This pada begins the third chapter, which shifts from philosophical debate to spiritual practice. Its focus is on the journey of the individual soul after death and the processes that determine rebirth or liberation. The sutras explain how the soul departs from the body, guided by karma and knowledge, and enters different paths depending on its level of realisation.
A central teaching is the distinction between the path of the gods (devayāna) and the path of the ancestors (pitṛyāna). Those who possess knowledge of Brahman and engage in higher meditation follow the path of light and do not return to earthly existence. Others, who perform meritorious actions without true knowledge, follow the path of smoke and return to the cycle of birth and death.
The pada also describes the subtle process of departure from the body, where the senses withdraw and the soul, accompanied by the vital forces, moves along prescribed channels. These descriptions emphasise that the journey after death is not random but governed by an ordered cosmic law aligned with karma and knowledge.
Another important aspect is the explanation of how the soul reaches different realms and eventually returns to embodiment. The sutras clarify the stages of this journey and reconcile various Upanishadic descriptions, showing that they refer to a consistent process rather than conflicting accounts.
Overall, this pada presents a detailed account of the soul’s movement through death, afterlife, and rebirth. It connects spiritual knowledge and practice with their ultimate consequences, demonstrating that liberation depends on true knowledge of Brahman, while ignorance leads to continued existence within the cycle of transmigration.
Original Text