Prashna Upanishad
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|| mÉëzlÉÉåmÉÌlÉwÉiÉç || PRASHNA UPANISHAD Questions from Disciples “THE SANDEEPANY EXPERIENCE” TEXT Reflections by SWAMI GURUBHAKTANANDA 08 Sandeepany’s Vedanta Course List of All the Course Texts in Chronological Sequence: Text TITLE OF TEXT Text TITLE OF TEXT No. No. 1 Sadhana Panchakam 24 Hanuman Chalisa 2 Tattwa Bodha 25 Vakya Vritti 3 Atma Bodha 26 Advaita Makaranda 4 Bhaja Govindam 27 Kaivalya Upanishad 5 Manisha Panchakam 28 Bhagavad Geeta (Discourse -- ) 6 Forgive Me 29 Mundaka Upanishad 7 Upadesha Sara 30 Amritabindu Upanishad 8 Prashna Upanishad 31 Mukunda Mala (Bhakti Text) 9 Dhanyashtakam 32 Tapovan Shatkam 10 Bodha Sara 33 The Mahavakyas, Panchadasi 5 11 Viveka Choodamani 34 Aitareya Upanishad 12 Jnana Sara 35 Narada Bhakti Sutras 13 Drig-Drishya Viveka 36 Taittiriya Upanishad 14 “Tat Twam Asi” – Chand Up 6 37 Jivan Sutrani (Tips for Happy Living) 15 Dhyana Swaroopam 38 Kena Upanishad 16 “Bhoomaiva Sukham” Chand Up 7 39 Aparoksha Anubhuti (Meditation) 17 Manah Shodhanam 40 108 Names of Pujya Gurudev 18 “Nataka Deepa” – Panchadasi 10 41 Mandukya Upanishad 19 Isavasya Upanishad 42 Dakshinamurty Ashtakam 20 Katha Upanishad 43 Shad Darshanaah 21 “Sara Sangrah” – Yoga Vasishtha 44 Brahma Sootras 22 Vedanta Sara 45 Jivanmuktananda Lahari 23 Mahabharata + Geeta Dhyanam 46 Chinmaya Pledge A NOTE ABOUT SANDEEPANY Sandeepany Sadhanalaya is an institution run by the Chinmaya Mission in Powai, Mumbai, teaching a 2-year Vedanta Course. It has a very balanced daily programme of basic Samskrit, Vedic chanting, Vedanta study, Bhagavatam, Ramacharitmanas, Bhajans, meditation, sports and fitness exercises, team-building outings, games and drama, celebration of all Hindu festivals, weekly Gayatri Havan and Guru Paduka Pooja, and Karma Yoga activities. This series is an effort to promote the learning of Vedanta; it does not replace Course, but hopes to inspire young people to spend two years of their life for an experience that is sure to make a far-reaching spiritual impact on their personal lives. Sandeepany is an all-round spiritual course that gives proper direction to the youth and to those approaching retirement. Hinduism is in dire need of a band of systematically trained teachers or Acharyas who can serve this Eternal Religion. – The Editor, 1st June 2017, Sannyasa Day of Sri Swami Sivananda Om Namah Shivaaya! Text 08 || mÉëzlÉÉåmÉÌlÉwÉiÉç || PRASHNA UPANISHAD Questions from Disciples Answered by Rishi Pippalada Reflections by Swami Gurubhaktananda on the 18 Lectures delivered by Swami Tejomayananda, Guruji, during the 15th Batch Vedanta Course at at the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Powai, Mumbai February 21st – March 2nd, 2012 Adi Shankaracharya Swami Sivananda Swami Tapovanji Swami Chinmayananda SERVE LOVE GIVE PURIFY MEDITATE REALISE Copyright & Author’s Details Author: Swami Gurubhaktananda, ex Krishna Chaitanya, born Bipin R. Kapitan of Durban, South Africa. Residence: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. Email: [email protected] © 2017 All Rights Reserved. Copyright held by Chinmaya International Foundation, Kerala. About This Edition: Web Edition: 1st June 2017 Sannyasa Day of Sri Swami Sivananda Website: Chinmaya International Foundation: www.chinfo.org Series Title : The Sandeepany Experience Series Subject: Vedanta & supportive subsidiary texts. Declaration by the Author: The material in this series is under inspiration of the Sandeepany Vedanta Course, but largely consists of the Author’s reflections on the Course. He is deeply indebted to the Chinmaya Mission for its excellent presentation of the Course by their renowned and dedicated Acharyas. Personal Dedication 1. To my Parents, Smt Sharadaben & Sri Ratilalbhai Kapitan who inspired me to study in life, to stick to the path of Dharma and pursue the highest ideals; and swamped me with their abundant Love; 2. To Pujya Sri Swami Vimalanandaji Maharaj the President of the Divine Life Society of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India, who constantly encouraged and supported this effort; 3. To Pujya Sri Swami Tejomayanandaji (Guruji) for his boundless vision and inspiration to create a vibrant organisation; 4. To Sri Swami Advayanandaji and Sri Swami Sharadanandaji my Acharyaji and Upa-Acharyaji at Sandeepany, who imparted their bountiful knowledge and wisdom with rare selfless Divine Love, just as the Rishis of yore would wish to see them do. ***** || mÉëzlÉÉåmÉÌlÉwÉiÉç || PRASHNA UPANISHAD “Questions from Disciples” FOR SAMSKRIT TEXT WITH SANDHEES Guide to Splitting Sandhees Conventional Samskrit Format is used in the body of the book. Split-Sandhee Samskrit Format is given at the end of the book, for the benefit of beginners. Word-combinations (Sandhees) are highlighted in bold underline (as shown in the table below) to help indicate the splitting of words. This is an original feature. Purpose: To assist new students who are just finding their way in Samskrit to break up the words (Pada Chheda). It is not intended for those already proficient in Samskrit. How it Works: 1. Enables normal chanting. The bold underlined letters are Sandhees, not words, and are needed only to join words for correct chanting. 2. Indicates splitting of words. To determine the words on either side of the Sandhee, the following table may be used. [The table has been applied in the transliteration within the body of the book, where individual words are used.] Add to End Add to Front SANDHEE of Prior Word of Posterior Word A (a) -AÉ- (aa) A (a) C (i) -D- (ee) C (i) E (u) -F- (oo) E (u) elongated vowel -"x- short vowel short vowel -x"- elongated vowel elongated vowel -"x" - elongated vowel A (a) -L- (e) C (i) A (a) -Lå- (ai) L (e) A (a) -AÉå- (o) E (u) A (a) -AÉæ- (au) Lå (ai) AÈ (ah) -AÉå (o) unaffected C (i) -rÉç (y) unaffected E (u) -uÉç (v) unaffected È (h) -xÉç, -Uç, -zÉç unaffected ***** PRASHNA UPANISHAD “Questions from Disciples” CONTENTS Introduction: General to All Upanishads 4 Invocation: From the Atharva Veda 7 Query No 1: KABANDHI’S QUESTION: “Matter & Energy” 8 Verse 1.1: The Students Arrive With Firewood 8 Verse 1.2: The Guru’s Welcome 9 Verse 1.3 The First Question: by Kabandhi 10 Verse 1.4 The Reply: Twin Aspects of Creation 10 Verse 1.5 The Equality of Rayi & Prana - 1. All is Rayi 11 Verse 1.6 The Equality of Rayi & Prana – 2. All is Prana 12 Verse 1.7 Vaishwanara – The Immediate Source of Prana & Rayi 14 Verse 1.8 Sruti Quotation: “The Sun that Rises” 15 Verse 1.9 The Southern Path of “Return” 15 Verse 1.10 The Northern Path of “No Return” 16 Verse 1.11 Sruti Quotation: A. The Year as Time Cycle 18 Verse 1.12 B. The Month as Time Cycle 19 Verse 1.13 C. The Day as Time Cycle 20 Verse 1.14 D. Food as the Symbol of the Lord 21 Verse 1.15 The Fruit of Self-Restraint 21 Verse 1.16 The “Gate-Pass” for Spiritual Evolution 22 Query No 2: BHARGAVA’S QUESTION: “The Supremacy of Power” 24 Verse 2.1 The Second Question: by Bhargava 24 Verse 2.2 Each Deva (God) Claims Leadership 25 Verse 2.3 Prana Proclaims His Supremacy 26 Verse 2.4 Prana Goes on ‘Strike’! 27 GLORIFICATION OF PRANA Verse 2.5 i) Prana as All the Elements 28 Verse 2.6 ii) Prana as All Knowledge & Administration 29 Verse 2.7 iii) Prana as All Living Creatures 30 Verse 2.8 iv) Prana as a “Courier Service” 31 1 Verse 2.9 v) Prana as Creator, Destroyer & Preserver 31 Verse 2.10 vi) Prana as the Giver of Rain 32 Verse 2.11 vii) Prana – the “Un-Baptised One” 33 Verse 2.12 Prayer to Prana – 1 34 Verse 2.13 Prayer to Prana – 2 35 Query No 3: KAUSALYA’S QUESTION: “The Management of Power” 37 Verse 3.1 The Third Question: by Kaushalya 37 Verse 3.2 “It’s a Transcendental Question!” 38 Verse 3.3A Q.3A Who is Prana’s Superior? 38 Verse 3.3B Q.3B How Prana Abides in the Body? 39 Verse 3.4 Q.3C How is Power Delegated – Overview 40 Verse 3.5 Q.3C The Apana, Prana and Samana Assistants 41 Verse 3.6 Q.3C The Vyana Assistant 42 Verse 3.7 Q.3C The Udana Assistant 42 Verses 3.8/9 Q.3E Coupling of Internal & External Upa-Pranas 44 Verse 3.10 Q.3D How Does Prana Go Out? 45 Verse 3.11 The Fruit of Knowledge on Prana 46 Verse 3.12 Sruti Quotation: A Summary 47 Query No 4: GAARGYA’S QUESTION: “The Experiencer of Power” 49 Verse 4.1 The Fourth Question: by Gargya 49 Verse 4.2 Q.4A Viswa – The Experiencer of Waking State 51 Verse 4.3 Q.4B The Prana & the Upa-Pranas 52 Verse 4.4 Q.4B The Upa-Pranas (Contd.) 54 Verse 4.5 Q.4C Taijasa: The Experiencer of Dream 55 Verse 4.6 Q.4D Prajna: The Experiencer of Deep Sleep 56 Verse 4.7 Q.4D Prajna: Always Heading Home 58 Verse 4.8 Q.4D Deep Sleep – 3. Full Details 58 Verse 4.9 Q.4E The Self Witnesses All States 60 Verse 4.10 Q.4E Attributeless & All-Knowing 61 Verse 4.11 Q.4E Sruti Quotation: Merging into the Supreme 62 Query No 5: SATYAKAAMA’S QUESTION: “Development of Power” 65 Verse 5.1 The Fifth Question: by Satyakama 65 Verse 5.2 Omkar – Both Higher & Lower Brahman 66 Verse 5.3 One Letter – Gift of Human Birth on Earth 68 Verse 5.4 Two Letters – Gift of the Heavenly Worlds 69 2 Verse 5.5 Three Letters (Separately) – Gift of Brahmaloka 71 Verse 5.6 Three Letters (Together) – Gift of “Unshakable Yoga” 72 Verse 5.7 Sruti Quotation: Summarising this Chapter 73 Query No 6: SUKESHAA’S QUESTION: “The Source of Power” 75 Verse 6.1 The Sixth Question: by Sukesha 76 Verse 6.2 The Kalas Are Inside the Body Itself! 77 Introduction to the 16 Kalas 78 Verse 6.3 What Determines Our Life or Death? 79 Verse 6.4 How the 16 Kalas Were Created 80 Verse 6.5 Transcending the 16 Kalas 81 Verse 6.6 Sruti Quotation: Knowledge Liberates 83 Verse 6.7 The Rishi Concludes in Humility 84 Verse 6.8 The Students Offer Filial Salutations! 84 Split-Sandhee Samskrit Format (for Beginners) 87 Split-Sandhee English Transliteration 97 TOTAL 67 verses ***** LORD KRISHNA & RADHA-RANI 3 INTRODUCTION TO UPANISHADS by Swami Tejomayananda “The Treasury of Scriptures” THE FOLLOWING is a summary of the opening lecture of Guruji on the Upanishads in general, since this text is the first Upanishad that we are studying.