Think It Over

   Beyond the senses are the objects; beyond the objects is the mind; beyond the mind, the intellect; beyond the intellect, the Great Atman; beyond the Great Atman, the Unmanifest; beyond the Unmanifest, the Purusha. Beyond the Purusha there is nothing: this is the end, the Supreme Goal. That Self hidden in all beings does not shine forth; but It is seen by subtle seers through their one-pointed and subtle intellects. [Yajur Veda, Katha Upanishad, Part One, Chapter III, 10-11].

      “Of the size of a thumb, but brilliant, like the sun, the jiva possesses both volition and egoism. It is endowed with the qualities of both buddhi and Atman. Therefore it is seen as another entity, inferior and small as the point of a goad.” [Yajur Veda, Shvet. Upa., Part I, Chapter V, 1-8]  

This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals Its own form. He who has not first turn away from wickedness, who is not tranquil and subdued and whose mind is not at peace, cannot attain Atman. It is realised only through the Knowledge of Reality. [Yajur Veda, Katha Upanishad, Part One, Chapter II, 23-24].

   Nachiketa, told by Death, is adored in the world of Brahman. And he who, practising self-control, recites the supreme secret in an assembly of Brahmins or at a after-death ceremony obtains thereby infinite rewards. Yea, he obtains infinite rewards. [Yajur Veda, Katha Upanishad, Part One, Chapter III, 13-17].

   Well then, Gautama, I shall tell you about this profound and eternal Brahman and also about what happens to the atman after meeting death. Some jivas enter the womb to be embodied as organic beings and some go into non-organic matter-according to their work and according to their knowledge. He, the Purusha, who remains awake while the sense-organs are asleep, shaping one lovely form after another, that indeed is the Pure, that is Brahman and that alone is called the Immortal. All worlds are contained in Him and none can pass beyond. This, verily, is That. As the same non-dual fire, after it has entered the world, becomes different according to whatever it burns, so also the same non-dual Atman, dwelling in all beings, becomes different according to whatever It enters. And It exists also without. [Yajur Veda, Katha Upanishad, Part Two, Chapter II, 6-9].