Īśā Upanishad - takeaways
Everything that exists in this ever-changing universe belongs to the Lord. Enjoy that which is given by Him, and do not covet the wealth of others. ॥1॥
Certainly, one should aspire to live here for a hundred years, performing prescribed deeds. By doing so, the defects of actions do not touch the person, and there is no other way. ॥2॥
Those worlds named 'Asura', i.e. demoniacal, are enveloped in the darkness of ignorance. Those offenders of 'ātman', i.e. offenders of their core essence, attain such darkness after death. ॥3॥
Though Unmoved, That-One moves swifter than the mind. Though it stands still, it outstrips all that run. Even gods have not attained Him because of their limited knowledge. In Him, the Wind-God, i.e. mātarisvā, offers the waters. ॥4॥
That moves yet moves not, that is faraway yet nearby, that is inside of everything yet also outside. ॥5॥
Whoever, indeed, perceives all beings in the ātman, and the ātman in every being, such a person does not desire to protect himself. ॥6॥
He who understands that ātman, in whom all beings exist and in whom alone they take shelter, who perceives that one lord (principle) in all beings, for such a person, where is delusion? Where is grief? ॥7॥
He is the all-pervading, without misery, un-decaying, without gross body, pure, untouched by sin, omniscient, wise, omnipresent, self-existent. He established distinctly the eternally existing reality, truthfully, impartially. ॥8॥
Those who are devoted to 'avidya', i.e. that which does not come to light, enter blind darkness; and those who delight only in 'vidya', that which comes to light, seem to enter even greater darkness. ॥9॥
They say that the result of 'vidyaya', i.e. understanding that which comes to light, is indeed different, and the result of 'avidyaya', i.e. understanding that which does not come to light, is different; thus, we have heard from the wise who have clearly explained it to us. ॥10॥
He who knows both 'vidyaya', i.e. that which comes to light, and 'avidyaya', that which does not come to light, together - by 'avidyaya', understanding that which does not come to light, crosses over death; by 'vidyaya', understanding that which comes to light attains immortality. ॥11॥
Those who are devoted only to the un-becoming enter into blinding darkness. To a greater darkness, it seems, goes those who delight only in the becoming. ॥12॥
The gods say that one thing results from the becoming, and another from the un-becoming. Thus, we have heard from the brave sages who explained this to us. ॥13॥
One who knows simultaneously the process of both the becoming and destruction, transcends death through the knowledge of destruction, and attains immortality through the knowledge of becoming. ॥14॥
A golden vessel covers the face of truth, i.e. reality; O Pūṣan, uncover it for the seer to see who follows the path of truth and dharma. ॥15॥
O Pūṣan, the object to be known, the governor of universe, the goal of seers, the one who is specially known by the father of beings, Brahma, - withdraw your rays, gather your brilliance, so that I may behold that most auspicious form of yours. ॥16॥
You are that Supreme Person 'asau', one who is established and supports the life force, 'aham', the inseparable, and 'asmi', the one who is always stationed and dwells in all living beings. As you are ever stationed, this life force 'anila' is immortal, while this body ends in ashes...
... Oh, ever conscious Supreme Brahman, remembering my deeds, be gracious! Oh, ever conscious Supreme Brahman, remembering my deeds, be gracious! ॥17॥
O Lord, in the form of Agni, lead us by the good path to prosperity; O divine one, you know all the ways of righteousness. Remove from us the crooked sin. To you, we offer our fullest reverent words of praise. ॥18॥
