sanskrit called minor sanskrit text attached ancient text composed oldest discuss subject life exclusive pursuit spiritual knowledge text discusses city spiritual terms describes city holy adds place soul self asserts renounce choice entirely individual regardless stage life justify suicide individual choice certain circumstances view opposed earlier texts principal sick renounce life mind presents philosophy view truly lives ethical life includes injuring thought word deed rituals devoted history ancient text composed likely 3rd century bce oldest discuss subject life exclusive pursuit spiritual knowledge text referred sanskrit themes meditation sage aspects life interests achieving spiritual enlightenment attachment desire including desire according professor ethics justify suicide certain circumstances view opposed earlier texts principal text discusses city leaves holy place earliest texts states stages life necessarily renounce life time presents philosophy view proper life rituals wearing thread knowledge soul self era literature life stages mentioned student stage second stage stage life texts combined retired forest according scholar separation different stages life mentioned professor austin states separate stage mentioned likely ancient chronology anthology unclear composed true ancient indian texts references literary style suggest hindu text ancient composed dated japanese scholar literature dates start common era german scholar assigns centuries prior beginning common era dates bce text oldest related anthology canon narrated listed number anthology popular listed number anthology popular listed number depending manuscript later compilations brought minor published 19th century sanskrit scholar given listed number sultan helped organize publish collection translated title collection listed number spelled persian translation translated latin remarked indians reading collection time knowing best book religion translation brought attention western philosophers structure sanskrit text chapters sage answers questions questions posed students king chapter lists names famous model extant texts found versions consists chapters structured verses version chapters content number verses chapters devoted defining place seat beings ultimate reality resides reach meditation hindu god city chapters relate describe characteristics reached highest status spirituality external signs relationships know nature self contents holy city chapter opens conversation asks information place seat beings lives states true seat beings place left having places stay place asserts knowledge vital dying departing leading salvation death place holy place leave second chapter sage asks know infinite non manifested states found asks find uses express literal hidden meaning answers found geographically city situated river small dry rivers named join text adds named errors organs named destroys sins committed organs listening answer repeats question place replies nose eye meet place world heaven highest world person aware interprets verse mean knows true nature understands individual self soul chapter shortest students ask recommend hymn guides recommends hymn names god hymn found sections conceived renounce fourth chapter king asks lord explain answers complete student stage life followed retirement finally pilgrimage continues renounce immediately completing student stage life stage regardless completed sacred fire ritual rituals interprets sacred fire ritual reference indirect reference marriage text asserts married married renounce recommends person renounce day feels detached world regardless stage life completed stage states people perform ritual renounce person instead offering fire vital breath element offering goodness energy darkness internal life force birthplace fires obtain fire offer offer water begins stage life offers learn revered life sacred ending choice fifth chapter asks pursuing sacred thread according translation professor german answers thing sacred thread term performs sacrifice feeds mouth water feeding dressing life force duty states choose hero death dying war eating food water fire start great journey section led scholars believe giving choice ending life individual suicide certain circumstances view different texts consider suicide wrong according journey knowledge purity thought belongings head shaved wearing free lives method essential sick mortal danger person renounce verbally mentally ideal sixth final chapter lists highest carry articles signs suggest renounced conduct concealed insane carry bowl hair sacred thread ones seek self soul naked born pair joy versus sorrow etc belongings devoted way truth pure heart going begging proper time sustain life belly tempered gets staying homeless deserted house temple grass hill roots tree potter workshop river bank mountain cave hollow tree bare ground free feeling given pure firmly rooted supreme self evil deeds called seeks self acts evil influence important texts according plus provide different answers question renounce life lead monastic suggest man renounce completing student retirement stages life getting consent elders direct family members contrast assert choice entirely individual needing completed stage life requiring consent individual feels detachment world maintains apply individual spiritual right renounce immediately principle cited medieval era scholars basis makes individual choice right choice referred later scholars society state respect concurred right renounce lead monastic life views contradicted verses text fed debate right individual medieval hindu scholars relied sided influenced scholarly works written 14th century scholar mentor refers describing achieve living liberation
Jabala Upanishad