14.024
The Brāhmaṇa said.
Here too, they recount this ancient legend—the dialogue between Nārada and the sage Devamata. (14-24-1)
Devamata said.
Of a living being at birth, what indeed arises first — prāṇa, apāna, samāna, vyāna, or is it udāna? (14-24-2)
Nārada said;
That by which this being is created—another, earlier than that, reaches him. The pair of vital breaths should be recognized: that which moves sideways and that which moves upward. (14-24-3)
Devamata said.
By what is this creature created? Who else goes to him before? Tell me also with certainty about the union of the vital airs, both across and above. (14-24-4)
Nārada said.
Joy arises from imagination, and it also arises from sound; it comes from taste and also from form. (14-24-5)
Joy that arises from union is a manifestation of udāna; it is produced from touch and also from smell. (14-24-6)
Semen and essence are produced from desire; they are generated by the actions of samāna and vyāna in the general substance, namely, semen and blood. (14-24-7)
First, prāṇa operates from the semen mixed with blood. When the semen is transformed by prāṇa, then apāna operates. (14-24-8)
The pair of prāṇa and apāna, moving downward and upward, is so described; similarly, vyāna and samāna are both said to be a pair moving transversely. (14-24-9)
"Agni, indeed, is all the deities,"—thus is the instruction of the Veda. Knowledge endowed with intelligence arises among Brāhmaṇas. (14-24-10)
Of it, the smoke takes the form of darkness, the ash is rajas, and the ashes are of the divine essence; sattva is produced from it where the offering is made. (14-24-11)
The offerings are samāna and vyāna—thus know the knowers of sacrifice. Prāṇa and apāna are the recipients of the clarified butter, and in the middle of those two burns the fire (Agni). This is known as the supreme form of udāna by the brāhmaṇas. (14-24-12)
Now hear from me what is meant by 'freedom from dualities' as I speak. This duality is day and night; in the midst of these two is Agni (fire). Brāhmaṇas know this form of Udāna as the highest. (14-24-14)
The knowers of Brahman know that the supreme form of Udāna is Agni situated in the middle of both solstices, which form a pair. (14-24-15)
The knowers of Brahman know that the supreme form of Udāna is the fire placed in the midst between both truth and untruth, duality. (14-24-16)
The wise ones know that in the midst of both auspicious and inauspicious dualities stands the fire; this supreme form of Udāna is known by the knowers of Brahman. (14-24-17)
The knowers of Brahman understand that the supreme form of udāna is fire, which stands between the pair of truth and untruth. (14-24-18)
First, samāna and vyāna are distributed; through that action, that occurs. Third, but by samāna, again indeed it is distributed. (14-24-19)
For the sake of peace, Vāmadeva and peace are the eternal Brahman. The knowers of Brahman understand this supreme form of Udāna. (14-24-20)
