In our previous blog, we discussed how the timeless knowledge and wisdom of yoga was preserved and passed down through generations of Rishis and Gurus, long before written literature existed. This was achieved through the oral traditions of श्रुति (Shruti), meaning "that which is heard," and स्मृति (Smriti), meaning "that which is remembered."

In this blog, we will explore a segment from chapter 6 of an ancient and revered yogic text known as The Chandogya Upanishad, which is one of the many texts that collectively document the timeless knowledge and wisdom of Yoga. The term "Chandogya" is derived from the Sanskrit root "Chanda" or "chandas," which means "poetic meter," highlighting the structured and rhythmic nature of the text, reflecting its literary characteristics.The term "Upanishad" in Sanskrit translates to "sitting near devotedly," reflecting the process of transmitting profound knowledge from गुरु (Master or teacher) to शिष्य (Student or disciple). In this tradition, the student listens attentively, contemplates the wisdom shared, and engages with questions to deepen their understanding and clarify any doubts. The Upanishads provide detailed contemplations, explanations, and interpretations of the Vedas - the oldest Yogic scriptures and the foundation of all yogic knowledge.

In Chapter 6 of the Chandogya Upanishad, a profound dialogue unfolds between ऋषि उद्दालक आरुणि (Rishi Uddalaka Aruni) and his son, ऋषि श्वेतकेतु (Rishi Svetaketu), both revered Rishis and Yogis. In this dialogue, Rishi Uddalaka, acting as the Guru, imparts deep wisdom to his son, the disciple. He guides him in understanding the ultimate reality of our being and the essence of the supreme being, illuminating profound truths about existence and revealing that आत्मन् (true self or soul) and परमात्मन् (Supreme Consciousness) are intrinsically one and the same. Through this profound teaching, the son embarks on a journey of spiritual awakening, asking insightful questions and gradually understanding the intrinsic oneness of existence, while addressing his doubts and deepening his comprehension of these timeless truths.

As the dialogue continues, Rishi Uddalaka explores various concepts that illuminate different aspects of our being. We will focus on one particularly interesting aspect that highlights the significance and three-fold nature of food, water, and fire (heat or energy) in relation to our existence. As the son asks profound questions, Rishi Uddalaka leads him to a deeper understanding of the roles that food, water, and energy play in our existence, along with the three-fold nature of these elements. He explains how they break down into three distinct stages - Gross, Middling, and Subtle—within the body after consumption.

The rishi then said, let us explore the essence of the food we consume. The food we eat is converted into three forms or stages: the gross, the middling, and the subtle. Not all of the food we eat is fully absorbed into the system; some portion is expelled as excreta, representing unwanted material that cannot be assimilated. This is the grossest form of food. The remaining two aspects consist of the subtle form and the middling form. The middling part of the food is absorbed in the body as flesh, while the highly subtle form influences our mind.

Likewise, the water that we drink also has three aspects: the gross aspect, the middling aspect, and the subtle aspect. The gross part of the liquid we consume, which cannot be absorbed into the system, is expelled as urine. The middling part contributes to the formation of blood within the body, and this liquid component, or blood, is also influenced by the liquid form of the food we eat. The most subtle part of water becomes our Prana, or life-force energy. It is important to note that Prana is created before water; it is not a modification of water, but its sustenance is dependent on water.

The fire (energy or heat) we consume also manifests in three forms within the system. The grossest form becomes bone. Certain dietary items, such as clarified butter and oil, prominently feature the fire principle. Consuming Ghee (Clarified Butter), Butter, or Healthy Oil in moderation is linked to the strength of the bones. The middling part of this energy transforms into marrow, the substance found inside the bone. The most subtle form manifests as the energy of speech, which is also activated by the fiery element present in the food we consume.

Therefore, our Speech, Prana, and Mind are deeply influenced by the three dietary elements we consume. The more we intake these elements, the greater their influence on these aspects of our personality. For example, all food is produced from the triplicated gross forms of fire, water, and earth. Aquatic animals, which are believed to live solely on water, and rodents, thought to require no water, still possess mind and speech as well as Prana, thanks to the presence of the other two elements in their staple food.

Thus, it is understood that mind, Prana, and speech are compounds of these three elements. Fire, water, and earth have entered our system, becoming our mind, Prana, and speech. This process is also indicative of the functioning of our other senses. Our senses, Pranas, and mind are all profoundly conditioned by the food we eat.

Upon hearing the profound science and spiritual aspects of the three elements that enter our system, Rishi Svetaketu questions his father for more information and clarity on the concept. In response, Rishi Uddalaka gave a simple example of Curd (Yogurt). When we churn curd, it exudes butter, which rises to the top and later transforms into clarified butter. This essential and nutritious part of milk is extracted through the processes of curdling, churning, and heating.

Similarly, this is what happens to the food we consume: it is broken down in the stomach by the digestive fire, with air acting as a churning rod. It is churned inside by the forces of our body, and its most subtle part rises into the structure of the psychological organ, becoming the essence of our thinking process and forming the mind. Likewise, the water we drink - its subtlest part rises upwards, becoming Prana (life-force energy). The fire element (heat or energy) we consume - its subtlest part rises upwards, manifesting as speech.

After attentively listening to the example and explanation, the son understood the teaching about the subtle parts of water and fire. However, he was still unclear about how the mind consists only of food, and not of Prana or speech. To address this doubt, Rishi Uddalaka further explained that in Yoga, it is believed there are sixteen digits of the mind, of our whole personality. Our being is Sixteen-fold. To prove this concept, he further mentioned, "I shall perform an experiment with you to demonstrate how the mind cannot exist without food. Do not eat for 15 days, but drink as much water as you need, for your Prana (life force) relies on water to sustain itself in the body. Without sufficient water, you will not be able to survive the experiment, as your Pranas will leave the body. After completing the 15-day fast, return to me."

The boy fasted completely for fifteen days, consuming only water as advised. After the fasting period, he approached his father and asked, "What should I do now that I have completed the 15-day fast?" The father replied, "Chant the Vedas or any chapter from the Vedas." The boy responded, "I cannot remember anything. I can't recall even one verse from the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, or the Samaveda. It feels as though my memory has vanished, and my mind is not functioning.”

After listening to his son’s concerns, Rishi Uddalaka explained further using an example:

What you are experiencing is akin to a single spark, the size of a firefly, left over from a large fire that once burned fiercely and has now subsided. While a spark is still a fire element, it is too small in quantity to instantly consume a large piece of firewood thrown into it, unlike a blazing fire that consumes all that comes in its path. Similarly, of your sixteen parts of the mind, only one remains, and with that alone, you cannot perceive the Vedas or their verses. It is as if your mind has lost its essence and strength to function.

His father further explained, "Eat a meal, and then you will understand." After the son ate, he approached Rishi Uddalaka, who asked him to recite different Yogic scriptures. To the boy's surprise, he was able to answer all of them, as if all his lost memories were restored. The father continued, "Dear boy, just as a single ember, the size of a firefly, left over from a large burning fire can blaze up when fed with straw, the more you feed and nurture the fire, the more intensely it burns. Similarly, of your sixteen parts, only one remained, and that, nourished by food, has ignited all the faculties of your mind, enabling you to perceive and recite the Yogic scriptures. Thus, dear boy, I have explained the profound truth that the mind is nourished by food, Prana by water, and speech by fire.

In conclusion, the ancient yogic scriptures offer an expansive reservoir of knowledge, guiding us through the intricate dimensions of our existence and the universal energies that shape it. These teachings remind us that we are formed from the same fundamental elements, and our well-being - both physical and mental, depends on the harmonious balance of these elements. Yoga, far more than just a practice, serves as a comprehensive way of life that realigns our inner energy with the higher, universal energy. It places significant emphasis on the modulation of the mind, teaching and guiding us to regulate our thoughts and gain control over our senses, as this is the fundamental prerequisite for spiritual enlightenment.

As highlighted in the Bhagavad Gita:

'बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जित: |

अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्ते तात्मैव शत्रुवत् ||' which literally means, "For those who conquer the mind, it becomes their best friend, and for those who make no effort, it becomes their greatest enemy."