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PRASÑA-UPANISHAD.
FIRST QUESTION. Adoration to the Highest Self! Harih, Om!
1. Sukesas 1 Bhâradvâga?, and Saivya Satyakâma, and Sauryâyanin 3 Gârgya, and Kausalya 4 Âsvalayana, and Bhârgava Vaidarbhi, and Kabandhin Kâtyâyana, these were devoted to Brahman, firm in Brahman, seeking for the Highest Brahman. They thought that the venerable Pippalâda could tell them all that, and they therefore took fuel in their hands (like pupils), and approached him.
2. That Rishi said to them: 'Stay here a year longer, with penance, abstinence, and faith; then you may ask questions according to your pleasure, and if we know them, we shall tell you all.'
3. Then Kabandhin Kâtyâyana approached him and asked : 'Sir, from whence may these creatures be born?'
Sukesas seems better than Sukesan, and he is so called in the sixth Prasña, in MS. Mill 74.
* Bhâradvâga, Saivya, Gârgya, Âsvalâyana, Bhârgava, and Kâtyâyana are, according to Sankara, names of gotras or families.
8 Suryasyâpatyam Sauryah, tadapatyam Sauryâyanih. Dîrghah sulopas ka khandasa iti sa eva Sauryâyanî.
• Kausalyo nâmatah, kosalâyâm bhavo vâ.
• Vaidarbhi is explained as vidarbheh prabhavah, or Vidarbheshu prabhavah. Vidarbha, a country, south of the Vindhya mountains, with Kundina as its capital. Vaidarbha, a king of the Vidarbhas, is mentioned in the Ait. Brâhm. VII, 34. Vaidarbhi is a patronymic of Vidarbha. See B. R. S. v.
6 After the year was over.
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