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The Religion of the Veda

can 'being' come out of 'non-being?' asks the Chāndogya Upanishad (6. 2. 2). Moreover it ignores the previously postulated "That Only" which by its terms eliminates "non-being." The poet here unquestionably entangles himself in sham-profundity; he had better left out all reference to "non-being"; it is a term handled by the Hindus with a degree of deftness which is in the inverse ratio to their fondness for it.

The hymn continues with a mystical fifth stanza which is obscure, and in any case unimportant. Then it takes a wholly new turn into the direction of philosophic scepticism. This is quite unexpected in the wake of "That Only," in whose mind creative desire had sprung forth: it ought to, aided by its own or the sages' creative fervor, go on to create the world, if it does anything at all:


SIXTH STANZA.

"Who truly knoweth? Who can here proclaim it? Whence hither born, whence cometh this creation? On this side are the gods from its creating, Who knoweth then from whence it came to being?"


SEVENTH STANZA.

"This creation – from whence it came to being, Whether it made itself, or whether not – He who is its overseer in highest heaven, He surely knoweth – or perchance he knoweth not."

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