Section 2.4 (fourth khaṇḍa) (two texts)

Upaniṣad text:

One should meditate upon the five-fold Sāma, in reference to all waters: The gathering of clouds is the syllable Hiṃ; What rains is the Prastāva; those flowing eastward are the Udgītha; those flowing westward are the Pratihāra; the Ocean is the Nidhana.—(1)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

One should meditate upon the five-fold Sama, in reference to all waters;—this comes next (to rain) because Water is always preceded by Rain. The gathering of clouds,—i.e., when the clouds thicken by being piled upon each other; as a matter of fact, whenever the cloud rises, it is said to be ‘gathering’; this being the first process in the production of water, is called ‘Hiṃ’ (which is the first step in the singing of Sāma).—That which rains is the Prastāva; as it is then that the Waters are proceeding (Prastutāḥ) to spread on all sides.—Those flowing eastward are the Udgītha;—because of the great importance of both these.—Those flowing westward are the Pratihāra because the term ‘prati’ is common to both (‘pratīcī’ and ‘pratihāra’).—The Ocean is the Nidhana; as the Ocean is the first repository of all waters.—(1)

Upaniṣad text:

If one who knowing this thus meditates upon the fivefold Sāma in reference to all waters, he dies not in water, and becomes rich in water.—(2)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

He dies not in water—unless he wishes it;—he becomes rich in water—possessor of much water;—This is the reward following from the foregoing meditation.—(2)

End of Section (4) of Discourse II.