The Thirteen Principal Upanishads; Translated from the Sanskrit with an Outline of the Philosophy of the Upanishads and an Annotated Bibliography

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 edition. Excerpt: ... CHANDOGYA Upanishad FIRST PRAPATHAKA A Glorification of the Chanting of the Sama-Veda1 First K Hand A The Udgitha identified with the sacred syllable 'Om' 1. Om! One should reverence the Udgitha (Loud Chant) as this syllable, for one sings the loud chant (nd + Vgi) [beginning] with ' Om.'2 The further explanation thereof [is as follows].-- 2. The essence of things here is the earth. The essence of the earth is water. The essence of water is plants. The essence of plants is a person (purusa). The essence of a person is speech. The essence of speech is the Rig (' hymn '). The essence of the Rig 3 is the Saman (' chant ). The essence of the Saman 4 is the Udgitha (' loud singing'). 3. This is the quintessence of the essences, the highest, the supreme, the eighth--namely the Udgitha. 4. 'Which one is the Rig? Which one is the Saman? Which one is the Udgitha ?'--Thus has there been a discussion. 5. The Rig is speech. The Saman is breath (prana). The Udgitha is this syllable ' Om.' Verily, this is a pair--namely speech and breath, and also the Rig and the Saman. 1 The Sama-Veda is the Veda to which this Chandogya Upanishad is attached. * The word Om, with which every recital of the Vedas begins, is here set forth as a symbol representing the essence and acme of the entire ' loud singing' {udgithd). 5 Specifically, the Rig-Veda, the 'Veda of Hymns.' * Specifically, the Sama-Veda, the 'Veda of Chants.' 6. This pair is joined together in this syllable ' Om.' Verily, when a pair come together, verily, the two procure each the cither's desire. 7. A procurer of desires, verily, indeed, becomes he who, knowing this thus, reverences the Udgitha as this syllable. 8. Verily, this syllable is assent; for whenever one assents to anything he says simply '...