Chandogya Upanishad 4.2.3-4.3.1 Lecture 131 on 23 August 2025 Q&A

Q&A Session with Swami D

Initial Clarification and Question

Student: Maharaj, one point to confirm and a question. In Taittiriya Upanishad we talked about Annam and then the Samashti was Annam Brahma. Correct?

Maharaj: Prithvi. Anna Devata, Prithvi Devata are synonymous words.

Student: And then here we are saying Prana versus its Samashti is Vayu Devata.

Maharaj: Yes.

Student: My question is actually, here in this Samvarga Vidya Prana is explained to be subtler than both the body and mind. Whereas in the Panchakosha system model, Manomaya Kosha is subtler than Pranamaya Kosha. How do I understand, how do I reconcile this difference?

Maharaj's Explanation: Understanding Different Perspectives

Maharaj: There is no difference at all, no difficulty at all. So what we need to understand – two different views, two Rishis talking in two different ways.

So Prana means energy. Yes. Have you seen ever electricity which we are using everyday?

Student: No.

The Electricity Analogy

Maharaj: One less brainy fellow challenged one of our Swamis, "But I can know whether there is electricity or not."

So the Swami said, "How do you know it?"

"Well, I will go into the plug point and put my finger into it. I know."

Swami said, "Correction, you will not know, we will know."

Prana as Universal Energy

Maharaj: Same with Prana also. Electricity is nothing but manifestation of Prana. Energy, any type of energy is Prana. So, even for the air to move, Prana is necessary. Yes. Any movement, any activity requires energy. Yeah. That is why Divine Mother is called Shakti.

Student: Oh, yeah. Okay.

The Key Understanding: Mind Depends on Prana

Maharaj: Which means any mind activity also requires Prana. If you don't have energy, can your mind function?

Student: No.

Maharaj: Then why is mind explained to be subtler than Prana? Actually, Prana is subtler than the mind.

Student: Yeah, that makes sense. Not that mind is subtler than Prana.

The Sushupti Example

Maharaj: That is why the example, Raikva gives beautiful example: when a person goes into Sushupti state, mind itself is not manifest. But what is maintaining the mind? Prana.

Student: Ah.

Maharaj: Not to speak of the body, it maintains both the Sukshma Sarira and Sthula Sarira, both, because we find ourselves alive after we wake up. That means somebody is maintaining them and that is called Prana Shakti.

Student's Further Reflection

Student: It makes me wonder if in the Panchakosha, then Pranamaya should come after Manomaya.

Final Clarification: Context Matters

Maharaj: But in a different way, as I said, sometimes you know, they put it that way, and this way. We have to understand according to the context.

Student: Sure, Thank you Maharaj!