” Prana” is The Universal Energy, which moves the Whole Universe.

Introduction to Prashna Upanishad Second Question

The Prashna Upanishad, one of the principal Upanishads of the Atharva Veda, belongs to the Pippalada Sakha of the Vedic tradition. It contains 67 mantras distributed across six chapters, each dealing with a profound spiritual question (Prashna). True to its name — Prashna meaning question — this Upanishad unfolds as a dialogue between Rishi Pippalada and his six earnest disciples, who approach him seeking knowledge of the Ultimate Reality.

The Prashna Upanishad Second Question explores the mystery of Prana, the vital life-force that sustains every living being. It is through this dialogue that the Rishi reveals how Prana is the connecting link between the physical body and the Supreme Consciousness. This question forms a bridge between the first inquiry on creation and the later, subtler explorations of consciousness and Om.

This Upanishad, through its scientific and analytical method, guides the aspirant from the known to the unknown, from the manifest to the unmanifest, and from the material to the spiritual — leading ultimately to the realization of the Supreme Self.

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Peace Invocation (Shanti Mantra)

ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः श‍ृणुयाम देवा
भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः ।
स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्तुवाꣳसस्तनूभिर्व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः ॥

स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः
स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः ।
स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः
स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु ॥

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

This invocation from the Prashna Upanishad prays for auspicious hearing, vision, and strength — the essential conditions for gaining knowledge. It sets a sacred tone before entering the dialogue of the Second Question.

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Overview of the Six Questions in Prashna Upanishad

The Prashna Upanishad consists of six profound questions, each raised by a different disciple and answered by Rishi Pippalada. Together, they form a structured pathway for spiritual understanding:

1. First Question: The origin of all created beings — how life begins.

2. Second Question: The source, role, and supremacy of Prana — the life-breath that sustains all beings.

3. Third Question: The origin and movement of Prana within the human system.

4. Fourth Question: The psychological constitution of the human being.

5. Fifth Question: The meaning and power of Om (Pranava).

6. Sixth Question: The realization of the Supreme Self (Purusha) within man.

Each question is a step on the ladder of spiritual inquiry — from cosmic creation to self-realization.
This post focuses entirely on the Prashna Upanishad Second Question, which marks the beginning of the inward spiritual journey.

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Essence of Prashna Upanishad Second Question

(Dwitiya Prashna – The Enquiry of Bhargava)

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The Prashna Upanishad, belonging to the Atharva Veda, presents six sacred questions asked by six disciples to Rishi Pippalada.
Each question reveals a deeper layer of Vedantic truth.

The Prashna Upanishad Second Question explores the mystery of Prana, the invisible power that sustains life. Bhargava, the son of Vaidarbha, seeks to know how Prana governs the human being — where it comes from, how it enters the body, and how it upholds the rhythm of life.

For continuity, visit:
👉 Essence of Prashna Upanishad First Question
Next: Essence of Prashna Upanishad Third Question

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Mantra 2.1 – The Five Sub-Questions of Bhargava

Bhargava of Vidarbha approached Rishi Pippalada with a sincere and penetrating enquiry that forms the foundation of the Prashna Upanishad Second Question.

He asked five deeply interrelated questions concerning the mystery of Prana, the life-force that sustains all beings:

“Bhargava of Vidarbha questioned the Rishi:
‘O venerable Sir,
1️⃣ From where does this Prana come?
2️⃣ How does it enter the body?
3️⃣ How does it divide itself into its fivefold functions?
4️⃣ How does it depart when a person dies?
5️⃣ How does it support the body — both inner and outer life?’*”

📖 Explanation of Each Sub-Question

1. From where does Prana come?
→ Bhargava seeks the origin of life — whether Prana arises from food, body, or from the higher source, the Self (Atman).

2. How does Prana enter the body?
→ He asks how life enters the embryo and how consciousness becomes embodied.

3. How does Prana divide itself into five forms?
→ Refers to the five vital functions — Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana, and Samana — governing respiration, excretion, circulation, ascent, and digestion.

4. How does Prana depart from the body?
→ Bhargava wonders how Prana withdraws at death and what path it follows thereafter.

5. How does Prana support the body?
→ Finally, he asks how Prana maintains harmony among organs, senses, and mind during life.

Significance in the Prashna Upanishad Second Question

These five inquiries are both physiological and metaphysical.
They bridge the individual microcosm and the universal macrocosm through the all-pervading principle of Prana.
The answers given by Rishi Pippalada in Mantras 2.2 – 2.13 reveal that Prana emanates from the Atman, operates through divine order, and ultimately returns to the Supreme Self.

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Mantra 2.2 – The Deities Compete for Supremacy

“Indeed, Space is the foremost Deity; then come Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Next come Speech, Mind, Eye, and Ear. Wanting to show their glory, they quarreled among themselves.”

Each Deity claims superiority.
Commentary: This verse portrays the pride of the senses and elements. The Prashna Upanishad Second Question uses this dialogue to show that all faculties depend on one supreme power — Prana.

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Mantra 2.3 – Prana Declares Its Supremacy

“Prana, the chief of them, said: ‘Be not deluded. It is I alone, dividing myself fivefold, who keeps this body alive and supports it.’”

Commentary: Here, Prana asserts its central role. Without Prana, the body and senses are inert. This is the turning point of the Prashna Upanishad Second Question, where life itself reveals its divine origin.

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Prana Goes on Strike

When the organs doubted Prana’s claim, it decided to withdraw.
As Prana rose, the organs followed; when it settled, they settled.

Commentary: This vivid image of the bees following their queen demonstrates that all faculties exist only through Prana’s presence.
The Prashna Upanishad Second Question thus proves Prana’s sovereignty within the human system.

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Mantra 2.5 – Glorification of Prana

“As Fire, Prana burns; it is the Sun, the rain and clouds as Air and Water; Earth is its matter aspect, seen as the Moon. Thus, Prana is both formless and with form; it is Immortal!”

Commentary: Prana manifests as energy in fire and light, and as matter in earth and water. Through this verse, the Prashna Upanishad Second Question establishes that Prana pervades every element and form.

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Mantra 2.6 – Prana as the Axis of All Knowledge

“As spokes in the hub of a wheel, everything rests upon Prana — the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, the Kshatriyas and the Brahmanas.”

Commentary: All learning, power, and social order depend on Prana. The Prashna Upanishad Second Question compares Prana to the hub that holds the spokes of existence together.

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Mantra 2.7 – Prana as All Living Beings

“Life, Prajapati (Lord of creation), moving in the womb, master of five streams! All things offer you their tribute.”

Commentary: The Upanishad depicts Prana as Prajapati, the cosmic king. All organs serve it as subjects serve their ruler. Thus the Prashna Upanishad Second Question praises Prana as the inner sovereign.

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Mantra 2.8 – Prana as the Divine Messenger

“You are the chief carrier of offerings to the Gods and bear the first oblations to the forefathers. You are the Truth that sages practice. You also guide the organs so they function correctly.”

Commentary: Prana is the link between the human and the divine. Through it, sacrifice and devotion reach the higher realms. The Prashna Upanishad Second Question therefore calls Prana the divine courier of life.

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Mantra 2.9 – Prana as Creator, Protector, and Destroyer

“O Prana, You are Indra; You are Rudra too in prowess. You are also their Protector. As the Sun You move in the sky and are the Lord of all luminous bodies.”

Commentary: Here Prana is identified with the threefold cosmic functions of creation, sustenance, and dissolution. All divine powers act through this one Life Force.

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Mantra 2.10 – Prana as the Giver of Rain

“When you cause rain, O Prana, all living beings rejoice, believing they will have food in abundance.”

Commentary: Prana sustains the cycle of nature just as it sustains the body. This teaching of the Prashna Upanishad Second Question shows that life within and life around are one.

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Mantra 2.11 – Prana as Vishvasya Sat-patih (Lord of the Universe)

“O Prana, you are pure by nature. You are the sacred Ekarshi fire, the consumer of all, the gracious Lord of the world. We offer you oblations, O all-pervading Air, you are our father.”

Commentary: Prana is both the purifier and the protector — the cosmic fire that consumes and renews. The Prashna Upanishad Second Question calls it the Father of the world.

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Mantra 2.12 – 2.13 – Prayer to Prana

“Make that auspicious form of yours which abides in our speech, hearing, sight, and mind never forsake us.
May Life, Master of the three worlds, protect us as a mother protects her children. Grant us wisdom; grant us prosperity.”

Commentary: Having understood the supremacy of Prana, the disciples now pray for its continued presence. The Prashna Upanishad Second Question culminates in reverence and surrender to the divine Life within.

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Spiritual Significance of the Prashna Upanishad Second Question

The Essence of Prashna Upanishad Second Question teaches that Prana is not mere breath but cosmic intelligence in motion.
It links the individual to the Universal Self.
Realizing Prana as an emanation of the Atman leads one to spiritual liberation.

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Power of Life

Note on Prana and Tattva Bodha

The Tattva Bodha further details the five vital airs and their functions.
Together, Tattva Bodha and the Prashna Upanishad form the foundation of Vedantic understanding of life and consciousness.