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Prashna UpanishadPrashna Upanishad 2

Prashna Upanishad

Prashna Upanishad 2

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English · F. Max Müller

Then Bhârgava Vaidarbhi asked him: "Sir, How many gods keep what has thus been created, how many manifest this, and who is the best of them?"

2
English · F. Max Müller

He replied: "The ether is that god, the wind, fire, water, earth, speech, mind, eye, and ear. These, when they have manifested (their power), contend and say: We (each of us) support this body and keep it.

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English · F. Max Müller

Then Prâna (breath, spirit, life), as the best, said to them: Be not deceived, I alone, dividing myself fivefold, support this body and keep it.

4
English · F. Max Müller

They were incredulous; so he, from pride, did as if he were going out from above. Thereupon, as he went out, all the others went out, and as he returned, all the others returned. As bees go out when their queen goes out, and return when she returns, thus (did) speech, mind, eye, and ear; and, being satisfied, they praise Prâna, saying:

5
English · F. Max Müller

He is Agni (fire), he shines as Sûrya (sun), he is Parganya (rain), the powerful (Indra), he is Vâyu (wind), he is the earth, he is matter, he is God — he is what is and what is not, and what is immortal.

6
English · F. Max Müller

As spokes in the nave of a wheel, everything is fixed in Prâna, the verses of the Rig-veda, Yagur-veda, Sâma-veda, the sacrifice, the Kshatriyas, and the Brâhmans.

7
English · F. Max Müller

As Pragâpati (lord of creatures) thou movest about in the womb, thou indeed art born again. To thee, the Prâna, these creatures bring offerings, to thee who dwellest with the other prânas (the organs of sense).

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English · F. Max Müller

Thou art the best carrier for the Gods, thou art the first offering to the Fathers. Thou art the true work of the Rishis, of the Atharvângiras.

9
English · F. Max Müller

O Prâna, thou art Indra by thy light, thou art Rudra, as a protector; thou movest in the sky, thou art the sun, the lord of lights.

10
English · F. Max Müller

When thou showerest down rain, then, O Prâna, these creatures of thine are delighted, hoping that there will be food, as much as they desire.

11
English · F. Max Müller

Thou art a Vrâtya, O Prâna, the only Rishi, the consumer of everything, the good lord. We are the givers of what thou hast to consume, thou, O Mâtarisva, art our father.

12
English · F. Max Müller

Make propitious that body of thine which dwells in speech, in the ear, in the eye, and which pervades the mind; do not go away!

13
English · F. Max Müller

All this is in the power of Prâna, whatever exists in the three heavens. Protect us like a mother her sons, and give us happiness and wisdom."

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Prashna Upanishad 2English
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Prashna Upanishad

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Translated by F. Max Müller, The Upanishads, Sacred Books of the East vols. 1 (1879) and 15 (1884), Oxford: Clarendon Press. Public domain. Transcribed by English Wikisource volunteers. · Source ↗

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