Section 3.1 (first khaṇḍa) (four texts)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

At the outset of the third Discourse beginning with the words ‘Āsau vā Ādityaḥ’, ‘This sun Verily’, we set forth the connection (between the two Discourses, II and III):—At the close of the immediately preceding Discourse (II), it has been said—‘One who knows the measure of the Sacrifice etc.’ and there have been expounded the ramifications of Sāma, Homa and Mantras, as appertaining to Sacrifices, and as forming part of Sacrifices and thereby bringing about particular results. It is the Sun who shines with brilliant effulgence and represents the embodiment of the successful accomplishment of all Sacrifices; it is the Sun who representing the fruition of the actions of all animate beings, is the visible sustainer of all. For these reasons, it is only right and proper that after the exposition (at the close of Discourse II) of the ‘Sacrifice’ we should expound the meditation upon the Sun who is the summation of the results of all Sacrifices, as leading to the fulfilment of the highest of all purposes of men.—With this intention, the Text proceeds with the next Discourse.—

Upaniṣad text:

‘Om’ I This Sun verily is the Honey of the Deities; of this, Heaven is the curved-beam, the Sky is the hive and the Rays are the eggs.—(1)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

This Sun verily is the Honey of the Deities etc.—The Sun is called the ‘honey’, ‘Madhu’, of the Deities because He delights them, and hence is like Honey. It is going to be described later on how embodying the results of all sacrifices, the Sun is a source of delight to the Vasus and other Deities.—The Text next explains in what way the Sun is like Honey.—Of this—Honey in the shape of the Sun, the Heaven is what the curved-beam is for the Bee-honey; as a matter of fact, the Heaven appears like a curved surface. The Sky is the Hive,—the Shy appears to be hanging by Heaven, just as the Hive hangs by the roof-beam; and through this similarity to the Bee-hive, the Sky is likened to the Hive; and also because the Sky is the abode of the Sun, just as the Hive is the container of the Honey.—‘The Rays etc.’—The Earth s moisture absorbed by the Sun’s rays, is what is known as water in the kingdom of Heaven; and as this moisture is contained in the rays which are contained in the hive-like Sky, it has the appearance of Eggs deposited therein, like the Eggs of the Bees; they are spoken of as ‘Eggs’ in the sense of being like Eggs; resembling the eggs of the Bees contained in the Beehive.—(1)

Upaniṣad text:

Its Eastward rays are the eastern honeycells; the Ṛk-verses are the honey-producers; the Ṛgveda is the flower; and those waters are the nectar; or those same Ṛk-verses.—(2)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

The Eastward rays—the rays flowing towards the East—of the Sun—who is the Honey in the Honey-hive,—are the Eastern honey-cells—the cells, holes, containing the honey;—these are called ‘Eastern’ in the sense that they flow outwards,—The Ṛk-verses are the honey-producers,—inasmuch as they ‘produce the honey’, which is red and is contained in the Sun; as the bees-extract the juice from flowers and produce honey; and the Ṛgveda which contains the Ṛk-verses is like the flowers which contain the Honey. Inasmuch as the name ‘Ṛgveda’ is applied to the collections of Ṛks and Brāhmaṇas, which are mere words, there cannot flow from these any such juices or effects (like Honey) as could be tasted (enjoyed); hence the term ‘Ṛgveda’ here should be taken as standing for the Acts prescribed in the Ṛgveda; as it is only from these acts that there can flow honey-like results. Just as the bees produce honey out of the juices extracted from flowers,—so the Ṛk-verses produce ‘honey’ out of the waters (results) extracted from the Acts (which are thus like flowers), “What are those Waters?”—The offerings consisting of Soma-juice. Butter and Milk, which are thrown into the fire at sacrificial performances; and these, on fruition, become Nectar; i.e. they lead to immortality; and being extremely juicy, they becopie waters.—Or those same Ṛk-verses,—extracting the juice—like the bees extracting the juices from flowers,—(are themselves the nectar).—(2)

Upaniṣad text:

They pressed this Ṛgveda. From it, thus pressed, there proceeded its Essence, in the form of fame, resplendence, efficient sense-organs, strength and eatable food.—(3)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

They pressed—exerted pressure upon—this Ṛgveda—i.e. the Sacrificial Act prescribed in the Ṛgveda, which is like the flower (from which Honey is extracted). It is only right that when the Act is performed with the Ṛk-verses used as Mantras equipped with such ‘Śāstra’ (Recitation) and other details, it gives out the Essence which is productive of Honey; just as it is only when the flowers are sucked by bees that Honey is produced.—This is explained by the words—‘From it—thus pressed etc.’—

Question—“What is that ‘Essence’ which is described as proceeding from the pressure exerted by the bees in the shape of the Ṛk-verses?”—

Answer:—Fame—reputation,—resplendence—effulgence of body,—efficient sense-organs—equipment of virile organs free from all weaknesses,—strength—power,—and eatable food,—food that is eatable, by the daily use of which the deities continue to live;—this was the Essence that proceeded out of Action in the shape of Sacrifices.—(3)

Upaniṣad text:

It flowed out; it went round the Sun; this is what appears as the red colour in the Sun.—(4)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

It—all this, beginning with Fame and ending with eatable food,—flowed out—went forth copiously having flown out, it went round the Sun,—went by the side of the Sun, to the East of it.—Sacrificial acts are done by men with a view to obtaining such results as Fame and the like, with the idea that ‘I shall eat the Honey in the shape of the accumulated results of actions, as treasured in this Sun’; just as cultivators take to agriculture (for the purpose of securing articles of food)’.—This is now exemplified in a visible form—This is what etc., etc.—What is it?—It is what is seen as the red colour in the rising Sun.—(4)

End of Section (1) of Discourse III