Prashna Upanishad: Six Students, Six Metaphysical Questions...

The Upanishads are a collection of texts which contain the central philosophical concepts of Hinduism. They explore the concepts of Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and Atman (Soul, Self), which are the spiritual core of Hinduism.

The Upanishads, along with the Gita and the Brahmasutras, are considered the principal source texts of Hinduism. And being such, an in-depth study of these texts gives the reader a deep, clear insight into the nature of Brahman and Atman, thus firmly sowing in the heart the seeds of self-discovery. Properly nurtured, these seeds eventually grow into the grand tree of self-knowledge, culminating in self-realization, which is the final goal of all human life, and the climax of man's evolution!

The Prashna Upanishad is a Mukhya (Primary) Upanishad, embedded in the Atharvaveda. It is number 4 in the list of Primary Upanishads per the Muktika Canon.

It derives its name from the six metaphysical questions that the six disciples of Sage Pippalada ask him. From question one through six, there is a clear, step-wise ascension from the basic or gross to the subtle metaphysical questions of life. Each question is beautifully answered by Sage Pippalada through a combination of mythological stories, symbolism, poetic analogies and instructions. Various ideas around one central theme intertwine and flow smoothly, right up to the climactic end where the final theme is clearly stated by Pippalada “Only thus far do I know Brahman – that there is nothing higher than Him!” (6-8)

Continue your journey into the world of Upanishads with the Prashna Upanishad. This is a journey of self-realization from which there is no turning back!