The verse and its meaning · Upanishads · Prashna · Where Creatures Come From

The Solar Cycle

Prashna Upanishad 1.6

अथादित्य उदयन्यत्प्राचीं दिशं प्रविशति तेन प्राच्यान् प्राणान् रश्मिषु सन्निधत्ते । यद्दक्षिणां यत् प्रतीचीं यदुदीचीं यदधो यदूर्ध्वं यदन्तरा दिशो यत् सर्वं प्रकाशयति तेन सर्वान् प्राणान् रश्मिषु सन्निधत्ते

Meaning · English

When the sun rises in the east, it gathers the eastern life-forces into its beams. As it lights every direction, it collects all life-forces.

The sun acts as a cosmic magnet for life-energy. As it moves across the sky, its light reaches into every corner of space, from the zenith to the nadir. In this process, the sun draws the breath or vital spirits back into its rays. This describes how the active energy of life is linked to the solar cycle and the movement of light through the physical world.

Think of a large sponge soaking up water as it is moved across a wet table. The sponge represents the sun's rays, and the water represents the vital breath. Just as the sponge leaves the surface dry by absorbing the liquid, the sun gathers the scattered life-forces as it passes over the earth.

अर्थ · हिन्दी

In this book

• Before: The Two Foundations · Prashna Upanishad 1.4
• Next: The Universal Life Fire · Prashna Upanishad 1.7
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