PRASHNA UPANISHAD.11 - Rishi Pippalada.

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#6 Questions, 67 Mantras : “Questions from Disciples Answered”
##KABANDHI’S QUESTION : 
Query No 1: “Matter & Energy”

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Friday, September 30,  2022. 06:00. 
UPASANAS ON PRAJAPATI (TIME)

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Mantram 1.11 Sruti Quotation: A. The Year as Time Cycle

"Pancha-paadam pitaram dvaadashaa-kritim,

diva aahuh pare ardhe pureeshinam;

atha ime anya u pare vichakshanam

sapta-chakre, shadara, aahuh arpitam iti."

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Translation :

1 Pancha-paadam pitaram dvaadashaa-kritim, = “As a Father having five feet (the 5 seasons), and twelve forms (the months),”

2 diva aahuh pare ardhe pureeshinam; = says a seer of the Rig Veda, viewing from a higher zone, the zone of Rain

3 atha ime anya u pare vichakshanam = Then there is another viewpoint – “ He, the all-wise Lord of Time, is seated

4 sapta-chakre, shadara, aahuh arpitam iti. = in a chariot drawn by seven horses (rainbow colours!);  mounted on a wheel with six spokes (seasons)” –  this views Him upon which the whole world rests.

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Commentary :

We now have the Sruti quotation which was announced in the last line of the 

previous mantram. This verse sums up verses 1.9 and 1.10, giving the symbolic view of seeing 

one year as the representative form of Prajapati or God the Creator.

Two pictorial ideas are presented from different viewpoints:

A. Prajapati as the Supreme Above (in Heaven) :

1-2 This is a good symbol for those of simple minds, namely, the peasantry. It is quite 

common to have this symbol in many religions. The paternal God strides high above the 

earth, producing the 5 seasons and the 12 months as He does so. The five seasons are 

Vasant (spring), Grishma (summer), Varsha (Monsoonal rains), Sharat (autumn), and 

Hemant/Shishira (the cool and the cold climate combined).

The vision is of Prajapati (God) seated up in the heavenly skies, beyond the clouds, as 

the Lord of Rain. He is pictured as a benevolent father, having 5 feet (the seasons). 

The picture changes every month, hence there are 12 forms for this depiction. It is 

sufficient for the needs of most people to represent Prajapati as the Lord being above all 

else and controlling everything from above. That suits the peasant’s level of understanding.

B. Prajapati as the Supreme Below (on Earth) :

3-8 The second depiction is of one regally seated in a chariot pulled by 7 horses. This 

is a symbol that will appeal to ruling or kingly class. They will quite happily accept such a 

God as ruling the Earth.

The seven horses represent the seven colours that sunrays can be split into 

(refracted) by a prism. The rays colourfully resemble the reins of the chariot, and convey the 

idea of control. The six spokes on the wheel of the chariot represent the march of Time, six 

being the six seasons as listed above, with Hemant and Shishira counting as two.

Whichever is more appealing to a worshipper may be selected, depending on the 

relationship one wishes to have with the Lord. Hinduism has a form that suits all 

temperaments. In fact there are hundreds of varieties to choose from, not just two!

Vedic Symbolism :

The mantram also provides us with a classic example of the literary style used in the 

Vedas. Unless one is familiar with this as a style, the translation can appear ludicrous to the 

untrained mind. Vedic symbols have a deep meaning, as seen in this mantram.

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Next-
Mantram - 1.12 B. The Month as Time Cycle
To be continued ...

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