Quote Originally Posted by yajvan View Post
Hari Om
~~~~~

Namaste Santosh,
thank you for your posts... this is one of my favorites!
Namaste Yajvan,

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate.

Quote Originally Posted by yajvan View Post
Can you give any insights as to why Varuna ( the rshi of this Upanishad) takes the form of a frog ( manduka) to praise Om? Any thoughts?
Well,
It will be overstating me by asking insights, the most I can do is, state my views.
Any ways; I'll see the "form of a frog (manduka)" as symbolic. Parhaps there is some nuance behind it.
May it is about that characteristic of a frog which enables it to live in water as well as on ground equally. Parhaps this symbol tells us that antas-pragya and bahis-pragya are just two aspects, one can entertain equally/simultaneously.
or
May it is about the movement of a frog, which is in form of leaps. Parhaps this symbol is telling us to take a leap from one step to another; from first step, that is Vaisvarnara to that undefinable forth step.

To me second explanation sounds more reasonable, because:
First; "paat/paadah" literally means foot/step, the meaning aspect/quarter is more of a subtlety. Thus this Upanishad may be a guidance of the whole journey from step one to step four, rather a description or praise.
Second; after describing the fourth step, Verse-7, it ends at "sa vigyeyah", which means "he to be known", this indicates that it is about journey.
Now, how to proceed into that journey? It indicates, take a long leap like a frog; know/understand/learn a step then jump into another. This may give a philosophical meaning, to go from one state/step to another can be just in a leap, no gradual efforts are needed.

Quote Originally Posted by yajvan View Post
On other posts we have discussed Vaisvarnara and the 19 mouths e.g. 5 jnana indriyas, 5 karama indriyas, 5 prana's and the 4 fold antahkarana.

We did not point out the 7 limbs ( Heaven, sun and moon, air ( vayu) as breath, etc). Care to take a stab at this and the significance?
I am not thorough on these, thus it will not be proper for me to answer. But in my understanding numbers like these are more of scientific observations of that time rather than spiritual/mystic. These numbers might or might not be true in contemporary understanding.

Have a great day!