Khandogya-Upanishad: Fourth Prapathaka, Fourth Khanda

Updated May 14, 2020 | Infoplease Staff
1. Satyakama, the son of Gabala, addressed his mother and said: “I wish to become a Brahmakarin (religious student), mother. Of what family am I?

2. She said to him: “I do not know, my child, of what family thou art. In my youth when I had to move about much as a servant (waiting on the guests in my father's house), I conceived thee. I do not know of what family thou art. I am Gabali by name, thou art Satyakama (Philalethes). Say that thou art Satyakama Gabala.

3. He going to Gautama Haridrumata said to him, “I wish to become a Brahmakarin with you, Sir. May I come to you, Sir?

4. He said to him: “Of what family are you, my friend?” He replied: “I do not know, Sir, of what family I am. I asked my mother, and she answered: ‘In my youth when I had to move about much as a servant, I conceived thee. I do not know of what family thou art. I am Gabala by name, thou art Satyakama,’ I am therefore Satyakama Gabala, Sir.

5. He said to him: “No one but a true Brahmana would thus speak out. Go and fetch fuel, friend, I shall initiate you. You have not swerved from the truth.

Having initiated him, he chose four hundred lean and weak cows, and said: “Tend these, friend.” He drove them out and said to himself, “I shall not return unless I bring back a thousand.” He dwelt a number of years (in the forest), and when the cows had become a thousand,

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