A new approach to the Vedas : an essay in translation and exegesis

II PORTIONS OF THE MAITRI UPANISAD

The following translation of parts of the Mairi Upanisad, describing the procession of the Tree of Life, as a Burning Bush, is offered without comment :

SIXTH PRAPATHAKA, I-4

He bears himself twofold: as the Spirit here, (prana) and yonder as the Supernal-Sun (dditya).**

Likewise, indeed, are twain these paths of his, an inner and an outer; and their revolution is accomplished with the day and night. Yonder Supernal-Sun is verily the outer-Self, the Spirit is the inner-Self. Hence, the motion of the innerSelf is to be measured by that of the outer Self. For thus has it been said: ‘““ Whosoever is a Comprehensor, freed from guilt, an over-seer of the senses, of washed-white intellect, whose looking is within, is even He.”’ And conversely, the motion of the outer-Self is to be measured by that of the inner-Self. For thus has it been said: “ Lo, that Golden Person who is within the Supernal-Sun, and who from his golden station looks down upon this earth, is even He who dwells consuming food in the Lotus of the Heart.***

He who dwells existent in the Lotus of the

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