The Eleventh Kha??a
The Eleventh Khaṇḍa
SOURCE: The Thirteen Principal Upanishads. Translated from the Sanskrit with an outline of the philosophy of the Upanishads and an annotated bibliography by Robert Ernest Hume. With a list of recurrent and parallel passages by George C. O. Haas. 2d ed., rev. London: Oxford University Press, 1931, p. 247.
1. 'Of this great tree, my dear, if some one should strike at the root, it would bleed, but still live. If some one should strike at this middle, it would bleed, but still live. If some one should strike at its top, it would bleed, but still live. Being pervaded by Atman (Soul), it continues to stand, eagerly drinking in moisture and rejoicing.
2. If the life leaves one branch of it, then it dries up. It leaves a second; then that dries up. It leaves a third; then that dries up. It leaves the whole; the whole dries up. Even so, indeed, my dear, understand,' said he.
3. Verily, indeed, when life has left it, this body dies. The life does not die.
That which is the finest essence—this whole world has that as its soul. That is Reality. That is Ātman (Soul). That art thou, Śvetaketu.'
'Do you, sir, cause me to understand even more.'
'So be it, my dear,' said he.