Katha Upanishad Verse 2.3.17

The Purusha of the size of a thumb, the inner Atman, is always seated in the hearts of all living beings. One should draw it out from the physical body with courage and patience, like drawing the pith from a reed. Recognizing this extract as pure and immortal is the goal.

Sanskrit Verse

अङ्गुष्ठमात्रः पुरुषोऽन्तरात्मा सदा जनानां हृदये संनिविष्टः ।
तं स्वाच्छरीरात्प्रवृहेन्मुञ्जादिवेषीकां धैर्येण ।
तं विद्याच्छुक्रममृतं तं विद्याच्छुक्रममृतमिति ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

aṅguṣṭhamātraḥ puruṣo’ntarātmā sadā janānāṃ hṛdaye saṃniviṣṭaḥ |
taṃ svāccharīrātpravṛhenmuñjādiveṣीkāṃ dhairyeṇa |
taṃ vidyācchukramamṛtaṃ taṃ vidyācchukramamṛtamiti || 17 ||

Translation

The Purusha of the size of a thumb, the internal atman, is always seated in the heart of all living creatures; one should draw him out from one’s own body boldly, as stalk from grass; one should know him as pure and immortal; one should know him as pure and immortal.

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Cross-references:

• Dhammapada Verse 3.5 (Heart-Cave / Guhaśayam)