The Ancient Wisdom 2016 laminated particle board, mixed media 1615Х415
Text on the picture:
Then they said to the vital breath in the mouth: "Chant for us." "So be it," said the vital breath and chanted for them. The asuras knew that through this chanter the gods would overcome them. They charged at it, intending to pierce it with evil. But as a clod of earth, hitting a stone, is scattered, even so they were scattered in all directions, crushed and completely destroyed. Thereupon the gods became established in their true selves and the asuras perished. He who knows this becomes his true self and his spiteful kinsman perishes.
Then the gods said: "Where is that which helped us?" It is within the mouth and is called ayasya and also, because it is the essenceof the limbs of the body, angirasa. That deity is called "dur," because death is far from it. From him who knows this, death is far away.
It is Ayasa Angirasa, for it is the essence of the limbs. Yes, the breath is the essence of the limbs. From whichever limb the vital breath departs, that limb withers right there; therefore it is verily the essence of the limbs.
It is also Brihaspati. Speech is Brihati and the vital breath is its lord. Therefore it is called Brihaspati.
It is also the Brahmanaspati. Speech is Brahman and the vital breath is its lord. Therefore it is called Brahmanaspati.
And it is Saman, too. Speech is, verily, sa and this is ama. Saman is known by that name because it is sa and ama. Or because it is equal to a white ant, equal to a mosquito, equal to an elephant, equal to these three worlds, nay, equal to this universe; therefore it is indeed the Saman. He who knows this vital breath to be such attains union with it or lives in the same world with it.And it is Saman, too. Speech is, verily, sa and this is ama. Saman is known by that name because it is sa and ama. Or because it is equal to a white ant, equal to a mosquito, equal to an elephant, equal to these three worlds, nay, equal to this universe; therefore it is indeed the Saman. He who knows this vital breath to be such attains union with it or lives in the same world with it.
