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<h1 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><b>
<font size="4">Satyakama and Upakoshala</font><o:p></o:p></b></h1>
<div class=Section1>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:
none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><i><span style='font-size:
15.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></i></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:150%;
mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>(1)<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:
none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:
none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>S<span style='font-size:
10.0pt'>ATYAKAMA</span> was now a Rishi, a <span class=SpellE><i>brahmarsi</i></span><i>,
</i>a sage and seer who had realised the Truth. He was himself a teacher now,
had his own <span class=SpellE>Ashrama</span> where the seekers and aspirants
came to receive his instruction and guidance. Today I shall tell you something
of the aim and method of <span class=SpellE>Satyakama's</span> work as teacher.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Upakoshala
<span class=SpellE>Kamalayana</span>, the son of Kamala, resided with Satyakama
as a student of sacred lore for twelve years, tending his fires. What this
tending of the fires really meant we shall learn as we proceed. There were
other resident pupils along with Upakoshala; and after they had finished their
twelve-year course, they were permitted to return home, <span class=SpellE><i>samavartana</i></span><i>,
</i>with the final words of instruction and blessings from the master. But
Satyakama would not let Upakoshala leave.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>On
behalf of the pupil a representation was made to the teacher by <span
class=SpellE>Satyakama's</span> wife - how and when Satyakama had obtained a
wife and what she was called I have not been able to discover. The wife said,
&quot;My lord, the pupil has been at pains to perform his austerities, he has
been tending the fires with diligence and care. Lest the fires should place the
blame on you, he should now be permitted to leave for his home with your
blessings.&quot; But the teacher kept quiet and left on a journey without
saying a word on the point.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>In
the grief of his heart Upakoshala undertook a fast. It seems that even in those
<span class=GramE>days</span> ordinary people and aspirants<span style='font-size:10.0pt;'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-indent:10.55pt;
line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:
none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;'>Page-133<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;
mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'>

<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:
none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span class=GramE>too</span>
were apt to fast unto death to get their wishes fulfilled. The good lady did
her best to make the boy understand. &quot;Why don't you eat, my dear
child?&quot; she said, &quot;Do take something, at least for my sake.&quot;
Upakoshala explained that his fast was not from any anger with the master, but
with himself and his own shortcomings. Here was then a difference between the
olden times and now! He said, &quot;My lady, this body of mine is filled with
disease. Therefore I shall not eat.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Thereupon
the three household Fires had consultations among themselves. &quot;See how
diligently this boy has been attending on us&quot;, they said, &quot;Come, let
us instruct him ourselves.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>We
might recall here that Satyakama too had attained the knowledge of Brahman in
this manner. The teacher had left him free to wander at will and knowledge had
flashed upon him spontaneously. He was now trying the same method with his own
disciple. Words gleaned from an external source and received from the mouth of
another do not give the full knowledge. Knowledge implanted from without does
not enter one who is not inwardly clarified and ready; for knowledge blossoms
forth from within. The teacher is there to give an occult help, but there is
needed a capacity to receive the teacher's help. That is how Upakoshala could
hear in his wakened consciousness the conversation of the Fires.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:12.0pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:214.8pt 236.4pt;mso-layout-grid-align:
none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>They were saying, &quot;Life-force verily is the
Reality. <i>Ka </i>is the Reality, <span class=SpellE><i>kha</i></span><i> </i>is,
the Reality.&quot; And Upakoshala asked, &quot;There is proof that life-force
is the Reality. <span class=GramE>But what is <i>ka </i>and what <span
class=SpellE><i>kha</i></span><i>?&quot;</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:
none;tab-stops:12.45pt 214.8pt 236.4pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:
none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The Fires replied, &quot;What is
<i>ka </i>is <span class=SpellE><i>kha</i></span><i>, </i>what is <span
class=SpellE><i>kha</i></span><i> </i>is <i>ka.&quot;<o:p></o:p></i></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:
none;tab-stops:12.45pt 214.8pt 236.4pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:
none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><i><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span></i><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Both are terms that express the ether pervading life. <i>Ka </i>is
the ether of the inner consciousness, <span class=SpellE><i>kha</i></span><i> </i>the
ether pervading physical space. Space represents the extension of the
life-force. Fire is power, the power that achieves by force of austerity; and life-energy
is the expression of that power<span style='font-size:10.0pt;'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:150%;
mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:12.45pt 214.8pt 236.4pt;mso-layout-grid-align:
none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>
<span style='font-size:10.0pt;'>Page-134<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:12.95pt;
mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:12.45pt 214.8pt 236.4pt;mso-layout-grid-align:
none;text-autospace:none'>

<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:9.8pt;
mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:62.4pt 263.5pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span class=GramE>as</span> force of action. That explains
the Fire's emphasis on 1ife-force.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:
62.4pt 263.5pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:150%;
mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>(2)<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:
none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:
none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>The Fires are three in
number. The Katha Upanishad also speaks of <span class=SpellE>Nachiketa</span>
learning the method of worshipping the three Fires; he thereby conquers death
and comes to possess the three worlds, <span class=SpellE><i>trilokamaptim</i></span><i>.
</i>Here too it is the same story.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>The
first of the three Fires is Lord' of the House, <span class=SpellE><i>garha­patya</i></span><i>.
</i>He manifested Himself to. Upakoshala and said, &quot;Behold this earth and
the fire, food and the yonder sun. The Supreme Person you see in the sun, that
Person is my­self and no other. He who knows That, the Supreme Reality, in this
wise and worships It thus, of him all sinful acts are destroyed, in all the
worlds he finds his station, he reaches the full span of life, becomes
immortal. His progeny is not cut short; we enjoy him (take our delight in him),
in this world and in that, him who knows and worships the Reality thus.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:9.35pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span
class=GramE>Next appeared the second of the three Fires, the Fire of the Right,
<span class=SpellE><i>daksinagni</i></span><i>. </i>He said,
“Upakoshala, behold the waters, the four quarters, the stars and the moon. He
who knows them and worships them finds all his sins destroyed. He becomes
possessed of all the worlds, he has the full span of life, becomes immortal.
His progeny' decays not. We enjoy him, in this world and in that, him who knows
It thus and worships.&quot;<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:9.8pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>And
last there came the Fire of the Call, <span class=SpellE><i>ahavaniya</i></span><i>.
</i>He said, &quot;Behold my body which is the life-breath, the sky and heaven
and the lightning. The Person that is seen within the lightning is none other
than <span class=GramE>myself</span>, verily it is me. He who abides in Brahman
firm in this thought finds all his evil acts dispelled. He becomes a dweller in
all the worlds. He gains the full span of his life, becomes immortal.&quot;<span style='font-size:10.0pt;'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-indent:9.8pt;
line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:
none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;'>Page-135<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-indent:10.55pt;
line-height:12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:
none'>

<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:10.55pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Perhaps
it is necessary to add a word of explanation here about the four locations
given to each of the three Fires. But these, have been described through the
medium of sym­bols, and symbols always leave a certain amount of mystery.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:11.25pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>The
Fire that is Lord of the House, <span class=SpellE><i>grhapati</i></span><i>, </i>has
for its seat this material earth, that is, it burns within our physical frame.
It has steadiness for its quality, its flame shoots up­wards, it aims at the
sun - for the light that illumines earth is no other than the sun. Its form is
that of the burning flame and its field of action is gross matter. Similarly,
the Fire of the Right, <span class=SpellE><i>dasinagni</i></span><i> </i>has
for its dwelling the waters, which imply movement. Its form is spread out in
every direction; its field is the region of the starry sky; its goal the moon
of Delight, <i>soma. </i>Likewise, the Fire of the Call, <span class=SpellE><i>ahavaniyagni</i></span><i>,
</i>has for its seat the life-breath, which gives the power to work. Its form
is of the nature of extension; its field the heavenly <span class=GramE>regions
of mind, the light which it seeks is</span> like the self-luminous lightning.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>After
thus imparting the knowledge of the Reality, the Fires said to Upakoshala,
&quot;Upakoshala, we have given you what knowledge of the Self we possess. Your
teacher when he comes will explain to you what the aim is of this know­ledge,
the goal to which it leads.&quot;<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>And now the teacher,
Satyakama, was <span class=GramE>back</span> home. And he had a look at
Upakoshala, and he broke out in words identical with those which his own
teacher had used in greeting when he brought back the <span class=SpellE>kine</span>
from their wanderings. He said, &quot;Your face shines like one who has
realised the Truth. Who has given you the instruction?&quot; Upakoshala felt a
little embarrassed at this question. He sought to hide the true answer and
said, &quot;Who else could have taught me?&quot; Perhaps he thought the teacher
would get annoyed on learning that he had been receiving instruction from
others. However, he gave a slight hint, saying, &quot;But these Fires that you
see here are of a rather unusual nature.&quot; The teacher then said to him,
&quot;So, it is these Fires who have</span><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent align=center style='text-align:center; line-height:150%; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>
<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;'>Page-136<o:p></o:p></span></p>

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</div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:
none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span class=GramE><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>taught
you. What have they taught?&quot; Then Upakoshala had to explain everything in
full.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:10.3pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>Satyakama gave reply, &quot;The Fires have told you
about the different worlds, I shall now tell you about the tran­scendent
truths. Earth, mid-air and heaven are truths that comprise the universal
aspects of Reality. But one must know the fourth or transcendent aspect of the
Truth. Once you know <span class=GramE>That</span>, you will roam at will all
over the worlds, even as a drop of water on the surface of a lotus leaf, <span
class=SpellE><i>padma­patramivambhasa</i></span><i>.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:9.6pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Fires are three. The first has its seat in the
body; it is the power of the body's upward endeavour. It is as if a coiled-up
force, <span class=SpellE><i>kundalini</i></span><i>. </i>When this coiled-up
force opens itself out and moves upward in a spiral curve, it goes on opening
the body consciousness wider and wider in a clock­wise or right-handed motion:
that is the Fire of the Right, the fire of aspiration, in the inner
consciousness of which mid-air is the symbol here. It is a right-handed motion
be­cause the movement is full of knowledge, instinct with the power of right
discrimination, <span class=SpellE><i>daksa</i></span><i>, <span class=SpellE>daksnna</span>,
</i>between the truth and the <span class=GramE>falsehood,</span> it is of the
substance of knowledge. It merges up on high with the Fire of the Call, <span
class=SpellE><i>ahavaniya</i></span><i>, </i>once it gets purified
and gross into a spotless Flame. This Fire of the Call is the power of
austerity that has to be called down from on high by an invocation. The tongue
of this Flame lies hidden in the heavenly worlds of pure mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:8.85pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Fires spoke of the form or extension of Brahman,
its manifested cosmic expansion, in time and space, inner and outer Satyakama
completes the picture by revealing the <span class=SpellE>supracosmic</span>
reality of Brahman, its transcendent essence beyond manifestation. That
essence, Satyakama says in our first approach to it, appears as a twofold
reality - it is a thing of light, <span class=SpellE>Bhamani</span>, and it is
a thing of delight, <span class=SpellE>Va­mani</span>, it is luminous, it is
delightful. We get here an early version of the later well-known formula - <span
class=SpellE>Sachchidananda</span> - <i>sat </i>is <i>cit </i>and <span
class=SpellE><i>ananda</i></span><i>.</i><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-indent:8.85pt;
line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:
none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;'>Page-137<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-indent:11.0pt;
line-height:12.95pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:
none'>

<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>However, in this <span class=SpellE>Vedantic</span>
formula we miss one element of the supreme reality; Sat or Brahman is not only
light and delight, it is also power, force, energy - <span class=SpellE><i>tapas</i></span><i>.
</i>Agni dwells not only on the three cosmic <span class=GramE>planes,</span>
the god has his own home in the supreme status. Sat, Being or Reality is
Consciousness or Light; Consciousness is Delight; it is also Power, not only
potential but dynamic Power, Energy. Sri Aurobindo therefore speaks of Chit-<span
class=SpellE>tapas</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-indent:11.0pt;line-height:
150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>The omission, at least in the present context, could
it be the shadow of the coming <span class=SpellE>Mayavada</span>? For, <span
class=SpellE>Mayavada</span> declares that Power, Shakti is Maya, Illusion.</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-indent:11.0pt;
line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:
none; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;'>Page-138<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

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