PRASHNA UPANISHAD -66: Rishi Pippala.
#6 Questions, 67 Mantras: “Questions from Disciples Answered.”
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SUKESHAA’S QUESTION:
Query No 6: The Source of Power
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Wednesday 06, November 2024, 06:20.
Mantram - 6.7: The Rishi Concludes in Humility
Post-66.
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Mantram - 6.7: The Rishi Concludes in Humility:
1
Taan ha uvaacha: = To them (the six students), he (Pippalada) said:
etaavat eva aham etat =“Thus far only do I
param brahma veda; = this Supreme Brahman.
2
Na atah param asti,” iti. = Beyond this there is nothing (that I know).”
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The above quotation ends the present text. We are left with a most touching scene:
1
The loving Teacher has his last word surrounded by six most attentive, enquiring,
intelligent and upright students. He has just delivered to them the highest message. What
more can he tell them?
There is a humility that comes through in his words. “This is the limit of my knowledge; I do
not know anything more. I have told you all that I know.” This is a sign of greatness in the eyes
of Indian culture. There is no desire to appear more knowledgeable than one actually is!
2
There is nothing higher than that to be known. That is one interpretation.
The Rishi knows that, too. But in humility he says that he does not anything more than that!
This is the second interpretation.
There is yet a third way of looking at the Rishi’s conclusion: Students are never
satisfied; the Rishi knows that – only too well. The curiosity of a student can become a
source of endless doubt in his mind. To him, there is always something “more” yet to
known. The intellect is built with this manufacturing defect we call ‘curiosity’.
To stop such needless curiosity from infecting his students, the Master places this “Full Stop” in front of their intellects.
The effect of this statement on the students can be very positive. It will give them
faith that they have reached the end of the journey. This assurance is psychologically very
important to any student in in any field of study, especially a student of the vast “Unknown”.
We must now certainly take a moment to feel what may be running through the
minds of all six students. Doing so, we get a glimpse of the great Indian tradition.
*****
Next
Mantram-6.8: The Students Offer Filial Salutations!
Continued
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