The Wisdom of Questions: Exploring the Prashna Upanishad

By Mr Hem Raj Sharma Jayalwal

THE WISDOM OF QUESTIONS
EXPLORING THE PRASHNA UPANISHAD
"The Questions of Pippalāda: A Journey through the Prashna
Upanishad" is a contemporary exploration of one of the most profound spiritual dialogues in the Vedic tradition. Rooted in the Prashna Upanishad, this book brings alive the journey of six sincere seekers who approach Sage Pippalāda with deep philosophical questions-not for curiosity, but for liberation.
At the heart of this ancient text is not merely the transmission of knowledge but a process of transformation. The sage does not offer instant answers. He lays down a condition-one year of disciplined living, consisting of brahmacharya (celibacy), śraddhā (faith), and tapas (austerity)-before the questions may even be asked. This sets the tone for the book's central theme: true wisdom must be earned through inner purification, not simply acquired intellectually.
Each of the six questions forms the structure of the main chapters. These questions explore:
The Origin of Beings-How creation arises from prāṇa (vital energy) and rayi (matter), and how the universe itself breathes with cyclical rhythms of life and rest.
The Nature of Prāṇa (Life Force): - A deep dive into the workings of prāṇa and its five forms within the human body, showing how life is sustained and harmonised through subtle energies.
The Path of the Departing Soul - What happens after death? This chapter explores the journey of the soul, the distinction between those who attain immortality and those who return to the cycle of rebirth.
The Power of Meditation and Sound - How the practice of meditating on Om (ॐ) acts as a spiritual bow, helping the seeker (the arrow) reach the Absolute (Brahman). This metaphor illustrates the sacred science of concentration and yogic realization.
The Secret of Om (continued) - A further breakdown of the syllable Om and its layers of meaning-how the threefold utterance leads to different realms of realization, from the empirical to the transcendental.
The Supreme Being and Liberation - The final question reaches the summit: Who is the supreme Purusha? What is the ultimate purpose of life? The answer reveals the imperishable essence behind all forms-the Brahman, beyond time, space, and causality.
Interwoven with these teachings is a portrait of Sage Pippalāda himself-not as a mythical figure, but as a master of Brahma Vidya who demands silence, discipline, and receptivity from his students. His legacy is profound: he does not just provide answers-he prepares seekers to become vessels worthy of receiving truth.
The book emphasizes the symbolism and spiritual relevance of each teaching, making ancient metaphors accessible to modern minds. The approach is philosophical, poetic, and contemplative, with reflections on how these ancient insights apply to today's fast-paced, information-saturated world.
In the final chapters, the reader is left not just with information, but with invitation-to become a seeker like the six students, to cultivate the inner soil where truth may take root. In a world dominated by quick solutions and superficial answers, "The Questions of Pippalāda" reminds us that the deepest answers are not given-they are grown.
This book is ideal for:
Students of Vedanta and Indian philosophy
Practitioners of yoga and meditation
Spiritual seekers longing for depth
Readers looking to bridge ancient wisdom with modern life
Ultimately, this is not just a book about six questions and their answers. It is a mirror for our quest, a gentle nudge to pause, reflect, and remember that wisdom does not just know it is being.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FLF2XFKX
• ISBN13: 9798296495457
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"