Shloka 8
Adhyāya 26 — Ekākṣara-Brahman (“Om”) and the Hṛdayastha Guru
Inner Teacher
तेषां प्रोवाच भगवान् श्रेय: समनुपृच्छताम् । ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रद्य ते श्रुत्वा प्राद्रवन् दिश:
teṣāṃ provāca bhagavān śreyaḥ samanupṛcchatām | om ity ekākṣaraṃ brahma dadau te śrutvā prādravan diśaḥ ||
Nang itanong ng mga naghahanap ng pinakamataas na kabutihan, ipinahayag sa kanila ng Mapalad na Panginoon: ibinigay niya ang iisang pantig na Brahman—“Om.” Pagkarinig sa banal na tunog ng praṇava, sila’y nagmadaling magsialis, bawat isa sa sariling dako, na wari’y natapos na ng aral ang kanilang paghahanap at inihatid sila sa nararapat na landas.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The highest welfare (śreyaḥ) is indicated through the praṇava ‘Oṃ’, presented as the one-syllabled Brahman—an Upaniṣadic pointer to the Absolute and a concise object of contemplation.
A group of inquirers asks about what is truly beneficial; the divine speaker answers by imparting ‘Oṃ’. Upon hearing it, the listeners disperse to their respective directions, suggesting the instruction is complete and each proceeds on his own path of practice.