The Bhagavadgîtâ, with the Sanatsugâtîya and the Anugîtâ — SBE Vol. 8 (trans. K. T. Telang, 1882)
The translator’s English as printed (K. T. Telang). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
And on my moving about, they again move about. I am the greatest. See I am extinct!’
The Brâhmaṇa said:
Then the Vyâna became extinct, and again moved about. And the Prâṇa and Apana,and the Udana,and the Samana, spoke to him,‘You are not the greatest among us, O Vyana! because the Samâna is subject to you. The Vyâna moved about again, and the Samâna spoke again. ‘I am the greatest among (you) all. Hear the reason why. When I am extinct, all the life-winds in the body of living creatures become extinct; and on my moving about, they again move about. I am the greatest. See I am extinct!’ Then the Samâna moved about, and the Udâna said to him: ‘I am the greatest among (you) all. Hear the reason why. When I am extinct, all the life-winds in the body of living creatures become extinct; and on my moving about, they again move about. I am the greatest. See I am extinct!’ Then the Udâna became extinct, and again moved about. And the Prâṇa and Apâna, and the Samana, and the Vyâna also, spoke to him: ‘O Udâna! you are not the greatest. The Vyâna? only is subject to you.’
The Brâhmaṇa said:
Then Brahman, the lord of (all) creatures, said to them who were assembled together: ‘You are all greatest, and not greatest*. You are all possessed of one another’s qualities'. All are greatest in their own spheres, and all support one another. There is one unmoving* (life-wind). There are others moving about, (which are) five, owing to (their) specific qualities. My own self is one only’, (but) accumulated in numerous (forms). Being friendly with one another, and pleasing one another, go away happily. Welfare be to you! Support one another.’
* Because the Samana helps in the digestion of the food which afterwards goes to the Vyana for distribution through the nâḍis. ? Because the Udana is able to generate sound after the nâḍis are filled up by the Vyana.
8 “Not greatest’ because none of them is independent of the other. ‘Greatest’ Arguna Misra renders by ‘superior to objects,’
And when I move, they move. I am the greatest. See—I am extinct!'
The Brâhmaṇa said:
Then the Vyâna became extinct, and moved about again. And the Prâṇa and Apâna, and the Udâna, and the Samâna, spoke to him: "You are not the greatest among us, O Vyâna! because only the Samâna is subject to you." The Vyâna moved about again, and the Samâna spoke once more. "I am the greatest among you all. Hear my reason. When I become extinct, all the life-winds in the body of living creatures become extinct; and when I move about again, they move about again. I am the greatest. Watch — I am extinct!" Then the Samâna moved about again, and the Udâna said to him: "I am the greatest among you all. Hear my reason. When I become extinct, all the life-winds in the body of living creatures become extinct; and when I move about again, they move about again. I am the greatest. Watch — I am extinct!" Then the Udâna became extinct, and moved about again. And the Prâṇa and Apâna, and the Samâna, and the Vyâna as well, spoke to him: "O Udâna! you are not the greatest. Only the Vyâna is subject to you."
The Brâhmaṇa said:
Then Brahman, the lord of all creatures, said to them as they stood assembled: 'You are all greatest, and yet not greatest. You all share one another's qualities. Each is greatest within its own sphere, and all sustain one another. There is one unmoving life-wind. There are others that move about — five of them, distinguished by their specific qualities. My own self is one only, yet gathered into numerous forms. Be friendly with one another, give pleasure to one another, and go away in happiness. Welfare be to you! Sustain one another.'
* Because the Samana helps in the digestion of the food, which then passes to the Vyana for distribution through the nâḍis. † Because the Udana is able to generate sound once the nâḍis have been filled by the Vyana.
8 "Not greatest" because none of them is independent of the other. "Greatest" Arjuna Misra renders by "superior to objects."