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SANATSUGATIYA
CHAPTER IV
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Dhritarashtra said :
O Sanatsugata! since you have spoken these words of highest significance, relating to the Brahman, and of numerous forms 1, give me that advice which is excellent, and difficult to obtain in the midst of these created objects 2. Such is my request, O youth!
Sanatsugata said :
This Brahman, O king! about which you question me with such perseverance, is not to be attained by anybody who is in a hurry. When the mind is absorbed in the understanding 3, then can that knowledge, which must be deeply pondered over, be attained by living the life of a Brahmakarin 4. For you are speaking of that primordial knowledge 5, which consists in the truth; which is obtained by the good by living the life of Brahmakarins 6; which being obtained, men cast off this mortal world; and which knowledge, verily, is to be invariably (found) in those who have been brought up under preceptors 7.
Dhritarashtra said :
Since that knowledge is capable of being truly acquired by living the life of a Brahmakarin, therefore tell me, O Brahmana! of what description the life of a Brahmakarin is 8.
Footnotes :
1. Does this mean referring to many aspects of the Brahman? Sankara merely says nanarupa. Nilakantha takes it differently, and as meaning that in which everything is elucidated; 'relating to the Brahman' Nilakantha takes to mean 'leading to the Brahman,' or 'instrument for attaining to the Brahman.'
2. In this material world, the highest knowledge is not to be got. Cf. Katha.
3. I. e. withdrawn from objects and fixed on the self only. Cf. Gita, and Maitri, where, however, we have hrid for buddhi.
4. Virokana and Indra do so according to the Khandogya, See also Mundaka.
5. The object of which is the primal Brahman.
6. Cf. Khandogya; and Gita, and the passage from the Katha there cited.
7. Khandogya.
8. See Khandogya.
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