KATHOUPANISHAD - 83. Swami Advayananda.

Chinmaya Mission:

19-04-2025

Marking a significant milestone in its journey of service, Chinmaya Mission Hospital inaugurated its new Super Specialty Outpatient Department (OPD), a dedicated facility designed to elevate patient care with greater focus, comfort, and efficiency.

The day commenced with a traditional puja, setting a sacred and serene tone. This was followed by the official inauguration, led by Swami Brahmananda and Swami Adityananda, who performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony and lit the ceremonial lamp, blessing the occasion with their presence and goodwill.

The newly launched OPD houses 10 state-of-the-art consultation chambers, thoughtfully designed to support specialised medical services in a patient-friendly and efficient environment. This expansion reflects the hospital’s continued commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality healthcare to the community.

The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sudhir U, Managing Director, who expressed sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to making this vision a reality.

The event was a celebration of purpose, progress, and renewed dedication, a proud moment for the Chinmaya Mission Hospital family. We invite you to explore highlights from this meaningful day as we step into a new chapter of care.

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Saturday 19, April 2025, 11:00.

KATHA UPANISHAD  

Part 2 – Total 49 Mantras 

Chapters 2.1, 2.2 & 2.3 

Chapter 2.2: (15 Mantras) 

THE SEARCH FOR BRAHMAN 

Mantram - 2.2.5: When Prana is Negated, What Remains?  

Post - 83.

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Mantram - 2.2.5: When Prana is Negated, What Remains?  

1. 

Not by Prana, nor by Apana = Not by Prana, nor by Apana  

2. 

martyah jeevati kashchana; =  does any mortal live; 

3. 

itarena tu jeevanti = but it is by some other factor that they live  

4. 

yasmin etau upaashritau. =  on which these two depend. 

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In this mantram, the question “What remains?” is given a second look, but still we are not given the answer. The two possible answers so far are the Self and Not-Self. The Rishi retains the question mark. One further clue to the answer is given. 

Link: The Bhashya has something to say on this point. Arising from interpretation B  above, critics may say that it is due to the Pranas leaving the body that everything comes to  a standstill. Hence, the Pranas must be God; implying that there is no such thing as the Self. 

This verse points to “another factor” beyond Prana. We are led to ask ourselves, “Why have  we taken this human birth?” The answer to “What remains?” lies in answering this first. 

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1-2

 The body’s death coincides with the departure of Prana. This would seem to suggest that Prana is responsible for our life on earth. And if that is so, then once the Prana leaves, that is the end of our sojourn on earth. Our life comes to an abrupt end, as it were. 

Has life got no other meaning than this? 

We know that the Pranas or life-energies (collectively called simply ‘Prana’) are most  essential to maintain life in the body. However, that does not mean that it is the Prana that  is the cause of life. 

Mortals do not live because Prana has entered their bodies. Prana, too, is quite inert in this sense. It is a product of the subtle elements.

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3

 The real cause is something else, it is not the Prana. What really remains after  death? 

Like a good novelist, the Rishi keeps us in suspence for a second time – that is exactly  what all good teachers do! 

TV serials thrive on that principle. Our Katha Upanishad is turning  out to be among the great, best-selling mystery novels!  

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4

 Clue One:  The Rishi is generous enough to throw in a clue at this point. That factor upon which our human birth is what has sent the Prana to function in our body. The Prana  depends on this factor, not the other way around. 

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To the question In the previous mantram “What remains?”, it is only because of what we see left behind after death that we answered, “A mass of flesh and bones. Nothing else is  seen to remain.” So it would seem. We now learn that the Pranas depend on something else for their presence in the body. That factor could well be the answer to “What remains?” 

Is it not strange that the answers we are looking for in life become more pressing when we are faced with death. The uncertainty behind death brings to the surface the  question of the purpose of life. What is the reason why we take birth in the first place? That  is the deeper question behind, “What remains when we die?” 

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Next

Mantram - 2.2.6: When the Body Departs, What Remains? 

Continued

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