The Upanishads - Mandhata Global

1
Chapter XII
Meditation on Food and
the Vital Breath as Brahman
Some say that food is Brahman; but this is not so, for
food decays without the vital breath (prana). Others say
that the vital breath is Brahman; but this is not so, for
the vital breath dries up without food. These two deities
(food and the vital breath), when they become united,
attain the highest state (Brahmanhood). Thus reflecting,
Pratrida said to his father: "What good, indeed, can I do
him who knows this and what evil can I do him either?"
His father answered, stopping him with a gesture of his
hand: "Oh, no, Pratrida; for who would attain the highest
merely by being identified with these two?" Further, he
(the father) said to him this: "It is vi; food is verily vi,
for all these creatures rest (visanti) on food. It is ram; the
vital breath is ram, for all these creatures delight
(ramante) in the vital breath." All creatures rest on him,
all creatures delight in him, who knows this.
329