" Father and Son conversation"

Part-6.

 

 

Chapter I — The Non—Duality of the Self 

 

 

Slokam-1 to 7.

 

 

1.   Om. There once lived Svetaketu the grandson of Aruna. To him  his father said: "Svetaketu, lead the life of a brahmacharin; for  there is none belonging to our family, my dear, who, not having  studied the Vedas, is a brahmin only by birth."  

 

 

 

 

 2—3.   Svetaketu went to his teacher’s house when he was twelve  years old and studied the Vedas till he was twenty—four. Then  he returned to his father, serious, considering himself well read  and arrogant.  His father said to him: "Svetaketu, since you are now so  serious, think yourself well read and are so arrogant, have you,  my dear, ever asked for that instruction by which one hears  what cannot be heard, by which one perceives what cannot be  perceived, by which one knows what cannot be known?"  Svetaketu asked: "What is that instruction, venerable Sir?"  

 

 

 

 

 4—6.   "Just as, my dear, by one clod of clay all that is made of clay is  known, the modification being only a name, arising from  speech, while the truth is that all is clay;  "Just as, my dear, by one nugget of gold all that is made of gold  is known, the modification being only a name, arising from  speech, while the truth is that all is gold;  "And just as, my dear, by one pair of nail—scissors all that is  made of iron is known, the modification being only a name,  arising from speech, while the truth is that all is iron—even so,  my dear, is that instruction." 

 

 

 

 

7.   "Surely those venerable men did not know that. For if they had  known it, why should they not have told it to me? Therefore do  you, venerable Sir, tell me about it."  "So be it, my dear," said the father.