Section 7.2 (first khaṇḍa) (ten texts)

Upaniṣad text:

If he be desirous of the Region of the Fathers, by his mere will, his fathers come upto him; and having become successful in obtaining the Region of the Fathers, he feels happy and great.—(1)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

It is next explained how the man is free to do what he wishes, in all Regions:—If one,—fully equipped with such resources as celibacy and the like, which are going to be described,—has realised in his heart, the Self as described above,—as also the true desires subsisting therein,—then, on relinquishing this body, if he be desirous of the Region of the Fathers;—the term ‘pitaraḥ’ here stands for one’s ancestors, and they themselves are here spoken of as ‘Regions’ because, being the source of happiness, they are objects of experience;—and if the man has his desire fixed on these ancestors,—i.e. if he has the desire to meet his ancestors,—then—by his mere will, his Fathers come up to him,—i.e. become connected with him. As he is of pure nature and hence his will is infallible, like the will of God Himself,-he becomes successful in obtaining—the experience of—the Region of the Fathers,—he feels happy and great,— he is honoured and he prospers, or experiences greatness.—(1)

Upaniṣad text:

If he be desirous of the Region of Mothers, by his mere will, his mothers come up to him; and having become successful in obtaining the Region of Mothers, he feels happy and great.—(2)

If he be desirous of the Region of the Brothers, by his mere will, his brothers come up to him; and having become successful in obtaining the Region of the Brothers he feels happy and great.—(3)

If he be desirous of the Region of Sisters, by his mere will, his sisters come up to him, and having become successful in obtaining the Region of Sisters, he feels happy and great.—(4)

If he be desirous of obtaining the Region of Friends, by his mere will, his friends come up to him; and having become successful in obtaining the Region of Friends, he feels happy and great.—(5)

If he be desirous of the Region of Scents and Garlands by his mere will, scents and garlands come up to him; and having become successful in obtaining the Region of Scents and Garlands, he feels happy and great.—(6)

If he be desirous of the Regions of Food and Drink, by his mere will, food and drink come up to him; and having become successful in obtaining the Regions of Food and Drink, he feels happy and great.—(7)

If he be desirous of the Regions of Song and Music, by his mere will, song and music come up to him; and having become successful in obtaining the Regions of Song and Music, he feels happy and great.—(8)

If he be desirous of the Regions of Women, by his mere with, women come up to him; and having become successful in obtaining the Regions of Women, he feels happy and great.—(9)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

The rest is as before.—‘Mothers’ stands for the female ancestors, who were the source of much happiness in the past; such is the implication; as it is not right that the Mystic of the pure nature should have any longing for, or connection with, such mothers as may have been the source of suffering and pain, in such lives as that of the village-hog and the like.—(2-9)

Upaniṣad text:

Whichever country he is attached to, and whichever desirable thing he desires,—all this comes up to him, by his mere will; and having been successful in obtaining this, he feels happy and great.—(10)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

Whichever country—place—he is attached to, whichever desirable thing he desires,—even those in addition to those described above.—all this—that is desired by him—the country and the desirable thing—comes up to him, by his mere will;—and thus his desires not being thwarted, and having obtained what he desired, he has become successful in obtaining all this,—he feels happy and great’, as is already explained.—(10)

End of Section (2) of Discourse VIII.