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उद्दालकः ॥ [[Uddalaka (उद्दालकः)|Uddalaka]] (आरुणिः ॥ Aruni) and श्वेतकेतुः ॥ [[Shvetaketu (श्वेतकेतुः)|Shvetaketu]] (आरुणेयः ॥ Aruneya) are the father and son pair, whose quest for [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|ब्रह्मविद्या ॥ Brahmavidya]] is recounted in the छान्दोग्य उपनिषद् ॥ [[Chandogya Upanishad (छान्दोग्योपनिषतद्)|Chandogya Upanishad]] of सामवेद ॥ [[Samaveda (सामवेदः)|Samaveda]]. Brahmavidya is the highest and most difficult level of metaphysical knowledge or ज्ञानम् ॥ Jnana to be acquired by any adhyatmik knowledge seeker. And वेदाः ॥ [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]] and उपनिषदः ॥ [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]] are the one and only source for this Jnana.  Though Upanishads explain this knowledge, it lies ultimately with the individual to attain this knowledge by साधना ॥ sadhana.

[[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|उद्दालकः ॥ Uddalaka]] (आरुणिः ॥ Aruni) and [[Shvetaketu (श्वेतकेतु)|श्वेतकेतुः ॥ Shvetaketu]] (आरुणेयः ॥ Aruneya) are the father and son pair, whose quest for [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|ब्रह्मविद्या ॥ Brahmavidya]] is recounted in the [[Chaandogya Upanishad (छान्दोग्य उपनिषद्)|छान्दोग्य उपनिषद् ॥ Chandogya Upanishad]] of [[Sama Veda (सामवेदः)|सामवेद ॥ Sama Veda]]. Brahmavidya is the highest and most difficult level of metaphysical knowledge or ज्ञानम् ॥ Jnana to be acquired by any spiritual knowledge seeker. And [[The four Vedas (चतुर्वेद)|वेदाः ॥ Vedas]] and [[Upanishads|उपनिषदः ॥ Upanishads]] are the one and only source for this Jnana.  Though Upanishads explain this knowledge, it lies ultimately with the individual to attain this knowledge by साधना ॥ sadhana.

==  परिचयः || Introduction ==

==  परिचयः || Introduction ==

#  छान्दोग्य-उपनिषद् ॥ Chandogya Upanishad (Chapter 6)

#  छान्दोग्य-उपनिषद् ॥ Chandogya Upanishad (Chapter 6)

#  Kaushitaki Brahmana (S.1.)

#  Kaushitaki Brahmana (S.1.)

Shvetaketu is the recipient of the knowledge enshrined in the [[Mahavakyas|उपनिषद्-महवाक्यानि || Upanishad mahavakya]] which appears in the sixteen chapters of the 6th section (प्रपाठकः || Prapathaka) of the Chandogya Upanishad. The story of Uddalaka and Shvetaketu is detailed in महाभारतम् ॥ [[Mahabharata (महाभारत)|Mahabharata]] in different पर्व-s || Parvas such as सभापर्वः || Sabha Parva, शल्यपर्वः || Shalya Parva, and शान्तिपर्वः || Shanti Parva.

Shvetaketu is the recipient of the knowledge enshrined in the उपनिषद्-महवाक्यानि || [[Mahavakyas (महावाक्यानि)|Upanishad mahavakya]] which appears in the sixteen chapters of the 6th section (प्रपाठकः || Prapathaka) of the Chandogya Upanishad. Apart from Upanishads, Uddalaka and Shvetaketu are also mentioned in महाभारतम् ॥ [[Mahabharata (महाभारतम्)|Mahabharata]] in different पर्व-s || Parvas such as सभापर्वः || Sabha Parva, शल्यपर्वः || Shalya Parva, and शान्तिपर्वः || Shanti Parva.

 

==  उद्दालकः || Uddalaka : The Father ==

==  उद्दालकः || Uddalaka : The Father ==

उद्दालकः ॥ Uddalaka (also called आरुणिः ॥ Aruni) was the disciple of the teacher अयॊधाधौम्यः || Ayodhadhaumya. He is very famous for his devotion to his Guru Dhaumya.   

उद्दालकः ॥ Uddalaka (also called आरुणिः ॥ Aruni) was the disciple of the teacher अयॊधाधौम्यः || Ayodhadhaumya. He is very famous for his devotion to his Guru Dhaumya.   

It is stated in Mahabharata, Sabha Parva, Chapter 7, Stanza 12 that this hermit Uddalaka was a prominent figure in the सभा || sabha of Indra. Uddalaka had a son called श्वेतकेतुः ॥ Shvetaketu and a daughter called सुजाता ॥ Sujata. He gave his daughter Sujata in marriage to his favorite disciple कहोदकः ॥ Kahodaka. The hermit अष्टावक्रः ॥ [[Ashtavakra (अष्टावक्रः)|Ashtavakra]] was their son. (Mahabharata. Vana Parva, Chapter 132).  

It is stated in Mahabharata, Sabha Parva, Chapter 7, Stanza 12 that this hermit Uddalaka was a prominent figure in the सभा || sabha of Indra. Uddalaka had a son called श्वेतकेतुः ॥ Shvetaketu and a daughter called सुजाता ॥ Sujata. He gave his daughter Sujata in marriage to his favorite disciple कहोदकः ॥ Kahodaka. The hermit अष्टावक्रः ॥ Ashtavakra was their son. (Mahabharata. Vana Parva, Chapter 132).  

Once Uddalaka caused the [[Sarasvati River|river सरस्वती ॥ Sarasvati]] to appear at the place of sacrifice. From that day onwards, Sarasvati got the name मनोरमा || Manorama because when the thought came to his मनस् || manas (mind), the river made its appearance. (M.B. Shalya Parva, Chapter 33).  

Once Uddalaka caused the river सरस्वती ॥ Sarasvati to appear at the place of sacrifice. From that day onwards, Sarasvati got the name मनोरमा || Manorama because when the thought came to his मनस् || manas (mind), the river made its appearance. (M.B. Shalya Parva, Chapter 33).  

It is mentioned in Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, Chapter 57, Stanza 10, that भीष्मः ॥ Bhisma explaining राजधर्मः || Rajadharma to धर्मराजः ॥ Dharmaraja explains that Uddalaka expelled his son Shvetaketu from the house because he used to invite ब्रह्मणाः ॥ Brahmanas with deceptive promises of entertainment and ill treated them.  

It is mentioned in Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, Chapter 57, Stanza 10, that भीष्मः ॥ Bhisma explaining राजधर्मः || Rajadharma to धर्मराजः ॥ Dharmaraja explains that Uddalaka expelled his son Shvetaketu from the house because he used to invite ब्रह्मणाः ॥ Brahmanas with deceptive promises of entertainment and ill treated them.  

==  श्वेतकेतुः || Shvetaketu : The Son ==

==  श्वेतकेतुः || Shvetaketu : The Son ==

[[Smriti|स्मृति-s || Smritis]] refer to Shvetaketu as a महर्षिः ॥ Maharshi.

स्मृति-s || [[Smrti (स्मृतिः)|Smritis]] refer to Shvetaketu as a महर्षिः ॥ Maharshi.

 

=== Birth ===

=== Birth ===

Shvetaketu was the son of the sage आरुणिः ॥ Aruni or उद्दालकः ॥ Uddalaka who was born in the गौतम ॥ Gautama clan.  Shvetaketu was Uddalaka's son, born to his wife by one of his disciples. (Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, Chapter 35, Verse 22)<ref>Ganguli, K. M. (2003). ''[https://ia600302.us.archive.org/34/items/TheMahabharataOfKrishna-dwaipayanaVyasa/MahabharataOfVyasa-EnglishTranslationByKMGanguli.pdf The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Book 12: Santi Parva]''.</ref>.  Shvetaketu had a sister named Sujata. Astavakra was her son by the sage, Kahotaka. Thus, Shvetaketu was Ashtavakra's maternal uncle and they grew up together in Uddalaka's ashrama.<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature]''. Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass.</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/puransandvedas/posts/601568603317075</ref>

Shvetaketu was the son of the sage आरुणिः ॥ Aruni or उद्दालकः ॥ Uddalaka who was born in the गौतम ॥ Gautama clan.  Shvetaketu was Uddalaka's son, born to his wife by one of his disciples. (Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, Chapter 35, Verse 22)<ref>Ganguli, K. M. (2003). ''[https://ia600302.us.archive.org/34/items/TheMahabharataOfKrishna-dwaipayanaVyasa/MahabharataOfVyasa-EnglishTranslationByKMGanguli.pdf The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Book 12: Santi Parva]''.</ref>.  Shvetaketu had a sister named Sujata. Astavakra was her son by the sage, Kahotaka. Thus, Shvetaketu was Ashtavakra's maternal uncle and they grew up together in Uddalaka's ashrama.<ref>Vettam, Mani. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature]''. Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass.</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/puransandvedas/posts/601568603317075</ref>

 

=== Rtvik of the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya ===

=== Rtvik of the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya ===

The prominent ऋत्विक्-s || Rtviks of जनमेजय ॥ Janamejaya's सर्पसत्रः ॥ sarpasatra (a यागः ॥ yaga) were,

The prominent ऋत्विक्-s || Rtviks of जनमेजय ॥ Janamejaya's सर्पसत्रः ॥ sarpasatra (a यागः ॥ yaga) were,

Bhargava, Kautsa, Jaimini, Sarhgarava, Pihgala, Vyasa, Uddalaka, Pramattaka, Shvetaketu, Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya, Kundajara, Kalaghajs, Vatsya, Kohala, Devasarma, Maudgalya and Samasaurabha. ( Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapter 53)

Bhargava, Kautsa, Jaimini, Sarhgarava, Pihgala, Vyasa, Uddalaka, Pramattaka, Shvetaketu, Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya, Kundajara, Kalaghajs, Vatsya, Kohala, Devasarma, Maudgalya and Samasaurabha. ( Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapter 53)

=== Studentship ===

=== Studentship ===

Under his father's training, Shvetaketu became a great scholar. With the rise of his scholarship, he became very conceited. The father who understood this, called him to his side and asked him,<blockquote>तमादेशमप्राक्षेयः योनाश्रुतं श्रुतं भवत्यमतं मतमविज्ञाातं विज्ञातमिति कथं नु भगवः स आदेशो भवतीति || (Chan. Upan. 6.1.3)<ref>Chandogya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC Adhyaya 6])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tamādeśamaprākṣeyaḥ yonāśrutaṃ śrutaṃ bhavatyamataṃ matamavijñāātaṃ vijñātamiti kathaṃ nu bhagavaḥ sa ādeśo bhavatīti || (Chan. Upan. 6.1.3)</blockquote>Meaning : By studying all about what you can see, hear and understand, have you learnt anything about what you cannot see, hear or understand?

Under his father's training, Shvetaketu became a great scholar. With the rise of his scholarship, he became very conceited. The father who understood this, called him to his side and asked him,<blockquote>तमादेशमप्राक्षेयः योनाश्रुतं श्रुतं भवत्यमतं मतमविज्ञाातं विज्ञातमिति कथं नु भगवः स आदेशो भवतीति || (Chan. Upan. 6.1.3)<ref>Chandogya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC Adhyaya 6])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tamādeśamaprākṣeyaḥ yonāśrutaṃ śrutaṃ bhavatyamataṃ matamavijñāātaṃ vijñātamiti kathaṃ nu bhagavaḥ sa ādeśo bhavatīti || (Chan. Upan. 6.1.3)</blockquote>Meaning : By studying all about what you can see, hear and understand, have you learnt anything about what you cannot see, hear or understand?

# Do you know from here (this लोकः || loka) where do the people go (after death)?   

# Do you know from here (this लोकः || loka) where do the people go (after death)?   

# Do you know by what means they (the dead) come back?  

# Do you know by what means they (the dead) come back?  

# Do you know the point of divergence (which have the same path upto one point) of the paths of the [[Devayana Marga and Pitruyana Marga (देवयानमार्गः पितृयानमार्गः च।)|देवयानम् || devayana]] (journey to the deva loka post death) and [[Devayana Marga and Pitruyana Marga (देवयानमार्गः पितृयानमार्गः च।)|पितृयानम् || pitruyana]] (journey to Pritu loka post death)?  

# Do you know the point of divergence (which have the same path upto one point) of the paths of the देवयानम् || [[Devayana Marga and Pitruyana Marga (देवयानमार्गः पितृयानमार्गः च।)|devayana]] (journey to the deva loka post death) and पितृयानम् || [[Devayana Marga and Pitruyana Marga (देवयानमार्गः पितृयानमार्गः च।)|pitruyana]] (journey to Pritu loka post death)?  

# Do you know why the पितृलोकः || pitru loka (world of forefathers or ancestors) is never filled?  

# Do you know why the पितृलोकः || pitru loka (world of forefathers or ancestors) is never filled?  

# Do you know (in [[Panchagni Vidya (पञ्चाग्नि विद्या)|पञ्चाग्निः || Panchagni]]) by what process at the fifth आहुतिः || ahuti (oblation) the water or  अप्-तत्त्व || Apa Tattva gets the name of [[Purusha|पुरुषः || Purusha]]?

# Do you know (in पञ्चाग्निः || Panchagni) by what process at the fifth आहुतिः || ahuti (oblation) the water or  अप्-तत्त्व || Apa Tattva gets the name of [[Purusha|पुरुषः || Purusha]]?

Shvetaketu thought himself to be a ब्रह्मज्ञानी || brahmajnani, yet did not know the answer to the King’s questions. The King so questions his claim to be a brahmajnani and so humiliated, Shvetaketu returns home to question his father Uddalaka: <blockquote>होवाचाननुशिष्य वाव किल मा भगवानब्रवीदनुत्वाऽशिषमिति || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.4)</blockquote><blockquote>hovācānanuśiṣya vāva kila mā bhagavānabravīdanutvā'śiṣamiti || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.4)</blockquote>Meaning : Bhagavan, you claimed to have given me all knowledge, yet you did not?

Shvetaketu thought himself to be a ब्रह्मज्ञानी || brahmajnani, yet did not know the answer to the King’s questions. The King so questions his claim to be a brahmajnani and so humiliated, Shvetaketu returns home to question his father Uddalaka: <blockquote>होवाचाननुशिष्य वाव किल मा भगवानब्रवीदनुत्वाऽशिषमिति || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.4)</blockquote><blockquote>hovācānanuśiṣya vāva kila mā bhagavānabravīdanutvā'śiṣamiti || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.4)</blockquote>Meaning : Bhagavan, you claimed to have given me all knowledge, yet you did not?

The King asks, <blockquote>मानुषस्य भगवन्गौतम वित्तस्य वरं वृणीथा इति || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.6) </blockquote><blockquote>mānuṣasya bhagavangautama vittasya varaṃ vṛṇīthā iti || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.6)</blockquote>Meaning : Bhagavan (as a brahmana usually was addressed), you can ask for any kind of wealth that is within the means of a human being?

The King asks, <blockquote>मानुषस्य भगवन्गौतम वित्तस्य वरं वृणीथा इति || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.6) </blockquote><blockquote>mānuṣasya bhagavangautama vittasya varaṃ vṛṇīthā iti || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.6)</blockquote>Meaning : Bhagavan (as a brahmana usually was addressed), you can ask for any kind of wealth that is within the means of a human being?

Here, the implication is that the  [[Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय)|क्षत्रियः || Kshatriya]] can give material wealth to the Brahmana but ब्रह्मविद्या as per the prevailing वर्णव्यवस्था ॥ social order, was usually respected as the brahmana’s domain. Notably, contrary to the still continuing popular perception invented by the EIC Indologists and their Indian Sepoys, वर्णः || Varna (translated wrongly as caste) was determined by संस्कारः || Samskar and not parentage.

Here, the implication is that the  क्षत्रियः || [[Kshatriya Dharma (क्षत्रियधर्मः)|Kshatriya]] can give material wealth to the Brahmana but ब्रह्मविद्या as per the prevailing वर्णव्यवस्था ॥ social order, was usually respected as the brahmana’s domain. Notably, contrary to the still continuing popular perception invented by the EIC Indologists and their Indian Sepoys, वर्णः || Varna (translated wrongly as caste) was determined by संस्कारः || Samskar and not parentage.

But Shvetaketu and his father were not there for material wealth, they had come to receive brahmavidya from the Kshatriya King. Uddalaka humbly requests the King, <blockquote>स होवाच - तवैव राजन्मानुषं वित्तं यामेव कुमारस्यान्ते वाचमभाषथास्तामेव मे ब्रूहिति स ह कृच्छ्री बभूव ||  (Chan. Upan. 5.3.6)</blockquote><blockquote>sa hovāca - tavaiva rājanmānuṣaṃ vittaṃ yāmeva kumārasyānte vācamabhāṣathāstāmeva me brūhiti sa ha kṛcchrī babhūva || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.6)</blockquote>Meaning : Let the worldly human wealth rest with you. Please bestow upon me, the answer for the questions you asked my son!

But Shvetaketu and his father were not there for material wealth, they had come to receive brahmavidya from the Kshatriya King. Uddalaka humbly requests the King, <blockquote>स होवाच - तवैव राजन्मानुषं वित्तं यामेव कुमारस्यान्ते वाचमभाषथास्तामेव मे ब्रूहिति स ह कृच्छ्री बभूव ||  (Chan. Upan. 5.3.6)</blockquote><blockquote>sa hovāca - tavaiva rājanmānuṣaṃ vittaṃ yāmeva kumārasyānte vācamabhāṣathāstāmeva me brūhiti sa ha kṛcchrī babhūva || (Chan. Upan. 5.3.6)</blockquote>Meaning : Let the worldly human wealth rest with you. Please bestow upon me, the answer for the questions you asked my son!

The King requests Uddalaka & his son to stay at his palace. And through many years the King imparted knowledge to both Uddalaka & Shvetaketu.<ref name=":1">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

The King requests Uddalaka & his son to stay at his palace. And through many years the King imparted knowledge to both Uddalaka & Shvetaketu.<ref name=":1">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>

Responses to these questions were provided through explanation of Panchagni vidya, which also included explanations of devayana (journey to the deva loka post death) and pitruyana (journey to Pitru loka post death) as well as of [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|पञ्चमहायज्ञाः || panchamaha yajnas]]. This was the explanation provided by the king as the essence of Brahmavidya.

Responses to these questions were provided through explanation of Panchagni vidya, which also included explanations of devayana (journey to the deva loka post death) and pitruyana (journey to Pitru loka post death) as well as of पञ्चमहायज्ञाः || [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|panchamahayajnas]]. This was the explanation provided by the king as the essence of Brahmavidya.

As an introduction to Panchagni vidya, the Kshatriya King told the brahmana, "you are the first one amongst the Brahmans to receive the knowledge of this brahmavidya, until now it was known only to Kshatriyas."<ref name=":1" />

As an introduction to Panchagni vidya, the Kshatriya King told the brahmana, "you are the first one amongst the Brahmans to receive the knowledge of this brahmavidya, until now it was known only to Kshatriyas."<ref name=":1" />

== संवादः || Discussion ==

== संवादः || Discussion ==

This story clearly reveals that in the Vedic period, even Kshatriyas were well versed in Brahmavidya debunking the Caste-system hierarchies of the East India Company Indologists’ insinuation that brahmanas were the only custodians of knowledge.

This story clearly reveals that in the Vedic period, even Kshatriyas were well versed in Brahmavidya debunking the Caste-system hierarchies of the East India Company Indologists’ insinuation that brahmanas were the only custodians of knowledge.

 

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Rishis]]

[[Category:Shvetaketu| ]]

[[Category:Upanishads]]

[[Category:Brahmavidya| ]]