Kauṣītaki Upaniṣad 2.13

2.13.1

athāto niḥśreyasādānam /

14 (9). Now next, the assumption of superior excellence (niḥśreyasādāna).—

2.13.2

etā ha vai devatā ahaṃśreyase vivadamānā asmāc charīrād uccakramuḥ /

All these divinities, verily, indeed, when disputing among themselves in the matter of self-superiority, went forth from this body. It lay, not breathing, dry, become like a piece of wood.

2.13.3

tad [dhāprāṇat śuṣkaṃ] dārubhūtaṃ śiṣye /

2.13.4

athainad vāk praviveśa /

Then speech entered into it. It just lay, speaking with speech.

2.13.5

tad vācā vadac chiṣya eva /

2.13.6

athainac cakṣuḥ praviveśa /

Then the eye entered into it. It just lay, speaking with speech, seeing with the eye.

2.13.7

tad vācā vadac cakṣuṣā paśyac chiṣya eva /

2.13.8

athainac chrotraṃ praviveśa /

Then the ear entered into it. It just lay, speaking with speech, seeing with the eye, hearing with the ear.

2.13.9

tad vācā vadac cakṣuṣā paśyac chrotreṇa śṛṇvac chiṣya eva /

2.13.10

athainan manaḥ praviveśa /

Then the mind entered into it. It just lay, speaking with

2.13.11

tad vācā vadac cakṣuṣā paśyac chrotreṇa śṛṇvan manasā dhyāyac chiṣya eva /

speech, seeing with the eye, hearing with the ear, thinking with the mind.

2.13.12

athainat prāṇaḥ praviveśa /

Then the vital breath (prāṇa) entered into it. Thereupon indeed it arose.

2.13.13

tat tata eva samuttasthau /

2.13.14

tā vā etāḥ sarvā devatāḥ prāṇe niḥśreyasaṃ viditvā prāṇam eva prajñātmānam abhisambhūya sahaivaite sarve 'smāc charīrād uccakramuḥ /

All those divinities, verily, having recognized the superior excellence in the vital breath, and having passed into the vital breath, even the intelligential self (prajñātman), went forth from this body —all these together. They, having entered into the wind, having the nature of space (ākāśātman), went to heaven (svar).

2.13.15

te vāyupraviṣṭā ākāśātmānaḥ svar īyuḥ /

2.13.16

tatho evaivaṃ vidvān prāṇe niḥśreyasaṃ viditvā [sarveṣāṃ bhūtānāṃ] prāṇam eva prajñātmānam abhisambhūya sahaivaitaiḥ sarvair asmāc charīrād utkrāmati /

Likewise also, indeed, he who knows this, having recognized the superior excellence in the vital breath, having passed into the vital breath, even the intelligential self, of all beings, goes forth from this body along with all these. He, having entered into the wind, having the nature of space, goes to heaven. He goes to that [place] where these gods are. Having reached that, he becomes immortal as the gods are immortal—he who knows this.

2.13.17

sa vāyupraviṣṭa ākāśātmā svar eti /

2.13.18

sa tad gacchati yatraite devāḥ /

2.13.19

tat prāpya yad amṛtā devās tad amṛto bhavati ya evaṃ veda //13//