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The Kena Upanishad: Who Moves the Mind?
You know how the Īśopaniṣad taught us that God owns everything and is everywhere? Well, the Kena Upanishad starts with a fantastic question that digs even deeper: "By whom?" It's like asking, who is the real boss behind our minds, our eyes, our ears? Who is the one that truly makes everything work?
The Big Question: Who is the Real Mover?¹
This section opens with the fundamental questions of the Kena Upanishad. It asks about the hidden power that directs our minds, our life breaths, our speech, and our senses. It then offers a profound answer: the ultimate power is Brahman, who cannot be known by these same senses, but who empowers them all.
Mantra One
"Keneṣitam patati preṣitam manaḥ kena prāṇaḥ prathamaḥ praiti yuktaḥ Keneṣitām vācamimām vadanti cakṣuḥ śrotram ka u devo yunakti."¹ This means: "Sent by whom, keneṣitam, does the mind, manaḥ, fly out, patati preṣitam, towards its objects? Harnessed by whom, kena prāṇaḥ prathamaḥ praiti yuktaḥ, does the first life-breath proceed? Who sends out the speech, keneṣitām vācamimām vadanti, which we speak? And what god, ka u devaḥ, directs, yunakti, the eye, cakṣuḥ, and the ear, śrotram?"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This is the famous opening, kids! Kena (kay-na) literally means 'by whom?' It's asking a great mystery: What is the invisible force that makes your mind wander, your breath move, your tongue speak, your eyes see, and your ears hear? It makes us wonder about the hidden power behind our own bodies!
Mantra Two
"Śrotrasya śrotram manaso manaḥ yad vāco ha vācam sa u prāṇasya prāṇaḥ cakṣuṣaḥ cakṣuḥ atimucya dhīrāḥ pretyāsmāl lokāt amṛtā bhavanti."² This means: "That which is the Ear of the ear, śrotrasya śrotram; the Mind of the mind, manaso manaḥ; the Speech of speech, vāco ha vācam; indeed, u, He is the Breath of breath, prāṇasya prāṇaḥ; and the Eye of the eye, cakṣuṣaḥ cakṣuḥ. The wise, dhīrāḥ, having left, atimucya, this world, asmāl lokāt, become immortal, amṛtā bhavanti."
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This is a big answer, kids! It means the power behind our senses isn't just our senses themselves. There's a deeper, ultimate "Ear" that hears all hearing, a "Mind" that controls our mind. That ultimate power is Brahman, God. And those who truly understand this, the wise, dhīrāḥ, achieve immortality!
Mantra Three
"Na tatra cakṣuḥ gacchati na vāk gacchati no manaḥ na vidmo na vijānīmo yathā etat anuśiṣyāt anyat eva tat viditāt atho aviditāt adhi iti śuśruma pūrvyeṣām ye naḥ tat vyācakṣire."³ This means: "The eye, cakṣuḥ, cannot go there, na tatra gacchati! Nor can speech, vāk, go there, na vāk gacchati! Nor can the mind, no manaḥ! We do not know, na vidmo, how to explain it, na vijānīmo yathā etat anuśiṣyāt. It is certainly, eva, different, anyat, from the known, viditāt, and also, atho, beyond the unknown, aviditāt adhi! Thus, iti, we have heard from the ancient ones, śuśruma pūrvyeṣām, who explained it to us, ye naḥ tat vyācakṣire."
Brahman: Not What You Think You Know⁴
This section explores the subtle nature of Brahman, the ultimate reality. It teaches that Brahman cannot be worshipped or fully understood by our ordinary senses or mind. The Upanishad uses paradoxes to show that those who think they know Brahman well actually know very little.
Mantra Four
"Yat vācā anabhyuditam yena vāk abhyudyate tat eva brahma tvam viddhi na idam yat idam upāsate."⁴ This means: "That which is not expressed by speech, yat vācā anabhyuditam, but by which speech is expressed, yena vāk abhyudyate—know That alone, tat eva, to be Brahman, brahma tvam viddhi! Not this which people worship here, na idam yat idam upāsate!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This is a powerful point, kids! Brahman is God, the ultimate reality. The mantra is saying that you can't describe Brahman with words, but Brahman is what makes words possible! So, don't mistake rituals or idols for Brahman itself. Brahman is the power behind everything!
Mantra Five
"Yat manasā na manute yena āhuḥ manaḥ matam tat eva brahma tvam viddhi na idam yat idam upāsate."⁵ This means: "That which one does not think with the mind, yat manasā na manute, but by which they say the mind thinks, yena āhuḥ manaḥ matam—know That alone, tat eva, to be Brahman, brahma tvam viddhi! Not this which people worship here, na idam yat idam upāsate!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: It's the same idea, kids, but for the mind! You can't grasp Brahman with your mind, but Brahman is what makes your mind work! So, don't think your thoughts or clever ideas can fully capture God.
Mantra Six
"Yat cakṣuṣā na paśyati yena cakṣūṁṣi paśyati tat eva brahma tvam viddhi na idam yat idam upāsate."⁶ This means: "That which one does not see with the eye, yat cakṣuṣā na paśyati, but by which the eye sees, yena cakṣūṁṣi paśyati—know That alone, tat eva, to be Brahman, brahma tvam viddhi! Not this which people worship here, na idam yat idam upāsate!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Again, for the eyes! You can't see Brahman like you see a tree, but Brahman is the power that allows your eyes to see.
Mantra Seven
"Yat śrotreṇa na śṛṇoti yena śrotram idam śrutam tat eva brahma tvam viddhi na idam yat idam upāsate."⁷ This means: "That which one does not hear with the ear, yat śrotreṇa na śṛṇoti, but by which the ear hears, yena śrotram idam śrutam—know That alone, tat eva, to be Brahman, brahma tvam viddhi! Not this which people worship here, na idam yat idam upāsate!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: And for the ears! You can't hear Brahman like you hear music, but Brahman is the power that allows your ears to hear.
Mantra Eight
"Yat prāṇena na prāṇiti yena prāṇaḥ praṇīyate tat eva brahma tvam viddhi na idam yat idam upāsate."⁸ This means: "That which one does not breathe with breath, yat prāṇena na prāṇiti, but by which breath is breathed, yena prāṇaḥ praṇīyate—know That alone, tat eva, to be Brahman, brahma tvam viddhi! Not this which people worship here, na idam yat idam upāsate!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: And finally, for our very breath! You don't breathe Brahman, but Brahman is the power that allows you to breathe. All these mantras teach us that God (Brahman) is the invisible force, the ultimate power, behind everything we do and everything our senses perceive. He's the "behind-the-scenes" boss of our lives!
The Gods Learn a Lesson in Humility⁹
This section begins a wonderful story, an allegory, where Brahman wins a victory for the gods. But the gods, filled with pride, forget who truly helped them. Brahman then appears as a mysterious spirit to teach them a very important lesson in humility and true power.
Mantra Nine
"Yadi manyase su-vedeti dabharam eva hi nūnam tvam vettha brahmaṇaḥ rūpam yat asya tvam yat asya deveṣu atho nu mīmāṁsyam eva te manye viditam."⁹ This means: "If you think, yadi manyase, 'I know Brahman well,' su-veda iti—then truly, hi nūnam, you know very little, dabharam eva, about the form of Brahman, brahmaṇaḥ rūpam! That aspect of Brahman which is you, yat asya tvam, and that aspect which is in the gods, yat asya deveṣu, is still to be inquired into, atho nu mīmāṁsyam eva te manye viditam—I think that is known to you."
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This is a tricky and humble verse, kids! It's like a wise teacher telling a student: "If you think you know everything about God, then you probably know very little!" It's a reminder that God is so vast, we can never fully grasp Him with our limited minds. There's always more to learn and inquire about!
Mantra Ten
"Nāhaṁ manye su-vedeti no na vedeti veda ca yo naḥ tat veda saḥ veda no na vedeti veda ca."¹⁰ This means: "I do not think, nāham manye, 'I know Brahman well,' su-vedeti. Nor do I think, no, 'I do not know It.' I know it, veda ca." The verse continues: "One who knows this statement, 'I know it and I do not know it,' yo naḥ tat veda, truly knows Brahman, saḥ veda."
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This verse is a famous paradox, kids! It means true wisdom isn't saying, "I know everything," or "I know nothing." It's a humble understanding that Brahman (God) is so infinite, you can never fully contain Him with your mind, but you can still experience and understand Him deeply. So, you know Him, but you also know there's infinitely more to know!
Mantra Eleven
"Yasya amatam tasya matam matam yasya na veda saḥ avijñātam vijānatām vijñātam avijānatām."¹¹ This means: "For whom Brahman is unknown, yasya amatam, for him Brahman is known, tasya matam! For whom Brahman is known (by the ordinary mind), matam yasya, he does not truly know It, na veda saḥ! Brahman is unknown to those who claim to know It, avijñātam vijānatām, but known to those who don't claim to know It, vijñātam avijānatām!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Another paradox, kids! It's saying that true understanding of God is not about intellectual pride or fitting Him into a neat box. It's about a humble, deeper realization. The more you truly understand God, the more you realize how vast and unknowable He is by ordinary means!
Mantra Twelve
"Pratibodha-viditam matam amṛtatvam hi vindate ātmanā vindate vīryam vidyayā vindate amṛtam."¹² This means: "When Brahman is known through every moment of spiritual awakening, pratibodha-viditam matam, then one truly gains immortality, amṛtatvam hi vindate! Through the Self (the pure mind), ātmanā, one gains strength, vīryam! And through spiritual knowledge, vidyayā, one gains immortality, amṛtam vindate!"
A Soul's True Home and Immortality¹³
This mantra is a powerful conclusion to this part, emphasizing that those who truly know Brahman in this life achieve everlasting truth and immortality, moving beyond the cycle of endless births and deaths.
Mantra Thirteen
Iha cedavedīd athā satyam asti na cedihāvedīnmahatī vinaṣṭiḥ Bhūteṣu bhūteṣu vicitya dhīrāḥ pretyāsmāl lokāt amṛtā bhavanti.
This means: "If one knows It, iha cedavedīt, here in this life, then there is truth, athā satyam asti! If one knows It not, na cedihāvedīt, here, there will be great loss, mahatī vinaṣṭiḥ! The wise, dhīrāḥ, seeing the one Atman in all created things, bhūteṣu bhūteṣu vicitya, having turned away from this world, pretyāsmāl lokāt, become immortal, amṛtā bhavanti!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This mantra gives us a stark choice, kids! Iha (ee-ha) means 'here' or 'in this life.' It says: If you understand God (Brahman) in this life, while you're living, then you've found the true meaning, the satyam (truth)! But if you don't understand Him here, there will be mahatī vinaṣṭiḥ—'great loss' or 'great destruction' for you. The wise, dhīrāḥ, see the same eternal soul (Atman) in everyone and everything, and by turning away from worldly attachments, they become amṛtā bhavanti—'immortal'! This is the power of true knowledge in this very life!
The Gods Learn a Lesson in Humility¹⁴
This section features a famous story or allegory where Brahman (God) wins a great victory for the gods. But the gods, filled with pride, forget who truly helped them. Brahman then appears as a mysterious spiritual being to teach them a very important lesson in humility and true power.
Mantra Fourteen
Brahma ha devebhyo vijigye tasya ha brahmaṇo vijaye devāḥ amahīyanta ta aikṣantās-mākam evāyaṁ vijayo asmakām evayaṁ mahimeti. This means: "Brahman, brahma, indeed, ha, won a victory for the gods, devebhyo vijigye! In that victory of Brahman, tasya ha brahmaṇo vijaye, the gods became greatly proud, devāḥ amahīyanta. They thought, ta aikṣanta, 'This victory is ours alone, asmākam evāyaṁ vijayaḥ! And this greatness is ours alone, asmakam evayaṁ mahimeti!'"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This is a fantastic story, kids! It shows that God (Brahman) is the real power behind everything, even the victories of the powerful gods. But the gods, in their pride, forgot that! It's like winning a big game and forgetting your coach or the team effort, thinking you did it all by yourself! This kind of pride, abhimāna, is what sets up the lesson they are about to receive.
Brahman, seeing the gods' pride, decides to appear before them in a mysterious form to test their understanding and remind them of the true source of power.
Mantra Fifteen
Tat ha eṣām vijajñau tebhyaḥ ha prādur-babhūva tat na vyajānata kim idam yakṣam iti. This means: "Brahman, tat, indeed, ha, knew this false notion of theirs, eṣām vijajñau. He appeared, prādur-babhūva, before them, tebhyaḥ ha, but they did not know, na vyajānata, 'What is this wondrous being, kim idam yakṣam iti?'"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: A yakṣam is often a mysterious, powerful spirit or being. God appeared in a way they didn't recognize, like a puzzle, to make them wonder and humble them. He knew their pride and decided to test them directly!
Agni's Test: The Fire God Learns a Lesson¹⁶
The gods, confused by the mysterious being, ask their powerful fire god, Agni, to find out who it is. Agni, full of his own power, boasts about what he can do, but Brahman gives him a simple test that quickly humbles him.
Mantra Sixteen
Te agnim abruvan jāta-veda etad vijānīhi kim etad yakṣam iti tatheti.
This means: "They said to Agni, te agnim abruvan: 'O Agni, jāta-veda (jaa-ta-vay-da)—'knower of all born things,' a name for fire! Please find out, etad vijānīhi, what this wondrous being is, kim etad yakṣam iti!' And he said, tathā iti, 'So be it!'"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Jāta-veda is a special name for the fire god Agni, showing his power to know and consume. The gods sent him because he was considered so strong and knowledgeable.
Mantra Seventeen
Tad abhyadravat tam abhyavadat ko asi iti agniḥ vā aham asmi iti abravīt jāta-vedā vā aham asmi iti
This means: "Agni, tad, ran towards That, abhyadravat. That (Brahman) said to him, tam abhyavadat, 'Who are you, ko asi iti?' Agni replied, iti abravīt, 'I am Agni, agniḥ vā aham asmi! I am the knower of all born things, jāta-vedā vā aham asmi!'"
Mantra Eighteen
Tasmin tvayi kim vīryam iti api idam sarvam dahāyam iti yat pṛthivyām iti.¹⁸
This means: "Brahman asked him, 'What power, kim vīryam, do you have, tasmin tvayi?' Agni replied, iti, 'I can burn all, idam sarvam dahāyam, that is on Earth, yat pṛthivyām iti!'"
Mantra Nineteen
Tasmai tṛṇam nidadhau etat dahā iti tat upapreyāya sarva-javena tat na śaśāka dagdhum saḥ tataḥ eva nivavṛte na etad aśakaṁ vijñātum yat etad yakṣam iti.¹⁹
This means: "Brahman placed a blade of grass, tṛṇam nidadhau, before him, tasmai, saying, iti, 'Burn this, etat dahā!' Agni approached it, tat upapreyāya, with all his speed, sarva-javena, but he could not burn it, tat na śaśāka dagdhum. He turned back from that very spot, saḥ tataḥ eva nivavṛte, saying, 'I could not find out, na etad aśakaṁ vijñātum, what this wondrous being is, yat etad yakṣam iti!'"
Vayu's Test: The Wind God Also Fails²⁰
The gods, still baffled by the mysterious being, decide to send another powerful deity, Vayu, the god of wind, to find out who it is. Just like Agni, Vayu boasts of his immense power, but Brahman's simple test quickly reveals his limitations.
Mantra 20
Atha vāyumabruvan vāyavetad vijānīhi kim etad yakṣam iti tatheti.²⁰
This means: "The Devas then said to Vayu: 'O Vayu! Find out, etad vijānīhi, what this Great Spirit is, kim etad yakṣam iti!' He said: 'Yes, tathā iti.'"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Vayu is the god of wind, kids! He's super powerful, able to move mountains and stir up storms. The gods hoped his great strength would help him figure out the mystery. The commentary explains Vayu can also mean 'to go' or 'to smell,' and he's called Matarisva because he travels, or 'sways,' in space.
Mantra 21
Tad abhyadravat tam abhyavadat ko asi iti vāyur vā aham asmi iti abravīt mātariśvā vā aham asmi iti.²¹
This means: "He (Vayu) ran to That (Brahman). That said: 'Who are you, ko asi iti?' He replied: 'I am Vayu, vāyuḥ vā aham asmi! I am Matarisva, mātariśvā vā aham asmi!'"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Just like Agni, Vayu proudly introduces himself with his powerful names. Matarisva is a name for Vayu, meaning 'one who travels in space,' showing his immense reach. He's basically saying, "I'm the wind, I can go anywhere and move anything!"
Mantra 22
Tasmin tvayi kiṃ vīryam iti api idam sarvam ādadīya yad idam pṛthivyām iti.²²
This means: "That (Brahman) said: 'What power, kim vīryam, is in you, tasmin tvayi?'' He replied: 'I can blow away all, idam sarvam ādadīya, that is on the earth, yad idam pṛthivyām iti!'"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Kim vīryam means 'what power?' Vayu is boasting here. He's saying, "I'm so powerful, I can blow away everything on this whole Earth!" The commentary mentions Adadiyam means 'can take,' referring to blowing something away.
Mantra 23
Tasmai tṛṇaṃ nidadhāu etad ādatsva iti tad upapreyāya sarva-javena tat na śaśākā''datuṃ sa tata eva nivavṛte na etad aśakaṁ vijñātum yad etad yakṣam iti.²³
This means: "That (Brahman) placed a straw, tṛṇaṃ nidadhāu, before him, saying, iti, 'Blow this away, etad ādatsva!' He (Vayu) approached it, tad upapreyāya, with all his speed, sarva-javena, but he could not blow it away, tat na śaśākā''datuṃ. He returned immediately from that very spot, sa tata eva nivavṛte, saying: 'I was not able to learn, na etad aśakaṁ vijñātum, who this Great Spirit is, yad etad yakṣam iti!'"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Just like Agni, Vayu, despite all his mighty power, failed a simple test! He couldn't even blow away a tiny blade of grass when Brahman commanded it. He had to return in shame, admitting he couldn't figure out who the mysterious Yakṣam was. This highlights again that God's power is not like our physical power; it's subtle, supreme, and beyond what any god or human can fully grasp.
Indra's Test: The King of Gods Seeks Answers²⁴
The gods, still confused after Agni and Vayu's failures, turn to their most powerful leader, Indra, the king of heaven. He is known for his immense strength and authority. They ask him to solve the mystery of the wondrous Spirit.
Mantra 24
Atha Indram abruvan Maghavan etat vijānīhi kim etat Yakṣam iti tathā iti Tat abhyadravat tasmāt tirodadhe.²⁴
This means: "Then they said to Indra, Maghavan (Ma-gha-van, a name for Indra meaning 'Lord of great riches and power'): 'Find out, vijānīhi, what this Great Spirit is, kim etad yakṣam iti!' He said 'yes' and ran to That (Brahman). But That (Brahman) vanished, tirodadhe, from his view!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Maghavan is Indra's special title, kids, showing his supreme power among the gods! The gods hoped his greatness would succeed where others failed. But guess what? Brahman didn't even talk to Indra directly! Instead, tirodadhe —'He vanished'! This is a huge lesson in humility for Indra, showing that Brahman is not easily approached by sheer power or pride.
Mantra 25
Saḥ tasmin eva ākāśe striyam ājagāma bahu-śobhamānām Umām haimavatīm tām ha uvāca kim etat Yakṣam iti.²⁵
This means: "In that very same spot in the sky, sa tasminnevākāśe, he (Indra) approached, ājagāma, a woman, striyam, who was very beautiful, bahuśobhamānām, and of golden hue, haimavatīm. This was Uma, the daughter of Himavat. He (Indra) said to her, tāṁ hovāca, 'What is this Great Spirit, kim etad yakṣam iti?'"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Wow, kids, what a twist! Instead of Brahman, Indra finds a beautiful goddess, Uma, who is also called Haimavatī, meaning 'daughter of Himavat' (the Himalayas). She often represents knowledge or spiritual insight. This shows that true understanding doesn't always come through brute force or power; sometimes, it comes through wisdom, gently revealed. Indra, despite his pride, was humble enough to ask for help!
Alright, kids, Dr. Suka Dev here! We just finished the thrilling story of Agni and Vayu's tests. Now, we're still in Kena Upanishad: Part Three, and the mystery is about to get deeper as Indra, the king of the gods, gets involved, and then the Upanishad will reveal even more profound truths about Brahman's nature and how we can truly know it!
Uma Reveals the Wondrous Spirit to Indra²⁶
The story continues with Indra, the king of the gods, who has approached a beautiful goddess named Uma after the mysterious Spirit vanished. She is about to reveal the true identity of that wondrous being.
Mantra 26
Sā brahma iti hovāca brahmaṇo vā etad vijaye mahīyadhvam iti tato ha eva vidāñcakāra brahmeti.²⁶
This means: "She (Sā, Uma) said, hovāca, 'It is Brahman, brahma, indeed, iti! You have attained glory, mahiyadhvam, in this victory of Brahman, brahmaṇo vā etad vijaye!' From her words alone, tato ha eva, he (Indra) came to know, vidāñcakāra, that it was Brahman, brahmeti!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Wow, kids, what a reveal! Uma (the goddess of knowledge) finally tells Indra that the mysterious Spirit was Brahman (BRAH-mun), God Himself! And she reminds them that their glory was actually His victory, not their own. It's a humble lesson that true power always comes from God.
Why Agni, Vayu, and Indra Are Supreme Gods²⁷
Maitreya continues to explain that Agni, Vayu, and Indra are considered the greatest among the gods. This isn't just because of their power, but because they were the first to truly approach and understand Brahman through this direct encounter.
Mantra 27
Tasmād vā ete devā atitarām ivānyān devān yad agnir vāyur indras te hyanen nedhiṣṭhaṁ paspṛśuḥ te hyanat prathamo vidāñcakāra brahmeti.²⁷
This means: "Therefore, tasmād vā, these gods, ete devā, namely Agni, agniḥ, Vayu, vāyuḥ, and Indra, indraḥ—they indeed, hi, greatly excel, atitarām iva, other gods, anyān devān, because they, te, touched Brahman most closely, anena nedhiṣṭhaṁ paspṛśuḥ! They indeed, hi, were the first, prathamo, to know It as Brahman, vidāñcakāra brahmeti!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This is a cool insight, kids! It explains why these three gods—Agni, Vayu, and Indra—are often seen as extra special. It's because they had a direct encounter with Brahman, and even though they were tested and humbled, they were the first to recognize the ultimate reality! They "touched Brahman most closely" not with their hands, but with their minds and realization.
Mantra 28
Tasmād vā indro atitarām ivānyān devān sa hyanat nedhiṣṭhaṁ pasparśa sa randhanat prathamo vidāñcakāra brahmeti.²⁸
This means: "Therefore, tasmād vā, Indra, indraḥ, also, api, greatly excels, atitarām iva, other gods, anyān devān, because he, saḥ hi, approached Brahman most closely, anena nedhiṣṭhaṁ pasparśa! He indeed, hi, was the first, prathamo, to know It as Brahman, vidāñcakāra brahmeti!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This verse is like a special shout-out to Indra! It says Indra is even more excellent than Agni and Vayu because he was the one who persisted and finally got the knowledge from Uma, becoming the very first among the gods to actually know Brahman. His perseverance paid off!
Brahman's Nature: Flashing Like Lightning²⁹
Maitreya now describes Brahman using powerful illustrations, comparing Its appearance and disappearance to a flash of lightning and the blinking of an eye. These show how Brahman is subtle, swift, and beyond our ordinary perception.
Mantra 29
Tasya eṣa ādeśo yad etad vidyuto vyadyutadā u itīnnyamīmiṣadā u ity adhidaivatam.²⁹
This means: "This is its instruction, tasya eṣa ādeśo, by means of illustration: that it flashed like lightning, yad etad vidyuto vyadyutadā, and it appeared and vanished as the eye winketh, u itīnnyamīmiṣadā u! This is the illustration of Brahman in respect to the gods, ity adhidaivatam."
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Vidyuto vyadyutadā (vid-yoo-to vya-dyoo-ta-da)—'flashed like lightning'—is a fantastic image, kids! It tells us that Brahman is so incredibly subtle and swift, It can appear and disappear faster than you can even blink an eye! It's not something you can easily catch or hold onto. This is Brahman's power when relating to the adhidaivata (ad-hi-dai-va-ta), the divine beings or the gods.
Brahman's Presence: Quick as the Mind's Thought³⁰
The Upanishad continues to use illustrations to describe Brahman, now moving to examples from within our own bodies, showing how Brahman's presence is linked to the speed of our minds and thoughts.
Mantra 30
Athādhyātmam yad etad gacchati iva ca mano anena caitad upasmaratyabhīkṣṇa saṅkalpaḥ.³⁰
This means: "Next, atha, the illustration from the Self within the body, adhyātmaṁ: That (Brahman) is as speedy as the mind, yad etad gacchati iva manaḥ! And by this (Brahman), the mind constantly thinks and wills, anena ca etat upasmaratyabhīkṣṇa saṅkalpaḥ!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Adhyātmaṁ (ad-hyat-mam) means 'pertaining to the Self within the body.' This is another incredible way to understand Brahman's subtle nature, kids! It's saying Brahman is so fast, it's like the speed of your own mind! And not only that, Brahman is what gives your mind the power to constantly think and make plans (abhīkṣṇa saṅkalpaḥ).
Brahman: The Beloved of All Beings³¹
This mantra introduces a beautiful concept: Brahman should be worshipped by everyone because it is the ultimate object of love for all living beings. When one truly knows Brahman, all beings spontaneously love that person.
Mantra 31
Tad ha tad vanam nāma tad vanam ity upāsitavyaṁ sa ya etad evaṁ vedābhi hainam sarvāṇi bhūtāni samtrāñchanti.³¹
This means: "Brahman, tad ha, is indeed named 'Tadvana,' tad vanam nāma! It means 'the Beloved of all beings' or 'the object of universal love.' As 'Tadvana,' It must be worshipped, tad vanam ity upāsitavyaṁ! He who knows Brahman in this way, sa ya etad evaṁ veda, all living beings, sarvāṇi bhūtāni, certainly, ha, love him spontaneously, abhīnam samtrāñchanti!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Tadvana (tad-va-na) is a special name for Brahman here, kids! It means 'the Beloved' or 'the object of love for all beings.' It teaches us that Brahman is the ultimate source of all love, and when you truly understand and connect with God, you become so pure that everyone and everything loves you in return!
The Upanishad's Teaching is Complete³²
Here, the dialogue shifts. The disciple, having heard these profound teachings, asks the preceptor to teach him the "Upanishad." The preceptor replies that the Upanishad, the knowledge of Brahman, has indeed been fully taught.
Mantra 32
Upaniṣadam bho brūhītyuktā ta upaniṣad brāhmī vātra ta upaniṣadamabūmeti.³²
This means: "The disciple said, iti uktā, 'O Preceptor, bho! Teach me the Upanishad, Upaniṣadam brūhi!' The preceptor replied, abhūmeti, 'We have told you the Upanishad, ta upaniṣad brāhmī vātra! We have certainly told you the Upanishad about Brahman!'"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: Upaniṣadam means 'the secret teaching.' Here, the disciple is asking for the "secret" even after hearing so much. The preceptor confirms that the core, secret knowledge of Brahman (brāhmī upaniṣad) has been given. This sets up the next section, which will summarize how that knowledge is firmly established.
The Pillars of Brahman-Knowledge³³
This mantra clarifies what truly supports and establishes the knowledge of Brahman. It's not just about intellectual understanding, but about specific spiritual practices and virtues that act as a strong foundation.
Mantra 33
Tasya eṣa tapo damaḥ karmeti pratiṣṭā vedāḥ sarvāṅgāni satyam āyatanam.³³
This means: "For that (Brahman-knowledge), tasya eṣa, austerity, tapaḥ; self-control, damaḥ; and action (Karma), karma iti—these are its pedestal, pratiṣṭā! Also, ca, the Vedas and their supplements, vedāḥ sarvāṅgāni, are its pedestal! Truth, satyam, is its abode, āyatanam!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This is a powerful list of what makes spiritual knowledge strong, kids! Tapaḥ (ta-pah) means 'austerity' or 'spiritual discipline' (like focusing your mind). Damaḥ (da-mah) means 'self-control' (being the boss of your senses). Karma means 'action' (doing your duties). These three, plus studying the Vedas, are like the strong legs, pratiṣṭā, of a table supporting Brahman-knowledge. And satyam (sat-yam)—Truth—is its āyatanam, its very home and foundation! This means living truthfully is essential for knowing God.
The Ultimate Reward: Firmly Seated in Brahman³⁴
This mantra concludes Part Three of the Kena Upanishad, revealing the glorious result of one who truly knows Brahman. Such a person is freed from all sin and lives eternally established in the highest spiritual reality.
Mantra 34
Yo vā etām evaṁ vedāpahaty pāpmānam anante svarge loke jye ye prati tiṣṭati pratitishṭati.³⁴
This means: "He who knows this thus, yo vā etām evaṁ veda, having shaken off all sin, apahaty pāpmānam, lives firmly seated, prati tiṣṭati, in the endless, anante, blissful, svarge loke, and highest Brahman, jye ye! He lives firmly seated, pratitishṭati!"
Dr. Suka Dev's Insight: This is a beautiful promise, kids! Pāpmānam (paap-maa-nam) means 'sin.' The mantra says one who knows Brahman gets rid of all sin and then lives forever, prati tiṣṭati, firmly seated in that endless, blissful, highest Brahman. It's like finding your true, eternal home where there's only joy and no more worries! The repetition of prati tiṣṭati at the end emphasizes that this is a very firm and lasting state.