Dear all,
BAU 2.3 describes two Brahmans, namely mūrta and
amūrta. From 2.3.2 and 2.3.3, we learn that mūrta Brahman is different from
vāyu and antarikṣa, while amūrta
Brahman is identical with them.
Further, BAU 2.3.4 and 2.3.5 provide a similar description on the
adhyātma level:
idam eva mūrtaṃ yad anyat prāṇāc ca yaś cāyam antar ātmann ākāśaḥ (2.3.4) |...
athāmūrtaṃ prāṇaś ca yaś cāyam antar ātmann ākāśaḥ (2.3.5) |
Similarly to the previous passage, mūrta Brahman differs from
prāṇa and amūrta is identical with it. Still, both Brahmans are identified with the space within the body, which is indeed inconsistent.
Olivelle translates BAU 2.3.4 as "distinct from breath and the space within the body" and does not comment on this point.
I wonder, if this inconsistency in the text can be explained? Is it simply a result of the oral transmission of the text, a kind of
lapsus linguae that became fixed in the normative form of BAU?
--
Evgeniya Desnitskaya
Institute of Oriental Manuscripts
Russian Academy of Sciences
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