truth cannot be taught

Know Thyself: Truth cannot be taught

"No matter what stands as a hurdle, one should be ready to sacrifice it in the search of knowledge." - Sri M

Now, we will move on to the rest of the Upanishad. I will try as far as possible not to quote the actual Sanskrit slokas because that will take a lot of time, although I prefer to do it. It is beautiful!

Ah! See for instance, I can’t resist the temptation. The first sentence says,

Sukesa Ca Bharadvajah Saibyas Ca

Satyakamah Sauryayani Ca Gargyah

Kausalyas…

See, how nice it sounds. Look at the English translation, you get the meaning, but compare it. Sukesha, son of Bharadvaja, Satyakama, son of Shibi, Gargya, grandson of Surya, Kausalya, son of Ashvala and so on. Anyways, we do not have much time, so let’s leave that and move on with the English version.

So, Sukesha, son of Bharadvaja; Satyakama, son of Shibi; Gargya, grandson of Surya; Kausalya, son of Ashvala; Bhargava of the Vidarbha country; Kabandhi, son of Katya, they are indeed devoted to the Brahman.

Te Haite Brahmapara Brahma nisthah

In seeking the highest Brahman, they approach the revered Pippalada–the great Rishiwith sacrificial fuel in their hands, thinking that he will explain everything to them. Now, you notice ‘the sacrificial fuel in their hands,’ it is a beautiful expression.

Live with austerity, chastity, faith and stick to the truth. Be chaste, be pure and have faith that the answer will come after you have lived here with me for one full year.

All these young sons of Rishis approached Pippalada, the great revered Rishi, wanting to know what the Supreme Reality or Brahman is, while assuming that he will explain it to them. And, how did they approach him? Samit panayo–they came with the sacrificial fuel in their hands, which implies that to find the truth, one has to sacrifice the untruth.

One has to be intent and make it a one-pointed search. No matter what stands as a hurdle, one should be ready to sacrifice it in the search of knowledge. The sacrificial fuel in their hands denotes that sacrifice. So, intent on understanding the Supreme, and ready to sacrifice anything to do so, they approach the great Rishi Pippalada.

And, what did the great Rishi Pippalada tell them? Did he say, “Okay boys! Come on, I am going to talk about the Truth to you!” No, according to the Upanishad, that is no way to find or teach the Truth. Now listen, here it is.

He said to them, “Tan Ha Sa Rsir Uvaca”

The Rishi said to them–live with me another year. Live with me for a year with austerity, chastity and faith. Live with me here, lead a simple life, and don’t get caught up in the luxuries. Live here in the beautiful forest with me. What else did he say? Live with austerity, chastity, faith and stick to the truth. Be chaste, be pure and have faith that the answer will come after you have lived here with me for one full year.

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