- published: 13 Jan 2016
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Aruni or Uddalaka or Uddalaka Aruni (fl. c. 7th century BCE) was a philosopher of Vedic India, whose teachings are recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Chandogya Upanishad. One of the first philosophers in recorded history, he taught that everything in the universe (including all living things) is made of three elements: heat (or light), water, and food (or plants), and furthermore that all of these were manifestations of the universal Self or Ātman. It has been suggested that his teachings contain the seeds of Indian atomism, because of his belief that "particles too small to be seen mass together into the substances and objects of experience".
Aruni hailed from the country of Panchala and was known as Aruni of Panchala. His son was Svetaketu.
Aruni was one among the disciples of sage Ayodha Dhaumya, along with Upamanyu and another named 'Veda' (Mbh 1.3). As per Mahabharata (MBh 1.3), on one rainy night Aruni's preceptor Dhaumya Muni asked him to supervise water flowing through a certain field. Aruni went there and found that water had breached the field and was moving away from its designated path. Aruni tried to stop water by all means but was unsuccessful. Left with no other way, Aruni lay down on the breach and prevented the water flow using his body. Due to this Aruni did not return to the hermitage in the night. Later in the morning, Dhaumya Muni came to the spot in search of Aruni with other disciples. Upon seeing the dedication and sincerity of Aruni, Dhaumya was very pleased upon Aruni and gave him the title Uddalaka. Later Aruni became very famous under the name Uddalaka Aruni.
Missing something in my life
Searching for it day and night
Couldn't seem to get it right
'Til you walked my way
Leaving lovers one by one
Didn't like who I'd become
Couldn't face myself, I turn and run
Made me see that I could change
Out of my darkness
As I step into the light
We get a new day
Taking one step at a time
You were what I needed
I was falling
Hiding my emotion
You made me see the truth
Your love was what I needed
Hear me calling
Waiting for a lifetime
Girl, you were my rescue
All I needed was you
I used to always get my way
Told me that you wouldn't stay
Had to face it, what you had to say
If I wanted you
You tell me when I did you wrong
I guess I've known it all along
Cared enough and you stood strong
I believed in you
In my frustrations
Tried to become someone else
The years I've wasted
I'd been lying to myself
You were what I needed
I was falling
Hiding my emotion
You made me see the truth
Your love was what I needed
Hear me calling
Waiting for a lifetime
Hear me calling
What I needed
What I needed was you
In you I found shelter
How you believed in me, stood strong
You were there through my darkest hour
You lifted my spirit up
Brought out the best in me
And now I'll stand before you with all my love
You were what I needed
I was falling
Hiding my emotion
But you made me see the truth
Your love was what I needed
Hear me calling
Waiting for a lifetime
Girl you were my rescue