11th Khanda of Chapter One

Chandogya Upanishad is one of the oldest Upanishad written on the Vedic Brahmana period about ninth to eighth century BC. Chandogya Upanishad is associated with Sama Veda. It is ranked ninth in the Muktika canon of hundred and eight Upanishadas. The 11th Khanda of Chapter One of Chandogya Upanishad states about the story of Ushasti. All the sacrificers who had gathered for the religious ceremony were addressed by Ushasti. He had told them that if they recited the hymns without being aware of the deity their head would then fall off. The udgatri priests wished to know his identity. Ushasti told them that he was the son of Chakra. The priests vacated their places and allowed him to take up all the priestly offices of the sacrificial ceremony. He asked the priests asked the priests to recite the hymns with him and in return he would he would be given wealth. The king also agreed to his proposal and the ceremony began. The prastotri priest then approached Ushasti and asked him to narrate about the deity of Prastava as he had been told if he recited the Prastava without being aware of its deity then his head would fall off. Ushasti explained that the Prana is the deity of the Prastava. All the beings ultimately merge into the Prana and it is from Prana that they rise. Thus, the Prana belongs to the Prastava. One needs to be aware of the Prastava before reciting its hymns. Next, the udgatri priest approached Ushasti and asked him to inform him about the deity of Udgitha as he had been told that without knowing the name he if he recited its hymns then he would be cursed. Ushasti explained that the Sun is the deity of the Udgitha. All beings praise and adore the sun and meditate on it. It is the source of light for all. One must be aware of it before chanting the Udgitha. Ushasti was next approached by the pratihartri priest who requested him to explain about the deity of the Pratihara as he had been told if he recited the Prastava without being aware of its deity then his head would fall off. Ushasti explained that the food is the deity of the Pratihara. It is by taking food that all beings remain alive. It is a source of energy for all. One must be aware of it before chanting the Pratihara or else he would be cursed.