Prasna Upanishad - Signifiance of Question 4 Shloka 2

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Background:

This is a commentary on the Question 4 i.e. concerning sleep and the ultimate basis of things. There was a question on the significance of Shloka 2 of this part.

 

Overview:

In order to explain the significance of this aspect, we need to look at the entire Prasna Upanisad and understand the significance of the same.


From my interpretation, Surya / Sun is employed to signify the Bhagwan / Brahman who embodies the Jivaatma and Paramatma. In the 1st question, Sun is identified with Life (Q1, Shloka 5).


Q1 Shloka 7 provides the most important aspect of the life i.e. Vaisvanara fire, with Q1 Shloka 8 identifying Surya udaya and astamana as equivalent analogies of human life.

 

Question 2 i.e. Q2 Shloka 1 is very important from a contextual point of view. Here, various indriyas and karmendriyas are highlighted to be parts of the body.

 

Question 3 is very important as it explains the out-breath, in-breath and the balancing equalising breath.

 

Explanation

Coming to the Question and shloka of significance, one can consider the explanation as thus:

  • Human life is a continuous Yagna / Sacrificial fire
  • When a human wakes up, the fire starts and continues till end of the day
  • When a human sleeps, this fire is not extinguished, but more like Arni i.e. Hidden warm wooden ambers
  • Since Sun is employed to signify the Brahman, the rays of the sun are used to signify the daily functions
  • When they converge i.e. Asthamana, it is equated to sleep
  • When the fire is completely internal, in equilibrium, we are closer to Brahman / Bhagwan
  • In this state, Indriyas don't function - Hence, the author states that hears not, speaks not, talks not etc..

 

In the subsequent shloka i.e. Q4 Shloka 3, "the fires of life remain awake.. " signify the ARNI i.e. Hidden fire

 

Q4 Shloka 4 further emphasizes the Yagna aspect by saying that sacrificer is lead every-day to Brahman.

If we join all these pieces together, Q4 Shloka 2 could be summarised as deep sleep = being one with Brahman = All rays of sun converging to a single point when it sets = MIND

 

Q4 Shloka 5 further enhances this aspect by explaining about dreams

 

Additional References

The concept of life / human life as being extension of Bhagwan is given multiple times in Srimad Bhagwatham and Vishnu Purana

 

  • In Vishnu Purana Canto 1, this concept is very succinctly explained by Parashara as well as Prahalaada to his father.
  • Canto 1, Chapter 22 - Detailed explanation as to how Bhagwan takes different forms during different phases of Loka and how the civilization is created
  • Canto 1, Chapter 19 - 21: Prahalada explanation to his Gurus and Father about omnipresent Bhagwan

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