PRASHNA UPANISHAD - 15. - 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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Thursday, December 08,  2022. 06:00. 

UPASANAS ON PRAJAPATI (TIME)

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Mantram - 1.15 The Fruit of Self-Restraint 

1 

Tadye ha vai tat prajaapati = Thus, verily, those who observe this rule laid 

vratam charanti, = down by the Lord Himself,

2 

te mithunam utpaadayante;  = and bring forth only a pair of children,

3 

teshaam eva eshah brahma-lokah = they alone are worthy of Brahma Loka

4 

yeshaam tapah, brahmacharyam, = due to their penance, restraint in sexual acts,

yeshu satyam pratishtitam. =  and their firm abidance in truth.

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Bhashyam ( Vyakyanam ) :

Vedic “Family Planning” :

Two children are advised, not more. This is clear as crystal in this verse. It is the 

“family-planning” prescribed by the Vedic Rishis. 

1-2 Restraint is the keyword in the scriptural injunctions regarding sex. There is no 

room for any compromise from the sage.

3 Brahmaloka is the highest plane to which a dutiful man and woman may rise.

4 The minimum qualification to enter the plane of Brahmaloka is to live by the ideals

of penance, celibacy and adherence to truth. These are absolutely essential to enter the 

path that ultimately leads to emancipation or liberation from worldly life. As already 

mentioned, this is not the highest spiritual attainment, but is en route to it.

In this first chapter, we do not deal with the topic of Jivanmukti or complete 

liberation from the cycle of rebirths while living. Thus far, we have been concerned only 

with the two options open to people after death. In Jivanmukti, there is no question of 

death, as it can be attained while one is living. This path is only dealt with towards the end 

of chapter 4, and then continues till the end.

For this reason, the definitions in this verse for restraint, Brahmacharya, austerity 

and abidance in truth are pitched at a relatively low level. They are defined in terms of 

relative existence as a householder in the world; not in terms of absolute existence as a 

Sannyasin would be committed to.

It is not that the standard is dropped, but rather, the appropriate standard is being 

upheld in accordance with the persons addressed. This happens many times in Vedic 

literature, and can lead to confusion unless the scriptures are learnt from authoritative 

people who are able to differentiate the different standards. 

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Next
Mantram - 1.16 The “Gate-Pass” for Spiritual Evolution
To be continued

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