iv of all the creatures but also their immediate cause in the forth of time, parents, food and seed. The sage of the Praśnopa- nişad counsels that the practices of austerity, continence, and truthfulness and the avoidance of craftiness, falsehood and crookedness, are helpful in attaining Brahman. These are indeed the characteristics of the Devayāna : these the inner or spiritual features of the path that leads to Brahman. These characteristics have already been mentioned in the Kenopanişad and the Kathopanişad. Thus the first praśna indicates the nature of the Tattva as the Source and sustention (cf. Janmadyasya yatah S.S. 1. 1. 2) of all: it is the Hita and the Goal of man (puruşartha). The Second Question pertains to the powers (devāḥ) that are the constituents of the body or rather in the body and their relation to the Breath (Prāņa). The Sage intimates by means of a parable that the Breath is the supreme principle that up- holds all the constitnents of the body and the soul together. This answer clearly reveals the difference or distinctness of the soul from the body and sense-organs Breath is the supreme principle of life and it is that which keeps the soul and the body together. When that departs the soul and body fall apart. That is the reason why the Prāņa or Breath must be preserved by means of the practise oſ austerity, continence: truthfulness, and others already mentioned. The Third question refers to a very subtle point, a point that is indicated by the opening remarks of the Sage. The question is divided into six parts. The answer to the first part reiterates what has been intimated in the reply to the first question (prašna). The Prăņa is born of the Atman ; Prajā- pati is the identified in this part of the third question with the Atman. The second part refers to the mode of entry of the präna into the body of the creature The answer is that it enters the body even like the mind without any effort (on the part of the body or soul). Sri Sankarācārya takes manokrta as a compound word meaning on account of action done According to the bent of the mind.' The answer to the third
