सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्म तज्जलानिति शान्त उपासीत। अथ खलु क्रतुमयः पुरुषो यथाक्रतुरस्मिल्लोके पुरुषो भवति तथेतः प्रेत्य भवति स क्रतुं कुर्वीत॥
“All this world indeed is Brahman. From it everything is born, by it sustained, and into it all is dissolved. Therefore, being calm, meditate on Brahman. For a person is made of will: his will shapes his destiny here and hereafter. Knowing thus, man should use his resolve.”
https://upanishads.org.in/upanishads/11/3/14/1
This verse expresses two key ideas of upanishads: (1) that the entire universe is permeated by the One divine reality (Brahman), and (2) personal transformation/growth depends upon one’s own will (kratu).
My question is…how are these ideas interrelated as they have been put together? Are they saying man should use his will to realise Brahman?
There is a wonderful insight I am missing here.
The advice is to stay calm and (direct the will to) meditate upon Brahman (as the sole Reality that creates, sustains and dissolves all) because that is the highest Truth of existence. This is being reaffirmed by further stating, rather tersely, that we realise (as destiny) whatever the will is directed towards. One will end up realising the highest if the will is so directed.
The first idea is a statement of truth. The second is the practice to realise it.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
