The mind went out. After being absent for a whole year it came back and said: How have you been able to live without me? The other organs said: We lived just as idiots live, without knowing through the mind, but living through the vital breath, speaking through the organ of speech, seeing through the eye, hearing through the ear and procreating through the organ of generation. Then the mind entered the body.

Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad VI, I-The Supremacy of the Prana, 11

Then the organ of generation went out. After being absent for a whole year it came back and said: How have you been able to live without me? The other organs said: We lived just as impotent people live, without procreating children through the organ of generation, but living through the vital breath, speaking through the organ of speech, seeing through the eye, hearing through the ear and knowing through the mind. Then the organ of generation entered the body.

Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad VI, I-The Supremacy of the Prana, 12

Then as the vital breath was about to depart, it uprooted the organs from their places just as a great, noble horse of the Sindhu country tears up the pegs to which his feet are tied. They said: Venerable Sir, please do not go out. We shall not be ableto live without you. If I am such, then give me an offering. So be it.

Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad VI, I-The Supremacy of the Prana, 13

The organ of speech said: That attribute of being most excellent which I possess is yours. The eye said: That attribute of steadiness which I possess is yours. The ear said: That attribute of prosperity which I possess is yours. The mind said: That attribute of being an abode which I possess is yours. The organ of generation said: That attribute of procreation which I possess is yours. Then the vital breath said: If I am such, then what will be my food and what will be my dress? They replied: Whatever food there is-including that of dogs, worms, insects and moths-will be your food and water will be your dress.

Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad VI, I-The Supremacy of the Prana, 14

He who knows the food of the vital breath to be such never happens to eat anything or accept anything that is not food. Wise men who are versed in the Vedas therefore take a sip of water Just before and after eating; they think that thereby they remove the nakedness of the vital breath.

Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad VI, I-The Supremacy of the Prana, 14 (cont)