Mundaka Upanishad - Mundaka 3, Section 1 - English

Seated by the same tree, the deluded Jiva (who is enjoying the fruit) grieves over his helplessness. But the moment he sees the glorious worship-worthy God,(the one who is simple watching) he is freed of all grief.

In short, when Jiva realizes his Atman Self he becomes free of misery and helplessness. He starts living in eternal bliss.

yadā paśyaḥ paśyatē rukmavarṇaṃ
kartāramīśaṃ puruṣaṃ brahmayōnim ।
tadā vidvān puṇyapāpē vidhūya
nirañjanaḥ paramaṃ sāmyamupaiti ॥ 3॥

When the wise one sees the Brahman, the luminous (golden-hued) Lord, the creator, then he shakes off all good and evil (virtue and vice) and becomes flawless and becomes one with the Supreme.

praṇō hyēṣa yaḥ sarvabhūtairvibhāti
vijānan vidvān bhavatē nātivādī ।
ātmakrīḍa ātmaratiḥ kriyāvā-
nēṣa brahmavidāṃ variṣṭhaḥ ॥ 4॥

He is the force of all vital forces (the Prana of all Pranas) that pervades all being. After knowing him, the wise have no need to babble anymore. He revels in the Self, he delights in the Self, executing all actions (devotional practices like meditation, acquiring knowledge etc) he is the chief among knowers of Brahman.

satyēna labhyastapasā hyēṣa ātmā
samyagjñānēna brahmacharyēṇa nityam ।
antaḥśarīrē jyōtirmayō hi śubhrō
yaṃ paśyanti yatayaḥ kṣīṇadōṣāḥ ॥ 5॥

The austere ones see the luminous and pure Atman residing within them through the continuous practice of truth, penance (concentration), right knowledge and continence.

Satmev Jayante means Truth alone triumphs.

Above all, Truth means truthfulness of thought, action and deed. Further, this is a primary virtue required for achieving Realization.

In addition, the virtue of Penance (concentration/ withdrawing Self from the mind/senses concentrate on the Atman) is a must.

Also Right knowledge in understanding the correct import of scriptural teachings. Lastly, continence as in a chaste body and a chaste mind.

satyamēva jayatē nānṛtaṃ
satyēna panthā vitatō dēvayānaḥ ।
yēnā''kramantyṛṣayō hyāptakāmā
yatra tat satyasya paramaṃ nidhānam ॥ 6॥

Satyamev Jayate as in truth alone succeeds, and not falsehood. Only truth can pave the way for Devayana (the road to God) Ascending this the desire-free sages ascend the highest treasure of truth

bṛhachcha tad divyamachintyarūpaṃ
sūkṣmāchcha tat sūkṣmataraṃ vibhāti ।
dūrāt sudūrē tadihāntikē cha
paśyantvihaiva nihitaṃ guhāyām ॥ 7॥

It is vast and luminous. Its form is beyond thought. It is subtler than the subtlest. He is farther than the farthest and yet near at hand. The Seers realize Him in the cavity of the heart.

na chakṣuṣā gṛhyatē nāpi vāchā
nānyairdēvaistapasā karmaṇa vā ।
jñānaprasādēna viśuddhasattva-
statastu taṃ paśyatē niṣkalaṃ
dhyāyamānaḥ ॥ 8॥

It cannot be perceived by the eyes, the speech, the senses nor by austerity or sacrificial works (rites). When the mind purified through the right knowledge, meditates on it, he realizes the Indivisible Self.

ēṣō'ṇurātmā chētasā vēditavyō
yasmin prāṇaḥ pañchadhā saṃvivēśa ।
prāṇaiśchittaṃ sarvamōtaṃ prajānāṃ
yasmin viśuddhē vibhavatyēṣa ātmā ॥ 9॥

To know the subtle Atman and let it shine forth, that (place as in the mind) where the five-fold aspect of Prana has entered has to be purified. The Prana completely pervades the mind and the senses of all beings.

To clarify, the five-fold aspect of Prana mentioned here is prana, apana, vyana, udana and samana. Now, a pure mind and a pure intellect is to perceive Atman clearly.

yaṃ yaṃ lōkaṃ manasā saṃvibhāti
viśuddhasattvaḥ kāmayatē yāṃścha kāmān ।
taṃ taṃ lōkaṃ jayatē tāṃścha kāmāṃ-
stasmādātmajñaṃ hyarchayēt bhūtikāmaḥ ॥ 10॥

Whichever world a man of pure mind desires and whatever objects he wishes for, he conquers those worlds and desires. Therefore, all those seeking prosperity should worship such Knowers of Self.

A knower of Self has realized Brahman and embodies It. Therefore, prayer to such a realized Soul is literally paying obeisance to God.

॥ iti muṇḍakōpaniṣadi tṛtīyamuṇḍakē prathamaḥ khaṇḍaḥ ॥

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