Śāṅkhāyana (Kauṣītaki) Āraṇyaka 9.2

9.2

ŚĀ 9.2: Whoever knows the eldest and best becomes the eldest and best among his own people. Breath indeed is the eldest and best. Whoever knows the richest becomes the richest among his own people; speech indeed is the richest. Whoever knows the foundation is established both in this world and in yonder world; sight indeed is the foundation. Whoever knows attainment, to him desires are attained; hearing indeed is attainment. Whoever knows the abode becomes an abode for his own people; the mind indeed is the abode. Then these deities went to Prajāpati, their father, and said: "Who of us is the best?" Prajāpati said: "He on whose departure the body is considered the most wretched, he is the best."