Contents

he statement that ‘the human birth is hard to attain’ implies the doctrine of re–birth and the importance of human life. It also implies that there is a Self apart from the body. 2) The body–mind–complex is the cause for human sorrows. If a person has to become free from sorrows he has to realize his Self. All Upanishads speak of by importance of Self–knowledge. 3) Righteous conduct (following dharma) leads to purity of mind which is essential for Self–knowledge. The Mimamsa school says that righteous conduct alone is enough for release from sorrows. However, the established message of Vedanta is that study of Upanishads is the main cause for release from sorrows. 4) This study of Upanishads is told in the expression ‘discrimination between the Self and non–self’. This is done in three stages – śravaṇam, mananam and nididhyāsanam (These are explained in the glossary). 5) ‘Abiding as Brahman’ is the ultimate result of the three–level study of Upanishads. This is the highest goal of human life (Jagadguru).

The word ‘jantu’ means any living being. The opening line itself refers to the doctrine of re–birth and the continuous cycle of births and deaths in several wombs such as insects, animals, humans or celestials, dependent on the good or bad deeds done by a person. The human life is the only stage where one has an opportunity to do good deeds, purify his or her self and attain Self–knowledge.

The word ‘male’ indicates that a man has greater opportunities than a woman for purely social reasons. It is not meant to disqualify a woman from Self–knowledge(vide Srimad Bhagavadgita 9.32) . We see several enlightened women in the Upanishads themselves.

Similarly, the word ‘vipra’ means a person well versed in Vedas and hence in a better position to pursue Self–knowledge. He does not disqualify others who have not studied the Vedas. Every human being is entitled for Self–knowledge.

Liberation, in the Vedantic sense, is distinguished from heaven, which is attained as a result of mere good deeds. The bondage of transmigration does not cease. Liberation is a stage where such bondage ceases.

1) The statement that ‘the human birth is hard to attain’ implies the doctrine of re–birth and the importance of human life. It also implies that there is a Self apart from the body. 2) The body–mind–complex is the cause for human sorrows. If a person has to become free from sorrows he has to realise his Self. All Upanishads speak of by importance of Self–knowledge. 3) Righteous conduct (following dharma) leads to purity of mind which is essential for Self–knowledge. The Mimamsa school says that righteous conduct alone is enough for release from sorrows. However, the established message of Vedanta is that study of Upanishads is the main cause for release from sorrows. 4) This study of Upanishads is told in the expression ‘discrimination between the Self and non–self’. This is done in three stages – śravaṇam, mananam and nididhyāsanam (These are explained in the glossary). 5) ‘Abiding as Brahman’ is the ultimate result of the three–level study of Upanishads. This is the highest goal of human life (Jagadguru).
The word ‘jantu’ means any living being. The opening line itself refers to the doctrine of re–birth and the continuous cycle of births and deaths in several wombs such as insects, animals, humans or celestials, dependent on the good or bad deeds done by a person. The human life is the only stage where one has an opportunity to do good deeds, purify his or her self and attain Self–knowledge. The word ‘male’ indicates that a man has greater opportunities than a woman for purely social reasons. It is not meant to disqualify a woman from Self–knowledge. We see several enlightened women in the Upanishads themselves. Similarly, the word ‘vipra’ means a person well versed in Vedas and hence in a better position to pursue Self–knowledge. He does not disqualify others who have not studied the Vedas. Every human being is entitled for Self–knowledge. Liberation, in the Vedantic sense, is distinguished from heaven, which is attained as a result of mere good deeds. The bondage of transmigration does not cease. Liberation is a stage where such bondage ceases.