KathaUpanishad

VALLI III
TWO HOUSEHOLDERS IN THE CAVE
ṛ̱ tam pı̍ bantau su̱ kṛta̍ sya loke gu̱ hām pra̍viṣṭau pa̱ rame̍ parārdhe |
chā̱yā-ta̱pau bra̱ hma-vi̍do vada̱ nti̱ pa̱ ñcāgna̍yo ye ca tri̱ -ṇāci̍ketāḥ || 1 ||
ṛtam = truth, the results of one's actions
pibantau = [there are] two drinker ie. Experiencers of
sukṛtasya = of what is done by oneself
guhām = into the cave,
loke = within the realm ie. The body
praviṣṭau = these two having entered
para-ardhe = into that which is the abode of brahman
chāyā-tapau = as shade and sunlight
brahma-vidaḥ = the knowers of Brahman, the theologians
vadanti = speak of
pañcāgnayaḥ = the worshippers of the five fires ie. The householders
ye ca = and they also;
tri-ṇāciketāḥ = who have thrice piled up the Naciketas fire.
There are two selves that enjoy the fruit of Karma in this world of good deeds.
Both are lodged in the secret place of the heart, the principal locus of the
Supreme. The knowers of Brahman speak of them as shade and light as also the
householders who maintain the five sacrificial fires and those too who perform
the triple Naciketas fire.
The Two Spirits
There are actually two householders within the cave of Man deep within Man. One is
the individual self or Jivatma and the other is the Holy Spirit, the Paramatma. Jivatma
(Life Spirit) is produced by the Holy Spirit (Paramatma). Hence Jivatma is actually the
shadow of the Paramatma. They both now has individual existence as Paramatma has
given this freedom of will to each Jivatma. Hence Both are called householders for they
both are at home within the body. Who rules whom is the deciding factor then for the
person and his life. The distinction between Jivatma and Paramatva is essentially nonadvaitic.
Advaita holds that they are identical.
75