[Advaita-l] prapanca

[Naresh Cuntoor]

I consulted with bRuhaddhAtu and my dictionary regarding prapa~ncha and here
is what I found:

pa~nch dhAtu (verb root) has two meanings: vyaktee-karaNam (showing
differences) and vistAravachanam (denoting expanse). [Technically, pachi
vyaktee-karaNe, pachi vistaara-vachane.]
The prefix pra reinforces the meaning in either case. In sense of showing
difference prapa~ncha could be taken to mean something that shows
vareity/differences.
In the sense of highlighting differences, it also means samsaara (filled
with differences, etc.). Prapancha in the sense of denoting something big /
expansive is another meaning.

At any rate, none of my sources try to justify prapancha in the sense of
pa~nchan = five.

Moreover if one takes pa~ncha = five, then the pra won't be an upasarga at
all. Pra operates as an upsarga (verb prefix) only when it comes before
action words.  Otherwise, pra may be termed an avyaya. But Dr. Yadu's remark
about pra being an upasarga is correct, but for the wrong reasons :)
Because pa~nch is a dhAtu, pra becomes an upasarga. Not because pa~ncha =
five.

Now we can construct words like aShTakam (e.g., toTakAShTakam). So
pa~nchakam would be a set of five. In that sense, perhaps we can use
prapa~nchakam as some important set of five elements.

Naresh



On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 9:45 AM, Dr. Yadu Moharir <ymoharir at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Dear Michael:
>
> To understand this term further one needs to did a litter deeper.
>
> by trying to understand the meaning of upasarga "pra" or sound "pra".
>
> To me the sound "pra" suggests the meaning as - "The leading edge of
> beginning"
>
> If we take the above meaning and then try to analyze the suggested meaning
> of various words our doubts get clarified.
>
> To express a big project Sanskrit uses a term - "prakalpa" that defines the
> scope of the project.
>
> Take some more examples of uopasarga "pra":  pra-vaasa, pra-Naya,
> pra-maaNa, pratyaksha, pra-vachana ......... etc. Another word for OM is
> praNava. As expressed by our ancestors OM was the beginning of everything
> including understanding.  "ometi pratipaaddyate etatviyajuH"
>
> Incidental even in English language the sound "pra" seems to convey the
> same meaning.  Example:  pre-fix, premier, prime-minister, pre-university,
> preacher,
>
> The second of the term "pra~nca" you are trying to understand is
> straightforward, which suggests the five essential elements (tattva) for any
> manifestation.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Dr. Yadu
>
>
>
> --- On Fri, 8/7/09, Michael Shepherd <michael at shepherd87.fsnet.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
>
> From: Michael Shepherd <michael at shepherd87.fsnet.co.uk>
> Subject: [Advaita-l] prapanca
> To: "advaita vedanta" <advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org>
> Date: Friday, August 7, 2009, 5:50 AM
>
>
> 'Pra-panca' is normally equated with the 'phenomenal appearance' of the
> world. None of my immediate reference books give consideration to the
> possibility that it implies it as being the appearance via the five
> senses/elements.
>
> Can anyone offer further references ?
>
> Michael
>
>
>
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