Isavasya Upanisad

[Abhishek]

continuing to next verse of Isa Upanishad, lets explore:




Meaning goes something like:

Verily doing now deeds, like the desire of living;

In this way they are in yourselves no otherwise, deeds do not affect human.

Namaste Santosh
A very good translation of the meaning of the second stanza. However I feel it could also mean:

जिजीविषेच्छतं समाः = Just as one accepts life (instead of death) and desires being alive in this world,

कुर्वन्नेवेह कर्माणि = one should also accept and perform the duties that arise out of one's existance

एवं त्वयि नान्यथेतोस्ति = This is the only way, and there is no other, so that

कर्म लिप्यते नरे = the consequences of one's deeds dont cling to him.

[Santosh Gairola]

Namaste Santosh
A very good translation of the meaning of the second stanza. However I feel it could also mean:

जिजीविषेच्छतं समाः = Just as one accepts life (instead of death) and desires being alive in this world,

कुर्वन्नेवेह कर्माणि = one should also accept and perform the duties that arise out of one's existance

एवं त्वयि नान्यथेतोस्ति = This is the only way, and there is no other, so that

कर्म लिप्यते नरे = the consequences of one's deeds dont cling to him.

Namaste Abhishek,

What you wrote is an interpretation; its all upto you what can be that. I have no say in it.
What I tried to put here is, word-to-word translation and closest posible meaning based on it. Now what is the meaning, is upto you to find.

[Abhishek]

Namaste Abhishek,

What you wrote is an interpretation; its all upto you what can be that. I have no say in it.
What I tried to put here is, word-to-word translation and closest posible meaning based on it. Now what is the meaning, is upto you to find.

Ah. Yes. You are right.

[vedanta_learner]

Namaskar,

When all this is Isa, in the first place, where is the need to pervade? That can only be the perspective of one who still sees the boundaries to be devoid of Lord. Isha Upanishad stresses "Desire Lord only."

This is my understanding and opinion only.

Om Namah Shivayya

Namaste Atanu,

which can only be the perspective and whose perspective if all this is Isa?

[vedanta_learner]

Hi Vedanta Learner,

I think this part of your post is directed to me.
Yes sure, it is true that it is vAsyam ,not vasyam. I wrote that is my post too:
(although this same logic goes against avashyam in first translation)

My argument was the verse "purnamadah ........ " to support Isa+avasyam; yet I have no problem with any meaning. Thats why I tried to put four different meaning from this verse. I hope you can go through that post again.

Have a good day!
Santosh

Namaste Santosh,

Ok...but I mean is there is no chance to translate the "IsAvAsyam" as Isa+avasyam .

we could get the proper meaning after translate it in proper way only ,I think.

[atanu]

Namaste Atanu,

which can only be the perspective and whose perspective if all this is Isa?

You are correct. The perspective must be of the sages.

Om Namah Shivayya

[bhavanidasa]

iishopaniSat

AUM puurNam adaH puurNam idaM puurNaat puurNam udachyate |
puurNasya puurNam aadaaya puurNam evaavashiSyate ||
AUM shaantiH shaantiH shaantiH ||

AUM
puurNam ##[nsn ppp ##pRRI##] full, filled, complete, perfect ##
adaH ##[nsn demon pron] this, that ##
puurNam ##[nsn ppp ##pRRI##] full, filled, complete, perfect ##
idam ##[nsn demon pron] this, that ##
puurNaat ##[nsa ppp ##pRRI##] out of or away from the full, out of or away from complete or perfect ##
puurNam ##[nsn ##pRRI##] full, filled, complete, perfect ##
udachyate ##[passive p3s ##ud a~nch##] it is thrown up or out, it proceeds, it comes forth ##

puurNasya ##[nsg ppp ##pRRI##] of the full, of the perfect, of the complete ##
puurNam ##[nsn ppp ##pRRI##] the full, the perfect, the complete ##
aadaaya ##[ind pt ##aa daa##] having received, having accepted, having taken ##
puurNam ##[nsn ppp ##pRRI##] the full, the perfect, the complete ##
eva ##[ind] just ##
avashiSyate ##[passive p3s ##ava shiS##] it remains, it is left over ##
AUM
shaantiH shaantiH shaantiH ##[fsn] Peace, peace, peace! ##

##Om! This is perfect; that is perfect; perfect comes forth from perfect; having taken perfect from perfect, perfect remains over. Om! Peace, peace, peace! ##


AUM iishaa vaasyam idaM sarvaM yat ki~n cha jagatyaaM jagat |
tena tyaktena bhu~njiithaa maa gRRidhaH kasya svid dhanam || 1 ||

AUM
iishaa ##[msi] by the Lord, by the Master ##
vaasyam ##[nsn potential pt ##vas##] to be covered or enveloped, to be indwelt, to be worn, to be pervaded ##
idam ##[nsn demon pron] this ##
sarvam ##[nsn] all, every ##
yat ki~n cha ##[nsn indef pron] whatever, anything ##
jagatyaam ##[fsl] in the world, on the earth ##
jagat ##[nsn] creature, being ##

tena ##[msi 3pp] by him ##
tyaktena ##[nsi ppp ##tyaj##] by the abandoned ##
bhu~njiithaaH ##[o2s ##bhuj##] you might enjoy the use of, you might employ to advantage ##
maa ##[ind] not ##
gRRidhaH ##[injunctive a2s ##gRRidh##] you envied, you coveted ##
kasya svid ##[msg indef pron] of anyone ##
dhanam ##[nsa] wealth, property, prize ##

##1 Everything is to be pervaded by the Lord. Enjoy the use of what has been left by him, but do not covet the wealth of anyone.
or
1 Everything is to be pervaded by the Lord. Enjoy the use of what has been renounced, but do not covet the wealth of anyone. ##


kurvann eveha karmaaNi jijiiviSech chhataM samaaH |
evaM tvayi naanyatheto .asti na karma lipyate nare || 2 ||

kurvan ##[msn present pt ##kRRi##] making, doing, performing ##
eva ##[ind] just ##
iha ##[ind] here ##
karmaaNi ##[npa] works, deeds, actions ##
jijiiviSet ##[desiderative o3s ##jiiv##] one might desire to live, one might try to live ##
shatam ##[nsa] a hundred ##
samaaH ##[fpa] years ##

evam ##[ind] just ##
tvayi ##[sl 2pp] in you, on you ##
na ##[ind] not ##
anyaathaa ##[ind] another way ##
itaH ##[ind] away from or out of this ##
asti ##[p3s ##as##] it is ##
na ##[ind] not ##
karma ##[nsn] work, deed, action ##
lipyate ##[passive p3s ##lip##] it clings, it adheres ##
nare ##[msl] in a man, on a man ##

##2 One should desire to live a hundred years performing deeds. Apart from this there is no other way work might not cling to you as a man. ##


asuuryaa naama te lokaa andhena tamasaa .a.avRRitaaH |
## or ##
asuryaa naama te lokaa andhena tamasaa .a.avRRitaaH |
taaMs te pretyaabhigachchhanti ye ke chaatmahano janaaH || 3 ||

asuuryaaH ##[mpn] sunless ##
asuryaaH ##[mpn] demonic, pertaining to or having nature of the asuras ##
naama ##[nsa as adv] certainly, truly, indeed; in name ##
te ##[mpn 3pp] they ##
lokaaH ##[mpn] worlds ##
andhena ##[nsi] by blind ##
tamasaa ##[nsi] by darkness ##
aavRRitaaH ##[mpn ppp ##aa vRRi##] covered, enveloped, enshrouded ##

taan ##[mpa 3pp] them ##
te ##[mpn 3pp] they ##
pretya ##[ind pt ##pra i##] having departed ##
abhigachchhanti ##[p3p ##abhi gam##] they approach ##
ye ke cha ##[mpn indef pron] whoever ##
aatmahanaH ##[mpn] the slayers of the self ##
janaaH ##[mpn] people, persons ##

##3 There are worlds called �Sunless�, covered in blind darkness; slayers of the soul, whoever they are, go there when they die.
or
3 Indeed there are demonic worlds, covered in blind darkness; slayers of the soul, whoever they are, go there when they die. ##


anejad ekaM manaso javiiyo nainad devaa aapnuvan puurvam arSat |
tad dhaavato .anyaan atyeti tiSThat tasminn apo maatarishvaa dadhaati || 4 ||

anejat ##[nsn negative present pt ##ej##] unmoving ##
ekam ##[nsn] one ##
manasaH ##[nsa] away from the mind, out of the the mind ##
javiiyaH ##[nsn] faster, quicker ##
na ##[ind] not ##
enat ##[nsa demon pron] that, this ##
devaaH ##[mpn] gods ##
aapnuvan ##[p3p ##aap##] they reached ##
puurvam ##[ind] first, prior ##
arSat ##[nsn present pt ##RRiS##] gliding, flowing quickly ##

tad ##[nsn 3pp] it ##
dhaavataH ##[mpa present pt ##dhaav##] running ##
anyaan ##[mpa] others ##
atyeti ##[p3s ##ati i##] he surpasses, he excels ##
tiSThat ##[msn present pt ##sthaa##] standing ##
tasmin ##[nsl 3pp] in him, in that, there ##
apaH ##[fpa] waters, atmosphere ##
maatarishvaa ##[nsn] Matarishvan ##
dadhaati ##[p3s ##dhaa##] he places ##

##4 Although unmoving, it alone moves faster than the mind. The gods of the senses could not reach it, gliding ahead. While yet standing still, he outraces the others though they run. Matarishvan reposes the firmament in him. ##


tad ejati tan naijati tad duure tad v antike |
tad antar asya sarvasya tad u sarvasyaasya baahyataH || 5 ||

tat ##[nsn 3pp] it, that, this ##
ejati ##[p3s ##ej##] he moves ##
tat ##[nsn 3pp] it, that, this ##
na ##[ind] not ##
ejati ##[p3s ##ej##] he moves ##
tat ##[nsn 3pp] he, it ##
duure ##[nsl as adv] far away, at a distance ##
tat ##[nsn 3pp] it, that, this ##
u ##[ind] but ##
antike ##[nsl as adv] close ##

tat ##[nsn 3pp] it, that, this ##
antar ##[ind] within ##
asya ##[nsg] of this ##
sarvasya ##[nsg] of everything ##
tat ##[nsn 3pp] that, it ##
u ##[ind] but ##
sarvasya ##[nsg] of everything ##
asya ##[nsg] of this ##
baahyataH ##[ind] outside ##

##5 It moves and does not move; it is far, it is near; it is within all, it is outside all. ##


yas tu sarvaaNi bhuutaany aatmany evaanupashyati |
sarvabhuuteSu chaatmaanaM tato na vijugupsate || 6 ||

yaH ##[msn rel pron] who ##
tu ##[ind] but ##
sarvaaNi ##[npa] all ##
bhuutaani ##[npn ppp ##bhuu##] beings ##
aatmani ##[msl] in the self ##
eva ##[ind] just ##
anupashyati ##[p3s ##anu pash##] he sees ##

sarvabhuuteSu ##[npl] all beings ##
cha ##[ind] and ##
aatmaanam ##[msa] self ##
tataH ##[ind] from there, thence, therefore ##
na ##[ind] not ##
vijugupsate ##[desidrative p3s ##gup##] he tries to flee, he feels averse or revolted ##

##6 He who sees all beings in himself and himself in all beings feels no anxiety because of it. ##


yasmin sarvaaNi bhuutaany aatmaivaabhuud vijaanataH |
tatra ko mohaH kaH shoka ekatvam anupashyataH || 7 ||

yasmin ##[nsl rel pron as adv] in which, where ##
sarvaaNi ##[npn] all ##
bhuutaani ##[npn ppp ##bhuu##] beings ##
aatmaa ##[msn] self ##
eva ##[ind] just ##
abhuut ##[a3s ##bhuu##] he has become ##
vijaanataH ##[msg present pt ##vi j~naa##] of the knowing one ##

tatra ##[ind] there ##
kaH ##[msn inter pron] who? what? ##
mohaH ##[msn] delusion, error ##
kaH ##[msn inter pron] who? what? ##
shokaH ##[msn] sorrow, lamentation ##
ekatvam ##[nsa] oneness, unity ##
anupashyataH ##[msg present pt ##anu pash##] of one who sees ##

##7 Since he himself has become all beings, what delusion can there be for one who knows? What sorrow can there be for a man who sees only unity? ##


sa paryagaach chhukram akaayam avraNam asnaaviraM shuddham apaapaviddham |
kavir maniiSii paribhuuH svayambhuur
yaathaatathyato .arthaan vyadadhaach chhaashvatiibhyaH samaabhyaH || 8 ||

saH ##[msn 3pp] he ##
paryagaat ##[a3s ##pari gaa##] he has circumambulated ##
shukram ##[msa] pure, clear, bright ##
akaayam ##[msa] bodiless ##
avraNam ##[msa] without rents, without splits, unhurt ##
asnaaviram ##[msa] without sinews, without veins ##
shuddham ##[msa] faultless, pure, bright ##
apaapaviddham ##[msa] not afflicted by sin or evils ##

kaviH ##[msn] philosopher, inspired, poet ##
maniiSii ##[msn] the wise ##
paribhuuH ##[msn] srrounding, containing, pervading, guiding, governing, controller ##
svayambhuuH ##[msn] the self-born ##
yaathaatathyataH ##[msn] according to truth, according to reality ##
arthaan ##[mpa] objects, purposes ##
vyadadhaat ##[i3s ##vi dhaa##] he apportioned ##
shaashvatiibhyaH ##[fpd] for the eternal, for the recurring ##
samaabhyaH ##[fpd] for the years, for seasons, for the periods ##

##8 He has realised the one who is pure, bodiless, uniform, without veins or sinews, faultless, and unafflicted by evil. That sagacious, wise, selfborn, governor assigns to aeons without end their proper functions. ##


andhaM tamaH pravishanti ye .avidyaam upaasate |
tato bhuuya iva te tamo ya u vidyaayaaM rataaH || 9 ||

andham ##[nsa] blind ##
tamaH ##[nsa] darkness ##
pravishanti ##[p3p ##pra vish##] they enter ##
ye ##[mpn rel pron] who ##
avidyaam ##[fsa potential pt ##vid##] ignorance ##
upaasate ##[p3s ##upa as##] they honour, the revere, they respect ##

tatah ##[ind] from there ##
bhuuyaH ##[ind] again ##
iva ##[ind] like ##
te ##[mpn 3pp] they ##
tamaH ##[nsa] darkness ##
ye ##[mpn rel pron] who ##
u ##[ind] but ##
vidyaayaam ##[fsl potential pt ##vid##] in knowledge ##
rataaH ##[mpn ppp ##ram##] contented, satisfied, resting ##

##9 They who worship ignorance enter pitch darkness; much blacker still is the darkness which they enter who are enamoured of knowledge. ##


anyad evaahur vidyayaa .anyad aahur avidyayaa |
iti shushruma dhiiraaNaaM ye nas tad vichachakSire || 10 ||

anyat ##[nsa] another ##
eva ##[ind] just, even ##
aahuH ##[p3p ##ah##] they say ##
vidyayaa ##[fsi potential pt ##vid##] by knowledge ##
anyat ##[nsa] another ##
aahuH ##[p3p ##ah##] they say ##
avidyayaa ##[fsi potential pt ##vid##] by ignorance ##

iti ##[ind] thus ##
shushruma ##[p2p ##shru##] we have heard ##
dhiiraaNaam ##[mpg] wise, steady ##
ye ##[mpn rel pron] who ##
naH ##[pd 1pp] to us, for us ##
tat ##[nsa 3pp] that, it ##
vichachakSire ##[p3p ##vi chakS##] they explained ##

##10 By knowledge one thing, by ignorance another: thus have we heard from the wise who explained it to us. ##

vidyaaM chaavidyaaM cha yas tad vedobhayaM saha |
avidyayaa mRRityuM tiirtvaa vidyayaa .amRRitam ashnute || 11 ||

vidyaam ##[fsa potential pt ##vid##] knowledge ##
cha ##[ind] ##
avidyaam ##[fsa negated potential pt ##vid##] ignorance ##
cha ##[ind] ##
yaH ##[msn rel pron] who ##
tat ##[nsa 3pp] that, it ##
veda ##[p3s ##vid##] knows ##
ubhayam ##[nsa] each one ##
saha ##[ind] together, simultaneously ##

avidyayaa ##[fsi potential pt ##vid##] by ignorance ##
mRRityum ##[msa] death ##
tiirtvaa ##[ind pt ##tRRI##] having crossed over, having transcended ##
vidyayaa ##[fsi potential pt ##vid##] by knowledge, by understanding ##
amRRitam ##[nsa negated ppp ##mRRi##] immortal, nectar, immortality ##
ashnute ##[p3s ##ash##] he reaches, he attains ##

##11 He who knows both knowledge and ignorance, crosses death with the latter and attains immortalty with the former. ##


andhaM tamaH pravishanti ye .asambhuutim upaasate |
tato bhuuya iva te tamo ya u sambhuutyaaM rataaH || 12 ||

andham ##[nsa] blind ##
tamaH ##[nsa] darkness ##
pravishanti ##[p3p ##pra vish##] they enter ##
ye ##[mpn rel pron] who ##
asambhuutim ##[fsa] nonexistence, nonbeing, destruction ##
upaasate ##[##up as##] they honour, they worship ##

tataH ##[ind] from there, thence, from that ##
bhuuyaH ##[ind] more ##
iva ##[ind] like ##
te ##[mpn 3pp] they ##
tamaH ##[nsa] darkness ##
ye ##[mpn rel pron] who ##
u ##[ind] but ##
sambhuutyaam ##[fsl] in existence or being, in origin or birth, in production ##
rataaH ##[mpn ppp ##ram##] enamoured, content, satisfied ##

##12 They who worship nonbeing enter pitch darkness, yet much blacker still is the darkness which they enter who are enamoured of being. ##

anyad evaahuH sambhavaad anyad aahur asambhavaat |
iti shushruma dhiiraaNaaM ye nas tad vichachakSire || 13 ||

anyat ##[nsa] other, another ##
eva ##[ind] just ##
aahuH ##[p3p ##ah##] they say ##
sambhavaat ##[nsa] from union, from combination, from origin or birth ##
anyat ##[nsa] other, another, different ##
aahuH ##[p3p ##ah##] they say ##
asambhavaat ##[nsa] from destruction, from annihilation ##

iti ##[ind] thus ##
shushruma ##[p2p ##shru##] we heard ##
dhiiraaNaam ##[mpg] of the wise ##
ye ##[mpn rel pron] who ##
naH ##[pd 1pp] to us, for us ##
tat ##[nsa 3pp] that, it ##
vichachakSire ##[p3p ##vi chakS##] they explained, they announced ##

##13 From existence one thing, from nonexistence another: thus have we heard from the wise who explained it to us. ##


sambhuutiM cha vinaashaM cha yas tad vedobhayaM saha |
vinaashena mRRityuM tiirtvaa sambhuutyaa .amRRitam ashnute || 14 ||

sambhuutim ##[fsa] existence ##
cha ##[ind] and ##
vinaasham ##[msa] destruction, perdition ##
cha ##[ind] and ##
yaH ##[msn rel pron] who ##
tat ##[nsa 3pp] that, it ##
veda ##[p3p ##vid##] he knows ##
ubhayam ##[nsa] each ##
saha ##[ind] together ##

vinaashena ##[nsi] by destruction, by annihilation ##
mRRityum ##[msa] death ##
tiirtvaa ##[ind pt ##tRRI##] having crossed ##
sambhuutyaa ##[fsi] by existence ##
amRRitam ##[nsa negated ppp ##mRRi##] immortality ##
ashnute ##[p3s ##ash##] he attains, he reaches ##

##14 He who knows both creation and annihilation, crosses death with the latter and attains immortalty with the former. ##


hiraNmayena paatreNa satyasyaapihitaM mukham |
tattvaM puuSann apaavRRiNu satyadharmaaya dRRiSTaye || 15 ||

hiraNmayena ##[msi] by a golden ##
paatreNa ##[msi] by a covering ##
satyasya ##[nsg] of reality, of truth ##
apihitam ##[ppp nsa ##api dhaa##] hidden ##
mukham ##[nsa] face ##

tattvam ##[nsa] truth, reality ##
tat ##[nsa] it, that ##
tvam ##[nsa] you ##
puuSan ##[msn] O Pusan! ##
apaavRRiNu ##[##apa aa vRRi##] open! release! ##
satyadharmaaya ##[msd] for the sake of eternal law, for the true way; to one whose way is true ##
dRRiSTaye ##[fsd] for seeing, with a view to seeing or being seen ##

##15 The face of truth is hidden behind a golden mask. Uncover reality, O Pusan, to one whose ways are true so that he may see!
or
The face of truth is hidden behind a golden mask. Uncover it, O Pusan, so that it may be seen for the sake of the way of truth! ##


puuSann ekarSe yama suurya praajaapatya
vyuuha rashmiin samuuha tejaH |
yat te ruupaM kalyaaNatamaM tat te pashyaami
yo .asaav asau puruSaH so .aham asmi || 16 ||

puuSan ##[msv] O Pusan! ##
ekarSe ##[msv] O Sole Seer! ##
yama ##[msv] O Controller! ##
suurya ##[msv] O Sun! ##
praajaapatya ##[msv] O Son of the Lord of Creatures! ##
vyuuha ##[i2s ##vi vah##] arrange! order! separate! divide! distribute! ##
rashmiin ##[mpa] rays, beams ##
samuuha ##[i2s ##sam vah##] gather together! collect! unite! ##
tejaH ##[nsa] brilliance ##

yat ##[nsa rel pron] what, which ##
te ##[sg 2pp] your ##
ruupam ##[nsa] form ##
kalyaaNatamam ##[nsa] most beautiful ##
tat ##[nsa] that, it ##
te ##[sg 2pp] your ##
pashyaami ##[p1s ##pash##] I see ##
yaH ##[msn rel pron] who ##
asau ##[msn demon pron] he, that ##
asau ##[msn demon pron] he, that ##
puruSaH ##[msn] the person ##
saH ##[msn 3pp] he ##
aham ##[pn 1pp] I ##
asmi ##[p1s ##as##] I am ##

##16 O Pusan, Sole Seer, Controller, Sun, Son of the Lord of Creatures! Focus your beams, gather your brilliance! I see that most beautiful form of yours. I myself am the one who is that person. ##


vaayur anilam amRRitam athedaM bhasmaantaM shariiram |
AUM krato smara kRRitaM smara krato smara kRRitaM smara || 17 ||

vaayuH ##[msn] Wind ##
anilam ##[msa] atmosphere, air ##
amRRitam ##[nsa negated ppp ##mRRi##] immortal ##
atha ##[ind] now ##
idam ##[nsn] this ##
bhasmaantam ##[nsn] whose end is ashes, what ends in ashes ##
shariiram ##[nsn] body ##

AUM
krato ##[msv] Intention! Will! ##
smara ##[i2s ##smRRi##] remember! ##
kRRitam ##[nsa ppp ##kRRi##] deed, done ##
smara ##[i2s ##smRRi##] remember! ##
krato ##[msv] Intention! Will! ##
smara ##[i2s ##smRRi##] remember! ##
kRRitam ##[nsa ppp ##kRRi##] deed, done ##
smara ##[i2s ##smRRi##] remember! ##

##17 Breath returns to the immortal atmosphere; the body ends in ashes. Om! Remember, O Will, remember what has been done! Remember, O Will, remember what has been done! ##


agne naya supathaa raaye asmaan
vishvaani deva vayunaani vidvaan |
yuyodhy asmaj juhuraaNam eno
bhuuyiSThaaM te nama{}uktiM vidhema || 18 ||

agne ##[msv] O Fire! ##
naya ##[i2s ##nii##] lead! ##
supathaa ##[msi] by a good path ##
raaye ##[fsd] to wealth ##
asmaan ##[pa 1pp] us ##
vishvaani ##[npa] all ##
deva ##[msv] O god! ##
vayunaani ##[npa] living things ##
vidvaan ##[msn as vocative] knowing ##

yuyodhi ##[intensive i2s ##yudh##] battle! ##
asmat ##[pa 1pp] away from us, out of us ##
juhuraaNam ##[nsa present pt or perfect pt or causative aorist pt ##hvar##] crooked, bent, kneeling; deviating, bending, leading astray, corrupting ##
enaH ##[nsa] evil, vice ##
bhuuyiSThaam ##[fsa] greatest ##
te ##[sd 2pp] to you ##
nama{}uktim ##[fsa] obeisance ##
vidhema ##[o1p ##vidh##] we might worship ##

##18 O Fire, lead us on a good path to prosperity! O god who knows all creatures, ward off from us this crooked vice which leads us astray! We would offer you the highest worship. ##

[bhavanidasa]

Isa Upanishad is one of my favourites.
When I learned Sanskrit I couldn't wait to do Isa.

It's formatted ready for ITRANS.

[yajvan]

Hari Om
~~~~~~

Isa Upanishad is one of my favourites.
When I learned Sanskrit I couldn't wait to do Isa.

Namaste bhavanidasa,
Isa Upanishad is considered one of the 10 principle Upanishads.
Also called Vajasaneyi Upanishad. AS with most Upanishads their name comes from thre first line Isavasyamidam sarvam - this whole world is covers by the Lord. Some times as you know, the Upanishads are also names after the rsi, muni or brahmavit that is the author of the Upanishad.

My question to you , as this is one of your favorites, what does it say to you ? what is the insight you read from this shastra?

pranams,

[bhavanidasa]

namas te yajvan!

I really can't think of all the reasons I love it.

Some of them are sentimental: I remember reading it for the first time -- at that time the only scriptures I had any real aquaintance of were the christian scriptures. I remember thinking how superior the upanishads are to anything in the xian bible, andthat finally I had found what I was looking for.
I had read Prabhupada's translation and commentary on the Gita, but for some reason I did not feel completely confident that the Gita was truly representative in any way of the ideas of sanatana dharma. Twenty-five years ago in Australia, ISKON was regarded dubiously, 'a crazy sect' -- I think I was happy to see that the teachings of the Gita were in the other shastras too.

"Whatever lives is full of the Lord": sanatanadharma is not speciesist, it really does teach the fundamental equality of all living beings.

"Enjoy ... but do not covet": it is not sinful to enjoy things that people normally take joy in, it is not as if the world were an actively evil place run by the devil.

"It moves and does not move" sums up the indescribable nature of God, and the impossibilty of reaching him with mere words.

"He who sees himself in all beings, and all beings in himself ... what sorrow for one who sees only unity.." -- it sums up the nature of the goal.

There is a type of quiet confidence, and maturity, running through everything. But also a great humility especially in the last few verses. Yeats translates the last verse as: "we that kneel and pray again and again".
I think it is the quiet confidence and maturity that the upanishad exudes that make it really attractive.

There is an essay by Vivekanda in which he talks about how both advaita and dvaita are found tightly interwoven in the upanishads. This is certainly the case in Isavasya.

It's all so simple, and I don't think it really loses anything at all in translation.

svasti te .stu

bhavanidasa