“On the Tetractys,” by Theon of Smyrna
The tetrad was called by the Pythagoreans every number, because it comprehends in itself all the numbers as far as… Read More »“On the Tetractys,” by Theon of Smyrna
Translation
Translations
Chandogya Upanishad 6:1-7 (First Principles 1)
[Translation] There lived once Shvetaketu, Aruni’s grandson; his father addressed him, saying: —Shvetaketu, go, learn the service of the Eternal;… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 6:1-7 (First Principles 1)
King Nala’s Rivals
[Translation] When a fair time had come, and a lucky day and hour, King Bhima called the lords of the… Read More »King Nala’s Rivals
The Ideal Brahman
It has been suggested that the principal purpose of the Buddha, in all that he did and taught, was the… Read More »The Ideal Brahman
“On the Virtues,” by Theages, Metapus & Clinias
From Theages, in his Treatise “On the Virtues”: The order of the soul subsists in such a way, that one… Read More »“On the Virtues,” by Theages, Metapus & Clinias
Pythagoric Sentences, from the Protreptics of Iamblichus
[Note:] Several of these sentences as published by Arcerius, are in a very defective state; but which, as the learned… Read More »Pythagoric Sentences, from the Protreptics of Iamblichus
Rajput and Brahman
Aruna’s grandson Shvetaketu came to the gathering of the Panchâlas. He came to Pravâhana the son of Jibala, in the… Read More »Rajput and Brahman
The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection
The manner in which the Buddhist scriptures came into being has set its mark on them in two ways. First,… Read More »The Sevenfold Counsels of Perfection
Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
I. Atma, verily, Universal Self, alone was this in the beginning, nor was aught else with opening and closing eyes.… Read More »Aitareya Upanishad (Macrocosm and Microcosm)
Chandogya Upanishad 2:22-24 (The Mysteries of Sound 3)
[Translation] I select and assign the different notes of the chant. The animal note is the up-singing of the Fire-lord.… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 2:22-24 (The Mysteries of Sound 3)
Plato’s Chariot Allegory, with the Commentary of Hermeas
[Introduction] The following is an exploration of the Platonic Charioteer Allegory, an allegory which appears not only in Greek philosophy, but… Read More »Plato’s Chariot Allegory, with the Commentary of Hermeas
“On Felicity,” by Hippodamus
Of animals, some are the recipients of felicity, but others are incapable of receiving it. And those animals, indeed, are… Read More »“On Felicity,” by Hippodamus
The Golden Verses of Pythagoras
1. First worship the immortal gods as the Law ordains. 2. Reverence thy oath, and next, the illustrious heroes. 3.… Read More »The Golden Verses of Pythagoras
The Dream of Life
Dream, wherein the Self is mirrored, has two, powers,—to extend and to envelope; enveloping the habitual self and its world,… Read More »The Dream of Life
Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
The power of vision in the eye sees form; the mind sees the power of vision in the eye; spiritual… Read More »Vakya Sudha (The Essence of the Teaching)
Chandogya Upanishad 6:8-16 (First Principles 2)
[Translation] Aruna’s son Uddalaka addressed his son Shvetaketu, saying: —Learn from me, dear, the reality about sleep. When a man… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 6:8-16 (First Principles 2)
Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)
Introduction This charming little treatise bears in Sanskrit the title Tattva Bodha, which means “The Awakening to Reality,” or, to… Read More »Tattva Bodha (Shankaracharya’s Catechism)
A High Disciple, a Prophecy, and a Miracle
The passages of the Buddhist Suttas here translated contain many things which illumine different sides of the Buddha’s character. There… Read More »A High Disciple, a Prophecy, and a Miracle
Plotinus, The Enneads [5:1-9]
Ennead 5.1. The Three Principal Hypostases, or Forms of Existence. AUDACITY THE CAUSE OF HUMAN APOSTASY FROM THE DIVINITY. 1.… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [5:1-9]
Porphyry, On Abstinence from Animal Food
Book One 1. Hearing from some of our acquaintance, O Firmus,1 that you, having rejected a fleshless diet, have again… Read More »Porphyry, On Abstinence from Animal Food
Proclus, On the Theology of Plato
Book I. Chapter I. O Pericles, to me the dearest of friends, I am of opinion that the whole philosophy… Read More »Proclus, On the Theology of Plato
The Sorrows of Damayanti
Thereon Damayanti, seeing King Nala, ruler of men, thus distraught, his thoughts wrapped up in the play, herself not distraught… Read More »The Sorrows of Damayanti
Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Spirit)
For the sake of those whose darkness has been worn away by purifications, who have attained to peace, whose passions… Read More »Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Spirit)
The Pythagoric Sentences of Demophilus
1. Request not of the divinity such things as when obtained you cannot preserve; for no gift of divinity can ever… Read More »The Pythagoric Sentences of Demophilus
Taittiriya Upanishad 3 (The Lotus of the Sage Bhrgu)
III. [Translation] Invocation Om. May That guard us two—teacher and pupil; may That save us two; may we two do… Read More »Taittiriya Upanishad 3 (The Lotus of the Sage Bhrgu)
Chandogya Upanishad 4:4-9 (Teachers Other Than Human)
[Translation] Satyakama the son of Jabala addressed his mother Jabala thus: I am going to dwell with a teacher, in… Read More »Chandogya Upanishad 4:4-9 (Teachers Other Than Human)
“Vita Brevis”
Whither are gone the great lords of the earth, with their might of chariots and armies? The earth, that witnessed… Read More »“Vita Brevis”
The Gospel of Thomas
These are the secret words Spoken by the Living Jesus, And recorded by Didymus Judas Thomas. 1. Jesus said: He… Read More »The Gospel of Thomas
“The Good and Happy Man,” by Archytas
In the first place, it is requisite to know this, that the good man is not immediately happy from necessity;… Read More »“The Good and Happy Man,” by Archytas
Pythagoric Ethical Sentences from Stobæus
Do not even think of doing what ought not to be done. Choose rather to be strong in soul than… Read More »Pythagoric Ethical Sentences from Stobæus
Muktika Upanishad
Adhyāya I Addressing with devotion and obedience Śrī-Rāma—the Lord Hari, at the end of His Samādhi, who being Himself changeless… Read More »Muktika Upanishad
The Mother of the Vedas (Gayatri)
The Gâyatri, the most sacred Indian verse, the Mother of the Vedas, is taken from the third of the ten… Read More »The Mother of the Vedas (Gayatri)
Prashna Upanishad (A Vedic Master)
Prashna Upanishad, “the Mystical Teaching of the Questions,” brief though it be, is a masterly summary of the Secret Wisdom.… Read More »Prashna Upanishad (A Vedic Master)
Tabula Smaragdina (The Emerald Tablet)
Tradition declares that on the dead body of Hermes, at Hebron, was found by an Isarim, an initiate, the tablet… Read More »Tabula Smaragdina (The Emerald Tablet)
The Birth of the World-Egg
The universe was wrapped in darkness, unseen, unnamed, unthinkable, unknowable, in dreamless sleep. Then the Self-being, the unmanifested Master, manifested… Read More »The Birth of the World-Egg
The Great Deep
For the Waters were in the beginning, when fire had perished from the face of the world; and all things,… Read More »The Great Deep
Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Self)
This awakening to the Self is recorded for those whose inner darkness has been worn away by strong effort, who… Read More »Atma Bodha (The Awakening to the Self)
Indian Proverbs
[I.] On a lake reflecting myriads of stars a swan, by night seeking the young lotus buds, though wise, was… Read More »Indian Proverbs
Visâkhâ: A Woman Disciple of the Buddha
Besides the supreme figure of the Buddha and the noble personalities of his leading disciples, a host of men and… Read More »Visâkhâ: A Woman Disciple of the Buddha
True Friendship
He who transgresses and despises modesty, who says—I am a friend but undertakes nothing for his friend, know that he… Read More »True Friendship
Tabula Smaragdina (The Emerald Tablet)
Latin Text Verum sine mendacio, certum et verissimum: quod est inferius, est sicut id quod est superius, et quod est… Read More »Tabula Smaragdina (The Emerald Tablet)
Tattva Bodha (Shankara’s Catechism)
Introductory In the “Awakening to the Self” [Atma Bodha], and, still more, in the “Crest-Jewel of Wisdom”, Shankara the Teacher… Read More »Tattva Bodha (Shankara’s Catechism)
Paingala Upanishad
[Paiṅgala Upanishad]1 Adhyāya I Om. Paiṅgala, having served under Yājñavalkya for twelve years, asked him to initiate him into the… Read More »Paingala Upanishad
Buddha’s Method
“If a Bhikshu should desire, brethren, by the complete destruction of the three bonds to become purified, to be no… Read More »Buddha’s Method
The Dramatic Element in the Upanishads
A good many readers make the acquaintance of the Upanishads in the two volumes which Prof. Max Müller contributed to… Read More »The Dramatic Element in the Upanishads
Esoteric Teaching (Rig Veda, i. 164, 45)
The most ancient declaration of Esoteric Teaching in the Sacred Books of India is probably this verse from the earliest… Read More »Esoteric Teaching (Rig Veda, i. 164, 45)
Concerning Three Brahmans
I. In the city of Devikota, there is a Brahman, Vedasharma by name. In the season of the equinox, he… Read More »Concerning Three Brahmans