Vedas 41 - Kathopanishad Part 3 A -The Higher Self &the Lower Self Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon
Vedas 41 - Kathopanishad Part 3 A -The Higher Self &the Lower Self
Residing in the innermost
Realm of the heart are two kinds;
Real light and its shadow, both
Reclining on heart's cushion with ease.
Who are these two occupants?
Who dwells in the innermost cave of the heart?
What are they doing?
Weaving around in the innermost recesses of the heart?
They are the Higher Self and
The lower self.
The Higher Self is the light,
The lower self is the shadow.
When Truth shines bright in the heart
The Duality disappears,
There is no more the shadow,
There is only the glowing Light!
Kathopanishad is, perhaps, the most widely known Upanishad. The dialogue is long and spreads over six chapters containing 119 verses.
Here, I begin the third chapter, which has the most crucial verse with an explanation through a Similie of a Chariot.
Yama clearly explains to Nachiketaa, what is mortal and what is immortal.
This is, perhaps, the most interesting dialogue that I have ever read.I am attempting to summarise and make it as concise as possible. Each Upanishad should be read from the beginning and in order of the Series, otherwise, the meaning will be lost. It would be difficult to comprehend the philosophy of the Upanishad.
The question is why the two lights appear from the single fire Soul and the answer is it is our own creation, we in human form do things that we are forbidden to do, the moment we deviate from the Truth or Right Path/ True Path also known as Sirat al-Mustaqeem in Arabic the straight path the shadow overtakes us. Thought provoking series Indeed.
Thanks a lot Asim Nehal ji for your insightful appraisal. I am happy to learn that the True path in Arabic is known as Sirat al-Mustaqeem.
In Vedas 41 - Kathopanishad Part 3 A -The Higher Self &the Lower Self you have so brilliantly and incisively delineated about higher self and lower self. I cite... The Higher Self is the light, The lower self is the shadow. When Truth shines bright in the heart The Duality disappears, There is no more the shadow, There is only the glowing Light! Beautiful poem. Thanks.
Kumarmani ji, you are truly one with light. That's why you are able to see light all around you. Thank you so much.
The concept Higher Self (Light) and Lower Self (Shadow) has nicely been explained. This duality (with shadow) cannot exist when Truth takes the center-stage. Geeta ji, this story is progressing marvelously. Thanks a lot. I quote: When Truth shines bright in the heart The Duality disappears,
As the duality disappears gradually, we move higher in the step of spirituality. With your encouraging words, i am able to slowly move forward with the sublime thoughts of the Upanishads. i am forever grateful, Rajnish ji.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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7/18/2025 3:14:17 PM # 1.0.0
geeta, i like the image of the two selves reclining of the heart's cushion. i think of different equivalents for yama's teaching here. one is that there are within us two dogs; the one we feed is the one that dominates and grows. in paul's letters to early churches, he talks about being crucified with christ—letting the old self lay buried and the new one to rise. -glen