Realization is rice; all else is chaff - Amritabindu Upanishads

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Amritabindu Upanishads

 

1. The mind may be said to be of two kinds,

Pure and inpure; Driven by the senses

It becomes inpure; but with senses

Under control, the mind becomes pure.

 

2. It is the mind that frees us or enslaves.

Driven by the senses we become bound;

Master of the senses we become free.

 

3. Those who seek freedom must master their senses.

 

4. When the mind is detached from the senses

One reaches the summit of consciousness.

 

5. Mastery of the mind leads to wisdom.

Practice meditation. Stop all vain talk.

 

6. The highest state is beyond the reach of thought,

For it lies beyond all duality.

 

7. Keep repeating the ancient mantram O M

Until it reverberates in your heart.

 

8. Brahman is indivisible and pure;

Realize Brahman and go beyond all change.

 

9. He is (both) immanent and transcendent.

Realizing him, sages attain freedom

 

10. And declare there are no separate minds.

They have realized what they always are.

 

11. Waking, sleeping, dreaming, the Self is one.

Transcend these three and go beyond rebirth.

 

12. There is only one Self in all creatures.

The One appears many, just as the moon

Appears many, reflected in water.

 

13. The Self appears to change its location

But does not, just as the air in a jar

Changes not when the jar is moved about.

 

14. When the jar is broken, the air knows not;

But the Self knows well when the body is shed.

 

15. We see not the Self, concealed by maya (illusion);

When the veil falls, we see we are the Self.

 

16. The mantram is the symbol of Brahman;

Repeating it can bring peace to the mind.

 

17. Knowledge is twofold, lower and higher.

Realize the Self; for all else is lower.

 

18. Realization is rice; all else is chaff.

 

19. The milk of cows of any hue is white.

The sages say that wisdom is the milk

And the sacred Sriptures are the cows.

 

20. As butter lies hidden within milk,

The Self is hidden in the hearts of all.

Churn the mind through meditation on it;

 

21. Light your fire through meditation on it;

The Self, all whole, all peace, all certitude.

 

22. " I have realized the Self, " declares the sage,

" Who is present in all beings.

I am united with the Lord of Love;

I am united with the Lord of Love. "

 

Amritabindu Upanishads