KENA UPANISHAD
(The knowledge of
ishvara reveals the way to self-realization)
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By whose commands this mind works? By whose
will the life's breath circulates? Who is responsible for man's speech? What
intelligence does lead the eyes and the ears?
It is the ear of the ear, the mind of the mind,
the speech of the speech. Also the life of all life, and the eye of the eye.
The wise abandon the sensory world and become immortal.
There the eyes cannot travel, nor speech nor
mind. Nor do we know how to explain it to the disciples. It is other than
the known and beyond the unknown. So were we taught by our ancients. That
which the speech cannot reveal, but causes the speech to flow, know that
alone to be Brahman, not this whom people worship here (through mantras).
That which the mind cannot conceptualize, but by which the mind does
conceptualize, know that alone to be Brahman. Not the one whom people
worship here. That which the eye cannot see, but by which the eyes are able
to see, know that alone to be Brahman. Not this whom people worship here.
That which the ear cannot hear, but by whom the ear can hear, know that
alone as Brahman, not this which people worship here. That which one does
not breath, but by whom air is breathed, know that to be Brahman, not that
which people worship here.
If you think you
know It well, you indeed know It very little. That whom you see in the
beings and gods, you see but very little (portion) of It. I know that I know
It (some what) well, also I know that I know It not so well. Who amongst us
comprehends It both as the known and not much known, alone has the right
understanding. He comprehends It who thinks he has not. He has not
comprehended It who thinks he has. To the real masters It is the unknown,
but to the ignorant He is always the known. Indeed immortality is his gain
who understands It by his thoughts. Through the Atman he gains real strength
and immortality through the knowledge (of Brahman). In this world if one
knows It, one gains truth. If one does not know it , great is the loss. The
wise see clearly in all the Atman and rise from the sensory world to the
world of immortality.
Once Brahman won
victory for the devas. But unknowing the devas were proud of victory.
Thought they, "Ours alone is victory and to us only belongs all the glory."
Brahman knowing their vanity appeared in front of them as an Yaksha
(ethereal spirit). But they did not know who that great Yaksha was. So they
said to Agni, "Jataveda, know well what this Yaksha is." And as requested
Agni agreed. He rushed to the Yaksha and the Yaksha (Brahman) asked, "What
power do you have and of what nature?" And Agni replied," I am Agni (fire),
the omniscient. I can burn all that is on earth." Then Brahman placed a
blade of grass in front of Agni saying, "Burn it." Agni rushed to it with
all his strength, but could not burn it. He returned to the gods saying,"
What the Yaksha was I could not find." So they said to Vayu (the wind) " O
great Vayu, go and find out what this great Yaksha is and from where ." And
as requested Vayu agreed. He (Vayu) rushed to the Yaksha and Brahman asked
him who he was. Replied Vayu, " I am Vayu. I am really the master of all
skies." And Brahman enquired," What is the nature of your power in you." And
replied Vayu, "All this, whatever that is here , I can blow away." Brahman
placed before him a blade of grass saying, "Blow it away." Vayu approached
it with his full might, but could not move it even a little. He too returned
to the gods saying, "I could not find that which this Spirit is." Then the
gods requested Indra, "Chief of gods, find out for us this great Spirit and
from where." But as he approached, the Spirit disappeared. And at the very
same spot in the sky appeared extremely charming Uma Haimavati (daughter of
Himavat). He (Indra) asked her who the great Yaksha was.
"Indeed It was
Brahman," she replied. "Through Him alone you all achieved victory." Then
only Indra could discern who the incredible Brahman was. Therefore Agni,
Vayu and Indra are verily above all other gods, for they alone went nearest
to Him and were the first to know Him as Brahman. And therefore Indra of the
three above all others for he alone went nearest to Brahman and was the
first to know Him as Brahman (from goddess Uma). Now this is the instruction
regarding Brahman, (envision Him) as he appeared before the gods, shining
like a lightning and disappearing within the winking of an eye. Now this is
another instruction regarding Brahman, (envision Him) think of Him mentally
as the microcosm (Atman) with in the body as Atman. Now Tadvanam is the name
upon which He is to be meditated or worshipped mentally. He who knows Him in
this way is extremely loved by all living beings. The disciple asks, "Sir
teach me Upanishad." And the master replies," The Brahman of Upanishad is
explained to you. That knowledge of Upanishad we have imparted to you."
"Austerity, control and sincere effort are the foundations on which it
(knowledge of Brahma) rests. The Vedas are its limbs and Truth is its abode.
Verily he who knows it thus cleanses all his sins and becomes established in
the vast heavenly and the highest state of Bliss. Yes he is certainly
established.
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