WHAT AN UPANISHAD ACTUALLY SAYS ABOUT BIRTH AND BEHAVIOUR

ONG ago, in the forest-covered plains of western Kuru-Panchala, now known as Delhi-NCR, a book of lectures, stories and conversations was put together about the nature of the world and the proper goals of mankind. This grand old book is known as the Chandogya Upanishad.

They say it was the sage Uddalaka Aruni who compiled it millennia ago, comprising eight chapters. Its core idea is The oneness of the One’—the Supreme Soul or life force is in everything, everywhere. The most famous words of the Chandogya Upanishad are Tat tvam asi’, meaning You are That’. This cryptic remark is understood as saying, Since everything in the world is interconnected, you too belong to the Almighty.’

Notably, this Upanishad says that life isa celebration, a rather wonderful party, and the presents we bring to it are ethical behavior, goodwill to all, and the habit of truth. Glum, insincere or harsh behavior is not the correct way to repay prana, the life breath, thanks to which we are guests at the party of life.

So the Upanishad sets a high standard for people as individuals and not because of their ancestry. It tells us what became of a likely lad in a small settlement in western Kuru-Panchala.

His mother, Jabala, was a single parent who worked as a maid in several people’s houses. The little boy went everywhere with her and quietly observed all kinds of people in all kinds of homes. His mother had taught him not to touch anything and he never gave trouble. So nobody minded him trailing behind his mother.