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{{short description|One of the ancient Sanskrit holy scriptures of Hinduism}}
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox Upanishad
| image                    = Chandogya Upanishad verses 1.1.1-1.1.9, Samaveda, Sanskrit, Devanagari script, 1849 CE manuscript.jpg
| caption                  = The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' verses 1.1.1-1.1.9 (Sanskrit, Devanagari script)
| name                     = Chandogya
| Devanagari               = छान्दोग्य
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Chāndogya
| composition_date         = 8th to 6th century BCE 
| type                     = [[Mukhya|Mukhya Upanishad]]
| Veda                     = [[Samaveda]]
| chapters                 = Eight
| commentary               = [[Adi Shankara]], [[Madhvacharya]], [[Rangaramanuja]]
| philosophy               = Oneness of the [[Ātman (Hinduism)|Atman]]
| verse                    = [[Tat tvam asi]]
}}
{{Upanishads}}
The '''''Chandogya Upanishad''''' ([[Sanskrit]]: {{lang|sa|छान्दोग्योपनिषद्}}, [[IAST]]: ''Chāndogyopaniṣad'') is a Sanskrit text embedded in the Chandogya Brahmana of the [[Sama Veda]] of [[Hinduism]].<ref name=patrickolivellepreface>Patrick Olivelle (2014), ''The Early Upanishads'', [[Oxford University Press]]; {{ISBN|978-0195124354}}, pp. 166-169</ref> It is one of the oldest Upanishads.<ref name=stephenphillips/> In the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads, it is listed as the ninth.<ref>Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 2, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120814691}}, pages 556-557</ref>

The Upanishad belongs to the ''Tandya'' school of the Samaveda.<ref name=patrickolivellepreface/> Like ''[[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]]'', the Chandogya is an anthology of texts that must have pre-existed as separate texts, and were edited into a larger text by one or more ancient Indian scholars.<ref name=patrickolivellepreface/> The precise chronology of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' is uncertain, and it is variously dated to have been composed by the 8th to 6th century BCE in India.<ref name=stephenphillips/><ref name=olivelleintro/><ref>{{cite book|last=Rosen|first=Steven J.|title=Essential Hinduism|year=2006|publisher=Praeger Publishers|location=Westport, CT|isbn=0-275-99006-0|page=125}}</ref>

As one of the most extensive Upanishadic compilations, it comprises eight ''Prapathakas'' (literally 'lectures' or 'chapters'), each divided into multiple sections containing numerous verses.<ref name=klauswitz/><ref name=humefull/> The volumes include a diverse array of stories and themes. As part of the poetic and chants-focused Samaveda, the broad unifying theme of the Upanishad is the importance of speech, language, song and chants to man's quest for knowledge and salvation, to metaphysical premises and questions, as well as to rituals.<ref name=patrickolivellepreface/><ref>Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 2, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120814691}}, pages 61-65</ref>

''Chandogya Upanishad'' is one of the most cited texts in later ''Bhasyas'' (reviews and commentaries) by scholars from the diverse schools of Hinduism, with chapter six verse 8-16 containing the famous dictum ''Tat Tvam Asi'', "that('s how) you are."{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=152, 349 n.8.7-16.3}} According to Deutsch and Dalvi, "the entire sixth chapter is no doubt the most influential of the entire corpus of the Upanishads."{{sfn|Deutsch|Dalvi|2004|p=8}}

==Etymology==
The name of the Upanishad is derived from the word ''Chanda'' or ''chandas'', which means "poetic meter, prosody".<ref name=klauswitz>Klaus Witz (1998), The Supreme Wisdom of the Upaniṣads: An Introduction, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120815735}}, page 217</ref><ref>M Ram Murty (2012), Indian Philosophy, An introduction, Broadview Press, {{ISBN|978-1554810352}}, pages 55-63</ref> The nature of the text relates to the patterns of structure, stress, rhythm and intonation in language, songs and chants. The text is sometimes known as ''Chandogyopanishad''.<ref>Hardin McClelland (1921), Religion and Philosophy in Ancient India, The Open Court, Vol. 8, No. 3, page 467</ref>

==Chronology==
''Chandogya Upanishad'' was in all likelihood composed in the earlier part of 1st millennium BCE, and is one of the oldest Upanishads.<ref name=olivelleintro/> The exact century of the Upanishad composition is unknown, uncertain and contested.<ref name=stephenphillips/>

The chronology of early Upanishads is difficult to resolve due to scant evidence, an analysis of archaism, style, and repetitions across texts, driven by assumptions about likely evolution of ideas, and on presumptions about which philosophy might have influenced which other Indian philosophies.<ref name=stephenphillips/> [[Patrick Olivelle]] states, "in spite of claims made by some, in reality, any dating of these documents (early Upanishads) that attempts a precision closer than a few centuries is as stable as a house of cards".<ref name=olivelleintro/>

The chronology and authorship of ''Chandogya Upanishad'', along with the ''Brihadaranyaka and Kaushitaki Upanishads'', is further complicated because they are compiled anthologies of literature that must have existed as independent texts before they became part of these Upanishads.<ref>Patrick Olivelle (2014), ''The Early Upanishads'', Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0195124354}}, pp. 11-12</ref>

Scholars have offered different estimates ranging from 800 BCE to 600 BCE, all preceding Buddhism. According to a 1998 review by Patrick Olivelle. Chandogya was composed by 7th or 6th century BCE, give or take a century or so.<ref name=olivelleintro>Patrick Olivelle (2014), ''The Early Upanishads'', Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0195124354}}, pp. 12-13</ref> Phillips states that Chandogya was completed after Brihadaranyaka, both probably in early part of the 8th century CE.<ref name=stephenphillips>Stephen Phillips (2009), ''Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and Philosophy'', Columbia University Press; {{ISBN|978-0231144858}}, Chapter 1</ref>

==Structure==
{{Hindu scriptures}}
The text has eight ''Prapathakas'' (प्रपाठक, lectures, chapters), each with varying number of ''Khandas'' (खण्ड, volume).<ref name=humefull>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n197/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad"], ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 177-274</ref>

Each ''Khanda'' has varying number of verses. The first chapter includes 13 volumes each with varying number of verses, the second chapter has 24 volumes, the third chapter contains 19 volumes, the fourth is composed of 17 volumes, the fifth has 24, the sixth chapter has 16 volumes, the seventh includes 26 volumes, and the eight chapter is last with 15 volumes.<ref name=humefull/>

The Upanishad comprises the last eight chapters of a ten chapter Chandogya [[Brahmana]] text.<ref name=pauldeussencbcu/><ref name=maxmullerintro>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n93/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. LXXXVI-LXXXIX</ref> The first chapter of the Brahmana is short and concerns ritual-related hymns to celebrate a marriage ceremony<ref>For example, the third hymn is a solemn promise the bride and groom make to each other as, "That heart of thine shall be mine, and this heart of mine shall be thine".<br>See: Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n93/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, page LXXXVII with footnote 2.</ref> and the birth of a child.<ref name=pauldeussencbcu/>

The second chapter of the Brahmana is short as well and its mantras are addressed to divine beings at life rituals. The last eight chapters are long, and are called the ''Chandogya Upanishad''.<ref name=pauldeussencbcu>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 63-64</ref>

A notable structural feature of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' is that it contains many nearly identical passages and stories also found in ''Brihadaranyaka Upanishad'', but in precise meter.<ref name=klauswitzstr>Klaus Witz (1998), ''The Supreme Wisdom of the Upaniṣads: An Introduction'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120815735}}, pp. 217-219</ref><ref>Patrick Olivelle (2014), ''The Early Upanishads'', Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0195124354}}, pp. 166-167</ref>

The ''Chandogya Upanishad'', like other Upanishads, was a [[living document]]. Every chapter shows evidence of insertion or interpolation at a later age, because the structure, meter, grammar, style and content is inconsistent with what precedes or follows the suspect content and section. Additionally, supplements were likely attached to various volumes in a different age.<ref>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 64-65</ref>

Klaus Witz{{Who|date=August 2022}} structurally divides the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' into three natural groups. The first group comprises chapters I and II, which largely deal with the structure, stress and rhythmic aspects of language and its expression (speech), particularly with the syllable Om ({{large|ॐ}}, Aum).<ref name=klauswitzstr/>

The second group consists of chapters III-V, with a collection of more than 20 ''Upasanas'' and ''Vidyas'' on premises about the universe, life, mind and spirituality. The third group consists of chapters VI-VIII that deal with metaphysical questions such as the nature of reality and Self.<ref name=klauswitzstr/>

==Content==

===First Prapāṭhaka===

====The chant of Om, the essence of all====
The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' opens with the recommendation that "let a man meditate on [[Om]]".<ref name=maxmuller11>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n111/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 1-3 with footnotes.</ref> It calls the syllable Om the ''udgitha'' (उद्गीथ, song, chant), and asserts that the significance of the syllable is this: the essence of all beings is earth, the essence of earth is water, the essence of water are the plants, the essence of plants is man, the essence of man is speech, the essence of speech is the [[Rigveda|Rig Veda]], the essence of the Rig Veda is the Sama Veda, and the essence of Sama Veda is ''udgitha''.<ref name=pauldeussen11/>

''Rik'' (ऋच्, Ṛc) is speech, states the text, and ''Sāman'' (सामन्) is breath; they are pairs, and because they have love and desire for each other, speech and breath find themselves together and mate to produce song.<ref name=maxmuller11/><ref name=pauldeussen11/> The highest song is [[Om]], asserts volume 1.1 of ''Chandogya Upanishad''. It is the symbol of awe, of reverence, of threefold knowledge because ''[[Vedic priesthood|Adhvaryu]]'' invokes it, the ''[[Vedic priesthood|Hotr]]'' recites it, and ''[[Vedic priesthood|Udgatr]]'' sings it.<ref name=pauldeussen11>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda'', Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 68-70</ref>

In section 1.4, the text highlights the importance of Om in the High Chant.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Olivelle |first=Patrick |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195124354.001.0001 |title=The Early Upanisads |date=1998-09-24 |publisher=Oxford University PressNew York, NY |isbn=978-0-19-512435-4 |pages=175–176|doi=10.1093/oso/9780195124354.001.0001 }}</ref>

====Good and evil may be everywhere, yet life-principle is inherently good====
{{Infobox
| title = Om symbol
| image =
{{image array|perrow=2|width=100|height=80
| image1 = Om symbol.svg
| image2 = Bali Omkara Red.png
| image3 = Tamil Om.svg
| image4 = Om in telugu.png
}}
|caption = The significance of Om syllable is discussed in the ''Chandogya Upanishad'', as well as other principal Upanishads. Chandogya's exposition of syllable ''Om'' in its first chapter combines etymological speculations, symbolism, metric structure and philosophical themes.<ref>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n111/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 4-19 with footnotes</ref><ref>Patrick Olivelle (2014), ''The Early Upanishads'', Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0195124354}}, pp. 171-185</ref>}}

The second volume of the first chapter continues its discussion of syllable Om, explaining its use as a struggle between ''[[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]]'' (gods) and ''[[Asura]]s'' (demons) – both being races derived from one ''[[Prajapati]]'' (creator of life).<ref name=pauldeussen12/> [[Max Müller|Max Muller]] states that this struggle between deities and demons is considered allegorical by ancient scholars, as good and evil inclinations within man, respectively.<ref name=maxmuller12>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n111/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 4-6 with footnotes.</ref> The ''Prajapati'' is man in general, in this allegory.<ref name=maxmuller12/> The struggle is explained as a legend, that is also found in a more complete and likely original ancient version in the ''[[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]]'' (chapter 1.3).<ref name=pauldeussen12>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 70-71 with footnotes</ref>

The legend in section 1.2 of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' states that gods took the ''Udgitha'' (song of Om) unto themselves, thinking, "with this [song] we shall overcome the demons".<ref name=hume12>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n199/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad"], ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 178-180</ref> The gods revered the Udgitha as sense of smell, but the demons cursed it and ever since one smells both good-smelling and bad-smelling, because it is afflicted with good and evil.<ref name=pauldeussen12/> The deities thereafter revered the Udgitha as speech, but the demons afflicted it and ever since one speaks both truth and untruth, because speech has been struck with good and evil.<ref name=maxmuller12/> The deities next revered the Udgitha as sense of sight (eye), but the demons struck it and ever since one sees both what is harmonious, sightly and what is chaotic, unsightly, because sight is afflicted with good and evil.<ref name=hume12/> The gods then revered the Udgitha as sense of hearing (ear), but the demons afflicted it and ever since one hears both what is worth hearing and what is not worth hearing, because hearing is afflicted with good and evil.<ref name=pauldeussen12/> The gods thereafter revered the Udgitha as ''Manas'' (mind), but the demons afflicted it and therefore one imagines both what is worth imagining and what is not worth imagining, because mind is afflicted with good and evil.<ref name=hume12/> Then the gods revered the Udgitha as ''[[Prana|Prāṇa]]'' (vital breath, breath in the mouth, life-principle), and the demons struck it but they fell into pieces. Life-principle is free from evil, it is inherently good.<ref name=pauldeussen12/><ref name=maxmuller12/> The deities inside man – the body organs and senses of man are great, but they all revere the life-principle because it is the essence and the lord of all of them. Om is the Udgitha, the symbol of life-principle in man.<ref name=pauldeussen12/>

====Space: the origin and the end of everything====
The ''Chandogya Upanishad'', in eighth and ninth volumes of the first chapter, describes the debate between three men proficient in ''Udgitha'', about the origins and support of ''Udgitha'' and all of empirical existence.<ref name=roberthume19>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n205/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 1.8.7 - 1.8.8", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 185-186</ref> The debaters summarize their discussion as,
{{blockquote|
<poem>
What is the origin of this world?<ref name=maxmuller19>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n127/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 1.9.1"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, p. 17 with footnote 1.</ref>
Space, said he. Verily, all things here arise out of space. They disappear back into space, for space alone is greater than these, space is the final goal. This is the most excellent ''Udgitha'' [Om, {{large|ॐ}}]. This is endless. The most excellent is his, the most excellent worlds does he win, who, knowing it thus, reveres the most excellent ''Udgitha''.
</poem>
|Chandogya Upanishad 1.9.1-1.9.2<ref name=roberthume19/>}}

Max Muller notes the term "space" above, was later asserted in the Vedanta Sutra verse 1.1.22 to be a symbolism for the Vedic concept of [[Brahman]].<ref name=maxmuller19/> Paul Deussen explains the term ''Brahman'' means the "creative principle which lies realized in the whole world".<ref>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, p. 91</ref>

====A ridicule and satire on egotistic nature of priests====
The tenth through twelfth volumes of the first "Prapathaka" of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' describe a legend about priests and it criticizes how they go about reciting verses and singing hymns without any idea what they mean or the divine principle they signify.<ref name=pauldeussen112>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 80-84</ref> The 12th volume in particular ridicules the egotistical aims of priests through a satire, that is often referred to as "the Udgitha of the dogs".<ref name=pauldeussen112/><ref name=roberthume112>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n209/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 1.12.1 - 1.12.5", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 188-189</ref><ref>Bruce Lincoln (2006), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/511447 "How to Read a Religious Text: Reflections on Some Passages of the Chāndogya Upaniṣad"], ''History of Religions, Vol. 46, No. 2'', pp. 127-139</ref>

The verses 1.12.1 through 1.12.5 describe a convoy of dogs who appear before ''Vaka Dalbhya'' (literally, sage who murmurs and hums), who was busy in a quiet place repeating Veda. The dogs ask, "Sir, sing and get us food, we are hungry".<ref name=roberthume112/> The Vedic reciter watches in silence, then the head dog says to other dogs, "come back tomorrow". Next day, the dogs come back, each dog holding the tail of the preceding dog in his mouth, just like priests do holding the gown of preceding priest when they walk in procession.<ref>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n131/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 1.12.1 - 1.12.5"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, p. 21 with footnote 2.</ref> After the dogs settled down, they together began to say, "Him" and then sang, "Om, let us eat! Om, let us drink! Lord of food, bring hither food, bring it!, Om!"<ref name=pauldeussen112/><ref name=johnoman/>

Such satire is not unusual in Indian literature and scriptures, and similar emphasis for understanding over superficial recitations is found in other ancient texts, such as chapter 7.103 of the Rig Veda.<ref name=pauldeussen112/>

[[John Wood Oman|John Oman]], in his review of the satire in section 1.12 of the ''Chandogya Upanishad'', states, "More than once we have the statement that ritual doings only provide merit in the other world for a time, whereas the right knowledge rids of all questions of merit and secures enduring bliss".<ref name=johnoman>John Oman (2014), ''The Natural and the Supernatural'', Cambridge University Press; {{ISBN|978-1107426948}}, pp. 490-491</ref>

====Structure of language and cosmic correspondences====
The 13th volume of the first chapter lists mystical meanings in the structure and sounds of a chant.<ref>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n209/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad] 1.13.1 - 1.13.4, The Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 189-190</ref> The text asserts that ''hāu'', ''hāi'', ''ī'', ''atha'', ''iha'', ''ū'', ''e'', ''hiṅ'' among others correspond to empirical and divine world, such as Moon, wind, Sun, oneself, Agni, Prajapati, and so on. The thirteen syllables listed are "Stobhaksharas", sounds used in musical recitation of hymns, chants and songs.<ref name=maxmuller113>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n133/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 1.13.1 - 1.13.4"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, p. 22</ref> This volume is one of many sections that does not fit with the preceding text or text that follows.

The fourth verse of the 13th volume uses the word ''Upanishad'', which Max Muller translates as "secret doctrine",<ref name=maxmuller113/><ref>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, p. 85</ref> and [[Patrick Olivelle]] translates as "hidden connections".<ref name=olivelle185>Patrick Olivelle (2014), ''The Early Upanishads'', Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0195124354}}, p. 185</ref>

===Second Prapāṭhaka===

====The significance of chant====
The first volume of the second chapter states that the reverence for entire ''Sāman'' (साम्न, chant) is ''sādhu'' (साधु, good), for three reasons. These reasons invoke three different contextual meanings of ''Saman'', namely abundance of goodness or valuable (सामन), friendliness or respect (सम्मान), property goods or wealth (सामन्, also समान).<ref name=olivelle185/><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n85/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 70-72</ref><ref name=hume211>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n211/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 2.1.1 - 2.1.4", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, p. 190</ref> The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' states that the reverse is true too, that people call it ''a-sāman'' when there is deficiency or worthlessness (ethics), unkindness or disrespect (human relationships), and lack of wealth (means of life, prosperity).<ref name=hume211/><ref>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass;{{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 85-86.</ref>

====Everything in Universe chants====
[[File:Gewitter Thunderstorm.jpg|thumb|260px|The Chandogya Upanishad describes natural phenomena such as a thunderstorm as a form of chant.]]
Volumes 2 through 7 of the second Prapathaka present analogies between various elements of the Universe and elements of a chant.<ref name=hume221>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n211/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 2.2.1 - 2.7.2", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 191–193</ref> The latter include ''Hinkāra'' (हिङ्कार, preliminary vocalizing), ''Prastāva'' (प्रस्ताव, propose, prelude, introduction), ''Udgītha'' (उद्गीत, sing, chant), ''Pratihāra'' (प्रतिहार, response, closing) and ''Nidhana'' (निधन, finale, conclusion).<ref>[http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/MWScan/tamil/index.html Monier-Williams], ''Sanskrit English Dictionary'', Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon</ref> The sets of mapped analogies present interrelationships and include cosmic bodies, natural phenomena, hydrology, seasons, living creatures and human physiology.<ref>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 86–88</ref> For example, chapter 2.3 of the Upanishad states,

{{Blockquote|
<poem>
The winds blow, that is ''Hinkāra''
A cloud is formed, that is ''Prastāva''
It rains, that is an ''Udgītha''
The lightning that strikes and thunder that rolls, that is ''Pratihāra''
The rains stop and clouds lift, that is ''Nidhana''.
</poem>
|Chandogya Upanishad 2.3.1<ref name=hume221/><ref>Patrick Olivelle (2014), ''The Early Upanishads'', Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0195124354}}, page 187 verse 3</ref>}}

The eighth volume of the second chapter expands the five-fold chant structure to seven-fold chant structure, wherein ''Ādi'' and ''Upadrava'' are the new elements of the chant. The day and daily life of a human being is mapped to the seven-fold structure in volumes 2.9 and 2.10 of the Upanishad.<ref>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n213/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 2.8.1 - 2.9.8", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 193–194</ref>

Thereafter, the text returns to five-fold chant structure in volumes 2.11 through 2.21, with the new sections explaining the chant as the natural template for cosmic phenomena, psychological behavior, human copulation, human body structure, domestic animals, divinities and others.<ref name=pauldeussen21121/><ref name=maxmuller21122>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n139/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 2.11.1 - 2.22.5"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 28-34</ref> The metaphorical theme in this volume of verses, asserts [[Paul Deussen]], is that the Universe is an embodiment of Brahman, that the "chant" (Saman) is interwoven into this entire Universe and every phenomenon is a fractal manifestation of the ultimate reality.<ref name=pauldeussen21121>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 91-96</ref><ref>Patrick Olivelle (2014), ''The Early Upanishads'', Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0195124354}}, pp. 191–197</ref> The 22nd volume of the second chapter discusses the structure of vowels (''[[svara]]''), consonants (''sparsa'') and sibilants (''ushman'').<ref name=maxmuller21122/>

====The nature of Dharma and Ashramas (stages) theory====
The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' in volume 23 of chapter 2 provides one of the earliest expositions on the broad, complex meaning of Vedic concept ''dharma''. It includes as dharma – ethical duties such as charity to those in distress ([[Dāna]], दान), personal duties such as education and self study ([[svādhyāya]], स्वाध्याय, brahmacharya, ब्रह्मचर्य), social rituals such as [[yajna]] (यज्ञ).<ref name=gjha223>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n117/mode/2up ''Chandogya Upanishad'' with Shankara Bhashya] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 103-116</ref> The Upanishad describes the three branches of dharma as follows:

{{Blockquote|
<poem>
त्रयो धर्मस्कन्धा यज्ञोऽध्ययनं दानमिति प्रथम
स्तप एव द्वितीयो ब्रह्मचार्याचार्यकुलवासी तृतीयो
ऽत्यन्तमात्मानमाचार्यकुलेऽवसादयन्सर्व एते पुण्यलोका भवन्ति ब्रह्मसँस्थोऽमृतत्वमेति ॥ १ ॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/छान्दोग्योपनिषद्_१ Chandogya Upanishad (Sanskrit)] Wikisource</ref>

There are three branches of [[Dharma]] (religious life, duty): [[Yajna]] (sacrifice), [[Svādhyāya]] (self study) and [[Dāna]] (charity) are the first,
[[Tapas (Sanskrit)|Tapas]] (austerity, meditation) is the second, while dwelling as a [[Brahmacharya]] for education in the house of a teacher is third,
All three achieve the blessed worlds. But the ''Brahmasamstha'' – one who is firmly grounded in Brahman – alone achieves immortality. 
</poem>
|Chandogya Upanishad 2.23.1<ref name=gjha223/><ref name=maxmuller223>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/34/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad Twenty Third Khanda"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'':, Oxford University Press, p. 35 with footnote.</ref><ref name=pauldeussen223>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 97-98 with preface and footnotes.</ref>|source=}}

This passage has been widely cited by ancient and medieval Sanskrit scholars as the fore-runner to the ''[[Ashrama (stage)|asrama]]'' or age-based stages of dharmic life in Hinduism.<ref name=pauldeussen223/><ref name=patrick>Patrick Olivelle (1993), ''The Āśrama System: The History and Hermeneutics of a Religious Institution'', Oxford University Press; {{oclc|466428084}}, pp. 1-30, 84-111</ref> The four ''asramas'' are: [[Brahmacharya]] (student), [[Grihastha]] (householder), [[Vanaprastha]] (retired) and [[Sannyasa]] (renunciation).<ref name=rks>RK Sharma (1999), Indian Society, Institutions and Change, {{ISBN|978-8171566655}}, page 28</ref><ref>Barbara Holdrege (2004), ''Dharma, in The Hindu World'' (Editors: Sushil Mittal and Gene Thursby), Routledge; {{ISBN|0-415-21527-7}}, p. 231</ref> Olivelle disagrees however, and states that even the explicit use of the term ''asrama'' or the mention of the "three branches of dharma" in section 2.23 of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' does not necessarily indicate that the ''asrama'' system was meant.<ref>Patrick Olivelle (1993), ''The Āśrama System: The History and Hermeneutics of a Religious Institution'', Oxford University Press; {{oclc|466428084}}, p. 30</ref>

Paul Deussen {{Who|date=August 2022}} notes that the ''Chandogya Upanishad'', in the above verse, is not presenting these stages as sequential, but rather as equal.<ref name=pauldeussen223/> Only three stages are explicitly described, Grihastha first, Vanaprastha second and then Brahmacharya third.<ref name=patrick/> Yet the verse also mentions the person in ''Brahmasamstha'' – a mention that has been a major topic of debate in the [[Vedanta]] sub-schools of Hinduism.<ref name=maxmuller223/><ref>Patrick Olivelle (2014), ''The Early Upanishads'', Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0195124354}}, pp. 197-199</ref>

The Advaita Vedanta scholars state that this implicitly mentions the Sannyasa, whose goal is to get "knowledge, realization and thus firmly grounded in Brahman". Other scholars point to the structure of the verse and its explicit "three branches" declaration.<ref name=pauldeussen223/> In other words, the fourth state of ''Brahmasamstha'' among men must have been known by the time this Chandogya verse was composed, but it is not certain whether a formal stage of ''Sannyasa'' life existed as a ''dharmic asrama'' at that time. Beyond chronological concerns, the verse has provided a foundation for [[Vedanta]] school's emphasis on ethics, education, simple living, social responsibility, and the ultimate goal of life as [[moksha]] through Brahman-knowledge.<ref name=gjha223/><ref name=pauldeussen223/>

The discussion of ethics and moral conduct in man's life re-appears in other chapters of ''Chandogya Upanishad'', such as in section 3.17.<ref>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n61/mode/2up "Samanya Dharma"], ''History of Dharmasastra, Vol. 2, Part 1'', p. 5</ref><ref>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, p. 115 with preface note.</ref>

===Third Prapāṭhaka===

====Brahman is the sun of all existence, Madhu Vidya====
The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' presents the "Madhu Vidya" ("Honey Knowledge" or "Nectar of Knowledge") in first eleven volumes of the third chapter.<ref>Klaus Witz (1998), ''The Supreme Wisdom of the Upaniṣads: An Introduction'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120815735}}, p. 218</ref> Sun is praised as source of all light and life, and stated as worthy of meditation in a symbolic representation of Sun as "honey" of all Vedas.<ref name=gjha311>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n117/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 122-138</ref> The Brahman is stated in these volume of verses to be the sun of the Universe, and the 'natural sun' is a phenomenal manifestation of the Brahman.<ref name=pauldeussen311>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 101-106 with preface and footnotes.</ref>

The simile of "honey" is extensively developed, with Vedas, the ''[[Itihasa]]'' and mythological stories, and the Upanishads are described as flowers.<ref name=pauldeussen311/> The Rig hymns, the Yajur maxims, the Sama songs, the Atharva verses and deeper, secret doctrines of Upanishads are represented as the vehicles of ''[[Rasa (aesthetics)|rasa]]'' (nectar), that is the bees.<ref name=hume311>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n223/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 3.1.1 - 3.11.1", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 203-207</ref> The nectar itself is described as "essence of knowledge, strength, vigor, health, renown, splendor".<ref name=maxmuller311>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/38/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 3.1.1 - 3.11.5"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 38-44 with footnotes.</ref> The Sun is described as the honeycomb laden with glowing light of honey. The rising and setting of the Sun is likened to man's cyclic state of clarity and confusion, while the spiritual state of knowing Upanishadic insight of Brahman is described by ''Chandogya Upanishad'' as being one with Sun, a state of permanent day of perfect knowledge, the day which knows no night.<ref name=pauldeussen311/>

====Gayatri mantra: symbolism of all that is====
[[Gayatri Mantra]]<ref>3 padas of 8 syllables containing 24 syllables in each stanza; considered a language structure of special beauty and sacredness</ref> is the symbol of the Brahman - the essence of everything, states volume 3.12 of the ''Chandogya Upanishad''.<ref name=pauldeussen312>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 106-108 with preface</ref> Gayatri as speech sings to everything and protects them, asserts the text.<ref name=pauldeussen312/><ref>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n227/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 3.12.1 - 3.12.9", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 207-208</ref>

====The Ultimate exists within oneself====
The first six verses of the thirteenth volume of Chandogya's third chapter state a theory of ''[[Svarga]]'' (heaven) as human body, whose doorkeepers are eyes, ears, speech organs, mind and breath. To reach ''Svarga'', asserts the text, understand these doorkeepers.<ref name=pauldeussen313/> The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' then states that the ultimate heaven and highest world exists within oneself, as follows,

{{Blockquote|
<poem>
अथ यदतः परो दिवो ज्योतिर्दीप्यते विश्वतः पृष्ठेषु सर्वतः पृष्ठेष्वनुत्तमेषूत्तमेषु लोकेष्विदं वाव तद्यदिदमस्मिन्नन्तः पुरुषो ज्योतिस्तस्यैषा

Now that light which shines above this heaven, higher than all, higher than everything, in the highest world, beyond which there are no other worlds, that is the same light which is within man.
</poem>
|Chandogya Upanishad 3.13.7<ref name=maxmuller313>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/46/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 3.13.7"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 46-48 with footnotes.</ref><ref>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n229/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 3.13.7", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 208-209</ref>}}

This premise, that the human body is the heaven world, and that Brahman (highest reality) is identical to the Atman (Self) within a human being is at the foundation of Vedanta philosophy.<ref name=pauldeussen313>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 108-110 with preface</ref> The volume 3.13 of verses, goes on to offer proof in verse 3.13.8 that the highest reality is inside man, by stating that body is warm and this warmth must have an underlying hidden principle manifestation of the Brahman.<ref name=maxmuller313/> Max Muller states, that while this reasoning may appear weak and incomplete, but it shows that Vedic era human mind had transitioned from "revealed testimony" to "evidence-driven and reasoned knowledge".<ref name=maxmuller313/> This Brahman-Atman premise is more consciously and fully developed in section 3.14 of the ''Chandogya Upanishad''.

====Individual Self and the infinite Brahman is same, one's Self is God, Sandilya Vidya====
The Upanishad presents the Śāṇḍilya doctrine in volume 14 of chapter 3.<ref name=hume314>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n229/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 3.14.1-3.14.4", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 209-210</ref> This, states Paul Deussen,<ref name=pauldeussen314>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 110-111 with preface and footnotes</ref> is with [[Shatapatha Brahmana|Satapatha Brahmana]] 10.6.3, perhaps the oldest passage in which the basic premises of the Vedanta philosophy are fully expressed, namely – Atman (Self inside man) exists, the Brahman is identical with Atman, God is inside man.<ref name=gjha314/> The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' makes a series of statements in section 3.14 that have been frequently cited by later schools of Hinduism and modern studies on Indian philosophies.<ref name=hume314/><ref name=gjha314>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n165/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 150-157</ref><ref>For modern era cites:
*Anthony Warder (2009), A Course in Indian Philosophy, Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120812444}}, pp. 25-28;
*DD Meyer (2012), ''Consciousness, Theatre, Literature and the Arts'', Cambridge Scholars Publishing; {{ISBN|978-1443834919}}, p. 250;
*Joel Brereton (1995), ''Eastern Canons: Approaches to the Asian Classics'' (Editors: William Theodore De Bary, Irene Bloom), Columbia University Press; {{ISBN|978-0231070058}}, p. 130;
*S Radhakrishnan (1914), "The Vedanta philosophy and the Doctrine of Maya", ''International Journal of Ethics, Vol. 24, No. 4'', pp. 431-451</ref> These are,

{{Blockquote|
Brahman, you see, is this whole world. With inner tranquillity, one should venerate it as ''[[Tajjalan]]'' (that from which he came forth, as that into which he will be dissolved, as that in which he breathes). Now, then, man is undoubtedly made of his ''Kratumaya'' (क्रतुमयः, resolve, will, purpose). What a man becomes on departing from here after death is in accordance with his (will, resolve) in this world. So he should make this resolve:

This [S]elf (atman) of mine that lies deep within my heart — it is made of mind; the vital functions ([[prana]]) are its physical form; luminous is its appearance; the real is its intention; space is its essence (atman); it contains all actions, all desires, all smells, and all tastes; it has captured this whole world; it neither speaks nor pays any heed. This [S]elf (atman) of mine that lies deep within my heart—it is smaller than a grain of rice or barley, smaller than a mustard seed, smaller even than a millet grain or a millet kernel; but it is larger than the [E]arth, larger than the intermediate region, larger than the sky, larger even than all these worlds put together. This [S]elf (atman) of mine that lies deep within my heart—it contains all actions, all desires, all smells, and all tastes; it has captured this whole world; it neither speaks nor pays any heed. It is [[Brahman]]. On departing from here after death, I will become that. A man who has this resolve is never beset at all with doubts. This is what [[Shandilya]] used to say.
|Chandogya Upanishad 3.14.1 - 3.14.5<ref>Translation by Patrick Olivelle, http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/the%20early%20upanisads%20annotated%20text%20and%20translation_olivelle.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219210319/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/the%20early%20upanisads%20annotated%20text%20and%20translation_olivelle.pdf |date=19 December 2022 }}</ref>}}

The teachings in this section re-appear centuries later in the words of the 3rd century CE [[Neoplatonism|Neoplatonic]] Roman philosopher [[Plotinus]] in "[[Enneads]] 5.1.2".<ref name=pauldeussen314/>

====The Universe is an imperishable treasure chest====
The Universe, states the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' in section 3.15, is a treasure-chest and the refuge for man.<ref name=hume315>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n231/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 3.15.1-3.15.7", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 210-211</ref> This chest is where all wealth and everything rests states verse 3.15.1, and it is imperishable states verse 3.15.3.<ref name=maxmuller315>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/48/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 3.15"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, p. 49 with footnotes.</ref> The best refuge for man is this Universe and the Vedas, assert verses 3.15.4 through 3.15.7.<ref name=hume315/><ref>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 111-112 with preface and footnotes.</ref> This section incorporates a benediction for the birth of a son.<ref name=maxmuller315/>

====Life is a festival, ethics is one's donation to it====
[[File:Non violence sculpture by carl fredrik reutersward malmo sweden.jpg|thumb|[[Ahimsa]] - non-violence in action, words and thoughts - is considered the highest ethical value and virtue in Hinduism.<ref name=evpc>Stephen H. Phillips et al. (2008), in ''Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace, & Conflict'' (Second Edition), {{ISBN|978-0123739858}}; Elsevier Science, pp. 1347–1356, 701-849, 1867.</ref> The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' makes one of the earliest mentions of this ethical code in section 3.17.<ref name=hume317/> Above: non-violence sculpture by [[Carl Fredrik Reutersward]].]]
The section 3.17 of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' describes life as a celebration of a Soma-festival, whose ''dakshina'' (gifts, payment) is moral conduct and ethical precepts that includes non-violence, truthfulness, non-hypocrisy and charity unto others, as well as simple introspective life.<ref name=pauldeussen317>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 114-115 with preface and footnotes.</ref> This is one of the earliest<ref>[[Henk Bodewitz]] (1999), ''Hindu Ahimsa, in Violence Denied'' (Editors: Jan E. M. Houben, et al), Brill, {{ISBN|978-9004113442}}; p. 40</ref> statement of the [[Ahimsa]] principle as an ethical code of life, that later evolved to become the highest virtue in Hinduism.<ref>Christopher Chapple (1990), "Ecological Nonviolence and the Hindu Tradition", in ''Perspectives on Nonviolence'' (Editor: VK Kool), Springer; {{ISBN|978-1-4612-8783-4}}, pp. 168-177</ref><ref>S. Sharma and U. Sharma (2005), ''Cultural and Religious Heritage of India: Hinduism'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8170999553}}, pp. 9-10</ref>
{{Blockquote|
<poem>
अथ यत्तपो दानमार्जवमहिँसा सत्यवचनमिति ता अस्य दक्षिणाः ॥ ४ ॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/छान्दोग्योपनिषद्_१ Chandogya Upanishad (Sanskrit)] Verse 3.17.4, Wikisource</ref>

Now [[Tapas (Sanskrit)|Tapas]] (austerity, meditation), [[Dāna]] (charity, alms-giving), [[Ārjava|Arjava]] (sincerity, uprightness and non-hypocrisy), [[Ahimsa]] (non-violence, don't harm others) and [[Satya|Satya-vacanam]] (telling truth), these are the [[Dakshina]] (gifts, payment to others) he gives [in life].
</poem>
|Chandogya Upanishad 3.17.4<ref name=hume317>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n233/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 3.17", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 212-213</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n179/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 165-166</ref>}}

The [[metaphor]] of man's life as a Soma-festival is described through steps of a [[yajna]] (fire ritual ceremony) in section 3.17.<ref name=hume317/><ref name=pauldeussen317/> The struggles of an individual, such as hunger, thirst and events that make him unhappy, states the Upanishad, is [[Diksha]] (preparation, effort or consecration for the ceremony/festival).<ref name=gjha317/> The prosperity of an individual, such as eating, drinking and experiencing the delights of life is ''Upasada'' (days during the ceremony/festival when some foods and certain foods are consumed as a community).<ref name=pauldeussen317/> When an individual lives a life of laughs, feasts and enjoys sexual intercourse, his life is akin to becoming one with ''Stuta'' and ''Sastra'' hymns of a Soma-festival (hymns that are recited and set to music), states verse 3.17.3 of the text.<ref name=hume317/><ref name=gjha317>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n179/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 164-166</ref> Death is like ablution after the ceremony.<ref name=hume317/>

The volumes 3.16 and 3.17 of the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' are notable for two additional assertions. One, in verse 3.16.7, the normal age of man is stated to be 116 years, split into three stages of 24, 44 and 48 year each.<ref>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 113-114 with preface and footnotes.</ref> These verses suggest a developed state of mathematical sciences and addition by about 800-600 BCE. Secondly, verse 3.17.6 mentions ''Krishna Devakiputra'' (Sanskrit: कृष्णाय देवकीपुत्रा) as a student of sage Ghora Angirasa. This mention of "[[Krishna]] as the son of [[Devaki]]", has been studied by scholars<ref name=maxmuller316/> as potential source of fables and Vedic lore about the major deity Krishna in the [[Mahabharata]] and other ancient literature. Scholars have also questioned<ref name=maxmuller316>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/48/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 3.16-3.17"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 50-53 with footnotes.</ref> whether this part of the verse is an interpolation, or just a different Krishna Devikaputra than deity Krishna,<ref>Edwin Bryant and Maria Ekstrand (2004), ''The Hare Krishna Movement'', Columbia University Press; {{ISBN|978-0231122566}}, pp. 33-34 with note 3.</ref> because the much later age ''Sandilya Bhakti Sutras'', a treatise on Krishna,<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/ShandilyaBhaktiSutra/shandilya_bhakti_sutras#page/n0/mode/2up "Sandilya Bhakti Sutra"] SS Rishi (Translator), Sree Gaudia Math (Madras)</ref> cites later age compilations such as [[Narayana Upanishad]] and [[Ganapati Atharvaśīrṣa|Atharvasiras]] 6.9, but never cites this verse of ''Chandogya Upanishad''. Others<ref>W. G. Archer (2004), ''The Loves of Krishna in Indian Painting and Poetry'', Dover; {{ISBN|978-0486433714}}, p. 5</ref> state that the coincidence that both names, of Krishna and Devika, in the same verse cannot be dismissed easily and this Krishna may be the same as one found later, such as in the [[Bhagavad Gita]].{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

The verse 3.17.6 states that Krishna Devikaputra after learning the theory of life is a Soma-festival, learnt the following Vedic hymn of refuge for an individual on his death bed,<ref name=maxmuller316/>
{{Blockquote|
<poem>
Thou art the ''Aksitamasi'' (indestructible, imperishable, undecaying),
Thou art the ''Acyutamasi'' (imperturbable, unchangeable, imperishable),
Thou art the ''Prana-samsitamasi'' (fountainhead, crest of life-principles, fortified by breath).
</poem>
|Chandogya Upanishad 3.17.6<ref name=hume317/><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n181/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 166-167</ref>}}

===Fourth Prapāṭhaka===

====Samvargavidya====
The fourth chapter of the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' opens with the story of king ''Janasruti'' and "the man with the cart" named [[Raikva]]. The moral of the story is called, ''Samvarga'' (Sanskrit: संवर्ग, devouring, gathering, absorbing) ''Vidya'', summarized in volume 4.3 of the text.<ref name=pauldeussen41>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 118-122 with preface and footnotes.</ref> Air, asserts the Upanishad, is the "devourer unto itself" of divinities because it absorbs fire, [S]un at sunset, [M]oon when it sets, water when it dries up.<ref name=hume41>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n235/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 4.1 - 4.3", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 215-217</ref> In reference to man, ''Prana'' (vital breath, life-principle) is the "devourer unto itself" because when one sleeps, ''Prana'' absorbs all deities inside man such as eyes, ears and mind.<ref name=maxmuller41>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/54/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 4.1 - 4.3"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 55-59 with footnotes.</ref> The ''Samvarga Vidya'' in Chandogya is found elsewhere in Vedic canon of texts, such as chapter 10.3.3 of ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]'' and sections 2.12 - 2.13 of ''[[Kaushitaki Upanishad]]''. Paul Deussen states that the underlying message of ''Samvarga Vidya'' is that the cosmic phenomenon and the individual physiology are mirrors, and therefore man should know himself as identical with all cosmos and all beings.<ref name=pauldeussen41/>

The story is notable for its characters, charity practices, and its mention and its definitions of ''Brāhmaṇa'' and ''Ṡūdra''. King ''Janasruti'' is described as pious, extremely charitable, feeder of many destitutes, who built rest houses to serve the people in his kingdom, but one who lacked the knowledge of Brahman-Atman.<ref name=hume41/> ''[[Raikva]]'', is mentioned as "the man with the cart", very poor and of miserable plight (with sores on his skin), but he has the Brahman-Atman knowledge that is, "his self is identical with all beings".<ref name=maxmuller41/> The rich generous king is referred to as ''Ṡūdra'', while the poor working man with the cart is called ''Brāhmaṇa'' (one who knows the Brahman knowledge).<ref name=pauldeussen41/><ref name=hume41/> The story thus declares knowledge as superior to wealth and power. The story also declares the king as a seeker of knowledge, and eager to learn from the poorest.<ref name=hume41/> Paul Deussen notes that this story in the Upanishad, is strange and out of place with its riddles.<ref name=pauldeussen41/>

====Satyakama's education====
The Upanishad presents another symbolic conversational story of [[Satyakama Jabala|Satyakama]], the son of Jabala, in volumes 4.4 through 4.9.<ref name=hume44>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n235/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 4.4 - 4.9", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 218-221</ref> Satyakama's mother reveals to the boy, in the passages of the Upanishad, that she went about in many places in her youth, and he is of uncertain parentage.<ref name=pauldeussen44>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda'', Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 122-126 with preface and footnotes</ref> The boy, eager for knowledge, goes to the sage Haridrumata Gautama, requesting the sage's permission to live in his school for [[Brahmacharya]]. The teacher asks, "my dear child, what family do you come from?" Satyakama replies that he is of uncertain parentage because his mother does not know who the father is. The sage declares that the boy's honesty is the mark of a "Brāhmaṇa, true seeker of the knowledge of the Brahman".<ref name=pauldeussen44/><ref name=maxmuller44>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/60/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 4.4 - 4.9"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 60-64 with footnotes.</ref> The sage accepts him as a student in his school.<ref name=gjha44>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n203/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 189-198</ref>

The sage sends Satyakama to tend four hundred cows, and come back when they multiply into a thousand.<ref name=maxmuller44/> The symbolic legend then presents conversation of Satyakama with a [[bull]], a [[fire]], a [[swan]] (''[[Hamsa (bird)|Hamsa]]'', हंस) and a [[Diving bird|diver bird]] (''Madgu'', मद्गु), which respectively are symbolism for ''[[Vayu]]'', ''[[Agni]]'', ''[[Adityas|Āditya]]'' and ''[[Prana|Prāṇa]]''.<ref name=hume44/> Satyakama then learns from these creatures that forms of Brahman is in all cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), world-bodies (earth, atmosphere, sky and ocean), sources of light (fire, Sun, Moon, lightning), and in man (breath, eye, ear and mind).<ref name=gjha44/> Satyakama returns to his teacher with a thousand cows, and humbly learns the rest of the nature of Brahman.<ref name=pauldeussen44/>

The story is notable for declaring that the mark of a student of Brahman is not parentage, but honesty. The story is also notable for the repeated use of the word [[Bhagavan]] to mean teacher during the Vedic era.<ref name=pauldeussen44/><ref>for example, verse 4.9.2 states: ब्रह्मविदिव वै सोम्य भासि को नु त्वानुशशासेत्यन्ये मनुष्येभ्य इति ह प्रतिजज्ञे '''भगवाँ'''स्त्वेव मे कामे ब्रूयात् ॥ २ ॥; see, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/छान्दोग्योपनिषद्_२ Chandogya 4.9.2] Wikisource; for translation, see Paul Deussen, page 126 with footnote 1</ref>

====Penance is unnecessary, Brahman as life bliss joy and love, the story of Upakosala====
The volumes 4.10 through 4.15 of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' present the third conversational story through a student named 'Upakosala'. The boy Satyakama Jabala described in volumes 4.4 through 4.9 of the text, is declared to be the grown up ''[[Guru]]'' (teacher) with whom Upakosala has been studying for twelve years in his ''Brahmacharya''.<ref name=hume410>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n241/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 4.10 - 4.15", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 221-224</ref>

Upakosala has a conversation with sacrificial fires, which inform him that Brahman is life, Brahman is joy and bliss, Brahman is infinity, and the means to Brahman is not through depressing, hard penance.<ref name=pauldeussen410>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 126-129 with preface and footnotes.</ref> The fires then enumerate the manifestations of Brahman to be everywhere in the empirically perceived world.<ref name=pauldeussen44/><ref name=maxmuller410>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/64/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 4.10 - 4.15"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 64-68 with footnotes.</ref> Satyakama joins Upakosala's education and explains, in volume 4.15 of the text,<ref name=gjha410>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n213/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 198-212</ref>

{{Blockquote|
The person you see here in the eye — he is the [S]elf (atman)" he told him. "He is the immortal free from fear; he is [[Brahman]].
|Chandogya Upanishad 4.15.1<ref>Translation by Patrick Olivelle, http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/the%20early%20upanisads%20annotated%20text%20and%20translation_olivelle.pdf</ref>}}

The Upanishad asserts in verses 4.15.2 and 4.15.3 that the Atman is the "stronghold of love", the leader of love, and that it assembles and unites all that inspires love.<ref name=pauldeussen44/><ref name=hume410/> Those who find and realize the Atman, find and realize the Brahman, states the text.<ref name=maxmuller410/>

===Fifth Prapāṭhaka===

====The noblest and the best====
The fifth chapter of the Chandogya Upanishad opens with the declaration,<ref name=hume51>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n247/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad] 5.1 - 5.15, The Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 226-228</ref>
{{Blockquote|
<poem>
यो ह वै ज्येष्ठं च श्रेष्ठं च वेद ज्येष्ठश्च ह वै श्रेष्ठश्च भवति

When a man knows the best and the greatest, he becomes the best and the greatest. 
</poem>
|Chandogya Upanishad 5.1.1<ref>Translation by Patrick Olivelle, http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/the%20early%20upanisads%20annotated%20text%20and%20translation_olivelle.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219210319/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/the%20early%20upanisads%20annotated%20text%20and%20translation_olivelle.pdf |date=19 December 2022 }}</ref>
}}

The first volume of the fifth chapter of the text tells a fable and prefaces each character with the following maxims,

{{Blockquote|
<poem>
He who knows excellence,<ref>variSTha, [http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=variSTha&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0 वरिष्ठ]</ref> becomes excellent.
He who knows stability,<ref>pratiSThA, [http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=pratiSThA+&trans=Translate&direction=AU प्रतिष्ठां]</ref> becomes stable.
He who knows success,<ref>sampad, [http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=sampad&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0 सम्पदं]</ref> becomes successful.
He who knows home,<ref>ayatana, [http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=Ayatana&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0 आयतन]</ref> becomes home for others.
</poem>
|Chandogya Upanishad 5.1.1<ref name="maxmuller511">Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/72/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 5.1"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 72-74 with footnotes.</ref><ref name="hume511">Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n247/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 5.1", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 226-228</ref>}}

The fable, found in many other principal Upanishads,<ref>See [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n177/mode/2up ''Brihadaranyaka Upanishad'' section 6.1], ''Kaushitaki Upanishad'' section 3.3, Prasna Upanishad section 2.3 as examples; Max Muller on page 72 of ''The Upanishads, Part 1'', notes that versions of this moral fable appear in different times and civilizations, such as in the 1st century BCE text by [[Plutarch]] on ''Life of Coriolanus'' where [[Agrippa Menenius Lanatus consul 503 BC)|Menenius Agrippa]] describes the fable of [http://classics.mit.edu/Plutarch/coriolan.html rivalry between stomach and other human body parts].</ref> describes a rivalry between eyes, ears, speech, mind.<ref name="hume511"/> They all individually claim to be "most excellent, most stable, most successful, most homely".<ref name="maxmuller511"/> They ask their father, Prajapati, as who is the noblest and best among them. Prajapati states, "he by whose departure, the body is worst off, is the one".<ref name=pauldeussen51>Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pages 134-136</ref> Each rivaling organ leaves for a year, and the body suffers but is not worse off.<ref name="hume511"/> Then, ''Prana'' (breath, life-principle) prepares to leave, and all of them insist that he stay. ''Prana'', they acknowledge, empowers them all.<ref name="maxmuller511"/>

The section 5.2 is notable for its mention in a ritual the use of ''kañsa'' (goblet-like musical instrument) and ''chamasa'' (spoon shaped object).<ref name=Madan>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/81 81]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref><ref>Rājendralāla Mitra, {{Google book|aX1fF5eELJEC|The Chhándogya Upanishad of the Sáma Veda|page=84}}</ref><ref>However, this is not unusual, as musical instruments are also mentioned in other Upanishads, such as ''Brihadaranyaka Upanishad'' (section 5.10) and in the ''Katha Upanishad'' (section 1.15); See E Roer, {{Google books|wCYJAAAAQAAJ|The Brihad Āraṇyaka Upanishad}}, pp. 102, 252</ref>

====The five fires and two paths theory====
Volumes 5.3 through 5.10 of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' present the "Pancagnividya", or the doctrine of "five fires and two paths in after-life".<ref name=pauldeussen52/><ref name=davidknipe>David Knipe (1972), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1061828 "One Fire, Three Fires, Five Fires: Vedic Symbols in Transition"], ''History of Religions, Vol. 12, No. 1'' (August 1972), pp. 28-41</ref> These sections are nearly identical to those found in section 14.9.1 of ''Sathapatha Brahmana'', in section 6.2 of ''Brihadaranyaka Upanishad'', and in chapter 1 of ''Kaushitaki Upanishad''.<ref name=pauldeussen52>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 138-146 with preface</ref><ref name=goodall52>Dominic Goodall (1996), ''Hindu Scriptures'', University of California Press; {{ISBN|978-0520207783}}, pp. 124-128</ref> Paul Deussen {{Who|date=August 2022}} states that the presence of this doctrine in multiple ancient texts suggests that the idea is older than these texts, established and was important concept in the cultural fabric of the ancient times.<ref name=pauldeussen52/><ref name=davidknipe/> There are differences between the versions of manuscript and across the ancient texts, particularly relating to reincarnation in different caste based on "satisfactory conduct" and "stinking conduct" in previous life, which Deussen posits may be a supplement inserted only into the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' later on.<ref name=pauldeussen52/>

The two paths of after-life, states the text, are ''Devayana'' – the path of the ''Devas'' (gods), and ''Pitryana'' – the path of the fathers.<ref name=maxmuller52>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/76/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 5.1"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 76-84 with footnotes.</ref> The path of the fathers, in after-life, is for those who live a life of rituals, sacrifices, social service and charity – these enter heaven, but stay there in proportion to their merit in their just completed life, then they return to Earth to be born as rice, herbs, trees, sesame, beans, animals or human beings depending on their conduct in past life.<ref name=maxmuller52/><ref name=hume52>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n251/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 5.3-5.10", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 230-234</ref> The path of the ''Devas'', in after-life, is for those who live a life of knowledge or those who enter the forest life of [[Vanaprastha]] and pursue knowledge, faith and truthfulness – these do not return, and in their after-life join unto the Brahman.<ref name=pauldeussen52/>

All existence is a cycle of fire, asserts the text, and the five fires are:<ref name=goodall52/><ref name=maxmuller52/> the cosmos as altar where the fuel is Sun from which rises the Moon, the cloud as altar where the fuel is air from which rises the rain, the Earth as altar where the fuel is time (year) from which rises the food (crops), the man as altar where the fuel is speech from which rises the semen, and the woman as altar where the fuel is sexual organ from which rises the fetus.<ref name=pauldeussen52/><ref name=hume52/> The baby is born in the tenth month, lives a life, and when deceased, they carry him and return him to the fire because fire is where he arose, whence he came out of.<ref name=pauldeussen52/><ref name=hume52/>

The verse 5.10.8 of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' is notable for two assertions. One, it adds a third way for tiny living creatures (flies, insects, worms) that neither take the ''Devayana'' nor the ''Pitryana'' path after their death. Second, the text asserts that the rebirth is the reason why the yonder-world never becomes full (world where living creatures in their after-life stay temporarily). These assertions suggest an attempt to address rationalization, curiosities and challenges to the reincarnation theory.<ref name=pauldeussen52/><ref name=maxmuller52/>

====Who is our Atman (Self), what is the Brahman====
The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' opens volume 5.11 with five adults seeking knowledge. The adults are described as five great householders and great [[Theology|theologians]] who once came together and held a discussion as to what is our Self, and what is Brahman?<ref name=pauldeussen511>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 146-155 with preface.</ref>

The five householders approach a sage named ''Uddalaka Aruni'', who admits his knowledge is deficient, and suggests that they all go to king ''Asvapati Kaikeya'', who knows about Atman Vaishvanara.<ref name="hume511"/> When the knowledge seekers arrive, the king pays his due respect to them, gives them gifts, but the five ask him about ''Vaisvanara Self''.

The answer that follows is referred to as the "doctrine of [[Vaishvanara|Atman Vaishvanara]]", where ''Vaisvanara'' literally means "One in the Many".<ref name=klauswitzstr/> The entire doctrine is also found in other ancient Indian texts such as the ''Satapatha Brahmana'' (section 10.6.1).<ref name="maxmuller511"/> The common essence of the theory, as found in various ancient Indian texts, is that "the inner fire, the Self, is universal and common in all men, whether they are friends or foe, good or bad". The Chandogya narrative is notable for stating the idea of unity of the Universe, of realization of this unity within man, and that there is unity and oneness in all beings.<ref name=pauldeussen511/> This idea of universal oneness of all Selfs, seeing others as oneself, seeing Brahman as Atman and Atman as Brahman, became a foundational premise for Vedanta theologians.<ref name=pauldeussen511/><ref name=gjha511>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n287/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 273-285</ref>

===Sixth Prapāṭhaka===

====Atman exists, Svetaketu's education on the key to all knowledge - Tat Tvam Asi====
According to Deutsch and Dalvi, "the entire sixth chapter is no doubt the most influential of the entire corpus of the Upanishads."{{sfn|Deutsch|Dalvi|2004|p=8}} It contains the famous dictum "[[Tat Tvam Asi]]," traditionally interpreted as "That Thou Art," and as such the most influential of the Upanishadic statements,{{sfn|Deussen|2017|pp=155-161}}<ref>Raphael, Edwin (1992). ''The pathway of non-duality, Advaitavada: an approach to some key-points of Gaudapada's Asparśavāda and Śaṁkara's Advaita Vedanta by means of a series of questions answered by an Asparśin.'' Iia: Philosophy Series. Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-81-208-0929-1}} (Back Cover)</ref><ref>AS Gupta (1962), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1397392 The Meanings of "That Thou Art"], ''Philosophy East and West, Vol. 12, No. 2'' (July 1962), pp. 125-134</ref> though the correct translation is "That's how you are."<ref name="Brereton"/>{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=152, 349 n.8.7-16.3}}

The statement is repeated nine times at the end of sections 6.8 through 6.16 of the Upanishad, 
{{blockquote|स य एषोऽणिमैतदात्म्यमिदँ सर्वं तत्सत्यँ स आत्मा '''तत्त्वमसि''' श्वेतकेतो}}

The traditional translation is "That you are":
* "This [U]niverse consists of what that finest essence is, it is the real, it is the Self, ''that thou art'', O Śvetaketu!"{{sfn|Deussen|2017|pp=155-161}}
* "That which is the finest essence – this whole world has that as its Self. That is Reality. That is Atman (Self). ''That art thou'', Śvetaketu."<ref name=hume6>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n261/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 5.1", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 240-250</ref>

Yet, according to Brereton, followed by Olivelle and Doniger, the correct translation is "That's how you are":
* "That which is this finest essence, that the whole world has as its self. That is the truth. That is the self. ''In that way are you'', Śvetaketu."<ref name="Brereton">Joel Brereton (1986), ''Tat Tvam Asi in Context, Zeitschrift der deutschen morgenlandischen Gesellschaft, Vol, 136'', pp. 98-109</ref>
* "The finest essence [the existent] here — that constitutes the self of this whole world; that is the truth; that is the self (atman). ''And that's how you are'', Śvetaketu."{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=152, 349 n.8.7-16.3}}

The ''Tat Tvam Asi'' dictum emerges in a tutorial conversation between a father and son, [[Aruni|Uddalaka Aruni]] and 24-year-old [[Shvetaketu|Śvetaketu Aruneya]] respectively, after the father sends his boy to study the Vedas, saying "take up the celibate life of a student, for there is no one in our family, my son, who has not studied ad is the kind of Brahmin who is so only because of birth."{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=148}} The son returns after studying the Vedas for twelve years, "swell-headed [and] arrogant."{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=148}} The father inquires if Śvetaketu has asked about that by which "we perceive what cannot be perceived, we know what cannot be known"? Śvetaketu admits he hasn't, and asks what that is. His father, through 16 volumes of verses of ''Chandogya Upanishad'', explains.{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=148}}<ref name=hume61/>

Uddalaka states in volume 1 of chapter 6 of the Upanishad, that the essence of clay, gold, copper and iron each can be understood by studying a pure lump of clay, gold, copper and iron respectively.<ref name=maxmuller61/><ref name=hume61>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n261/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 6.1 - 6.16", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 240-240</ref> The various objects produced from these materials do not change the essence, they change the form. Thus, to understand something, studying the essence of one is the path to understanding the numerous manifested forms.<ref name=pauldeussen61>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass;{{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 162-172</ref>

In volume 2 Uddalaka, rejects the idea that the world was born from the non-existent [''a-sat''], asserting that "in the beginning this world was simply what is existent [''sat'']- one only, without a second."{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=149}}{{efn|Existent: सत्, ''[[Satya|Sat]]'', Truth, Reality, Being; non-existent: असत्, ''A-sat'', Nothingness, non-Being.<ref>Mehta, pp. 237-239</ref><ref name=hume61/>}} The existent thought "let me become many," emitting heat. From the heat emitted water, which in turn emitted food.{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=149}}

In the verses of volume 3, Uddalaka asserts that life emerges through three routes: an egg, direct birth of a living being, and as life sprouting from seeds.<ref name=pauldeussen61/> The ''Sat'' enters these and gives them individuality, states the Upanishad. Heat, food and water nourish all living beings, regardless of the route they are born. Each of these nourishment has three constituents, asserts the Upanishad in volumes 4 through 7 of the sixth chapter. It calls it the coarse, the medium and the finest essence.<ref name=hume61/> These coarse becomes waste, the medium builds the body or finest essence nourishes the mind. Section 6.7 states that the mind depends on the body and proper food, breath depends on hydrating the body, while voice depends on warmth in the body, and that these cannot function without.<ref name=maxmuller61/><ref name=pauldeussen61/>

In 8.1 to 6, after setting this foundation of premises, in 6.8.1 to 6.8.6, Uddalaka states that heat, food, water, mind, breath and voice have ultimately the existent (''sat'') as their root.{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=151-152}} This existent is the root of each living being.{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=152}} To say that there is no root, no core is incorrect, because "nothing is without a root cause", assert verses 6.8.3 through 6.8.6 of the Upanishad.

The translations and interpretations diverge on the famous dictum ''tat tvam asi'' in 6.8.7.{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=349 n.8.7-16.3}} While ''tat'' is traditionally interpreted as referring to either 'the existent' (''sat'') or 'finest essence' (''animan''), Brereton has argued that this is grammatically incorrect, and that the phrase, as explained by Olivelle, "does not establish the identity between the individual and the ultimate being (''sat'') but rather shows that Svetaketu lives in the same manner as all other creatures, that is, by means of an invisible and subtle essence," which is also the cause of his existence.{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=349 n.8.7-16.3}} In the traditional interpretation, 6.8.7 then states that Sat, Existence, Being<ref>Shankara, [http://shankarabhashya.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=343e9e12ffd6b71c499e1722e8813e90&topic=87.0 "Chandogya Upanisha Basha, 6.8.7"]</ref> is this root, it is the essence (''atman''), it is at the core of all living beings. It is True, it is Real, it is the Self (''atman''), and Thou Art That, Śvetaketu.<ref name=maxmuller61>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/92/mode/2up 'Chandogya Upanishad 6.1-6.16"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 92-109 with footnotes.</ref><ref>Dominic Goodall (1996), ''Hindu Scriptures'', University of California Press; {{ISBN|978-0520207783}}, pp. 136-137</ref> In Brereton's interpretation, followed by Olivelle and Doniger, Uddalaka states that "that's how you are,"<ref name="Brereton"/>{{sfn|Olivelle|2008|p=152, 349 n.8.7-16.3}} Śvetaketu.

The "Tat Tvam Asi" phrase is a [[Mahavakya]], a statement which leads directly to knowledge of Brahman.<ref>MW Myers (1993), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1399614 "Tat tvam asi as Advaitic Metaphor"], ''Philosophy East and West, Vol. 43, No. 2'', pp. 229-242</ref><ref>G. Mishra (2005), 'New Perspectives on Advaita Vedanta: Essays in Commemoration of Professor Richard de Smet", ''Philosophy East and West, Vol. 55 No. 4'', pp. 610-616</ref>

====Oneness in the world, the immanent reality and of Man====
The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' in volume 6.9, states that all Selfs are interconnected and one. The inmost essence of all beings is same, the whole world is One Truth, One Reality, One Self.<ref name=maxmuller61/><ref name=pauldeussen61/>

Living beings are like rivers that arise in the mountains, states the Upanishad, some rivers flow to the east and some to the west, yet they end in an ocean, become the ocean itself, and realize they are not different but are same, and thus realize their Oneness. Uddalaka states in volume 6.10 of the Upanishad, that there comes a time when all human beings and all creatures know not, "I am this one, I am that one", but realize that they are One Truth, One Reality, and the whole world is one ''Atman''.<ref name=pauldeussen61/><ref name=hume61/>

Living beings are like trees, asserts the Upanishad, that bleed when struck and injured, yet the tree lives on with its Self as resplendent as before. It is this ''Atman'', that despite all the suffering inflicted on a person, makes him to stand up again, live and rejoice at life. Body dies, life doesn't.<ref name=maxmuller61/><ref name=hume61/><ref name=gjha610>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n353/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 342-356</ref>

The Self and the body are like salt and water, states the Upanishad in volume 6.13. Salt dissolves in water, it is everywhere in the water, it cannot be seen, yet it is there and exists forever no matter what one does to the water.<ref name=goodall613/> The ''Sat'' is forever, and this ''Sat'' is the Self, the essence, it exists, it is true, asserts the text.<ref name=maxmuller61/><ref name=pauldeussen61/>

Man's journey to self-knowledge and self-realization, states volume 6.14 of ''Chandogya Upanishad'', is like a man who is taken from his home in ''[[Gandhara]]s'', with his eyes covered, into a forest full of life-threatening dangers and delicious fruits, but no human beings.<ref name=maxmuller61/> He lives in confusion, till one day he removes the eye cover. He then finds his way out of the forest, then finds knowledgeable ones for directions to ''Gandharas''.<ref name=pauldeussen61/><ref name=goodall613>Dominic Goodall (1996), ''Hindu Scriptures'', University of California Press; {{ISBN|978-0520207783}}, pp. 139-141</ref> He receives the directions, and continues his journey on his own, one day arriving home and to happiness.<ref name=maxmuller61/><ref name=hume61/> The commentators<ref name=maxmuller61/> to this section of ''Chandogya Upanishad'' explain that in this metaphor, the home is ''Sat'' (Truth, Reality, Brahman, Atman), the forest is the empirical world of existence, the "taking away from his home" is symbolism for man's impulsive living and his good and evil deeds in the empirical world, eye cover represent his impulsive desires, removal of eye cover and attempt to get out of the forest represent the seekings about meaning of life and introspective turn to within, the knowledgeable ones giving directions is symbolism for spiritual teachers and guides.<ref name=pauldeussen61/><ref name=gjha610/>

===Seventh Prapāṭhaka===
====From knowledge of the outer world to the knowledge of the inner world====
The seventh chapter of the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' opens as a conversation between [[Sanatkumara]] and [[Narada]].<ref name=pauldeussen71>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 176-189</ref> The latter asks, "teach me, Sir, the knowledge of Self, because I hear that anyone who knows the Self, is beyond suffering and sorrow".<ref name=hume71>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n271/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 7.1 - 7.16", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 250-262</ref>

Sanatkumara first inquires from Narada what he already has learned so far. Narada says, he knows the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Atharva Veda, the epics and the history, the myths and the ancient stories, all rituals, grammar, etymology, astronomy, time keeping, mathematics, politics and ethics, warfare, principles of reasoning, divine lore, prayer lore, snake charming, ghosts lore and fine arts.<ref name=hume71/><ref name=maxmuller71>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/108/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 7.1-7.16"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 109-125 with footnotes.</ref> Narada admits to Sanatkumara that none of these have led him to Self-knowledge, and he wants to know about Self and Self-knowledge.<ref name=goodall71>Dominic Goodall (1996), ''Hindu Scriptures'', University of California Press; {{ISBN|978-0520207783}}, pp. 141-151</ref>

Sanatkumara states that Narada, with the worldly knowledge, has so far focussed on name. Adore and revere the worldly knowledge asserts Sanatkumara in section 7.1 of the Upanishad, but meditate on all that knowledge as the name, as Brahman.<ref name=pauldeussen71intro>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 172-176</ref> Narada asks Sanatkumara to explain, and asks what is better than the worldly knowledge. In volumes 2 through 26 of the seventh chapter, the Upanishad presents, in the words of Sanatkumara, a hierarchy of progressive meditation, from outer worldly knowledge to inner worldly knowledge, from finite current knowledge to infinite Atman knowledge, as a step-wise journey to Self and infinite bliss.<ref name=pauldeussen71intro/> This hierarchy, as per Paul Deussen, is strange, convoluted possibly to incorporate divergent prevailing ideas in the ancient times. Yet in its full presentation, Deussen remarks, "it is magnificent, excellent in construction, and commands an elevated view of man's deepest nature".<ref name=pauldeussen71intro/>

====Narada's education on progressive meditation====
[[File:Bronze figure of Kashmiri in Meditation by Malvina Hoffman Wellcome M0005215.jpg|thumb|The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' (7th chapter) discusses progressive meditation as a means to Self-knowledge.]]
In its exposition of progressive meditation for Self-knowledge, the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' starts by referring to the outer worldly knowledges as name.<ref name=maxmuller71/><ref name=pauldeussen71intro/>

Deeper than this name, is speech asserts verse 7.2.1, because speech is what communicates all outer worldly knowledge as well as what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false, what is good and what is bad, what is pleasant and what is unpleasant.<ref name=maxmuller71/> Without speech, men can't share this knowledge, and one must adore and revere speech as manifestation of Brahman.<ref name=hume71/><ref name=goodall71/>

More elevated than [[Vāc|Speech]], asserts section 7.3 of the Upanishad, is ''Manas'' (मनस्, mind) because Mind holds both Speech and [[Nāma|Name]] (outer worldly knowledges).<ref name=goodall71/> One must adore and revere Mind as Brahman.<ref name=maxmuller71/> Deeper than Mind, asserts section 7.4 of the Upanishad, is ''Sankalpa'' (सङ्कल्प, will, conviction, intention) because when a man Wills he applies his Mind, when man applies his Mind he engages Speech and Name. One must adore and revere Will as manifestation of Brahman.<ref name=pauldeussen71/> Higher than Will, states section 7.5 of the Upanishad, is ''[[Chit (consciousness)|Chitta]]'' (चित्त, thought, consciousness) because when a man Thinks he forms his Will.<ref name=goodall71/> One must adore and revere Thought as manifestation of Brahman. Greater than Thought, asserts section 7.6 of the Upanishad, is ''[[Dhyana in Hinduism|Dhyanam]]'' (ध्यान, meditation, reflection, contemplation) because when a man Meditates he Thinks.<ref name=maxmuller71/> One must adore and revere Meditation as the manifestation of Brahman. Deeper than Meditation, states section 7.7 of the Upanishad, is ''[[Vijñana]]'' (विज्ञान, knowledge, understanding, discernment) because when a man Understands he continues Meditating. One must adore and revere Understanding as the Brahman.<ref name=hume71/><ref name=goodall71/>

Thereafter, for a few steps,<ref name=pauldeussen71intro/> the Upanishad asserts a hierarchy of progressive meditation that is unusual and different from the broader teachings of the Upanishads. The text states in section 7.8, that higher than Understanding is ''Bala'' (बल, strength, vigor) because a Strong man physically prevails over the men with Understanding.<ref name=maxmuller71/><ref name=goodall71/> "By strength does the world stand", states verse 7.8.1 of ''Chandogya Upanishad''.<ref name=pauldeussen71/><ref name=hume71/> One must adore and revere Strength as the manifestation of Brahman.<ref name=maxmuller71/> Higher than Strength, states section 7.9 of the Upanishad, is ''Anna'' (अन्नं, food, nourishment) because with proper Food, man becomes Strong. One must adore and revere Food as manifestation of Brahman.<ref name=hume71/> Greater than Food, states section 7.10 of the Upanishad, is ''Āpah'' (आप, water) because without Water one cannot grow Food, famines strike and living creatures perish. One must adore and revere Water as the Brahman.<ref name=maxmuller71/> Higher than Water, asserts section 7.11 of the Upanishad, is ''Tejas'' (तेजस्, heat, fire) because it is Heat combined with Wind and Atmosphere that bring Rain Water. One must adore and revere Heat as the manifestation of Brahman.<ref name=pauldeussen71/> Higher than Heat, states section 7.12 of the Upanishad, is ''[[Akasha|Ākāsa]]'' (आकाश, space, ether) because it is Space where the Sun, Moon, stars and Heat reside. One must adore and revere the Space as the Brahman.<ref name=hume71/><ref name=goodall71/>

The Upanishad thereafter makes an abrupt transition back to inner world of man.<ref name=pauldeussen71intro/> The text states in section 7.13, that deeper than Space is ''Smara'' (स्मरो, memory) because without Memory [U]niverse to man would be as if it did not exist.<ref name=maxmuller71/> One must adore and revere Memory as the manifestation of Brahman, states the text. Deeper than Memory is ''Asha'' (आशा, hope), states section 7.14 of the Upanishad, because kindled by Hope the Memory learns and man acts.<ref name=pauldeussen71/> One must adore and revere Hope as the Brahman.<ref name=hume71/> Still deeper than Hope is ''Prāna'' (प्राणो, vital breath, life-principle), because life-principle is the hub of all that defines a man, and not his body. That is why, asserts the text, people cremate a dead body and respect a living person with the same body.<ref name=maxmuller71/><ref name=goodall71/> The one who knows life-principle, states the Upanishad, becomes ''Ativadin'' (speaker with inner confidence, speaker of excellence).<ref name=pauldeussen71intro/>

====From Ativadin to self-knowledge====
The ''Chandogya Upanishad'', in sections 7.16 through 7.26 presents a series of connected statements relayed from Sage Sanatkumara to [[Narada]], as follows<ref name=maxmuller716>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/120/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 7.16-7.26"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 120-125 with footnotes.</ref> (a paraphrase below)
{{Blockquote|
<poem>
Now, a man talks only when he talks with truth, hence you should seek to perceive the ''truth ([[Satya]], '''सत्य''''').
A man must first perceive before he speaks the truth, so it is ''perception/comprehension ([[Vijñana]], '''विज्ञान''''') that you should seek to understand.
A man must first think before he perceives, so it is ''thinking/thought (Mati, '''मति''''') that you should seek perceive.
A man must first have faith before he thinks, so it is ''faith ([[Faith in Hinduism|Śraddhā]], '''श्रद्दधा''''') that he should seek to perceive.
A man must first produce before he has faith, so it is ''production/growing forth (Nististhati, '''निस्तिष्ठति''''') that you should seek to perceive.
A man must first act before he produces, so it is ''action (Krti, '''कृति''''') that you should seek to perceive.
A man must first attain well-being before he acts, so it is ''well-being ([[Sukha]]m, '''सुखं''''') that you should seek to perceive.
Now, well-being is nothing but ''plenitude/limitlessness (Bhuman, '''भूमानं'''''). There is no prosperity in scarcity. So, it is plenitude that you should seek to perceive.
Where a man sees, hears, or discerns no other thing — that is plenitude. Plenitude is based on one's own greatness or maybe it's not based on greatness. Cattle, slaves, farms & houses, etc - these are what people here call greatness. But I don't consider them that way, for they are all based on each other. Plenitude and 'I' are indeed the same, and is the north, south, east, west & extends over the whole world. A man who sees it this way, thinks about it this way, and perceives it this way; a man who finds pleasure in the Self, who dallies with the Self, who mates with the Self, and who attains bliss in the Self — he becomes completely his own master; he obtains complete freedom/autonomy (''[[Swaraj (disambiguation)|Svaraj]]'', स्वराज्) of movement in all the worlds. 
</poem>
|Chandogya Upanishad 7.16-7.26<ref>Translation by Patrick Olivelle, http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/the%20early%20upanisads%20annotated%20text%20and%20translation_olivelle.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219210319/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/the%20early%20upanisads%20annotated%20text%20and%20translation_olivelle.pdf |date=19 December 2022 }}</ref>
}}

To one who sees, perceives and understands Self as Truth, asserts the Upanishad in section 7.26, the life-principle springs from the Self, hope springs from the Self, memory springs from the Self, as does mind, thought, understanding, reflection, conviction, speech, and all outer worldly knowledges.<ref name=goodall716>Dominic Goodall (1996), ''Hindu Scriptures'', University of California Press; {{ISBN|978-0520207783}}, pp. 149-152</ref><ref name=maxmuller726>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/124/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 7.25-7.26"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 124-125 with footnotes.</ref><ref name="Chandogya Upanishads">[https://archive.org/stream/PrincipalUpanishads/129481965-The-Principal-Upanishads-by-S-Radhakrishnan#page/n491/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishads"] S Radhakrishnan (Translator), pp. 488-489</ref>

===Eighth Prapāṭhaka===
====The nature of knowledge and Atman (Self)====
The eighth chapter 
of the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' opens by declaring the body one is born with as the "city of Brahman", and in it is a palace that is special because the entire Universe is contained within it. Whatever has been, whatever will be, whatever is, and whatever is not, is all inside that palace asserts the text, and the resident of the palace is the Brahman, as Atman – the Self, the Self.<ref name=goodall81>Dominic Goodall (1996), ''Hindu Scriptures'', University of California Press; {{ISBN|978-0520207783}}, pp. 152-153</ref> Those who do not discover that Self within themselves are unfree, states the text, those who do discover that Self-knowledge gain the ultimate freedom in all the worlds.<ref name=maxmuller81>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/124/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 8.1"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 125-127 with footnotes.</ref><ref name=pauldeussen81/> The Upanishad describes the potential of self-knowledge with the parable of hidden treasure, as follows,

{{Blockquote|
[Where Brahman-Atman dwells], there are all our true desires, but hidden by what is false. As people who do not know the country, walk again and again over undiscovered gold that is hidden below inside the earth, thus do people live with Brahman and yet do not discover it because they do not seek to discover the true Self in that Brahman dwelling inside them.
|Chandogya Upanishad 8.3.2<ref name=maxmuller81/><ref name=pauldeussen81>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 189-193</ref><ref name=charlesjohnston/>}}

Man has many desires of food and drink and song and music and friends and objects, and fulfillment of those desires make him happy states the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' in sections 8.2 and 8.3; but those desires are fleeting, and so is the happiness that their fulfillment provides because both are superficial and veiled in untruth.<ref name=pauldeussen81/> Man impulsively becomes a servant of his unfulfilled superficial desires, instead of reflecting on his true desires.<ref name=pauldeussen81/> Serenity comes from knowing his true desire for Self, realizing the Self inside oneself, asserts the text.<ref name=pauldeussen81/><ref name=hume81>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n283/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 8.1-8.3", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 262-265</ref>

Theosophist [[Charles Johnston (Theosophist)|Charles Johnston]] calls this section to be a ''Law of Correspondence'', where the macrocosm of the Universe is presented as microcosm within man, that all that is infinite and divine is within man, that man is the temple and God dwells inside him.<ref name=charlesjohnston>Charles Johnston, [http://www.universaltheosophy.com/pdf-library/Chandogya%20Upanishad_Johnston.pdf "Chandogya Upanishad"], Part VIII, ''Theosophical Quarterly'', pp. 142-144</ref>

====The means to knowledge and Atman====
The Upanishad in section 8.5 and 8.6 states that the life of student (''Brahmacharin'', see [[Brahmacharya]]) guided by a teacher is the means to knowledge, and the process of meditation and search the means of realizing Atman.<ref name=pauldeussen85/><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/PrincipalUpanishads/129481965-The-Principal-Upanishads-by-S-Radhakrishnan#page/n501/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishads"] S Radhakrishnan (Translator), pp. 498-499</ref> The verse 8.5.1 asserts that such life of a student is same as the [[yajna]] (fire ritual), the ''istam'' (oblations offered during the fire ritual), the ''sattrayanam'' (community fire ritual festival), the ''maunam'' (ritual of ascetic silence), the ''anasakayanam'' (fasting ritual), and the ''aranyayanam'' (a hermit life of solitude in the forest).<ref name=hume85>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n287/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 8.5-8.6", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 266-267</ref> The section thus states all external forms of rituals are equivalently achievable internally when someone becomes a student of sacred knowledge and seeks to know the Brahman-Atman.<ref name=pauldeussen85>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 190-196</ref> The section is notable for the mention of "hermit's life in the forest" cultural practice, in verse 8.5.3.<ref name=pauldeussen85/><ref name=hume85/>

====The false and true in relation to the Atman====
The sections 8.7 through 8.12 of the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' return to the question, "what is true Self, and what is not"?<ref name=pauldeussen87>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass;{{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 196-198</ref> The opening passage declares Self as the one that is eternally free of grief, suffering and death; it is happy, serene being that desires, feels and thinks what it ought to.<ref name=gjha87>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n461/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya"] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pp. 447-484</ref> Thereafter, the text structures its analysis of true and false Atman as four answers.<ref name=pauldeussen87/> The three Self, which are false Self, asserts the text are the material body,<ref name=paulintheeye>Paul Deussen explains the phrase 'seen in the eye' as, "the seer of seeing, the subject of knowledge, the soul within"; see page 127 preface of Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}</ref> corporeal self in dreams, individual self in deep sleep, while the fourth is the true Self – the self in beyond deep sleep state that is one with others and the entire Universe.<ref name=maxmuller87>Max Muller, [https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/134/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad 8.7 - 8.12"], ''The Upanishads, Part I'', Oxford University Press, pp. 134-142 with footnotes.</ref><ref>Paul Deussen, ''Sixty Upanishads of the Veda'', Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pp. 198-203</ref>

This theory is also known as the "four states of consciousness", explained as the awake state, dream-filled sleep state, deep sleep state, and beyond deep sleep state.<ref name="Chandogya Upanishads"/><ref name=ptrajuchandogya>PT Raju (1985), ''Structural Depths of Indian Thought'', State University New York Press; {{ISBN|978-0887061394}}, pp. 32-33</ref><ref>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n289/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad - Eighth Prathapaka, Seventh through Twelfth Khanda"], Oxford University Press, pp. 268-273</ref>

====A paean for the learning, a reverence for the Self====
With the knowledge of the Brahman, asserts the text, one goes from darkness to perceiving a spectrum of colors and shakes off evil.<ref name=hume814>Robert Hume, 
[https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n293/mode/2up "Chandogya Upanishad] 8.13 - 8.15", ''The Thirteen Principal Upanishads'', Oxford University Press, pp. 273-274</ref> This knowledge of Self is immortal, and the one who knows his own self joins the glory of the Brahman-knowers, the glory of ''Rajas'' (kings) and the glory of the people. The one who knows his Self, continues to study the Vedas and concentrates on his Self, who is harmless towards all living beings, who thus lives all his life, reaches the Brahma-world and does not return, states the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' in its closing chapter.<ref name=hume814/>

==Influence==
According to Max Muller, the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' is notable for its lilting metric structure, its mention of ancient cultural elements such as musical instruments, and embedded philosophical premises that later served as foundation for [[Vedanta]] school of [[Hinduism]].{{sfn|Muller|pp=LXXXVI-LXXXIX, 1-144}} According to Deutsch and Dalvi, "the entire sixth chapter is no doubt the most influential of the entire corpus of the Upanishads."{{sfn|Deutsch|Dalvi|2004|p=8}}

''Chandogya Upanishad'' is one of the most cited texts in later ''Bhasyas'' (reviews and commentaries) by scholars from the diverse schools of Hinduism. Several major "Bhasyas" (reviews, commentaries) on ''Chandogya Upanishad'' have been written by Sanskrit scholars of ancient and medieval India. These include those by [[Adi Shankara]]charya, [[Madhvacharya]], Dramidacharya, Brahmanandi Tankacharya, and [[Ramanuja]]charya.  [[Adi Shankara]]charya, for example, cited ''Chandogya Upanishad'' 810 times in his ''Vedanta Sutra Bhasya'', more than any other ancient text.<ref>Paul Deussen, ''The System of Vedanta''; {{ISBN|978-1432504946}}, pp. 30-31</ref>

Max Muller has translated, commented and compared ''Chandogya Upanishad'' with ancient texts outside India.{{sfn|Muller|pp=LXXXVI-LXXXIX, 1-144}} For example, the initial chapters of the Upanishad is full of an unusual and fanciful etymology section, but Muller notes that this literary stage and similar etymological fancy is found in scriptures associated with [[Moses]] and his people in their Exodus across the Red Sea, as well as in Christian literature related to [[Augustine of Hippo|Saint Augustine]] of 5th century CE.{{sfn|Muller|pp=8-9 with footnote 1}}

Klaus Witz {{Who|date=August 2022}} in his review of the ''Chandogya Upanishad'' states, "the opulence of its chapters is difficult to communicate: the most diverse aspects of the [U]niverse, life, mind and experience are developed into inner paths. (...) Chapters VI-VII consist of ''vidyas'' of great depth and profundity".<ref>Klaus Witz (1998), ''The Supreme Wisdom of the Upaniṣads: An Introduction'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120815735}}, pp. 218-219</ref>

John Arapura states, "The ''Chandogya Upanishad'' sets forth a profound philosophy of language as chant, in a way that expresses the centrality of the Self and its non-duality".<ref>J.G. Arapura (1986), ''Hermeneutical Essays on Vedāntic Topics'', Motilal Banarsidass; {{ISBN|978-8120801837}}, p. 169</ref>

The philosopher [[Arthur Schopenhauer]] admired and often quoted from Chandogya Upanishad, particularly the phrase "[[Tat tvam asi]]", which he would render in German as "Dies bist du", and equates in English to “This art thou.”<ref name=deleary>DE Leary (2015), Arthur Schopenhauer and the Origin & Nature of the Crisis, William James Studies, Vol. 11, p. 6</ref><ref>W McEvilly (1963), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1396815 "Kant, Heidegger, and the Upanishads"], ''Philosophy East and West, Vol. 12, No. 4'', pp. 311-317</ref> One important teaching of ''Chandogya Upanishad'', according to Schopenhauer is that compassion sees past individuation, comprehending that each individual is merely a manifestation of the one will; you are the world as a whole.<ref>D. Cartwright (2008), "Compassion and solidarity with sufferers: The metaphysics of mitleid", ''European Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 16, No. 2'', pp. 292-310</ref><ref name=cjanaway/> Each and every living creature is understood, in this ''Chandogya Upanishad''-inspired fundamental doctrine of Hinduism, to be a manifestation of the same underlying nature, where there is a deep sense of interconnected oneness in every person and every creature, and that singular nature renders each individual being identical to every other.<ref name=deleary/><ref name=cjanaway>Christopher Janaway (1999), ''Willing and Nothingness: Schopenhauer as Nietzsche's Educator''; Oxford University Press; {{ISBN|978-0198235903}}, pp. 3-4</ref>

==See also==
*[[Isha Upanishad]]
*[[Katha Upanishad]]
*[[Mahāvākyas]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
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* {{cite book | last =Deussen | first =Paul | year =2017 | title =Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1 | publisher =Motilal Banarsidass | isbn =978-8120814684}}
* {{cite book | last1 =Deutsch | first1 =Eliot | last2 =Dalvi  |first2 =Rohit | year =2004 | title =The Essential Vedanta. A New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta | publisher =World Wisdom}}
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* {{cite book | last =Goodall | first =Dominic | year =1996 | title =Hindu Scriptures | publisher =University of California Press |  isbn =9780520207783}}
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* {{cite book | last =Muller | first =Max | title =The Upanishads, Part I | publisher =Oxford University Press | url =https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n93/mode/2up}}
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* {{cite book | last =Olivelle | first =Patrick | year =2008 | orig-year =1996 | title =Upanishads. A New Translation by Patrick Olivelle | publisher =Oxford University Press}} 
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{wikisourcelang|sa|छान्दोग्य उपनिषद्|Chandogya Upanishad (Sanskrit)}}

;Translations
{{wikisource|1=Sacred Books of the East/Volume 1/Khândogya-upanishad|2=Chandogya Upanishad (English translation)}}
{{wikiquote}}
*[https://archive.org/stream/upanishads01ml#page/n111/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad] Max Muller (Translator), Oxford University Press
*[https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n197/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad] Robert Hume (Translator), Oxford University Press
*[https://archive.org/stream/PrincipalUpanishads/129481965-The-Principal-Upanishads-by-S-Radhakrishnan#page/n339/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad] S Radhakrishnan (Translator), George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London

;Commentaries
*[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n15/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya] Ganganath Jha (Translator), Oriental Book Agency, Poona
*[http://www.universaltheosophy.com/legacy/movements/ancient-east/vedic-india/chandogya-upanishad/ Chandogya Upanishad] Multiple translations (Johnston, Nikhilānanda, Swahananda)
*[http://www.universaltheosophy.com/pdf-library/Chandogya%20Upanishad_Johnston.pdf Commentary on Chandogya Upanishad] Charles Johnston
*[http://www.mast.queensu.ca/~murty/ind6.pdf The Mandukya, Taittiriya and Chandogya Upanishads] Section 6.3, M Ram Murty (2012), Queen's University

;Recitation
*[http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/chhand-audio.html Audio on The Chhandogya Upanishad], Swami Krishnananda, [[Divine Life Society]]
*{{Librivox book |title=Chandogya Upanishad}}

'''Resources'''
* [http://vedantahub.org/chandogya-upanishad/ Video/Audio classes, Reference texts, Discussions and other Study material on Chandogya Upanishad at Vedanta Hub]
{{Mukhya Upanishads}}
{{Hindudharma}}
{{Indian Philosophy|state=collapsed}}

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[[Category:Upanishads]]