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A person meditates by a lake where a dark starry sky meets the light of dawn.
A person meditates by a lake where a dark starry sky meets the light of dawn.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2: Meditation, Yoga and Knowledge

The chapter proceeds from the invocation of Savitṛ through bodily, breathing and meditative practice to the signs of yoga and knowledge of the all-pervading God.

Dr. Ronald Steiner Dr. Ronald Steiner Nils Jacob Liersch Nils Jacob Liersch
SVU 2.1-2.3: Savitṛ Gathers Mind and Senses
SVU 2.1-2.3: Savitṛ Gathers Mind and Senses

SVU 2.1-2.3: Savitṛ's Impulse towards the Great Light

Under Savitṛ's impulse, mind and powers of cognition gather towards truth; the great light rises beyond earthly fire.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.1
yuñjānaḥ prathamaṃ manas; tatvāya savitā dhiyaḥ | agner jyotir nicāyi*ya; pṛthivyā adhi* ābharat ||1||
Metre: Vedic Anuṣṭubh
Gathering himself (yuñjānaḥ | nom sg m pcm), first (prathamaṃ | acc sg n) [directing] the mind (manas | acc sg) towards truth (tatvāya | dat sg), Savitṛ (savitā | nom sg) [directed] the powers of cognition (dhiyaḥ | acc pl). Having recognised (nicāyya | abs) the light (jyotir | acc sg) of fire (agner | gen sg), he brought it forth (ābharat | 3p sg act pret) above (adhi), beyond the earth (pṛthivyā | abl sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.2
yuktena manasā vayaṃ; devasya savituḥ save | suvargeyāya śakti*yā ||2||
Metre: Gāyatrī
With gathered mind (yuktena manasā | ins sg), we (vayam | nom pl) [act] under the impulse (save | loc sg) of the god (devasya | gen sg) Savitṛ (savituḥ | gen sg), for the [meditative act] leading to heaven (suvargeyāya | dat sg n), according to [our] ability (śaktyā | ins sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.3
yuktvāya manasā devān; suvar yato dhiyā divam | bṛhaj jyotiḥ kariṣyataḥ; savitā prasuvāti tān ||3||
Metre: Anuṣṭubh
To yoke (yuktvāya | inf), with the mind (manasā | ins sg), the gods (devān | acc pl) who strive (yataḥ | acc pl m pca) towards heaven (suvar | acc sg), [so that] through insight (dhiyā | ins sg) they may reach heaven (divam | acc sg) and will bring forth (kariṣyataḥ | acc pl m) the great light (bṛhaj jyotiḥ | acc sg), Savitṛ (savitā | nom sg) impels (prasuvāti | 3p sg act pres) those very ones (tān | acc pl m).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
SVU 2.4-2.5: Praise of the One
SVU 2.4-2.5: Praise of the One

SVU 2.4-2.5: Concentration and Praise

The sages focus the mind and powers of cognition on the one seer. They yoke the ancient sacred word with homage; their song of praise reaches the divine realms.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.4
yuñjate mana, uta yuñjate dhiyo; viprā viprasya, bṛhato vipaścitaḥ | vi hotrā dadhe, vayunā-vid eka in; mahī devasya, savituḥ pariṣṭutiḥ ||4||
Metre: Jagatī with Vaṃśa ending
They yoke (yuñjate | 3p pl med pres) the mind (manas | acc sg), and (uta) they yoke (yuñjate | 3p pl med pres) the powers of cognition (dhiyaḥ | acc pl): the sages (viprāḥ | nom pl) [yoke them] to the sage (viprasya | gen sg), the great (bṛhataḥ | gen sg m), discerning one (vipaścitaḥ | gen sg m). Arranging (vi) the invocations (hotrā | acc pl), he has established them (dadhe | 3p sg med perf), the knower of order (vayunā-vid | nom sg m), the One (ekaḥ | nom sg m), indeed (it). Great (mahī | nom sg f) [is] the all-round praise (pariṣṭutiḥ | nom sg) of the god (devasya | gen sg) Savitṛ (savituḥ | gen sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.5
yuje vāṃ brahma, pūrvyaṃ namobhir; vi śloka etu, pathyeva sūreḥ | śṛṇvanti viśve, amṛtasya putrā; ā ye dhāmāni, diviyāni tasthuḥ ||5||
Metre: Pāda 1: Triṣṭubh with Śālinī ending — 10 syllables; Pāda 2: Triṣṭubh with Śālinī ending — 10 syllables; Pāda 3: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 4: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending
I yoke (yuje | 1p sg med pres) the ancient sacred word (brahma pūrvyaṃ | acc sg n) of you both (vām | gen du) with acts of homage (namobhiḥ | ins pl). Far and wide (vi) may the song of praise (ślokaḥ | nom sg) proceed (etu | 3p sg act imp), like (iva) [the call] of the sage (sūreḥ | gen sg) upon the path (pathyā | ins sg). All (viśve | nom pl m) the sons (putrāḥ | nom pl) of immortality (amṛtasya | gen sg n) hear (śṛṇvanti | 3p pl act pres); [called] hither (ā) are those (ye | nom pl m) who have taken their place (tasthuḥ | 3p pl act perf) in the divine (diviyāni | acc pl n) realms (dhāmāni | acc pl).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
SVU 2.6-2.7: Where the Gathered Mind Arises
SVU 2.6-2.7: Where the Gathered Mind Arises

SVU 2.6-2.7: Fire, Breath and Soma Lead to the Source

Fire, restrained breath and overflowing Soma gather the mind; under Savitṛ's impulse it finds its unwavering source in ancient Brahman.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.6
agnir yatrābhimathyate; vāyur yatrādhirudhyate | somo yatrātiricyate; tatra saṃjāyate manaḥ ||6||
Metre: Vedic Anuṣṭubh
Where (yatra) fire (agnir | nom sg) is kindled by friction (abhimathyate | 3p sg pas pres), where (yatra) breath (vāyur | nom sg) is restrained (adhirudhyate | 3p sg pas pres), where (yatra) Soma (somaḥ | nom sg) overflows (atiricyate | 3p sg pas pres), there (tatra) the mind (manaḥ | nom sg) arises (saṃjāyate | 3p sg med pres).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.7
savitrā prasavena ca; juṣeta brahma pūrvi*yam | tatra yoniṃ kṛṇavase; nahi te pūrtam akṣipat ||7||
Metre: Anuṣṭubh
Through Savitṛ (savitrā | ins sg), also (ca) through his impulse (prasavena | ins sg), one should devote oneself (juṣeta | 3p sg med opt) to ancient Brahman (brahma pūrvyam | acc sg n). There (tatra) the source (yonim | acc sg) is to be made (kṛṇavase | inf); for (nahi) what has been accomplished (pūrtam | nom sg n ppp) has not cast it away (akṣipat | 3p sg act pret) for you (te | dat sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
SVU 2.8-2.9: Raft and Reins of Breath
SVU 2.8-2.9: Raft and Reins of Breath

SVU 2.8-2.9: Upright Posture and Regulation of Breath

The practitioner holds the body upright, gathers the senses in the heart, crosses dangerous currents on the raft of Brahman, and reins in breath and mind.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.8
trir unnataṃ, sthāpya samaṃ śarīraṃ; hṛdīndriyāṇi, manasā saṃniveśya | brahmoḍupena, pratareta vidvān; srotāṃsi sarvāṇi, bhayāvahāni ||8||
Metre: Pāda 1: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 2: Triṣṭubh with Śālinī ending — 12 syllables; Pāda 3: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 4: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending
Having held (sthāpya | abs) [chest, neck and head] threefold (tris) upright (unnatam | acc sg n ppp), the body straight (samaṃ śarīram | acc sg), and having gathered (saṃniveśya | abs) the senses (indriyāṇi | acc pl) with the mind (manasā | ins sg) in the heart (hṛdi | loc sg), the knower (vidvān | nom sg m ppa) should cross (pratareta | 3p sg med opt), on the raft of Brahman (brahmoḍupena | ins sg), every danger-bearing current (srotāṃsi sarvāṇi bhayāvahāni | acc pl n).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.9
prāṇān prapīḍye,ha sa yukta-ceṣṭaḥ; kṣīṇe prāṇe, nāsikayocchvasīta | duṣṭāśva-yuktam, iva vāham enaṃ; vidvān mano, dhārayetāpramattaḥ ||9||
Metre: Pāda 1: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 2: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 3: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 4: Triṣṭubh with Śālinī ending
Having restrained (prapīḍya | abs) the vital breaths (prāṇān | acc pl) here (iha), let him (saḥ | nom sg m) have controlled movement (yukta-ceṣṭaḥ | nom sg m); when the breath has diminished (kṣīṇe prāṇe | loc absl sg), he should breathe out (ucchvasīta | 3p sg act opt) through the nose (nāsikayā | ins sg). Without negligence (apramattaḥ | nom sg m ppp), the knower (vidvān | nom sg m ppa) should hold (dhārayet | 3p sg act opt caus) this (enam | acc sg m) mind (manas | acc sg), like (iva) a vehicle (vāham | acc sg) yoked to unruly horses (duṣṭāśva-yuktam | acc sg m ppp).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
SVU 2.10: The Sheltered Place
SVU 2.10: The Sheltered Place

SVU 2.10: Outer Conditions for Quiet Yoga Practice

A level, clean, quiet and sheltered place that strains neither mind nor eyes makes concentrated yoga practice possible.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.10
same śucau, śarkarā-vahni-vālukā;-vivarjite, śabda-jalāśrayādibhiḥ | mano 'nukūle, na tu cakṣu-pīḍane; guhā-nivātā,śrayaṇe prayojayet ||10||
Metre: Pāda 1: Jagatī; Pāda 2: Jagatī with Vaṃśa ending; Pāda 3: Jagatī with Vaṃśa ending; Pāda 4: Jagatī with Vaṃśa ending
In a level [place] (same | loc sg n), in a clean one (śucau | loc sg n), free from pebbles, fire and sand (śarkarā-vahni-vālukā-vivarjite | loc sg n ppp), [and] from noise, water, shelters and the like (śabda-jalāśrayādibhiḥ | ins pl), agreeable to the mind (mano'nukūle | loc sg n), but (tu) not (na) oppressive to the eye (cakṣu-pīḍane | loc sg), in a cave-like shelter protected from the wind (guhā-nivātāśrayaṇe | loc sg), one should practise (prayojayet | 3p sg act opt caus).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
SVU 2.11: Harbingers of the Inner Light
SVU 2.11: Harbingers of the Inner Light

SVU 2.11: Signs before Brahman's Manifestation

Mist, smoke, sun, fire, wind, fireflies, lightning, crystal and moon appear in yoga as the first signs before Brahman's manifestation.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.11
nīhāra-dhūmā,rkānalānilānāṃ; khadyota-vidyut,-sphaṭikā-śaśīnām | etāni rūpāṇi, puraḥ-sarāṇi; brahmaṇy abhi,vyakti-karāṇi yoge ||11||
Metre: Pāda 1: Triṣṭubh; Pāda 2: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 3: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 4: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending
[The appearances] of mist, smoke, sun, fire and wind (nīhāra-dhūmārkānalānilānām | gen pl), of fireflies, lightning, crystals and moons (khadyota-vidyut-sphaṭikāśaśīnām | gen pl): these forms (etāni rūpāṇi | nom pl) go before (puraḥ-sarāṇi | nom pl n); in yoga (yoge | loc sg) they bring about manifestation (abhivyakti-karāṇi | nom pl n) in Brahman (brahmaṇi | loc sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
SVU 2.12-2.13: Signs of the Fire of Yoga
SVU 2.12-2.13: Signs of the Fire of Yoga

SVU 2.12-2.13: Transformation of the Elements and the Body

The five elements and the fire of yoga transform the body; health, lightness, freedom from desire, clarity of appearance and voice mark progress.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.12
pṛthvy ap tejo, 'nila-khe samutthite; pañcātmake, yoga-guṇe pravṛtte | na tasya rogo, na jarā na mṛtyuḥ; prāptasya yogā,gni-mayaṃ śarīram ||12||
Metre: Pāda 1: Jagatī with Vaṃśa ending — 11 syllables; Pāda 2: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 3: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 4: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending
When [the elements] have arisen (samutthite | loc absl sg n ppp) in the aggregate of earth, water, fire, air and space (pṛthvy-ap-tejo'nila-khe | loc sg), and the fivefold (pañcātmake | loc sg n) quality of yoga (yoga-guṇe | loc absl sg) has become active (pravṛtte | loc absl sg m ppp), there is not (na), for him (tasya | gen sg m), disease (rogaḥ | nom sg), not (na) old age (jarā | nom sg), not (na) death (mṛtyuḥ | nom sg): for one who has attained (prāptasya | gen sg m ppp) a body (śarīram | acc sg) made of the fire of yoga (yogāgni-mayam | acc sg n).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.13
laghutvam ārogyam, alolupatvaṃ; varṇa-prasādaḥ, svara-sauṣṭhavaṃ ca | gandhaḥ śubho, mūtra-purīṣam alpaṃ; yoga-pravṛttiṃ, prathamāṃ vadanti ||13||
Metre: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending
Lightness (laghutvam | nom sg), health (ārogyam | nom sg), freedom from desire (alolupatvam | nom sg), clarity of appearance (varṇa-prasādaḥ | nom sg), beauty of voice (svara-sauṣṭhavam | nom sg), and (ca) a pleasant scent (gandhaḥ śubhaḥ | nom sg m), little urine and faeces (mūtra-purīṣam alpam | nom sg n): these they call (vadanti | 3p pl act pres) the first onset of yoga (yoga-pravṛttiṃ prathamām | acc sg f).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
SVU 2.14-2.16: Self-Luminous and Unbound
SVU 2.14-2.16: Self-Luminous and Unbound

SVU 2.14-2.16: Knowledge of the Self and Omnipresence

As in a cleansed mirror, the Self appears in its own light. Whoever knows the unborn God is released from every bond and beholds the One in every being.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.14
yathaiva bimbaṃ, mṛdayopaliptaṃ; tejo-mayaṃ, bhrājate tat su-dhautam | tad vātma-tattvaṃ, prasamīkṣya dehī; ekaḥ kṛtārtho, bhavate vīta-śokaḥ ||14||
Metre: Pāda 1: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 2: Triṣṭubh with Śālinī ending; Pāda 3: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 4: Triṣṭubh with Śālinī ending — 12 syllables
Just as (yathaiva) a mirror or disc (bimbam | nom sg), though covered (upaliptam | nom sg n ppp) with earth (mṛdayā | ins sg), shines (bhrājate | 3p sg med pres) with brilliance (tejo-mayam | nom sg n) when it (tat | nom sg n) has been thoroughly cleansed (su-dhautam | nom sg n ppp), so (tat | nom sg n), indeed (vā), having beheld (prasamīkṣya | abs) the true nature of the Self (ātma-tattvam | acc sg), the embodied one (dehī | nom sg) becomes (bhavate | 3p sg med pres) one (ekaḥ | nom sg m), has attained the goal (kṛtārthaḥ | nom sg), [and is] free from sorrow (vīta-śokaḥ | nom sg m).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.15
yad ātma-tattvena, tu brahma-tattvaṃ; dīpopamene,ha yuktaḥ prapaśyet | ajaṃ dhruvaṃ, sarva-tattvair viśuddhaṃ; jñātvā devaṃ, mucyate sarva-pāśaiḥ ||15||
Metre: Triṣṭubh with Śālinī ending
If (yad), however (tu), one gathered in yoga (yuktaḥ | nom sg m ppp) should here (iha) behold (prapaśyet | 3p sg act opt) the true nature of Brahman (brahma-tattvam | acc sg) through the lamp-like (dīpa-upamena | ins sg n) true nature of the Self (ātma-tattvena | ins sg), and, having known (jñātvā | abs) God (devam | acc sg) as the unborn (ajam | acc sg m), constant one (dhruvam | acc sg m), completely pure (viśuddham | acc sg m ppp) and untouched by every principle (sarva-tattvaiḥ | ins pl), one is released (mucyate | 3p sg pas pres) from every bond (sarva-pāśaiḥ | ins pl).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.16
eṣa ha devaḥ, pradiśo 'nu sarvāḥ; pūrvo ha jātaḥ, sa u garbhe antaḥ | sa eva jātaḥ, sa janiṣyamānaḥ; pratyaṅ janās, tiṣṭhati sarvato-mukhaḥ ||16||
Metre: Pāda 1: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 2: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 3: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 4: Jagatī with Vaṃśa ending
This (eṣaḥ | nom sg m), indeed (ha), God (devaḥ | nom sg) [extends] along (anu) every (sarvāḥ | acc pl f) direction (pradiśaḥ | acc pl). The first (pūrvaḥ | nom sg m), indeed (ha), born (jātaḥ | nom sg m ppp), he (saḥ | nom sg m) is also (u) within (antar) the womb (garbhe | loc sg). He (saḥ | nom sg m) alone (eva) is born (jātaḥ | nom sg m ppp); he (saḥ | nom sg m) is the one yet to be born (janiṣyamānaḥ | nom sg m pfm). Turned inward (pratyaṅ | nom sg m), O people (janāḥ | voc pl), he stands (tiṣṭhati | 3p sg act pres), facing every direction (sarvato-mukhaḥ | nom sg m).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
SVU 2.17: Reverence for the Presence in All
SVU 2.17: Reverence for the Presence in All

SVU 2.17: God in Fire, Water, Herbs and Trees

The closing verse reveres the one God as present in fire, water, the world, herbs and trees, affirming this through repeated homage.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.17
yo devo agnau yo apsu; yo viśu*vaṃ, bhuvanam āviveśa | ya oṣadhīṣu, yo vanas-patīṣu; tasmai devāya namo namaḥ ||17||
Metre: Pāda 1: Anuṣṭubh; Pāda 2: Triṣṭubh with Vajrā ending; Pāda 3: Triṣṭubh; Pāda 4: Anuṣṭubh — 9 rather than 8 syllables
The one who (yaḥ | nom sg m) is God (devaḥ | nom sg) in fire (agnau | loc sg), who (yaḥ | nom sg m) is in the waters (apsu | loc pl), who (yaḥ | nom sg m) has entered and pervaded (āviveśa | 3p sg act perf) the whole world (viśvaṃ bhuvanam | acc sg), who (yaḥ | nom sg m) [dwells] in the herbs (oṣadhīṣu | loc pl), who (yaḥ | nom sg m) [dwells] in the lords of the forest, the trees (vanas-patīṣu | loc pl): to that one (tasmai | dat sg m), to God (devāya | dat sg), [be] homage (namas | nom sg), homage again (namaḥ | nom sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal

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Dr. Ronald Steiner

Dr. Ronald Steiner

From Ulm

The "Yoga Doc" - Dr. Ronald Steiner is the founder of the AYI method. This method links traditional Ashtanga Yoga with innovative Yogatherapy and living Philosophy. This forms a practice that is personal for each and... more ›

Nils Jacob Liersch

Nils Jacob Liersch

Meine Begeisterung für Yoga, indische Philosophie und Sanskrit führte mich zum Studium der Indologie und Religionswissenschaft an der Universität Heidelberg. Seit 2004 befinde ich mich auf meinem persönlichen Yogaweg... more ›