Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c11.s6.32

c11.s6.32

**Process of Knowing.** Broadly speaking, the Upanishads prescribe *Upāsanā* and *Yoga* as the means of acquiring the highest knowledge. the knowledge of the Ātman. *Upāsanā* or worship refers itself to the *Saguṇa* aspect of Brahma as distinguished from *Nirguṇa*. The conception of these two aspects of Brahma is indicated in the *Bṛihadāraṇyaka* in the discussion between the Brahman scholar, Dṛiptabālāki Gārgya, and Ajātaśatru, King of Benares. Bālāki defined Brahma by His manifestations like the Sun, Moon, Lightning, Space, Wind, Fire, Water, Sound, and the like. Ajātaśatru stated that there were two aspects of Brahma, one with form (*Mūrta*) and the other without any form (*Amūrta*), mortal and immortal, sta ionary and moving. Wind and atmosphere is formless Brahma, while the sun is Brahma in form. Brahma the Formless can only be indicated by a negative process of elimination to the effect that It is "Not thus! Not so!" (*Neti Neti*).