Śāṅkhāyana (Kauṣītaki) Āraṇyaka 4.2

4.2

ŚĀ 4.2 = KU 2.2
‘Breath is Brahman,’ Paiṅgya used to say. Of this breath, which is Brahman, speech encloses the eye from beyond; the eye encloses the ear from beyond; the ear encloses the mind from beyond; the mind encloses the breath from beyond. To this breath, which is Brahman, these deities bring tribute without its asking for it. Just so do all beings bring tribute without his asking for it to him who knows thus. Its secret teaching is: ‘He should not beg.’ Just as if someone, having begged in a village and received nothing, were to sit down [saying]: ‘I would not eat what is given from here!’—then those very people who previously refused him invite him. Such is the way of one who does not beg. But the givers of food do indeed invite him, [saying]: ‘Let us give to you!’