.. kv:ly::p:en:\:t: ..

Kaivalya
y Upanishad
p
from the Atharva Veda

.d' k,eeRi." *,uyam deeva"

bhadra
karebhi

uyma
y
dev

o
.d' pXyema=i.yRj]a" bhadra payemkabhir yajatr
O God, may we hear what is holy with our ears.
While worshiping, may we see what is holy with our eyes.

i rWrWWs( tuuva\\ sSt

nUi."
iSq

SviSt n Ndae v*[va"

g sas tanbhi

tuuvg
sthirair agais

svasti na indro vddha-rav

Vyxem devaiht' ydayu" --

SviSt n" pUza ivXvveda" -

vyaema deva-hita yad yu

svasti na p viva-ved

May we worship with steady limbs

May our lives be helpful to the Gods.

May Indra, the glorious, bless us.

May the Pusha, the omniscient, bless us.

i eim"
SviSt nSta+yaeR Airne
y arianemi

svasti nas trkayo

SviSt nae b*hSpitdR/atu -svasti no bhaspatir dadhtu

! AT:a:l:ay:n:: B:g:v:nt:
p:rm:en:m:p:s:m:
ty::v:ac: .
p:rm:en:m:
p:s:m:ty::v:ac:
AD:ieh B:g:v:nb:ev:a v:era
s:da s:eH s:vy:m:an:a en:g:Zam: .. 1..

o nti nti nti

om athshvalyano
h h l
bh
bhagavantam
parameshthinam upasametyovca
adhhi bhagavan brahma-vidym varishthm
sad sadbhih sevyamnm nigdhm

May Garuda, destroyer of evil, bless us.

May Brihaspati bless us
us.
Om! Peace, peace, peace.

One day, shvalyana approached Lord Brahm and said,

O Master, p
please teach me brahma vidya,
y the highest
g
knowledge, hidden yet always enjoyed by the wise.

xaiNt
xaiNt"" xaiNt
xaiNt"" xaiNt"
xaiNt"

y:T:a|ec:rats:v:p:ap: vy:p::
p:ratp:r p:
p:ratp:r
p:,\:
,\: y:aet: ev:an:
ev:an: .
t:sm: s: h
h:v:ac: ep:t:am:h:
h

:aB:eVt:Dy:an:y::g:adv:eh .. 2..

n: km:N:a n: )j:y:a D:n:n:

ty:ag:n:k Am:
Am:t:tv:m:an:S:H.
ty:ag:n:k
t:tv:m:an:S:H.
p:rN: n:ak en:eht: g:hay:a
ev:B:aj:t: y:t:y:: ev:S:ent: .. 3..

yath
h cirt
i
sarva-ppam vyapoyha
h
part-param purusham yti vidvn
tasmai sa hovca pitmahash ca
shraddh-bhakti-dhyna-yogd avaihi

na karman
k
na prajay
j
dhanena
dh
tygenaike amritatvam nashuh
parena nkam nihitam guhym
vibhrjate yad yatayo vishanti

With this knowledge, a wise person is quickly freed

p
being.
g
from all sin and reaches the supreme
Then Brahm said to shvalyana
Attain it through faith, devotion, meditation and practice.

Not by good works nor by projeny or wealth,

but by
y renunciation some attained immortality.
y
Those who strive enter it,
shining within yet transcending heaven.

v:dant:ev:wan:s:en:eSc:t:aT:aH
s:ny:as:y::g:at:y:H S:
S:s:v:aH
s:ny:as:y::g:at:y:H
s:v:aH .
t: b:l::k\: p:rant:kal:
p:ram:t:aH p:erm:cy:ent: s:v: .. 4..

ev:ev:Vt:dS: c: s:K:as:n:sT:H
S:ec:
s:m:g:iv:eS:r
S:rir .
S:
ec:H s:m:g:
iv:eS:rHS:rirH
Anty:a:m:sT:H s:kl:endy:aeN:
en:,Dy: B:Vty:a sv:g:, )N:my: .. 5..

vednta-vijnna-sunishcitrthh
d
ij
i h i h h
sannysa-yogad yatayah shuddha-satth
te brahma-lokeshu parnta-kle
parmrith parimucyanti sarve

vivikta-deshe ca sukhsanasthah
shucih samagrva-shirah-sharrah
antyshramasthah sakalendriyni
nirudhya bhaktya svagurum pranamya

Those who strive established in Vedantic wisdom,

purified by
practice, dwelling
p
y renunciation and p
g in heaven
at the end of time all become liberated, immortal.

Seated comfortably in a secluded place, purified,

with head, neck and body erect, in the final stage of life,
restraining their senses, bowing with devotion
to ones guru, they meditate.

tp:NRrik ev:rj: ev:S:

ev:ec:nty: m:Dy:
m:Dy: ev:S:d
ev:S:d ev:S::km:
ev:S::km: .
Aec:nty:m:vy:Vt:m:n:nt:-p:
eS:v: )S:ant:m:m:t: b:y::en:m: .

hrit-pundarkam
h
i
d k
virajam
i j
vishuddham
i h ddh
vicintya madhye vishadam vishokam
acintyam avyaktam ananta-rpam
shivam prashntam amritam brahma-yonim
They meditate on the immortal source of all
g in ones own heart
dwelling
untainted and pure, silent and blissful, transcendent and
formless, infinite, sacred and peaceful

t:m:aedm:Dy:ant:ev:hin:m:k
ev:B: ec:dan:ndm:-p:m:
ev:B:
ec:dan:ndm:-p:m:t:m:..
t:m:.. 6..

tam di-madhynta-vihnam eka

vibhu cidnandam arpam adbhutam
without beginning,
beginning middle or end,
end one,
one
all pervasive, conscious-fullness, formless and amazing.

um:as:hay: p:rm::r )B:

e*:l::c:n: n:il:kNY
e*:l::c:n:
n:il:kNY )S:ant:m:
)S:ant:m: .
Dy:atv:a m:en:g:cCet: B:t :y::en:
s:m:st:s:aex: t:m:s:H p:rst:at: .. 7..

um-sahya
h
paramevara

prabhu
bh
trilocana nlakaha prantam
dhytv munir gacchati bhta-yoni
samasta-ski tamasa parastt

Meditating on Lord Shiva, accompanied by Parvati,

with three eyes
y and blue throat,, peaceful,
p
,
a sage reaches the source of all,
the witness of all, beyond darkness.

s: Ov: s:v: y:t:

B:vy: s:n:at:n:m:
s:n:at:n:m: .
y:cc: B:vy:
watv:a t: m:ty:m:ty:et:
n:any:H p:nT:a ev:m:Vt:y: .. 9..

s: b:a s: eS:v:H s:ndH

s::|x:rH p:rm:H sv:raX
s::|x:rH
sv:raX .
s: O
Ov: ev:\N:H s: )aN:H
s: kal::|egn:H s: c:ndm:aH .. 8..
sa brahm
b h
sa iva
i
sendra
d
so 'kara parama svar
sa eva viu sa pra
sa klo 'gni sa candram

That is Brahma, that is Shiva, that is Indra.

That is immutable,, supreme,
p
, and sovereign.
g
That indeed is Vishnu, that is life.
That is time, Agni, and Chandrama.

s:v:B:t:sT:m:atm:an:
s:v:B:t:aen:
s:v:B:
t:aen: c:atm:en: .
s:mp:Sy:nb: p:rm:
y:aet: n:any:n: ht:n:a .. 10..

sa eva sarvam yad

d bh
bhtam
yac ca bhavyam santanam
jntv tam mrityum atyeti
nnyah panth vimuktaye

sarva-bhtastham
bh
h
tmnam
sarva-bhtni ctmani
sampashyan brahma paramam
yti nnyena hetun

Indeed, that is all that was and will be, eternal.

Knowing that, one transcends death.
There is no other way to liberation.

Discovering that tm which exists in all beings

and in which all beings exist,
one reaches supreme brahman. There is no other means.

A:tm:an:m:reN: ktv:a
)N:v: c:::rareN:m:
c:::rareN:m: .
)N:v:
wan:en:m:T:n:aBy:as:at:
p:ap: dhet: p:eNRt:H .. 11..

tmnam arai
i ktv
k
praava cottarraim
jnna-nirmathanbhyst
ppa dahati paita

Making oneself the lower fire-stick

and making om the upper,
from the repeated churning of knowledge,
a wise one burns sin.

sv:pn: s: j:iv:H s:K:dHK:B::Vt:a

kelp:t:j:iv:l::k .
sv:m:ay:y:a kelp:t:j:iv:l::k
s:\ :ept:kal: s:kl: ev:l:in:
t:m::|eB:B:t:H s:K:-p:m:et: .

svapne sa jvah
j h sukha-duhkha-bhokt
kh d hkh bh k
svamyay kalpita-jva-loke
sushupti-kle sakale vilne
tamo bhibhtah sukha-rpam eti
That tm, identified with a body, feels pleasure and pain
when events are projected in the dream state.
In the sleep state, when all is resolved,
darkness prevails and bliss remains.

s: Ov: m:ay:ap:erm::eht:atm:a
et: s:v:m:
s:v:m: .
S:rirm:asT:ay: kr:
kr:et:
s*y:p:an:aedev:ec:*:B::g:H
s: Ov: j:ag:tp:ert:ept:m:et: .. 12..
sa eva my-parimohittm
i hi
sharram sthya karoti sarvam
stryanna-pndi-vicitra-bhogaih
sa eva jgrat-paritriptim eti

That tm, covered by ignorance, identifies with a body

and does all actions, enjoying various experiences like
women, food and drink while in the waking state.

p:n:: j:nm:ant:rkm:y::g:at:
s: Ov: j:iv:H sv:ep:et: )b:
)b:H..
H.. 13..
puna ca janmntara-karmayogt
sa eva jva svapiti prabuddha

And again
again, due to karmas from other lives,
lives
that tm becomes a wakeful person and dreams again.

p:r*:y: #iRet: y:: j:iv:s:

t:t:st: j:at:
j:at: s:kl:
s:kl: ev:ec:*:m:
ev:ec:*:m: .
t:t:st:
A:D:arm:an:ndm:K:NRb::D:
y:esm:ll:y: y:aet: p:r*:y: c: .. 14..

Ot:sm:ajj:ay:t: )aN::
s:v:endy:aeN:
m:n:H s:v:end
y:aeN: c: .
K: v:ay:jy::et:rap::
p:Tv:i ev::sy: D:aerN:i .. 15..

pura-traye krdati
k d i yash
h ca jjvas
tatas tu jtam sakalam vicitram
dhram nandam akhanda-bodham
yasmin layam yti pura-trayam ca

etasmjj jjyate prno

manah sarvendriyni ca
kham vyur jyotir pash ca
prithv vishvasya dhrin

That tm, identified with a body, participates in

all three states. From tm all experiences arise.
Into that tm the limitless consciousness which is ones
essence and source of happiness all three states resolve.

From this tm are born life, mind, all sense faculties,

space, air, fire, water and the earth that supports all.

y:tp:r b: s:v:atm:a
ev::sy:ay:t:n: m:ht:
m:ht: .
ev::sy:ay:t:n:
m:t:r en:ty:
s:xm:ats:x
t:v:m:v: tv:m:v: t:t: .. 16..

j:ag:tsv:pn:s:\:pty:aed
)p:Wc: y:t)kaS:t:
y:t)kaS:t: .
)p:Wc:
t:db:ahem:et: watv:a
s:v:b:nD:H )m:cy:t: .. 17..

yat param brahma

b h
sarvtm
vishvasyyatanam mahat
skshmt skshmataram nityam
tat tvam eva tvam eva tat

jjgrat-svapna-sushuptydi
h
di
prapancam yat prakshate
tad brahmham iti jntv
sarva-bandhaih pramucyate

That tm is supreme brahman, the self of all,

substratum of the universe, subtler than subtle, eternal.
That indeed you are. You are that indeed.

One is liberated from all bondage by knowing

I am that brahman which becomes manifest
in the waking, dream and sleep states.

e*:\: D:am:s: y::gy:

B::Vt:a B::
g:: y:v:t:
y:v:t: .
B::Vt:a
B::g::
t:By:: ev:l:x:N:H s:ax:i
ec:nm:a*::|h s:daeS:v:H .. 18..

m:yy:v: s:kl: j:at:

s:v: )et:et:m:
)et:et:m: .
m:ey: s:v:
m:ey: s:v: l:y: y:aet:
t:db:ay:m:smy:hm: .. 19..

trishu
i h dh
dhmasu yad
d bh
bhogyam
bhokt bhogash ca yad bhavet
tebhyo vilakshanah sksh
cin-mtro ham sadshivah

mayyeva sakalam
k l
jjtam
mayi sarvam pratishthitam
mayi sarvam layam yti
tad brahmdvayam asmy aham

I am pure consciousness, forever sacred, the awareful

witness, independent of the experiencer, experience,
and all objects of experience in the three states.

In me alone, everything arises. In me, everything

is sustained. Into me, everything resolves.
I am non-dual brahman.

AN::rN:iy:an:hm:v: t:n:
m:han:h ev::m:h
ev::m:h ev:ec:*:m:
ev:ec:*:m: .
m:han:h
\::|hm:iS::
p:rat:n::|h p:,
ehrNm:y::|h eS:v:-p:m:esm: .. 20..

Ap:aeN:p:ad:|hm:ec:nty:S:eVt:H
p:Sy:amy:c:x:HH s: S:N::
my:kN:H .
p:Sy:amy:c:x:
S:N::my:kN:H
Ah ev:j:an:aem: ev:ev:Vt:-p:
n: c:aest: v::a m:m: ec:ts:da|hm: .. 21

anor anyn aham

h
eva tadvan
d
mahn aham vishvam aham vicitram
purtano ham purusho ham sho
hiryanmayo ham shiva-rpam asmi

apni-pdo
i d h
ham acintya-shaktih
i
h k ih
pashymy acakshuh sa shrinomy akarnah
aham vijnmi vivikta-rpam
na csti vett mama cit sad ham

Indeed, I am smaller than small yet I am vast.

I am the intricate universe. I am the ancient, sovereign being.
I am effulgent. My nature is divine.

I have no hands or feet, yet I have inconceivable power.

I see without eyes. I hear without ears. I know all forms
but no one knows me. I am pure consciousness.

v:drn:krhm:v: v::
v:dant:k
ev:dv: c:ahm:
c:ahm: .
v:dant:k
d
dev:dv:
n: p:Ny:p:ap: m:m: n:aest: n:aS::
n: j:nm: dhendy:b:erest: .
vedair
d i anekair
k i aham
h
eva vedyo
d
vedntakd vedavid eva cham
na puya-ppe mama nsti no
na janma dehendriya-buddhir asti

n: B:em:rap:: n: c: v:erest:
c:aen:l:: m:|est:
m:|est: n: c:amb:r
n: c:aen:l::
c:amb:r c: .. 22.

na bhmir po na ca vahnir asti

na cnilo me 'sti na cmbara ca asti

For me,
me there is no earth
earth, water
water, fire
fire, air or space
space.

I am known through the Vedas.

I am the knower and author of the Vedas.
I have no good or bad karma,
nor birth, body, senses, or intellect.

Ov: ev:edtv:a p:rm:atm:-p:

g:haS:y:
en:\kl:m:et:iy:m: .
g:
haS:y: en:\kl:m:et:iy:m:
s:m:st:s:aex: s:ds:ehin:
)y:aet: S: p:rm:atm:-p:m: .. 23..

y:H S:t:-edy:m:D:it: s::|egn:p:t:: B:v:et:

s:rap:an:atp:t::
s:
rap:an:atp:t:: B:v:et:
s: b:hty:at: p:t :: B:v:et:
s: s:v:N:st:y:atp:t:: B:v:et:

evam viditv
idi
paramtma-rpam
guhshayam nishkalam advityam
samasta-skshim sad-asad-vihnam
prayti shuddham paramtma-rpam

ya
ata-rdryam
d
adhte
dh so 'gnipto
' i
bh
bhavati
i
sur-pnt pto bhavati
sa brahma-hatyt pto bhavati
sa suvara-steyt pto bhavati

Knowing the supreme tm thus abiding within, undivided

and non-dual, witness of all, beyond the gross and subtle,
one reaches the pure, supreme tm.

One who studies the Shata Rudriya is purified by fire.

He is purified from the sin of drinking liquor.
He is purified from the sin of killing a brahmana.
He is purified from the sin of stealing gold.

s: kty:akty:atp:t:: B:v:et:
t:sm:adev:m:Vt:m:ae:t::
t:sm:adev:m:Vt:m:ae:t::
B:v:ty:ty:a:m:i s:v:da s:ka j:p:t: ..

ktyktyt pto bhavati

tasmd avimuktam rito
bhavaty atyram sarvad sakd v japet

He is purified from sins of commission and omission.

From that, he finds refuge in the abiding One.
A person who
has reached
off life
h h
h d the
th last
l t stage
t
lif
should recite it continually or at least once.

An:n: wan:m:apn::et:
s:s:araN:v:n:aS:n:m: .
s:s:araN:v:n:aS:n:m:
t:sm:adv: ev:edtv:n:
kv:ly: p:dm:Sn:t: .. 24..

anena jnnam
j
pnotii
samsrrnava-nshanam
tasmd evam viditvainam
kaivalyam padam ashnute

Through these teachings, one gains the knowledge

which destroys the ocean of worldly suffering.
Knowing thus, one attains the state of liberation, kaivalya.