PRASHNA UPANISHAD : - by Rishi Pippalada

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Adi Shankaracharya Swami Sivananda Swami Tapovanji Swami Chinmayananda

SERVE  LOVE  GIVE  PURIFY  MEDITATE  REALISE

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Reflections by Swami Gurubhaktananda : on the 18 Lectures delivered by Swami  Guruji, during the 15th Batch Vedanta Course at at the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Powai, Mumbai : February 21st – March 2nd, 2012.

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Monday, March 21, 2022. 20:00.

6 Questions, 67 Mantras : “Questions from Disciples Answered”

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KABANDHI’S QUESTION : Query No 1: “Matter & Energy”

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WE ARE INTRODUCED to the six students. 

The order may have some significance :

They are presented to us in an order reverse to the order in which they present their questions. In ordinary protocol, in the welcoming at public functions, we welcome the most important guests first, e.g. the Guest of Honour, and then the rest of the visiting guests. But when it comes to the speeches in the programmes, the chief guest is the last one to speak.

It seems this was the protocol even in Vedic times!

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Mantram -1.1: The Students Arrive With Firewood

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1 Om Sukesha cha Bharadhwajah;

2 Shaibyah cha Satyakamah;

3 Saurya-yaneh cha Gargyah; 

4 Kaushalyah cha Ashwala-ayanah;

5 Bhargavah Vaidarbhih; 

6 Kabandhe Kaatya-ayanah te;

7 Hai te brahmaparaa, brahmanishthaah,  param brahmaan-veshamana;

8 Esha ha vai tat-sarvam te ha samit-panayo

9 Bhagavantam Pippaladam upasanah.

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Translation :

1 Om Sukesha cha Bharadhwajah; =Om. Sukesha, the son of Bharadvaja;

2 Shaibyah cha Satyakamah; =Satyakama, the son of Shibi;

3 Saurya-yaneh cha Gargyah; =of Gargya gotra, the grandson of Surya;

4 Kaushalyah cha Ashwala-ayanah; =Kaushalya, son of Ashwala;

5 Bhargavah Vaidarbhih; =of the Bhrigu gotra, the son of Vidarbha;

6 Kabandhe Katya-ayanah te; =and Kabandhi, son of Katya –

7 Hai te brahmapara, brahmanishthah,  param brahman-veshamana; = All of them very 

devoted to Brahman,  and centred in Brahman,  were seeking the highest Brahman.

8 Esha ha vai tat-sarvam vakshyateti te ha samit-panayo  =  Thinking that everything will

 be explained to them, they, with firewood in hand,

9 Bhagavantam Pippaladam  =  upasanah. approached the revered and 

accomplished Rishi Pippalaada.

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Commentary :

1-6 What is noteworthy in this verse is that it establishes that the students are from good homes, good families, with good spiritual Samskaras, with great respect for the scriptures, and with strong spiritual inclinations.

7 They are all devoted to some form of Upasana or worship of God. They seem to be worthy students; the Guru will not be wasting words of wisdom. Their description also gives us some idea of the subject matter of the text. We know that it will deal with Brahma Vidya.

8 Samit Paani: 

“firewood in hand”. The tradition has it that students should carry firewood to the Teacher. It is a symbol of their acceptance of the rigorous life they will lead; it is also a sign of respecting the Guru’s household; and it shows their readiness to do any form of service required of them. It says: “O Master, I am ready to serve you and to learn from you.”

9 Guru Upasannah: 

“Approach to the Guru”. Their humble approach is exemplary, which shows they are in a fit state of mind to benefit from the knowledge. Their minds are open and receptive to the words from the Guru.

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Next - Mantram 1.2: The Guru’s Welcome.

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