Krishjan

Chapter 2 — Second Question

Prashna

13 Shloka • Translation Only

Then Bhārgava Vaidarbhi approached and asked: “Revered Sir, how many deities sustain and uphold a living being? Which of them illumine and make it function? And which among them is the greatest?”

To him, the sage replied: “Space (Ākāśa), Air (Vāyu), ,b>Fire (Agni), Water (Āpas), Earth (Pṛthivī), Speech (Vāk), Mind (Manas), Eye (Cakṣus), and Ear (Śrotra)—these indeed are the deities. Having manifested their powers, they declared: ‘By supporting this body, we uphold and sustain it.’”

Then Prāṇa, the chief among them, said: “Do not fall into delusion. It is I alone who, dividing myself into five forms, support and sustain this body.” But they did not believe him.

Then, as if out of pride, Prāṇa made as though he were about to depart from the body. As he began to depart, all the other faculties also began to depart. And when he settled back into his place, all of them likewise became established again. Just as bees follow the queen bee when she flies away, and settle down when she returns, so too did speech, mind, eye, and ear follow Prāṇa. Pleased and convinced, they then began to praise Prāṇa.

This Prāṇa is the fire that burns. This is the Sun. This is the rain-bearing cloud (Parjanya). This is Maghavan (Indra). This is Vāyu (the wind). This is the Earth. This is Rayi (matter). This is the deity. And this is all that is manifest and unmanifest, as well as the immortal.

Just as the spokes are fixed in the hub of a wheel, so is everything established in Prāṇa. In Prāṇa are established the Ṛg Veda, Yajur Veda, and Sāma Veda; sacrifice (yajña), kṣatra (power and rulership), and brahma (spiritual wisdom and sacred knowledge).

O Prāṇa, You move within the womb as Prajāpati. You alone are born again as the living being. To You, O Prāṇa, all these creatures offer their tribute, for it is through You that they are established and sustained.

You are the foremost carrier of offerings to the gods. For the ancestors, You are the first oblation (Svadhā). You are the true essence of the sages’ way of life. And You are the sacred power of the Atharvāṅgirasa seers.

O Prāṇa, You are Indra through Your power and majesty. You are Rudra, the protector and guardian. You move through the mid-region of space (Antarikṣa). You are the Sun, the lord of all lights.

When You, O Prāṇa, pour down rain, then these creatures rejoice and live in gladness, thinking: “There will be food in abundance to fulfill our needs and desires.”

O Prāṇa, You are the Vrātya (the primordial and sacred One), the sole seer, and the enjoyer of the offerings. You are the lord and protector of all that exists. May we be the givers of offerings to You. O Mātariśvan, You are our father.

That form of Yours which is established in speech, that which is in the ear, that which is in the eye, and that which pervades the mind— make that form auspicious and benevolent. Do not depart from us.

All this is under the control of Prāṇa— everything that is established in the three worlds. Protect us as a mother protects her children. Bestow upon us prosperity (Śrī) and wisdom (Prajñā).