Chandogya upanishad (ch. 6,7 & 8) – 19

 Chapter 7, Sections12 & 13

Mantras 7-12-1&2

akaso vava tejaso bhuyanakase vai suryachandramasavubhau vidyunnakshatranyagnirakasenahvayatyakasena srnotyakasena pratisrnotyakase ramata akase na ramata akase jayata akasamabhijayata akasamupassveti || 7.12.1 ||

sa ya akasam brahmetyupasta akasavato vai sa lokanprakasavato'sambadhanurugayavato'bhisidhyati yavadakasasya gatam tatrasya yathakamacharo bhavati ya akasam brahmetyupaste'sti bhagava akasadbhuya iti akasadvava bhuyo'stiti tanme bhagavanbravitviti || 7.12.2 || iti dvadasah khandah ||

Akasa (space) is certainly greater than Tejas (fire). The sun and the moon are both within Akasa, and so are lightning, the stars, and fire. Through Akasa one person is able to speak to another. Through Akasa one is able to hear. And through Akasa one is able to hear what others are saying. In Akasa one enjoys, and in Akasa one suffers. A thing is born in Akasa, and plants and trees grow towards Akasa. Worship Akasa. (1) ‘One who worships Akasa [space] as Brahman attains worlds that are spacious, shining, free from all drawbacks, and extensive. One who worships Akasa as Brahman can do what he pleases in the sphere within the reach of Akasa.’  Narada asked, ‘Sir, is there anything higher than Akasa?’ ‘Of course there is something higher than Akasa,’ replied Sanatkumara. Narada then said, ‘Sir, please explain that to me’. (2)  End of section 12. 

            Akasa (space) is greater than Tejas (fire) as not only Tejas but also sun, moon, stars and lightning are all within Akasa. Also in Taittriya Upanishad (2-1-2) it is stated, while describing Pancha Bhutha Srishti,”-akasad vayuh; vayor agnih; (From Akasa, Vayu; from Vayu, agni)”, which means Akasa is the karanam for agni (Tejas). We can see the greatness of space in all the three dimensions of physical, mental and spiritual.  At the physical level, space provides the room for all the life forms on earth to live in harmony.  At the spiritual level it signifies Infinity and becomes the substratum of all Creation, of all activities (shrinoti/ashrinoti), of all enjoyments (ramata/na ramata), and of all life (jayata/abhijayate).  At the mental level, mental space enriches one’s vision, breaking the divisive barriers.  So Sanathkumara advises Narada to meditate on Akasa as Brahman i.e. Akasa Brahma Upasana.  Mantra 7-12-2 is similar to Mantras 7-11-2 and 7-10-2 and similar Mantras quoted in them, with Sanathkumara giving the benefit of sakama upasana as gaining punyam to act freely in the bright and expansive worlds within the reach of the Alambanam, Akasa, and Narada wanting to know whether there is anything greater than Akasa.  Sanathkumara replies in the affirmative and Narada wants to know it.  Sanathkumara agrees and the section ends.

Mantras 7-13-1&2

smaro vavakasadbhuyastasmadyadyapi bahava asiranna smaranto naiva te kanchana sṛnuyurna manviranna vijaniranyada vava te smareyuratha sṛnuyuratha manvirannatha vijaniransmarena vai putranvijanati smarena pasunsmaramupassveti || 7.13.1 ||

sa yaḥ smaram brahmetyupaste yavatsmarasya gataṃ tatrasya yathakamacharo bhavati yaḥ smaram brahmetyupaste'sti bhagavah smaradbhuya iti smaradvava bhuyo'stiti tanme bhagavanbravitviti || 7.13.2 || iti trayodasah khandah ||

Memory is certainly greater than Akasa (space). This is why, even if many people get together but their memory fails, then they cannot hear or think or know anything. But if they remember, they can then hear, think, and know. Through memory one knows one’s children and one’s (pet) animals. Therefore, worship memory’. (1) ‘One who worships memory as Brahman can do what he pleases in the sphere within reach of memory.’  Narada asked, ‘Sir, is there anything greater than memory?’  ‘Of course there is something greater than memory,’ replied Sanatkumara.  Narada then said, ‘Sir, please explain that to me’. (2)  End of section thirteen.

            Smaram (memory) is greater than Akasa (space).  Sure space accommodates everything and in space all transactions take place; but as Sri Sankaracharya points, utility of an object depends on memory as remembrance of an object and utility is possible only with memory.  When the memory is gone as in dementia, transaction is not possible. The very existence of the world depends on utility and utility depends on memory.  “Sons and cattle” represent one’s relationship circle and one’s wealth, without which life would become intolerably unbearable.  And so Sanathkumara advises Narada to meditate on memory as Brahman i.e. Smara Brahma Upasana.  Mantra 7-13-2 is similar to Mantras 7-12-2, 7-11-2 and similar Mantras quoted in them, with Sanathkumara giving the benefit of sakama upasana as gaining punyam to act freely as he chooses in any Loka within the reach of the Alambanam, memory, and Narada wanting to know whether there is anything higher than memory. Sanathkumara replies in the affirmative and Narada wants to know it.  Sanathkumara agrees and the section ends.

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