PRASHNA UPANISHAD - 43 : Rishi Pippala.
25-12-2023
Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF), research wing of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide.
Educational Research Center
Adi Sankara Nilayam, Veliyanad, Eranakulam, India, Kerala
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Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF)
Here's how we celebrated Gita Jayanti at Chinmaya International Foundation✨
The event started with a serene prayer, and the lamp was lit by Gauri Mahulikar Ji and Br. Ved Chaitanya Ji.
Gauri Ji provided an introduction to the Laghu Vakya Vritti text, setting the stage for a deeper exploration.
Br. Ved Chaitanya Ji took us through the sacred layers of Laghu-vakya-vritti in his enlightening lecture.
Brni. Taarini Chaitanya Ji and Brni. Devaki Ji. graced the session with heartwarming satsang, making it truly devotional.
On the auspicious day of Gita Jayanti the HSC Convocation Program was held.✨
On the final day, the camp concluded with the divine presence of Swami Sharadananda, Br. Ved Chaitanya, Dr. Gauri Mahulikar and Arvind ji.
All the 50 participants received certificates from Swamiji, marking the successful completion of this journey.
All the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita were chanted in the afternoon resonating with the sacred SLOGAS.
The celebrations concluded with the first session of the Gita webinar on 'Modern Problems, Timeless Solutions' led by Br. Ved Chaitanya ji.
It was truly a celebration of divine moments, shared wisdom and the blessings of the Bhagavad Gita
May the knowledge of the Gita continue to guide each soul towards the path of wisdom, resilience, and inner peace.💫
Wishing everyone a blessed Gita Jayanti🌺
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#6 Questions, 67 Mantras: “Questions from Disciples Answered.”
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Tuesday, 26 Dec 2023. 07:20.
Mantram - 4.2 Q.4A – Viswa: The Experiencer of Waking State
Post-42.
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GAARGYA’S QUESTION
Query No 4:
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Mantram - 4.4 Q.4B – The Upa-Pranas (Contd.)
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4.4.1 iv) The Upa-Pranas – Samana
1
Yad ucchhvaasa-nihshvaasaav = Exhalation and inhalation –
etau aahutee. = these two are represented by oblations into fire.
2
samam nayati, = (In both cases,) a balance* is maintained (by the
iti sah samaanah. = priest). Therefore, he (the priest) represents Samana!
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4.4.2 v) The Upa-Pranas – Udana
3
Manah ha vaava yajamaanah; = The Sacrificer (Yajman) represents the Mind**.
4
ishta-phalam eva udaanah, = The Fruit of the sacrifice represents Udana;
5
sa enam yajamaanam ahah ahah = The fruit leads the sacrificer day by day
brahma gamayati. = towards his goal, Brahmaloka***.
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*The oblations balance the fire in the haven kund; the exhaling and inhaling balance the life energy in the body.
**Both the Yajman and the Mind are the respective beneficiaries; the former receives the
fruit of the sacrifice, the latter receives life from the act of breathing.
***So also, Udana, the fruit of the action of breathing, leads the Mind towards fulfilment of
its desire-goals or its spiritual goal, Brahman.
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We continue the simile begun in mantram 4.3.
From the three fires, our attention shifts -
to the Agnihotra, the sacrificial rite itself. This is truly an unusual metaphor conceived by the
Rishi – it is absolutely amazing; in fact, it is simply “breath-taking” (pardon the pun for fun)!
1
The exhalation symbolizes the life-giving Prana; while the inhalation symbolizes the
drawing down action of Apana. These two are represented by the oblations or offerings
made into the fire of a Havan.
2
Both incoming and outgoing breaths have to be balanced delicately – what comes
in has to go out in the same measure. Then the life is maintained.
In the case of a Havan the oblations are what keeps the FIRE maintained. In the
body; the exhalation and inhalation keeps LIFE maintained. This is the point of similarity.
Sah: “the priest”. It is the priest who makes the oblations into the fire. He is the one
who is responsible for the balance needed to maintain the fire. In the body, that function of
maintaining balance in the breath is performed by Samana. Thus the priest symbolizes
Samana!
3
Manah:
In the sacrifice, the one for whose benefit the whole sacrifice is performed
is the Yajmaanah or the Sacrificer. In the body, the one for whom the senses are bringing in
all the information from the objects is the Mind. Also it is the Yajman who has to organize
the whole sacrifice; similarly, it is the Mind that organizes the functions of the senses. For
these reasons the Yajman symbolizes the Mind.
4
Ishta Phala:
“the Fruit of the Sacrifice”. Now this is a very interesting point of
similarity with Udana. The Yajman is “pulled” or drawn into the sacrifice because of his
desire for the fruit of the sacrifice. Otherwise he would not do it. So, it is the fruit that pulls
the Yajman.
5
In the application of this simile, what is that fruit towards which the Mind is
pulled? Every night in deep sleep, the mind desires the fruit of rest in Brahman. Brahman is
the fruit it desires. And it is pulled to it by Udana in deep sleep every night. Thus, due to this
similarity, the fruit of the sacrifice stands as a symbol for Udana. Although Udana is not
Brahman, it leads one to Brahman every night. Hence Udana itself is called the fruit.
The whole simile, which compares the fires burning in the body to those burning in a
sacrificial rite, makes for a very meaningful study and adds depth to the ritual performed.
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Next
Mantram - 4.5 Q.4C – Taijasa: The Experiencer of Dream
To be continued
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