Book Title: World of Philosophy
Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan
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vākya-bhāṣya (abhihitānvaya-vāda, as propounded by the Mimämsaka Kumārila Bhaṭṭa). For instance, while commenting upon the first verse of the first part he says that the nature of the Self cannot be explained in Karmakända, as the latter is opposed to the former.
The Mundaka Upanisad belongs to the mantra portion of the Atharva Veda. Though it is written in verse, it is not, like other mantras, to be used for sacrificial purposes. Its only object is to teach the highest knowledge, the knowledge of Brahman, which cannot be obtained either by sacrifice or by worship (upāsana). It distinguishes between para and aparā vidyās. The title of the Upanisad is derived from 'mu??; suggesting that the one who becomes at home with the teachings of the Upanisad becomes a 'mundi, free from ignorance. Its three chapters are called 'mundakam'. The title of the Upanisad is a bit strange, because 'mundaka', in its popular sense, is used as a term of reproach for Buddhist mendicants, in opposition to the Brahmins, who dress their hair carefully. Perhaps it was the work of a person who was a'mundaka', and yet faithful to the Brahmanic order.
The Praśna Upanisad belongs to the Brahma?a portion of Atharva Veda and expands the teachings of the Mundaka. The name of the Upanisad is derived from the episode of six sons of Rsis asking questions from Pippalāda. The first question has been asked by Katyāyana Kaba?dhi about the birth of praja' (the offspring). The second one is asked by Bhargava of Vidarbha about the primary deities of the 'prajā. Āśvalāyana Kausalya asks the third question about the origin and movement of prāna. Gargya, the grandson of Sun, asks about the sense-organs and their states in the body. Satyakāma, the son of Śibi, asks about the region attained by worshipping the Sun. The last question is asked by Sukeśā, son of Bharadvaja, about the Person to whom belong the sixteen kalās
The Praśna Upanisad has enumerated four foundation-stones for the attainment of Brahmanhood. They are - faith (śraddha), celebacy (brahmacarya), penance (tapa) and patience (dhairya).
The Aitareya Upanisad forms chapters 4 to 6 of the second āranyaka of Aitareya Brāhmaṇa of the Rg Veda. The preceding chapters deal with sacrificial ceremonies. The purpose of this Upanisad is to lead the mind away from the outer ceremonial to its inner meaning (Brahma-vidya). All true sacrifice is inward. The first chapter of the Upanisad tells us that in the beginning there was one Atman. It thought to be many. The second chapter advocates self-knowledge to be the lone path for salvation. The third chapter tells us about the nature of Brahman as knowledge - prajñāna? Brahma. This upaniṣadis said to be the work of an inspired Ṛsi called Mahidāsa Aitareya who descended from Itara (extra) or Itara, one of the many wives of a sage
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