Sunday, March 05, 2006
Chhandogya Upanishad - the name?
Sriman Frank from San Deigo asked an interesting question about Chhandogya Upanishad.
"I am studying the Chhandogya Upanishad and wondered if anyone on this list can give me the definition of 'Chhandogya'. I have been fortunate to read many of the Upanishads and know that they are named by the first word of the writing or of the rishi that is the author. Yet, in this case of Chhandogya, I have doubt. Thank you in advance if you can advise me accordingly. Sarvam Khalv idam Brahma,- Chhandogya
Upanishad"
Swamiji's reply:
"JAI SRIMANNARAYANA PRIYA FRANK! WE ARE HAPPY FOR THE CURIOSITY YOU HAVE. THE NAMES OF THE UPANISHADS CAME IN DIFFERENT WAYS. SOME CAME BY THE FIRST WORD THEY HAVE VIZ., I:SA, KE:NA ETC., SOME NAMES CAME BY THE PERSONS WHO CHANTED THOSE PARTS OF THE VEDAS - KATTHA AND CHHANDO:GYA NAMES CAME LIKE THAT. THE PART OF SA:MA VE:DA, WHICH WAS CHANTED AND PROTECTED FROM GENERATIONS TOGETHER BY ORAL TRADITION, BY THE SCHOLARS CALLED 'CHHANDO:GAS', BECAME 'CHHANDO:GYO:PANISHAD'. HENCE, THIS NAME CAME AFTER THE SCHOLARS WHO WERE CHANTING IT." ¶ 8:40 PM
Shvetaketu learns about death from the Chhandogya Upanishad
Sriman Frank from San Deigo asked an interesting question about Chhandogya Upanishad.
"I am studying the Chhandogya Upanishad and wondered if anyone on this list can give me the definition of 'Chhandogya'. I have been fortunate to read many of the Upanishads and know that they are named by the first word of the writing or of the rishi that is the author. Yet, in this case of Chhandogya, I have doubt. Thank you in advance if you can advise me accordingly. Sarvam Khalv idam Brahma,- Chhandogya
Upanishad"
Swamiji's reply:
"JAI SRIMANNARAYANA PRIYA FRANK! WE ARE HAPPY FOR THE CURIOSITY YOU HAVE. THE NAMES OF THE UPANISHADS CAME IN DIFFERENT WAYS. SOME CAME BY THE FIRST WORD THEY HAVE VIZ., I:SA, KE:NA ETC., SOME NAMES CAME BY THE PERSONS WHO CHANTED THOSE PARTS OF THE VEDAS - KATTHA AND CHHANDO:GYA NAMES CAME LIKE THAT. THE PART OF SA:MA VE:DA, WHICH WAS CHANTED AND PROTECTED FROM GENERATIONS TOGETHER BY ORAL TRADITION, BY THE SCHOLARS CALLED 'CHHANDO:GAS', BECAME 'CHHANDO:GYO:PANISHAD'. HENCE, THIS NAME CAME AFTER THE SCHOLARS WHO WERE CHANTING IT." ¶ 8:40 PM
