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Kathopanisad

Chapter 2 Valli 2 Mantra 10

Mantra

vā̱yur-ya̍thaiko bhu̱vana̍ṁ pravi̱ṣṭo̱
rū̱paṁ rū̍paṁ pra̱ti-rū̍po babhūva |
eka̍s tathā sarva-bhū̱tānta̍r-ātmā
rū̱paṁ rū̍paṁ pra̱ti-rū̍po bahiś ca ||

yathā = just as; vāyuḥ = air; ekaḥ = is one; praviṣṭaḥ = having entered; bhuvanam = this world; rūpaṁ rūpaṁ = in conformity with each form [it enters]; prati rūpaḥ babhūva = fills that form; tathā = similarly; sarva-bhūta-antarātmā = the Self that is in all beings; ekaḥ = though only one; rūpaṁ rūpaṁ = in conformity with each form [of physical body]; prati rūpaḥ = assumes that shape; bahih ca = and yet it is outside [like space].

Just as Air, after it has entered the world, though one, assumes different forms, according to the shape it enters, so the eternal Atman of all living beings, though One, assumes forms, according to each shape It enters, and (in Itself) It exists beyond them (also).

by Swami Chinmayananda:

Here is another beautiful comparison to explain the same oneness of Truth that was indicated in the previous Mantra. Instead of Fire, Lord Death is explaining the same Truth with the example of Vayu. Whether it be a horse, a donkey or a man, a creeper or a fig tree, all live upon the same vital air, oxygen. Similarly, whatever be the name and shape of the objects in the universe that we may cognize, they are all presided over by the same Non-dual Truth Essence.

Since this stanza is a close repetition of the previous one, given out by the Sruti for purposes of emphasis, we satisfy ourselves with just hinting at the beauty contents of it.

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