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Prashna Upanishad

November 03, 2023

The Prashnopanishad (Sanskrit: प्रश्नोपनिषद्, Praśnopaniṣad) is an ancient Sanskrit text, embedded inside Atharva Veda, ascribed to Pippalada sakha of Vedic scholars.[1] It is a Mukhya (primary) Upanishad, and is listed as number 4 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.

The Prashna Upanishad is a 1st-millennium BCE Hindu text. Above: a manuscript page in Sanskrit, Devanagari script.

The Prashna Upanishad contains six Prashna (questions), and each is a chapter with a discussion of answers.[2] The chapters end with the phrase, prasnaprativakanam, which literally means, "thus ends the answer to the question".[1] In some manuscripts discovered in India, the Upanishad is divided into three Adhyayas (chapters) with a total of six Kandikas (कण्डिका, short sections).[3]

The first three questions are profound metaphysical questions but, states Eduard Roer,[3] do not contain any defined, philosophical answers, are mostly embellished mythology and symbolism.The first question gives a detailed philosophical and logical idea about the origin of life on earth and the description is one of the earliest concepts on Matter and energy. The fourth section, in contrast, contains substantial philosophy. The last two sections discuss the symbol Om and Moksha concept.[3] Roer as well as Weber suggest that the last two Prashnas may be spurious, later age insertion into the original Upanishad.[4]

Prashna Upanishad is notable for its structure and sociological insights into the education process in ancient India.[5] The Upanishad is also known as the Prashnopanishad (Sanskrit: प्रश्नोपनिषद्, Praśnopaniṣad). In some historic Indian literature and commentaries, it is also called Shat Prasna Upanishad.[1]

Etymology edit

Prashna (प्रश्न) literally means, in modern usage, "question, query, inquiry".[6] In ancient and medieval era Indian texts, the word had two additional context-dependent meanings: "task, lesson" and "short section or paragraph", with former common in Vedic recitations.[6] In Prashna Upanishad, all these contextual roots are relevant. The text consists of questions with lessons, and the sections of the Upanishad are also called prashna.

Chronology edit

The Prashna Upanishad was probably composed in the second half of 1st millennium BCE, likely after other Atharva Veda texts such as the Mundaka Upanishad, but the precise chronology of Prasna Upanishad is unclear and contested.[7] The Mundaka Upanishad, for example, writes Patrick Olivelle,[8] is rather later era ancient Upanishad and is, in all probability, post-Buddhist. The chronology of Prasna Upanishad, and other ancient India texts, is difficult to resolve because all opinions rest on scanty evidence, an analysis of archaism, style and repetitions across texts, driven by assumptions about likely evolution of ideas, and on presumptions about which philosophy might have influenced which other Indian philosophies.[7][9]

Olivelle states Prashna Upanishad "cannot be much older than the beginning of the common era".[10] Mahony suggests an earlier date, placing Prashna along with Maitri and Mandukya Upanishads, as texts that probably emerged about early fourth century BCE.[11] Phillips dates Prashna Upanishad as having been composed after Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Isha, Taittiriya and Aitareya, Kena Katha and Mundaka, but before Mandukya, Svetasvatara and Maitri Upanishads.[7] Ranade[12] posits a view similar to Phillips, with slightly different ordering, placing Prashna chronological composition in the fifth group of ancient Upanishads but after Svetasvatara Upanishad.

Structure edit

The Prashna Upanishad consists of six questions and their answers.[2] Except the first and the last Prashna, all other sections ask multiple questions. The pupils credited with the six questions are respectively Kabandhin Katyayana, Bhargava Vaidarbhi, Kausalya Asvalayana, Sauryayanin Gargya, Saibya Satyakama and Sukesan Bharadvaja.[2] Sage Pippalada is credited with giving the answers.[3]

The questions are not randomly arranged, but have an embedded structure. They begin with macrocosmic questions and then proceed to increasing details of microcosmic, thus covering both universals and particulars.[5]

Contents edit

Ethics before education in ancient schools edit

The opening verses of Prashna Upanishad describe students who arrive at a school seeking knowledge about Brahman (Ultimate Reality, Universal Self).[13] They ask sage Pippalada to explain this knowledge. He does not start providing answers for their education, but demands that they live with him ethically first, as follows,[13]

This preface is significant, states Johnston,[5] as it reflects the Vedic era belief that a student's nature and mind must first show a commitment, aspiration and moral purity before knowledge is shared.[15] Secondly, the method of first question by the student and then answer is significant, according to Johnston,[5] as it reflects an interactive style where the student has worked out the question for himself before he is provided an answer, in contrast to a lecture style where the teacher provides the questions and answers regardless of whether the student understands either.[16][17] The three ethical precepts emphasized in this verse of Prashna Upanishad are Tapas (austerity, perseverance, fervour), Brahmacharya (chastity, self-discipline) and Sraddha (faith, purity, calmness of mind).[5][16][18]

The second interesting part of the answer is the implicit admission by the teacher with "if we know", that he may not know the answer, and thus acknowledging a sense of skepticism and humility into the process of learning.[5][19]

How did life begin? - First Prashna edit

A year later, sage Pippalada is asked the first question, "whence are living beings created?" Verse 1.4 of Prashna Upanishad states the sage's answer, that Prajapati did Tapas (heat, meditative penance, austerity) and created two principles: Rayi (matter, feminine) and Prana (spirit, masculine), thinking that "these together will couple to produce for me creatures in many ways".[14][20] The sun is the spirit, matter is the moon, asserts Prashna Upanishad. Sun ascends the highest, alone in splendor, warms us, is the spirit of all creatures. He is Aditya, illuminates everything, states the first Prashna, and has two paths - the northern and the southern.[21] Those who desire offspring follow the guidance of sun's southern path, while those who seek the Self take the northern path, one of knowledge, brahmacharya, tapas and sraddha.[22]

The first chapter of Prashna Upanishad includes a number of symbolic mythological assertions. For e xample, it states that sun is ultimately the giver of rain and races in sky in the "chariot with seven wheels and six spokes".[23] This symbolism is also found in more ancient Vedic literature, and the seven wheels are: half years, seasons, months, half months, days, nights and muhurtas (मुहूर्त, a Vedic era division of time equaling 48 minutes and one muhurta was asserted to be 1/30 of a day).[23] The six spoke symbolism refers to the Vedic practice of describing sun as having six seasons, in contrast to five seasons for earth.(Here the Hemanta (Sanskrit: हेमन्त) and Shishira (Sanskrit: शिशिर, romanized: Śiśira) are considered as a combined season for winters.[24])[25]

The first section ends with verses 1.15 and 1.16 asserting that ethical living is necessary to realize the Atman-Brahman: Satya (truthfulness), Brahmacharya (chastity, celibacy if unmarried, fidelity if married), Tapas (austerity, meditation, perseverance), no Anrta (अनृत, falsehood, lying, deception, cheating)[26] no Jihma (जिह्म, moral crookedness, ethical obliqueness with an intent to not do the right thing),[27] and no Maya (माया, dissimulation, delusion, guile).[28][29]

What is a living being? - Second Prashna edit

The second Prashna starts with three questions, "how many Deva (gods, deities, powers) uphold a living being? how many manifest their power thus? and who is the best?".[30][31]

The question is significant because it explicitly expresses gods to be residing in each living being and in nature, to support life. This is widely interpreted by scholars,[30][32][33] given the context of answer that follows, to reflect the extant belief that deities express themselves in human beings and creatures through sensory organs and capabilities. The second significant aspect of the question is its structural construct, wherein the teacher is called Bhagavan, reflecting the Vedic culture of veneration and respect for teachers.[34] The Upanishad thus suggests multiple contextual meanings of the word Bhagavan. Such use of the term Bhagavan for teacher is repeated elsewhere, such as in the opening lines and verse 4.1 of the Prashna Upanishad, as well as in other Upanishads such as in verse 1.1.3 of the Mundaka Upanishad.[35]

Sage Pippalada opens the answers to the three questions by listing five gross elements, five senses and five organs of action as expression of deities.[31] In verses 2.3 and 2.4, the Prashna Upanishad states that Prana (breath, spirit) is the most essential and powerful of all, because without it all other deities cannot survive in a creature, they exist only when Prana is present. The deities manifest their power because of and in honor of Prana. The spirit manifests itself in nature as well as life, as Agni (fire), as sun, as air, as space, as wind, as that which has form and as that which does not have form.[36][37]

What is the nature of man, and how is it so? - Third Prashna edit

The third Prashna of the Upanishad asks six questions: (1) Whence is life born? (2) when born, how does it come into the body? (3) when it has entered the body, how does it abide? (4) how does it go out of the body? (5) how does life interface its relation with nature and senses? (6) how does life interface with Self?[38][39]

Sage Pippalada states that these questions are difficult, and given the student's past curiosities about Brahman, he explains it as follows,[40]

आत्मन एष प्राणो जायते

From the Atman (Self) is born this life.

— Prashna Upanishad 3.3,[38][39]

Life enters the body, states the Prashna Upanishad, by the act of mind. It governs the body by delegating work to other organs, sage Pippalada continues in verse 3.4, each specialized to do its own work independent of the other powers, just like a king commands his ministers to govern functions in the villages in his kingdom.[40] The Upanishad then enumerates a theory of human body that is found in older Vedic literature, such as the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad hymn II.1.19.[41] It asserts, for example, that human body has a heart as the principal organ of Self, from where arise 101 major arteries, each major artery divides into a hundred times, which in turn subdivide into 72,000 smaller arteries, giving a total of 727,210,201 small and large arteries, and that these arteries diffuse air throughout the body. It is this life-breath which interfaces Self to all organs and life in human body, states the Upanishad.[42]

The third Prashna uses symbolic phrases, relying on more ancient texts. It states, in verse 3.5 for example, that "seven lights" depend on air circulated by arteries in order to function, which is a phrase which means "two eyes, two ears, two nostrils and mouth".[41] Its answers to metaphysical questions are physiological, rather than philosophical.[3]

What establishes man? - Fourth Prashna edit

The first three Prashnas of the Upanishad focus on cause and effect of the transient, empirical, manifested world, remarks Eduard Roer.[43] The fourth through sixth Prasna of the Upanishad focus on the nature of Self, that which is unchanging and independent of cause, of proof, and is self-evident.[43]

The fourth Prashna lists five questions: (1) What sleeps in man? (2) What is awake therein (when he sleeps)? (3) Which Deva (god, deity, organ) in man is it that sees the dreams? (4) What is it in man that experiences happiness? (5) On what is all this founded?[44][45]

The Prashna Upanishad begins the answer with a simile to state the background of extant theory, before offering its own explanation. Like rays of the sun that withdraw into the disc as it sets and that disperse ever more as it rises, all gods (sensory organs) inside man withdraw and become one in the highest Deva named Manas (mind) when he sleeps.[45] Other people say, asserts the Upanishad, gods that reside inside man, other than the deity of mind, cease from work in this state of sleep, and in this state, the essence of a person, his Self sleeps. The Fourth Prashna of the Upanishad, thereafter presents "five fire" theory,[46] pointing out that Prana (breath, life-force) does not sleep, that the mind sacrifices food stored in the body with air provided by breath in order to serve the mind.[47] Dream, states the Prashna Upanishad, is a form of enjoyment for the mind, where it reconfigures and experiences again, in new ways, what it has seen before, either recently or in past, either this life or another birth, whether true or untrue (Shaccha-Ashaccha, सच्चासच्च), whether heard or unheard, whether pleasant or unpleasant. In dream, mind beholds all.[44][47][48]

There is a deep sleep state, states the Upanishad, where impressions end and the mind too sleeps without impressions, and this is the complete state of mind relaxation, of body happiness.[47][48] It is then when everything in a person retires into Atman-Brahman, including the matter and elements of matter, water and elements of water, light and elements of light, eye and what is visible, ear and what is audible, smell and the objects of smell, taste and objects of taste, touch and objects of touch, speech and objects of speech, sexuality and objects of its enjoyment, feet and what is moveable, hands and what is seizable, mind and the objects of mind, thought and objects of thought, reason and objects of reason, self-consciousness and objects of self-consciousness, insight and objects of illumination, life-force and object of life-force.[48][49]

After setting the foundation of its dream theory and deep-sleep theory, the Prashna Upanishad defines Atman as Purusha (Cosmic Self, Consciousness, Soil of all beings, Universal principle),[50]

एष हि द्रष्ट स्प्रष्टा श्रोता घ्राता रसयिता मन्ता बोद्धा कर्ता विज्ञानात्मा पुरुषः । स परेऽक्षर आत्मनि संप्रतिष्ठते ॥ ९ ॥

It is he who beholds, touches, hears, smells, tastes, perceives, thinks, reasons, conceives, acts, whose essence is knowledge, the Self. His foundation and dwelling is the supreme, indestructible Self.

— Prashna Upanishad, 4.9[51]

The Prashna Upanishad answers that happiness and bliss in man is this established calm state of knowing and dwelling in the Atman, the spiritual state of truth, beauty and goodness.[52]

What is meditation, and why meditate? - Fifth Prashna edit

The Prashna Upanishad opens the fifth section with the question: if a human being sincerely meditated on the symbol "Om" (Aum) until his death, what would he obtain by it?[53] The section then asserts that one meditates to know "Self" (Atman-Brahman), then metaphorically presents the different levels of meditation, the levels of knowledge gained, and the consequent effect on the person of such meditation in this and after life.[53]

The Upanishad asserts that there are three levels of Atma (Self) knowledge, the lowest level being partial from meditating on the first letter of Aum, that is A.[54] This leads to a quick rebirth, but with ethical strengths and consequently greatness.[55] The intermediate level of self-knowledge is akin to meditating on two letters of Aum, that is A and U.[53] The intermediate level of self-knowledge leads the man to gain ethical behavior and the world of Manas (moon, mind), he first enjoys the heavenly life and thereafter is reborn to the world of man.[54] The person who meditates on all aspects of self, that is all three syllables A, U and M, reaches full self-knowledge, is liberated from all suffering, sin and fears, reaches the world of Brahman. Such a man "beholds the Self as universal, pervading in all creatures, and eternal".[53][56]

The Prashna Upanishad symbolically likens the three states of knowledge to sets of three: being awake, dream-sleep and deep-sleep; three pronunciations - tara, mandra and madhyama. (true but high tone, unclear but pleasant-base tone, perfect middle-tone that is pleasant and true, respectively).[53]

What is immortal in man? - Sixth Prashna edit

The sixth Prashna in the Upanishad opens with a story of a prince visiting one of the student and asking, "where is the person with sixteen parts?" The student confesses he does not know, with the ethical precept, "answering with untruth, when one does not know the answer, is wrong".[57] The student asks sage Pippalada the same question. The sage answers, states the Upanishad, that he and every human being has sixteen parts.[58]

This answer is significant because more ancient texts of the Vedic era, such as the Samhitas, refer to Prajapati, the Lord of Creation, as Sodasin (Sanskrit: षोडशिन्) - which literally means, the one with sixteen parts.[58][59] Man, implies the sixth Prashna of the Upanishad, is created in Prajapati's image and innately lord of creation. The section states, Self is immortal.[60] Self-knowledge, the knowledge of Brahman, is the highest knowledge, state the closing verses of the Prashna Upanishad.[58][60]

Reception edit

Several Indian scholars reviewed and published their commentaries (bhasya) on Prashna Upanishad, including Adi Shankara and Madhvacharya. Both of them link the teachings in Prashna Upanishad to those in Mundaka Upanishad, another Upanishad that is embedded inside the Atharva Veda.[1]

The theosophist Johnston has compared quotes from Prashna Upanishad with those in Gospel of Matthew, in his examples of how there are parallels and similarities in Hindu and Christian theology.[61]

I.B. Horner quotes from Prashna Upanishad examples of how the teachings in Hindu Upanishads and early Buddhist Dhamma texts are similar.[62]

Halder includes Prasna Upanishad among the numerous ancient texts of India that is loaded with symbolism.[63]

Mlecko highlights Prashna Upanishad, among other Vedic literature, in his review of education system and the revered role of teachers (Guru) in Vedic era of Hinduism.[64]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Oxford University Press, pages xlii-xliii
  2. ^ a b c Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 378-390
  3. ^ a b c d e Raksha Bandhan, Raksha Bandhan{{|date=January 2018 }} Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal, pages 119-141
  4. ^ Eduard Roer, Prashna Upanishad[permanent dead link] Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal, pages 138 with footnote 1
  5. ^ a b c d e f Charles Johnston, The Mukhya Upanishads: Books of Hidden Wisdom, (1920-1931), The Mukhya Upanishads, Kshetra Books, ISBN 978-1495946530 (Reprinted in 2014), Archive of Prashna Upanishad, pages 46-51, 115-118
  6. ^ a b prazna Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon
  7. ^ a b c Stephen Phillips (2009), Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and Philosophy, Columbia University Press, ISBN 978-0231144858, Chapter 1
  8. ^ P Olivelle, 'Contributions to the Semantic History of Samnyasa' (Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 101, No. 3, 1981, pp. 265-274)
  9. ^ Patrick Olivelle (1996), The Early Upanishads: Annotated Text & Translation, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0195124354, Introduction Chapter
  10. ^ P Olivelle (1998), The Early Upanishads, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0195124354, page 13
  11. ^ WK Mahony (1987), Upanishads, in Jones, Lindsay, MacMillan Encyclopedia of Religion (2005), MacMillan, ISBN 978-0028659978, page 9483
  12. ^ RD Ranade, A Constructive Survey of Upanishadic Philosophy, Chapter 1, pages 13-18
  13. ^ a b c The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara's Commentary SS Sastri (Translator), pages 103-105
  14. ^ a b Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, page 378
  15. ^ CP Bhatta (2009), Holistic Personality Development through Education: Ancient Indian Cultural Experiences, Journal of Human Values, Vol. 15, No. 1, pages 49-59
  16. ^ a b MR Murty, Indian Philosophy: An Introduction, Broadview Press, Queens University, ISBN 978-1554810352, pages 39-40
  17. ^ Ronald Vale (2013), The value of asking questions, Mol. Biol. Cell, Vol. 24, No. 6, pages 680-682
  18. ^ For meaning of the Sanskrit words in Upanishads, see also: zraddha Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary, Cologne Sanskrit Digital Lexicon
  19. ^ RK Mishra (2000), Before the Beginning and After the End, ISBN 978-8171675012, Chapter 2
  20. ^ Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Verse 1.4, Oxford University Press, page 272
  21. ^ Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 378-379
  22. ^ Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Verse 1.4, Oxford University Press, verses 6, 9, 10 on pages 272-273
  23. ^ a b Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Verse 1.4, Oxford University Press, verses 6, 9, 10 on page 273
  24. ^ Prashnopanishad Chapter 1 : Prashna 1; verse 11(Mantra;11)
  25. ^ Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 380-381
  26. ^ anRta Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne University, Germany
  27. ^ jihma Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne University, Germany
  28. ^ Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Verse 1.15 and 1.16, Oxford University Press, pages 273-274
  29. ^ The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara's Commentary SS Sastri (Translator), verses 15 and 16 at pages 115-116
  30. ^ a b Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Second Question Verse 2.1, Oxford University Press, page 274
  31. ^ a b Eduard Roer, Prashna Upanishad[permanent dead link] Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal, page 127
  32. ^ Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 381
  33. ^ The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara's Commentary SS Sastri (Translator), pages 118-119
  34. ^ Prashna Upanishad 2.1 Wikisource, Quote: "भगवन् कत्येव देवाः प्रचां दिधारयन्ते कतर एतत् प्रकशयन्ते कः पुनरेषां वरिष्ठ इति"
  35. ^ R Prasad (2011), Know the Upanishads, ISBN 978-9381384756, page 90
  36. ^ Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Second Question Verse 2.1, Oxford University Press, pages 274-275
  37. ^ The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara's Commentary SS Sastri (Translator), pages 118-125
  38. ^ a b Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Third Question, Oxford University Press, page 276
  39. ^ a b Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 383
  40. ^ a b Eduard Roer, Prashna Upanishad - Third Prasna[permanent dead link] Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal, page 130
  41. ^ a b Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Second Question Verse 2.1, Oxford University Press, pages 276-278 with footnotes
  42. ^ Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 383-385
  43. ^ a b Eduard Roer, Prashna Upanishad - Fourth Prasna[permanent dead link] Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal, page 133 with footnote 1
  44. ^ a b Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Fourth Question, Oxford University Press, pages 278-279
  45. ^ a b Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 385-386
  46. ^ Garhapatya fire, Dakshinagni fire, Ahavanniya fire, Sabhyagni fire and Avasatyagni fire; see pages 133-134 with footnotes in Roer, Prashna Upanishad - Fourth Prasna[permanent dead link] Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal
  47. ^ a b c Eduard Roer, Prashna Upanishad - Fourth Prasna[permanent dead link] Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal, pages 133-135
  48. ^ a b c The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara's Commentary SS Sastri (Translator), pages 135-147
  49. ^ Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Fourth Question, Oxford University Press, pages 280-281
  50. ^ Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 387
  51. ^ The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara's Commentary SS Sastri (Translator), pages 148-149
  52. ^ Charles Johnston, The Mukhya Upanishads: Books of Hidden Wisdom, (1920-1931), The Mukhya Upanishads, Kshetra Books, ISBN 978-1495946530 (Reprinted in 2014), Archive of Prashna Upanishad, page 116, Theosophy Quarterly
  53. ^ a b c d e Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Fifth Question, Oxford University Press, pages 281-283
  54. ^ a b Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 387-389
  55. ^ Charles Johnston, The Mukhya Upanishads: Books of Hidden Wisdom, (1920-1931), The Mukhya Upanishads, Kshetra Books, ISBN 978-1495946530 (Reprinted in 2014), Archive of Prashna Upanishad, pages 117-118, Theosophy Quarterly
  56. ^ Eduard Roer, Prashna Upanishad[permanent dead link] Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal, pages 137-139
  57. ^ Max Muller, The Upanishads, Part 2, Prasna Upanishad, Sixth Question, Oxford University Press, pages 283-284
  58. ^ a b c Robert Hume, Prasna Upanishad, Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 388-390 with footnotes
  59. ^ SoDazin Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon
  60. ^ a b Eduard Roer, Prashna Upanishad[permanent dead link] Bibliotheca Indica, Vol. XV, No. 41 and 50, Asiatic Society of Bengal, pages 140-141
  61. ^ C Johnston, The Kingdom of Heaven and the Upanishads, The Open Court, Vol. XIX, No. 12, pages 705-716
  62. ^ IB Horner, Early Buddhist Dhamma, Artibus Asiae, Vol. 11, No. 1/2 (1948), pages 115-123
  63. ^ AK Haldar (1950), Symbolism in Indian Art and Religion, The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism Vol. 9, No. 2, pages 124-127
  64. ^ Joel D. Mlecko (1982), The Guru in Hindu Tradition, Numen, Vol. 29, Fasc. 1, pages 33-61
Bibliography

External links edit

 
Sanskrit Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Prashna Upanishad (Sanskrit text)
 
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Prasna Upanishad (English Translation)
  • Prasna Upanishad Max Muller (Translator), Oxford University Press
  • Prasna Upanishad Robert Hume (Translator), Oxford University Press
  • Prasnopnishad with Adi Shankara Commentary SS Sastri (Translator)
  • Multiple translations (Johnston, Nikhilānanda, Gambhirananda)
  • Prashna Upanishad Sanskrit PDF
  • Sri Aurobindo on Prashna Upanishad
  • The Prashna Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary Translated by S. Sitarama Sastri, online ebook
Recitation
  • Prashna Upanishad Chanting by Pt. Ganesh Vidyalankar

November 03, 2023
prashna, upanishad, prashnopanishad, sanskrit, रश, पन, षद, praśnopaniṣad, ancient, sanskrit, text, embedded, inside, atharva, veda, ascribed, pippalada, sakha, vedic, scholars, mukhya, primary, upanishad, listed, number, muktika, canon, upanishads, hinduism, m. The Prashnopanishad Sanskrit प रश न पन षद Prasnopaniṣad is an ancient Sanskrit text embedded inside Atharva Veda ascribed to Pippalada sakha of Vedic scholars 1 It is a Mukhya primary Upanishad and is listed as number 4 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads of Hinduism The Prashna Upanishad is a 1st millennium BCE Hindu text Above a manuscript page in Sanskrit Devanagari script The Prashna Upanishad contains six Prashna questions and each is a chapter with a discussion of answers 2 The chapters end with the phrase prasnaprativakanam which literally means thus ends the answer to the question 1 In some manuscripts discovered in India the Upanishad is divided into three Adhyayas chapters with a total of six Kandikas कण ड क short sections 3 The first three questions are profound metaphysical questions but states Eduard Roer 3 do not contain any defined philosophical answers are mostly embellished mythology and symbolism The first question gives a detailed philosophical and logical idea about the origin of life on earth and the description is one of the earliest concepts on Matter and energy The fourth section in contrast contains substantial philosophy The last two sections discuss the symbol Om and Moksha concept 3 Roer as well as Weber suggest that the last two Prashnas may be spurious later age insertion into the original Upanishad 4 Prashna Upanishad is notable for its structure and sociological insights into the education process in ancient India 5 The Upanishad is also known as the Prashnopanishad Sanskrit प रश न पन षद Prasnopaniṣad In some historic Indian literature and commentaries it is also called Shat Prasna Upanishad 1 Contents 1 Etymology 2 Chronology 3 Structure 4 Contents 4 1 Ethics before education in ancient schools 4 2 How did life begin First Prashna 4 3 What is a living being Second Prashna 4 4 What is the nature of man and how is it so Third Prashna 4 5 What establishes man Fourth Prashna 4 6 What is meditation and why meditate Fifth Prashna 4 7 What is immortal in man Sixth Prashna 5 Reception 6 References 7 External linksEtymology editPrashna प रश न literally means in modern usage question query inquiry 6 In ancient and medieval era Indian texts the word had two additional context dependent meanings task lesson and short section or paragraph with former common in Vedic recitations 6 In Prashna Upanishad all these contextual roots are relevant The text consists of questions with lessons and the sections of the Upanishad are also called prashna Chronology editThe Prashna Upanishad was probably composed in the second half of 1st millennium BCE likely after other Atharva Veda texts such as the Mundaka Upanishad but the precise chronology of Prasna Upanishad is unclear and contested 7 The Mundaka Upanishad for example writes Patrick Olivelle 8 is rather later era ancient Upanishad and is in all probability post Buddhist The chronology of Prasna Upanishad and other ancient India texts is difficult to resolve because all opinions rest on scanty evidence an analysis of archaism style and repetitions across texts driven by assumptions about likely evolution of ideas and on presumptions about which philosophy might have influenced which other Indian philosophies 7 9 Olivelle states Prashna Upanishad cannot be much older than the beginning of the common era 10 Mahony suggests an earlier date placing Prashna along with Maitri and Mandukya Upanishads as texts that probably emerged about early fourth century BCE 11 Phillips dates Prashna Upanishad as having been composed after Brihadaranyaka Chandogya Isha Taittiriya and Aitareya Kena Katha and Mundaka but before Mandukya Svetasvatara and Maitri Upanishads 7 Ranade 12 posits a view similar to Phillips with slightly different ordering placing Prashna chronological composition in the fifth group of ancient Upanishads but after Svetasvatara Upanishad Structure editThe Prashna Upanishad consists of six questions and their answers 2 Except the first and the last Prashna all other sections ask multiple questions The pupils credited with the six questions are respectively Kabandhin Katyayana Bhargava Vaidarbhi Kausalya Asvalayana Sauryayanin Gargya Saibya Satyakama and Sukesan Bharadvaja 2 Sage Pippalada is credited with giving the answers 3 The questions are not randomly arranged but have an embedded structure They begin with macrocosmic questions and then proceed to increasing details of microcosmic thus covering both universals and particulars 5 Contents editEthics before education in ancient schools edit The opening verses of Prashna Upanishad describe students who arrive at a school seeking knowledge about Brahman Ultimate Reality Universal Self 13 They ask sage Pippalada to explain this knowledge He does not start providing answers for their education but demands that they live with him ethically first as follows 13 तन ह स ऋष र वच भ य एव तपस ब रह मचर य ण श रद धय स वत सर स वत स यथ यथ क म प रश न न प च छत यद व ज ञ स य म सर व ह व वक ष य म इत To them then the Rishi sage said Dwell with me a year with Tapas with Brahmacharya with Sraddha faith Then ask what questions you will If we know we will tell you all Prashna Upanishad 1 2 13 14 This preface is significant states Johnston 5 as it reflects the Vedic era belief that a student s nature and mind must first show a commitment aspiration and moral purity before knowledge is shared 15 Secondly the method of first question by the student and then answer is significant according to Johnston 5 as it reflects an interactive style where the student has worked out the question for himself before he is provided an answer in contrast to a lecture style where the teacher provides the questions and answers regardless of whether the student understands either 16 17 The three ethical precepts emphasized in this verse of Prashna Upanishad are Tapas austerity perseverance fervour Brahmacharya chastity self discipline and Sraddha faith purity calmness of mind 5 16 18 The second interesting part of the answer is the implicit admission by the teacher with if we know that he may not know the answer and thus acknowledging a sense of skepticism and humility into the process of learning 5 19 How did life begin First Prashna edit A year later sage Pippalada is asked the first question whence are living beings created Verse 1 4 of Prashna Upanishad states the sage s answer that Prajapati did Tapas heat meditative penance austerity and created two principles Rayi matter feminine and Prana spirit masculine thinking that these together will couple to produce for me creatures in many ways 14 20 The sun is the spirit matter is the moon asserts Prashna Upanishad Sun ascends the highest alone in splendor warms us is the spirit of all creatures He is Aditya illuminates everything states the first Prashna and has two paths the northern and the southern 21 Those who desire offspring follow the guidance of sun s southern path while those who seek the Self take the northern path one of knowledge brahmacharya tapas and sraddha 22 The first chapter of Prashna Upanishad includes a number of symbolic mythological assertions For e xample it states that sun is ultimately the giver of rain and races in sky in the chariot with seven wheels and six spokes 23 This symbolism is also found in more ancient Vedic literature and the seven wheels are half years seasons months half months days nights and muhurtas म ह र त a Vedic era division of time equaling 48 minutes and one muhurta was asserted to be 1 30 of a day 23 The six spoke symbolism refers to the Vedic practice of describing sun as having six seasons in contrast to five seasons for earth Here the Hemanta Sanskrit ह मन त and Shishira Sanskrit श श र romanized Sisira are considered as a combined season for winters 24 25 The first section ends with verses 1 15 and 1 16 asserting that ethical living is necessary to realize the Atman Brahman Satya truthfulness Brahmacharya chastity celibacy if unmarried fidelity if married Tapas austerity meditation perseverance no Anrta अन त falsehood lying deception cheating 26 no Jihma ज ह म moral crookedness ethical obliqueness with an intent to not do the right thing 27 and no Maya म य dissimulation delusion guile 28 29 What is a living being Second Prashna edit The second Prashna starts with three questions how many Deva gods deities powers uphold a living being how many manifest their power thus and who is the best 30 31 The question is significant because it explicitly expresses gods to be residing in each living being and in nature to support life This is widely interpreted by scholars 30 32 33 given the context of answer that follows to reflect the extant belief that deities express themselves in human beings and creatures through sensory organs and capabilities The second significant aspect of the question is its structural construct wherein the teacher is called Bhagavan reflecting the Vedic culture of veneration and respect for teachers 34 The Upanishad thus suggests multiple contextual meanings of the word Bhagavan Such use of the term Bhagavan for teacher is repeated elsewhere such as in the opening lines and verse 4 1 of the Prashna Upanishad as well as in other Upanishads such as in verse 1 1 3 of the Mundaka Upanishad 35 Sage Pippalada opens the answers to the three questions by listing five gross elements five senses and five organs of action as expression of deities 31 In verses 2 3 and 2 4 the Prashna Upanishad states that Prana breath spirit is the most essential and powerful of all because without it all other deities cannot survive in a creature they exist only when Prana is present The deities manifest their power because of and in honor of Prana The spirit manifests itself in nature as well as life as Agni fire as sun as air as space as wind as that which has form and as that which does not have form 36 37 What is the nature of man and how is it so Third Prashna edit The third Prashna of the Upanishad asks six questions 1 Whence is life born 2 when born how does it come into the body 3 when it has entered the body how does it abide 4 how does it go out of the body 5 how does life interface its relation with nature and senses 6 how does life interface with Self 38 39 Sage Pippalada states that these questions are difficult and given the student s past curiosities about Brahman he explains it as follows 40 आत मन एष प र ण ज यत From the Atman Self is born this life Prashna Upanishad 3 3 38 39 Life enters the body states the Prashna Upanishad by the act of mind It governs the body by delegating work to other organs sage Pippalada continues in verse 3 4 each specialized to do its own work independent of the other powers just like a king commands his ministers to govern functions in the villages in his kingdom 40 The Upanishad then enumerates a theory of human body that is found in older Vedic literature such as the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad hymn II 1 19 41 It asserts for example that human body has a heart as the principal organ of Self from where arise 101 major arteries each major artery divides into a hundred times which in turn subdivide into 72 000 smaller arteries giving a total of 727 210 201 small and large arteries and that these arteries diffuse air throughout the body It is this life breath which interfaces Self to all organs and life in human body states the Upanishad 42 The third Prashna uses symbolic phrases relying on more ancient texts It states in verse 3 5 for example that seven lights depend on air circulated by arteries in order to function which is a phrase which means two eyes two ears two nostrils and mouth 41 Its answers to metaphysical questions are physiological rather than philosophical 3 What establishes man Fourth Prashna edit The first three Prashnas of the Upanishad focus on cause and effect of the transient empirical manifested world remarks Eduard Roer 43 The fourth through sixth Prasna of the Upanishad focus on the nature of Self that which is unchanging and independent of cause of proof and is self evident 43 The fourth Prashna lists five questions 1 What sleeps in man 2 What is awake therein when he sleeps 3 Which Deva god deity organ in man is it that sees the dreams 4 What is it in man that experiences happiness 5 On what is all this founded 44 45 The Prashna Upanishad begins the answer with a simile to state the background of extant theory before offering its own explanation Like rays of the sun that withdraw into the disc as it sets and that disperse ever more as it rises all gods sensory organs inside man withdraw and become one in the highest Deva named Manas mind when he sleeps 45 Other people say asserts the Upanishad gods that reside inside man other than the deity of mind cease from work in this state of sleep and in this state the essence of a person his Self sleeps The Fourth Prashna of the Upanishad thereafter presents five fire theory 46 pointing out that Prana breath life force does not sleep that the mind sacrifices food stored in the body with air provided by breath in order to serve the mind 47 Dream states the Prashna Upanishad is a form of enjoyment for the mind where it reconfigures and experiences again in new ways what it has seen before either recently or in past either this life or another birth whether true or untrue Shaccha Ashaccha सच च सच च whether heard or unheard whether pleasant or unpleasant In dream mind beholds all 44 47 48 There is a deep sleep state states the Upanishad where impressions end and the mind too sleeps without impressions and this is the complete state of mind relaxation of body happiness 47 48 It is then when everything in a person retires into Atman Brahman including the matter and elements of matter water and elements of water light and elements of light eye and what is visible ear and what is audible smell and the objects of smell taste and objects of taste touch and objects of touch speech and objects of speech sexuality and objects of its enjoyment feet and what is moveable hands and what is seizable mind and the objects of mind thought and objects of thought reason and objects of reason self consciousness and objects of self consciousness insight and objects of illumination life force and object of life force 48 49 After setting the foundation of its dream theory and deep sleep theory the Prashna Upanishad defines Atman as Purusha Cosmic Self Consciousness Soil of all beings Universal principle 50 एष ह द रष ट स प रष ट श र त घ र त रसय त मन त ब द ध कर त व ज ञ न त म प र ष स पर ऽक षर आत मन स प रत ष ठत ९ It is he who beholds touches hears smells tastes perceives thinks reasons conceives acts whose essence is knowledge the Self His foundation and dwelling is the supreme indestructible Self Prashna Upanishad 4 9 51 The Prashna Upanishad answers that happiness and bliss in man is this established calm state of knowing and dwelling in the Atman the spiritual state of truth beauty and goodness 52 What is meditation and why meditate Fifth Prashna edit The Prashna Upanishad opens the fifth section with the question if a human being sincerely meditated on the symbol Om Aum until his death what would he obtain by it 53 The section then asserts that one meditates to know Self Atman Brahman then metaphorically presents the different levels of meditation the levels of knowledge gained and the consequent effect on the person of such meditation in this and after life 53 The Upanishad asserts that there are three levels of Atma Self knowledge the lowest level being partial from meditating on the first letter of Aum that is A 54 This leads to a quick rebirth but with ethical strengths and consequently greatness 55 The intermediate level of self knowledge is akin to meditating on two letters of Aum that is A and U 53 The intermediate level of self knowledge leads the man to gain ethical behavior and the world of Manas moon mind he first enjoys the heavenly life and thereafter is reborn to the world of man 54 The person who meditates on all aspects of self that is all three syllables A U and M reaches full self knowledge is liberated from all suffering sin and fears reaches the world of Brahman Such a man beholds the Self as universal pervading in all creatures and eternal 53 56 The Prashna Upanishad symbolically likens the three states of knowledge to sets of three being awake dream sleep and deep sleep three pronunciations tara mandra and madhyama true but high tone unclear but pleasant base tone perfect middle tone that is pleasant and true respectively 53 What is immortal in man Sixth Prashna edit The sixth Prashna in the Upanishad opens with a story of a prince visiting one of the student and asking where is the person with sixteen parts The student confesses he does not know with the ethical precept answering with untruth when one does not know the answer is wrong 57 The student asks sage Pippalada the same question The sage answers states the Upanishad that he and every human being has sixteen parts 58 This answer is significant because more ancient texts of the Vedic era such as the Samhitas refer to Prajapati the Lord of Creation as Sodasin Sanskrit ष डश न which literally means the one with sixteen parts 58 59 Man implies the sixth Prashna of the Upanishad is created in Prajapati s image and innately lord of creation The section states Self is immortal 60 Self knowledge the knowledge of Brahman is the highest knowledge state the closing verses of the Prashna Upanishad 58 60 Reception editSeveral Indian scholars reviewed and published their commentaries bhasya on Prashna Upanishad including Adi Shankara and Madhvacharya Both of them link the teachings in Prashna Upanishad to those in Mundaka Upanishad another Upanishad that is embedded inside the Atharva Veda 1 The theosophist Johnston has compared quotes from Prashna Upanishad with those in Gospel of Matthew in his examples of how there are parallels and similarities in Hindu and Christian theology 61 I B Horner quotes from Prashna Upanishad examples of how the teachings in Hindu Upanishads and early Buddhist Dhamma texts are similar 62 Halder includes Prasna Upanishad among the numerous ancient texts of India that is loaded with symbolism 63 Mlecko highlights Prashna Upanishad among other Vedic literature in his review of education system and the revered role of teachers Guru in Vedic era of Hinduism 64 References edit a b c d Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Oxford University Press pages xlii xliii a b c Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 378 390 a b c d e Raksha Bandhan Raksha Bandhan date January 2018 Bibliotheca Indica Vol XV No 41 and 50 Asiatic Society of Bengal pages 119 141 Eduard Roer Prashna Upanishad permanent dead link Bibliotheca Indica Vol XV No 41 and 50 Asiatic Society of Bengal pages 138 with footnote 1 a b c d e f Charles Johnston The Mukhya Upanishads Books of Hidden Wisdom 1920 1931 The Mukhya Upanishads Kshetra Books ISBN 978 1495946530 Reprinted in 2014 Archive of Prashna Upanishad pages 46 51 115 118 a b prazna Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon a b c Stephen Phillips 2009 Yoga Karma and Rebirth A Brief History and Philosophy Columbia University Press ISBN 978 0231144858 Chapter 1 P Olivelle Contributions to the Semantic History of Samnyasa Journal of the American Oriental Society Vol 101 No 3 1981 pp 265 274 Patrick Olivelle 1996 The Early Upanishads Annotated Text amp Translation Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0195124354 Introduction Chapter P Olivelle 1998 The Early Upanishads Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0195124354 page 13 WK Mahony 1987 Upanishads in Jones Lindsay MacMillan Encyclopedia of Religion 2005 MacMillan ISBN 978 0028659978 page 9483 RD Ranade A Constructive Survey of Upanishadic Philosophy Chapter 1 pages 13 18 a b c The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara s Commentary SS Sastri Translator pages 103 105 a b Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press page 378 CP Bhatta 2009 Holistic Personality Development through Education Ancient Indian Cultural Experiences Journal of Human Values Vol 15 No 1 pages 49 59 a b MR Murty Indian Philosophy An Introduction Broadview Press Queens University ISBN 978 1554810352 pages 39 40 Ronald Vale 2013 The value of asking questions Mol Biol Cell Vol 24 No 6 pages 680 682 For meaning of the Sanskrit words in Upanishads see also zraddha Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary Cologne Sanskrit Digital Lexicon RK Mishra 2000 Before the Beginning and After the End ISBN 978 8171675012 Chapter 2 Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Verse 1 4 Oxford University Press page 272 Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 378 379 Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Verse 1 4 Oxford University Press verses 6 9 10 on pages 272 273 a b Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Verse 1 4 Oxford University Press verses 6 9 10 on page 273 Prashnopanishad Chapter 1 Prashna 1 verse 11 Mantra 11 Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 380 381 anRta Sanskrit English Dictionary Cologne University Germany jihma Sanskrit English Dictionary Cologne University Germany Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Verse 1 15 and 1 16 Oxford University Press pages 273 274 The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara s Commentary SS Sastri Translator verses 15 and 16 at pages 115 116 a b Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Second Question Verse 2 1 Oxford University Press page 274 a b Eduard Roer Prashna Upanishad permanent dead link Bibliotheca Indica Vol XV No 41 and 50 Asiatic Society of Bengal page 127 Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 381 The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara s Commentary SS Sastri Translator pages 118 119 Prashna Upanishad 2 1 Wikisource Quote भगवन कत य व द व प रच द ध रयन त कतर एतत प रकशयन त क प नर ष वर ष ठ इत R Prasad 2011 Know the Upanishads ISBN 978 9381384756 page 90 Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Second Question Verse 2 1 Oxford University Press pages 274 275 The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara s Commentary SS Sastri Translator pages 118 125 a b Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Third Question Oxford University Press page 276 a b Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 383 a b Eduard Roer Prashna Upanishad Third Prasna permanent dead link Bibliotheca Indica Vol XV No 41 and 50 Asiatic Society of Bengal page 130 a b Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Second Question Verse 2 1 Oxford University Press pages 276 278 with footnotes Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 383 385 a b Eduard Roer Prashna Upanishad Fourth Prasna permanent dead link Bibliotheca Indica Vol XV No 41 and 50 Asiatic Society of Bengal page 133 with footnote 1 a b Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Fourth Question Oxford University Press pages 278 279 a b Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 385 386 Garhapatya fire Dakshinagni fire Ahavanniya fire Sabhyagni fire and Avasatyagni fire see pages 133 134 with footnotes in Roer Prashna Upanishad Fourth Prasna permanent dead link Bibliotheca Indica Vol XV No 41 and 50 Asiatic Society of Bengal a b c Eduard Roer Prashna Upanishad Fourth Prasna permanent dead link Bibliotheca Indica Vol XV No 41 and 50 Asiatic Society of Bengal pages 133 135 a b c The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara s Commentary SS Sastri Translator pages 135 147 Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Fourth Question Oxford University Press pages 280 281 Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 387 The Prasnopanishad with Sri Shankara s Commentary SS Sastri Translator pages 148 149 Charles Johnston The Mukhya Upanishads Books of Hidden Wisdom 1920 1931 The Mukhya Upanishads Kshetra Books ISBN 978 1495946530 Reprinted in 2014 Archive of Prashna Upanishad page 116 Theosophy Quarterly a b c d e Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Fifth Question Oxford University Press pages 281 283 a b Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 387 389 Charles Johnston The Mukhya Upanishads Books of Hidden Wisdom 1920 1931 The Mukhya Upanishads Kshetra Books ISBN 978 1495946530 Reprinted in 2014 Archive of Prashna Upanishad pages 117 118 Theosophy Quarterly Eduard Roer Prashna Upanishad permanent dead link Bibliotheca Indica Vol XV No 41 and 50 Asiatic Society of Bengal pages 137 139 Max Muller The Upanishads Part 2 Prasna Upanishad Sixth Question Oxford University Press pages 283 284 a b c Robert Hume Prasna Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads Oxford University Press pages 388 390 with footnotes SoDazin Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon a b Eduard Roer Prashna Upanishad permanent dead link Bibliotheca Indica Vol XV No 41 and 50 Asiatic Society of Bengal pages 140 141 C Johnston The Kingdom of Heaven and the Upanishads The Open Court Vol XIX No 12 pages 705 716 IB Horner Early Buddhist Dhamma Artibus Asiae Vol 11 No 1 2 1948 pages 115 123 AK Haldar 1950 Symbolism in Indian Art and Religion The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism Vol 9 No 2 pages 124 127 Joel D Mlecko 1982 The Guru in Hindu Tradition Numen Vol 29 Fasc 1 pages 33 61 BibliographyPrashnopanishat Kannada translation by Sri Adidevananda publisher Ramakrishna Mission Mysore External links edit nbsp Sanskrit Wikisource has original text related to this article Prashna Upanishad Sanskrit text nbsp Wikisource has original text related to this article Prasna Upanishad English Translation Prasna Upanishad Max Muller Translator Oxford University Press Prasna Upanishad Robert Hume Translator Oxford University Press Prasnopnishad with Adi Shankara Commentary SS Sastri Translator Multiple translations Johnston Nikhilananda Gambhirananda Prashna Upanishad Sanskrit PDF Sri Aurobindo on Prashna Upanishad The Prashna Upanishad with Shankara s Commentary Translated by S Sitarama Sastri online ebookRecitationPrashna Upanishad Chanting by Pt Ganesh Vidyalankar Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Prashna Upanishad amp oldid 1155033237, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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