PRASHNA UPANISHAD - 41 : Rishi Pippala.

 

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Final Day at Vedanta Unveiled Camp:

The concluding day marked a journey of reflection and introspection at the Vedanta Unveiled Camp. In the morning session led by Swamini Vimalananda, the misunderstood Varna system was explored, emphasising its foundation in guna and karma for societal harmony, and how it is intrinsic to our own body structure as well. Delving deeper, she illuminated the significance of the Pancha Maha Yajna – underscoring our debts to Devatas, rishis, pitrs, fellow humans and other beings – with a call to uphold our duty to protect, preserve and serve.

Over the course of seven enlightening days, seekers immersed themselves in the wisdom of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15, guided by Pujya Swami Tejomayananda. Swami Advayananda delved into the nature of the Self, emphasising its infinite qualities and omnipresence. In parallel, Swamini Vimalananda's sessions shed light on diverse topics, including aspects of Self-realisation, conquering fear and achieving completeness through identification with the Atman.

The camp reached its pinnacle with a devotion-filled Guru Paduka Puja and a dignified Valedictory function. These concluding sessions beautifully encapsulated the spiritual journey, leaving hearts enriched and minds awakened to profound insights.

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

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Saturday, 02 Dec 2023. 06:30.

Mantram -  4.2 Q.4A – Viswa: The Experiencer of Waking State 

Post-41.

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GAARGYA’S QUESTION

Query No 4:

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Mantram -  4.2 Q.4A – Viswa: The Experiencer of Waking State 

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4.2.1 i) The Simile: Sun & Its Rays:

1 

Tasmai sah uvaacha: = To him he (Rishi Pippalada) said:

2 

yathaa gaargya mareechayah = O Gargya, just as the rays

arkasya astam gacchhatah =  of the sun that is setting – 

3 

sarvaa etasmin tejomandala = all of them return into the Sun,

ekee-bhavanti , = and become unified with it;

4 

taah punah punah udayatah = then once again upon rising,

pracharanti; =  they get dispersed as in a cycle;

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4.2.2 ii) The Application: Mind & the Senses:

5 

evam ha vai, tat sarvam = In the same way, indeed, all the senses (“rays”)

pare deve manasi =  return into their higher deity, the mind (“Sun”),

ekee-bhavati; =  and become unified with it (during sleep).

[This extension is taken as understood] And when the person awakes, all the rays emanate 

from him again.

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4.2.3 iii) The Senses During Sleep

6 

Tena tarhi eshah purushah Therefore, = at that time (when asleep), this person 

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7 

na shrinoti, = does not hear,

na pashyati, = does not see, 

na jighrati, = does not smell,

na rasayate, = does not taste,

na sprishate, = does not touch,

Organs of Perception do not function

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8 

na abhivadate, = does not speak,

na adatte, = does not grasp,

na aanandayate, = does not enjoy,

na visrujate, = does not eject,

na iyaayate, = does not move;

Organs of Action do not function

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9 

swapiti iti aachakshate. then people say, “He is sleeping”.

Guruji particularly focused on the sheer beauty of the simile applied here – i.e. the 
setting sun representing the sleeping man!

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2-4 

He described at length the setting of the sun, and how the rays appear to just 

draw towards it and disappear into it as it sinks below the horizon. Then, the next morning, 

as it emerges, the rays of the sun stream forth full of vigour, brightness and ready for action.

5 

The same happens every night when we go to sleep. The Pranas withdraw from 

their respective sense organs at bedtime and retract into Pare Deve, the higher deity named 

Viswa, or the Mind. All the sense organs go to sleep. We do not see or hear anything. 

Feelings are switched off. The bowels are also closed. Everything takes a good rest.

6-9 

The experience of Viswa, the experiencer of the waking state, is expanded here. 

Sleep is used only to track down the waking state, to find out which organs are not available. 

By deduction, those are the organs which are available in the waking state. 

9 

A study of sleep is an excellent way of getting an intellectual conviction of the 

underlying Consciousness common to all three states – namely Viswa in waking, Taijasa in 

dream and Prajna in deep sleep. Dream first separates the senses from our consciousness. 

Then deep sleep separates the mind itself from our consciousness.

An Anecdote: A “Sleep-Talker”:

This humorous incident slipped out from Guruji: A man went to his doctor and said, 

“Doctor, I have developed a habit of talking in my sleep. What should I do?” The doctor 

advised him, “Don’t do what you should not.” The man could not grasp this strange 

instruction. “What do you mean?” he demanded. The doctor explained, “If you do what you 

should not, you are bound to say it in your sleep, and then everyone will come to know!”

*****

Next

Mantram - 4.3 Q.4B – The Pranas & Upa-Pranas

To be continued

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