The Upanishads

The reader is urged to view “the glory of God” (49) in the universe and in all living things. They should act in accordance with spiritual truth. Instead of focusing on material goods, the reader should look toward the divine or the “Spirit” (49). Failing to do so causes one to succumb to the “darkness of death” (49). 

Everyone is surrounded by the divine. Furthermore, every individual contains within themselves all reality, and an individual’s “Self” (49) is contained within all things. The nature of Spirit is that it is both “immanent and transcendent” (49), meaning it is both within and beyond everything.

Following action leads to the immanent and “deep darkness,” while following knowledge leads to the transcendent and “deeper darkness” (49). By getting through the darkness, action and the immanent can “overcome death” (50). Likewise, knowledge and transcendence lead an individual to immortality. The chapter ends with a prayer to the sun to reveal “truth” (50) and to protect people from evil.

The author asks a series of questions, such as who causes life to begin and inspires people to contemplate the universe. The answer is Brahman or