25 प्राणोत्पत्त्यधिकरणम्

2.4.1 प्राणोत्पत्त्यधिकरणम् In the शतपथब्राह्मण text ‘asad वा idamagra आसीत् . . . प्राणा वाव ऋषयः1 the sense - organs that are referred to by the plural term प्राणाह् are stated to have existence before creation and that they are eternal like the individual souls. This contention can not hold good. The term प्राणाः refers to Brahman alone; and the plural usage must be taken in a secondary sense2 because there can be no existence of the sense - organs (having name and form) after cosmic deluge. Therefore, the sense - organs are created. Notes : 1. शतपथब्राह्मण VI.i.1. 2. BS. II. iv.2. 3. From this originate प्राण manas and other indriya-s मुण्ड् Up., II.i.3.