This site is about writing articles on ancient Eastern philosophy, Advaita Vedanta ,Yoga , Consciousness, Peace of mind, true nature of Self. Quantum Physics and Neuroscience.
Prashna Upanishad comes from the Brahmana portion of the Atharva Veda, belonging to Pippalada Sakha. It has 67 mantras spread over six chapters. Each chapter contains one question. Prashna means question. The scientific approach of Vedanta is the basis of the Prashna Upanishad, where the teacher and the students are engaged in an enquiry into the nature of Universe.
This Upanishad leads the aspirant from the known to the unknown, from the manifest to the unmanifest, from the grossly materialistic mind to the Supremely subtle, Absolute and Pure Consciousness’.
We will discuss only about the Second Question in this part.
The First Question has been discussed in my previous blog. The Link is here: Essence of Prashna Upanishad: Part-1 of 6
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 ॥
In this Upanishad, there are six disciples. Each asks a question to the Guru and Guru answers them. Each question and answer becomes a chapter. The first question refers to the origin of the created beings, the second to the constituents of Human personality, the third to the nature of origin of Prana, the fourth is about the psychological aspect of the Human personality , the fifth is about “pranava” and the sixth is about the metaphysical principle in man. The need of faith, austerity and continence of body and mind for spiritual knowledge is emphasized.
Here we will look into the discussion of Prana, the invisible Power by which material life is sustained. From this chapter onwards we will study about the true Spiritual path, towards the realm of the Spirit, called Prana.
Mantra 2.1: Bhargava of Vidarbha questioned the Master” O Venerable Sir, How many Devas (Or Deities) support the living being? Which of them gives Life to this Body? Again, who among them is the greatest?
We see here that the question no-2 is on microcosm, where as question no-1 was on macrocosm. From the creation of the world as well as living beings, the question has now shifted to how each individual is really governed? The student here wants to know the administrative setup how the tiny part of the Universe is governed. Who is behind this animating body?
Mantra 2.2: The Master replied ” Indeed Space is the foremost Deity (Deva); then come Air, Fire, Water and Earth; Next come Speech, Mind, Eye and Ear too.” Wanting to show their glory, they quarrelled among themselves.
Mantra 2.3: Prana the chief of them, said ” Be not lost in delusion, it is I alone, dividing myself fivefold who keeps this body going and gives the support needed by it”. But they had no faith in Prana’s word.
Prana got agitated and threatened to quit. As he got up to leave from the body, the other organs followed suit. When it settled down they all settled down with it. As bees go out when their queen goes out and return when she returns, even so did speech, mind, eye, ear and the rest. They, being satisfied, praised Prana.
The organs realized, that if Prana did leave, they would have to depart from the body, for they can not survive without the presence of Life!
Mantra 2.5: As Fire, Prana burns: This is energy aspect. It is seen the Sun. It is the rain and clouds in it’s aspect as Air and Water; Earth is it’s matter aspect, seen as the Moon. So Prana is formless and has form too. It is Immortal!
Mantra 2.6: As Spokes in the hub of a Wheel, everything rests on Prana, including the Rig-Veda, the Yajur-Veda, the Sama-Veda, the Kshattriyas and the Brahmanas.
Mantra 2.7: Life, Prajapati (Lord of creation), moving in the womb, master of five streams! All things offer you their tribute.
From above verse we understand that the sense organs bring offerings to Prana. Prana dwelling in the body is like a King (Prajapati)and the sense organs are like his Subjects. Offerings are token of love, reverence and respect to another. By Prana are all senses and mind supported.
Mantra 2.8: ” You are the Chief carrier of offerings to the Gods and carry the first oblations to the forefathers. You are the Truth that sages practice. You also help guide the organs so that they function correctly.
Mantra 2.9: ” O Prana, You are Indra; you are Rudra too in prowess. You are also their Protector. As the Sun you move about in the sky and you are the Lord of all luminous bodies.
Mantra 2.10: ” When you cause the Rain, O Prana, all livings are delighted, who think that there will be as much food as they would like to have.”
Mantra 2.11″ ” O Prana, you are pure by nature. You are the sacred ekarshi fire, the consumer of everything, the gracious Lord of the world. We offer you oblations, O all pervading Air, you are our father.
Mantra 2.12: Make that auspicious form of yours which abides in our speech, hearing, sight, and which also pervades the mind and never forsake us.
Mantra 2.13: May Life, Master of the three worlds, protect us as a mother protect her children. Grant us Wisdom, grant us prosperity.
“Prana” is vital energy and invisible to us. It is like Electric Power ,which gives life to the machines and machines run, animates. Same way this vital energy “Prana” animates us, the live bodies. It runs the 1st layer the Physical body. This prana is external to further subtler energy which is Mind.
First of all I would like to thank Aparna { Her Blog – Single Line Story Challenge – My Verselets (wordpress.com) } for nominating me for this wonderful chain of challenge ” Single Line Story Challenge “.
I am highly honoured with the nomination. She says that she is just an ordinary girl, though I believe that she has amazing writing skills. I am feeling grateful to her as this was my first challenge. Please visit her website.
My Stories( In fact, these are facts)
And it is open to all who follows me:
I found some joy with this activity. I was nominated by Aparna, an young beautiful girl with high intellect. So I made my mind to respond to her call.
Thank you Aparna and thank you my friends. Not an obligatory. Take it easy!!
I am extremely happy to say that number of my blog followers crossed 50+
I consider this as my achievement. At the same time I express my gratefulness to my followers for their continuous support, encouragement and guidance.