Chandogya Upanishad 4.1.3-8 Lecture 129 on 16 August 2025 Q&A

Q&A Session with Swami D

Question 1: Vayudevata in Samvarga Vidya

Student: Maharaj, in Samvarga Vidya, Vayudevata is Hiranyagarbha or equivalent to Sagunabrahma here?

Maharaj: Yes, correct. Hiranyagarbha, Ishwara, they are called Sagunabrahma.

The Three Aspects of Sagunabrahma

Maharaj: They are two, three aspects. When we look from the body's point of view, Sagunabrahma is called?

Student: Virat.

Maharaj: And when we look from the mind's point of view or subtle body's point of view?

Student: Hiranyagarbha.

Maharaj: And when we look from the causal point of view?

Student: Ishwara.

Maharaj: Yes. It is not that there are three persons, three outlooks from which point of view we are talking about.

Student: Sure Maharaj.

Question 2: Prana and Deep Sleep State

Student: And then in the deep sleep explanation that was mentioned, Prana was identified with causal body.

Maharaj: The idea is the body is not functioning as it were, at least we don't know whether the body is alive or not, isn't it?

Student: Yes.

Maharaj: We don't know whether mind is functioning or not.

Student: Yes.

Maharaj: When something doesn't function, do you know whether it exists or not?

Student: No.

The Role of Prana in Deep Sleep

Maharaj: So when we wake up, what do we find? Both are functioning. So what keeps the body functioning? Prana. What keeps the mind also or Sukshma Sarira functioning? Prana.

So therefore what is the Sushupti state? It is where Prana is there, consciousness is there. Both are there.

Student: Sure. Thanks Maharaj!