Question

According to Mundaka Upaniṣad, who approached Angiras and asked: 'what is that by the knowing of which all this becomes known'?

• A. Uddālaka
• B. Śaunaka
• C. Śvetketu
• D. Janaka

Hint:

Remember the key teacher-student pairs or main protagonists of the major Upanishads: Yama-Nachiketa (Katha), Uddālaka-Śvetaketu (Chāndogya), Yājñavalkya-Janaka/Maitreyi (Bṛhadāraṇyaka), and Aṅgiras-Śaunaka (Mundaka).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the person who posed the foundational question in the Mundaka Upaniṣad to the sage Aṅgiras. This question sets the stage for the entire philosophical discourse of the text.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Mundaka Upaniṣad opens by establishing its lineage of knowledge. It then states that a great householder (mahāśāla) named Śaunaka duly approached the sage Aṅgiras and asked the profound question: "kasmin nu bhagavo vijñāte sarvamidaṃ vijñātaṃ bhavatīti" which translates to "Revered sir, what is that by knowing which all this becomes known?".
This question prompts Aṅgiras to explain the two kinds of knowledge: the lower (Aparā Vidyā - the Vedas, grammar, etc.) and the higher (Parā Vidyā - the knowledge of the imperishable Brahman).
The other individuals are famous figures from different Upanishads:


Uddālaka and his son Śvetaketu are central figures in the Chāndogya Upaniṣad, known for the "Tat Tvam Asi" dialogue.
Janaka, the king of Videha, is a prominent philosopher-king in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad.

Step 3: Final Answer:
It was Śaunaka who approached Aṅgiras with this question in the Mundaka Upaniṣad. Therefore, option (2) is correct.