[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.4526.6 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4526.6 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.4526.6 - **Language:** English ### [c9.4526.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.6) (iv) There is a story about the quest for knowledge about universal and individual souls, by Indra and Virocana, in Chāndogyopaniṣad, as given below. Once the Devas and the asuras approached Prajāpati to learn about Brahman, the impersonal God. Prajāpati told them: "Ātman (soul) is the first tattva (Essential being) which is sinless, eternal, desireless and unimaginable in the earth." Having heard this philosophy about the soul, the Devas selected Indra, and the asuras selected Virocana and to know the details, they sent them to Prajāpati as his disciples. Indra and Virocana stayed with Prajāpati for several years to know more about Ātman. But Prajāpati did not reveal to them the secret about Brahman. At last to test them Prajāpati said "Your reflection that you see in water or mirror is the Ātman (soul)." Virocana, who mistook what the Prajāpati said as truth immediately took his bath, put on costly dress and ornaments and stood near water and saw his reflection in water. After that, taking the reflection for soul, he spread this doctrine among his people. With this the asuras accepted body as soul. But the Devas did not recognize this philosophy. They accepted the doctrine that Ātman is that essence of Nature which is alien to body and mind and which is pure. (v) There are two different statements about the death of Virocana in the Purāṇas. - [Previous: c9.4526.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.5) - [Next: c9.4526.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.7) - [Up: c9.4526](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.6) · Pramāṇa