10th Khanda of Chapter Four

Chandogya Upanishad, one of the oldest Upanishad has been written during the Vedic Brahmana period. Chandogya Upanishad is associated with Sama Veda. It is ranked ninth in the Muktika canon of hundred and eight Upanishadas. Chandogya Upanishad is the part of Chandogya Brahaman that contains ten chapters. The 10th Khanda of Chapter Four of Chandogya Upanishad describes about the story of Upakosala, the son of Kamala. He led the life of a Brahmachirin (religious student) with Satyakama, the son of Jabala. For twelve years he carefully attended his household fires. Satyakama permitted his other pupils to return to their homes after they had completed their Vedic studies but he kept back Upakosala and did not allow him to depart. Satyakama`s wife told him the Brahmachirin had successfully attended the household fires hence he must be taught completely. Else the fire would blame him. The teacher, however, went away on a journey without teaching him. Out of grief Upakosala began to fast and soon fell ill. The wife of the teacher enquired about the reason from abstaining from food. Upakosala told her that like many other men there are many desires within him. He is full of sorrows and would eat nothing. Considering his pitiful condition the fires discussed amongst themselves that they should teach him and he had faithfully attended to them. Thereupon the fires told him that the

Life (prana) is Brahman, Ka (joy) is Brahma and Kha (the akasa) is Brahma. Upakosala replied that he is aware of the knowledge that the Prana is Brahman, but he is unaware of neither the Ka nor the Kha. The fires told him that verily, that which is Ka is Kha, and that which is Kha is Ka, i.e. joy is the akasa and akasa is the joy. They taught him the prana (i.e. Brahman) and the akasa are related to each other.