16 PRASNOPANISHAD-BHASYA 1. :4. The day and night indeed are Prajāpati. His day time is breath. His night is rayi. Those who enjoy sexually during day time waste their breath ; (whereas) sexual enjoy- ment during night time is Brahmacarya itself. COMMENTARY This same division (into breath and rayi) (Pippalada) shews in respect of day and night for the sake of meditation (upāsana). ahorātro vai : the meaning is clear, Because day time is of the form of breath, therefore ratya : for sexual enjoyment. Here the instrumental case is used to denote the cause which is here the end ye divă samyujyante ete: by the day which is the breath those who have intercourse with women-these, pranam vai: the breath itself praskandanti : dry up very much. Due to misuse of breath they kill breath itself. Raising the question 'If so' the householders (grhastha) should not approach their wives (at al!), (Pippalāda) replies (now) that they could approach their wives) during night times. brahmacaryam eva: indeed it is continence. Intercourse with women during night times is coutinence itself. It cannot be called copulation (maithunam), that is, it does not cause any harm. I. 14. Annam vai Prajapatis tato ha vai tad retas tasmad imah prajah prajāyanta iti. Food indeed is Prajapati. From Him verily the semen. From it come forth these creatures. COMMENTARY: Raising the question as to how Brahnan who is of the form of matter, soul and time, can be said to be the material cause since it is seen that this semen which is an evolute of
