This 10-week online Zoom course meets every Monday @ 10:00am-11:00am EST beginning January 29 and ending April 1. All sessions are recorded and available to participants.

The Prashna Upanishad, which translates to ‘Question Upanishad,’ consists of six chapters. It provides answers to questions posed by six different Rishis to the knowledgeable Pippalada Rishi. The discussions within cover fundamental aspects of spiritual functioning within the body, such as Prana-Apana (breathing in and breathing out), and other related Pranas like Vyana, Samana, and Udana. Additionally, topics include the stages of sleep and wakefulness, the major components of our being, the journey after death, and the paths of Devayana and Pitriyana—the Path of the Gods and Forefathers.

  1. Introduction to Atharvaveda Upanishads: Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, etc.
  2. Prashna 1: Kabandhi Katyayana asked Pippalada Rishi: “Where are these beings coming from?”
  3. On Prana and Rayi, [Agni and Soma of the Veda]
  4. Prashna 2: Bhargava Vaidarbhi’s questions : “How many Gods maintain and illumine this creature?” On the Gods as manifestation of Prana.
  5. Prashna 3: Kausalya Ashvalayana: ‘Where is this Prana from and how is it distributed in the body?’ On Five major Pranas in the body.
  6. Prashan 4: Sauryayani Gargya’s question: “In this Purusha who sleeps and who is awake?”
  7. Prashan 4 part 2: On Five Pranas and their roles in the spiritual awakening.
  8. Prashna 5: Shaivya Satyakama: “By meditating on OM in the process of death where do we go?”
  9. Prashna 6: Sukesha Bharadvaja: “Who is the Being and what are the 16 parts of Him?”
  10. Conclusion and overview of major Upanishads.

About Instructor

Dr. Vladimir Yatsenko

Dr. Vladimir Yatsenko is the Director of the Institute for Applied Research in Integral Studies at the Sri Aurobindo Integral Life Center. He holds a master’s degree in Linguistics and in Sanskrit Language and Literature and a PhD in Indian Philosophy. Dr. Yatsenko is an instructor of Sanskrit and an educator and researcher in Vedic and Vedantic studies.

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Course Includes

  • 10 Lessons

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