make the spiritual journey to the Ultimate are now given. 

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2.  ATTAINMENT OF GOALS: (Mantras - 3b-7, 4 no.) 

SADHANA FORMS THE means by which the Goal is attained. It is the heart of spiritual life. Meditational practice is the means to make rapid spiritual progress. 

Mantras - 3b/4a: Goal - 1: The Road to Jivanmukti (Liberation):

1. 

parena naakam = Goal 1: Higher than heaven,  

nihitam guhaayaam = seated in the ‘cave of the intellect’, 

2. 

vibhraajate yad = shines That which  

yatayah vishanti.=  the self-controlled sages enter into (attain). 

3. 

vedaanta-vijnaana = The deeper imports of the knowledge of Vedanta– 

sunishchitaarthaah = they come to ascertain clearly, and 

sannyaasa yogaad. = they strive on the path of the Yoga of Renunciation. 

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1-3: GOAL - 1: 

This is the path to Jivanmukti , outlined earlier. It is the direct means through Self-knowledge. This path is called Jnana Yoga. As ignorance is at the root of all delusion, knowledge is the only means to overcome it. This is the path prescribed in the Upanishad portion of the Vedas, also called Vedanta. For this the seeker needs to have already purified his mind through Sadhana Chatushtaya, and is ready with a receptive mind for knowledge, as already described. 

Renunciation in the case of such a ripe aspirant means giving up all Karmas that have  an ego-prompted desire at its root, as well as all actions considered to be one’s duties in life.  This leaves the aspirant totally free to practice intense meditation. Such renunciation is termed Sannyasa, and involves giving up of all things that hold our mind to this world. In the case of Goal 1, “Na Karmana, Na Prajana and Dhanena Tyaagena” – means the giving up of all restless activities, desire for sexual pleasure and desire for wealth. This is a greater renunciation than that required to be made for Goal 2. 

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Next
Mantras 4b: Goal 2: The Road to Brahmaloka 
Continues

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