‘The self is all pervasive like ether’: A new translation of the Isa Upanisad for the modern reader

Everything, all that moves in the world is covered by the lord; so through renunciation find enjoyment. Do not desire (the wealth of another) for whose is wealth?

One who lords (rules) is known as Īt, whose true form is Īśā. The lord of all, the supreme lord, is the supreme self. Being the self of all creatures, he rules all by being the inner controller. In its own form it covers all. What is this? This is all that moves on the planet earth. The fragrance of sandalwood or incense is corrupted by contact with moisture. Just as this corrupted fragrance is overcome by rubbing the pieces of wood together, thus all duality, the effect of ignorance such as whatever moves, the ideas of doership, enjoyership, modifications such as name, form, and actions will break down and be cast away by means of contemplation of the supreme, true form of the self. There is no point hankering after wealth since wealth belongs only to the self.

In the ultimate analysis wealth is unreal. The intent of this text is that so far as the knower of the supreme self is concerned the self is to be guarded by means of resolute...

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