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Second
Question
1. Then Bhargava Vaidarbhi asked him: 'Sir, How many
gods keep what has thus been created, how many manifest
this, and who is the best of them?'
2.
He replied: 'The ether is that god, the wind, fire,
water, earth, speech, mind, eye, and ear. These when
they have manifested (their power), conten~ and say
: We (each of us) support this body and keep it.
3.
Then Prana (breath, spirit, life), as the best, said
to them: Be not deceived, I alone, dividing myself fivefold,
support this body and keep it.
4.
They were incredulous; so he, from pride, did as if
he were going out from above. Thereupon, as he went
out, all the others went out, and as he returned, all
the others returned. As bees go out when their queen
goes out, and return when she returns, thus (did) speech,
mind, eye, and car; and, being satisfied, they praise
Prana, saying:
5.
He is Agni (fire), he shines as Surya (sun), he is Parganya
(rain), the powerful (Indra), he is Vayu (wind), he
is the earth, he is matter, he is God - he is what is
and what is not, and what is immortal.
6.
As spokes in the nave of a wheel, everything is fixed
in Prana, the verses of the Rig-veda, Yagur-veda, Sama-veda,
the sacrifice, the Kshatriyas, and the Brahmans.
7.
As Pragapati (lord of creatures) thou movest about in
the womb, thou indeed art born again. To thee, the Prana,
these creatures bring offerings, to thee who dwellest
with the other pranas (the organs of sense).
8.
Thou art the best carrier for the Gods, thou art the
first offering to the Fathers. Thou art the true work
of the Rishis, of the Atharvangiras.
9.
O Prana, thou art Indra by thy light, thou art Rudra,
as a protector; thou movest in the sky, thou art the
sun, the lord of lights.
10.
When thou showerest down rain, then, O Prana, these
creatures of thine are delighted, hoping that there
will be food, as much as they desire.
11.
Thou art a Vratya, O Prana, the only Rishi, the consumer
of everything, the good lord. We are the givers of what
thou hast to consume, thou, O Matarisva, art our father.
12.
Make propitious that body of thine which dwells in speech,
in the ear, in the eye, and which pervades the mind;
do not go away!
13.
All this is in the power of Prana, whatever exists in
the three heavens. Protect us like a mother her sons,
and give us happiness and wisdom.'
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