THE PRASNA UPANISHAD
CONTRIBUTED BY
AND
INTRODUCTION
The Prasna
Upanishad is so named after
the word "Prasna", which
means "Question" The Upanishad
is comprised of six fundamental
questions asked by six disciples
and the answers to them,
given by their Preceptor,
the Sage Pippalada. The questions
and answers are
set out in
six corresponding Chapters through
a total of 67 slokas.
It is interesting to note
that when the disciples first
approach him with these
questions, Pippalada turns them back,
asking them to return after one
more year of penance, abstinence
and faith. This indicates
the disciplines
that are needed to help
the mind to focus on
what it is seeking, and
then frame one's questions. For,
as Pippalada makes it clear, only
a well considered question
could bring a well considered
answer.
The six questions,
expressed in the more familiar
terminology of today are
:
1. What is
the origin of life in
every form ?
2. What are
the essential constituents of
a living being ?
3. What is
the central principle that
supports life ?
4. What are
the different levels and
states of consciousness ?
5. What disciplines
help to evolve to higher levels
of consciousness ?
6. What is
the ultimate supreme source
from which the central
principle itself emerges ?
The answers
to each question are developed
by Pippalada, within
a perspective of
great depth. The language
and concepts of the
answers are often abstruse and
esoteric, but one may get
from them glimpses that are
rational and perceptive. Thus,
in answering the first
question, on the origin
of life, Pippalada starts with
the origin of all existence
in terms of matter and
energy, and develops the
answer step
by step, till in the
last one, he gives as
the most direct and immediate
origin of life, the sperm
of the species. The answer
to the last question is,
that the ultimate supreme source
of all existence is Brahman.
This, indeed, is the answer
of all the Upanishads.
PROCEED TO CHAPTER - 1 OF THE PRASNA UPANISHAD
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