Upanishads

Kena Upanishad

Samaveda
group of Upanishads – 10 main Upanishads, pure Vedanta

Chapter One

1. By whom does the mind fly, moved and impelled? By whom does the first breath arise, called into being? By whom is this speech [which] is uttered moved? What god called the eye and the ear into life?

2. Having left what [is] the ear of the ear, the mind of the mind, the speech of speech, the breath of breath, the eye of the eye, having departed from this world, the wise become immortal.

3. The eye does not penetrate there, neither does speech nor mind. We do not know, we do not recognize how this can be taught.

4. Verily, this is different from the known and above the unknown – so we have heard from the ancients who explained it to us.

5. What is inexpressible by speech, by which speech is expressed – know that: that is Brahman, and not what people revere in this [world].

6. What is not conceived by the mind, by which, [as] they say, the mind conceives – know that: that is Brahman, and not what people revere in this [world].

7. What is not seen by the eye, by which the eyes are seen – know that: that is Brahman, and not what people revere in this [world].

8. What is not heard by the ear, by which the ear is heard – know that: that is Brahman, and not what people revere in this [world].

9. What does not breathe with breath, by which breath is breathed – know that: that is Brahman, and not what people revere in this [world].

Chapter Two

1. "If you think that you know [Brahman] well, then, undoubtedly, you know only a little of the form of Brahman – whether this applies to you or to the gods. So this must be considered by you, [for] I think it known."

2. "I do not think that I know well, and I do not know that I do not know [him]. Whoever of us knows him, [he] knows him, and he does not know that he does not know."

3. He who is not understood [Brahman], is understood by him, and he who is understood, does not know [him]. Whoever of us knows him, [he] knows him, and he does not know that he did not know.

4. He is understood when he is known through awakening, for [thereby man] attains immortality. By himself [man] attains strength, by knowledge – immortality.

5. If [man] knows [it] here, then it is truth, if he does not know [it] here – great destruction. Reflecting on all beings, having left this world, the wise become immortal.

Chapter Three

1. Verily, Brahman [once] won a victory for the sake of the gods. The gods exalted themselves by this victory of Brahman. They thought: "This is our victory, this is our greatness."

2. Verily, he recognized this [behavior] of theirs and appeared before them. They did not recognize him [and asked]: "What kind of spirit is this?"

3. They said to Agni: "O Jatavedas! Recognize what kind of spirit this is." [He replied:] "Good."

4. [Agni] hastened to him. [Brahman] asked him: "Who are you?" – "Verily, I am Agni," he said, "I am Jatavedas."

5. [Brahman asked:] "What power is in you?" – "I can burn everything that is on the earth."

6. [Brahman] placed a blade of grass before him: "Burn it." [He] rushed at it with all speed, but could not burn it. Then he turned back [and said:] "I could not recognize what kind of spirit this is."

7. Then they said to Vayu: "O Vayu! Recognize what kind of spirit this is." [He replied:] "Good."

8. [Vayu] hastened to him. [Brahman] asked him: "Who are you?" – "Verily, I am Vayu," he said, "I am Matarisvan."

9. [Brahman asked]: "What power do you have?" – "I can carry away everything that is on the earth."

10. [Brahman] placed a blade of grass before him: "Take it away." [He] rushed at it with all speed, but could not take it away. Then he turned back [and said:] "I could not recognize what kind of spirit this is."

11. Then they said to Indra: "O Maghavat! Recognize what kind of spirit this is." [He replied:] "Good." He hastened to it, [but Brahman] disappeared before him.

12. And in that space he [Indra] met a woman of great beauty, Uma, the daughter of Himavat, and asked her: "Who is this spirit?"

Chapter Four

1. She said: "This is Brahman. Verily, you have become exalted by the victory of Brahman." Thus [Indra] knew that this is Brahman.

2. Verily, therefore, these gods – Agni, Vayu, Indra – [are such that they] are as if excellent over the other gods, for they have come closest to it, for they were the first to know that this is Brahman.

3. Verily, therefore, Indra [is such that he] is as if excellent over the other gods, for he has come closest to it, for he was the first to know that this is Brahman.

4. This is the instruction about this [Brahman]: it is that which sparkles in lightning, that winks [in the eye]. This is with respect to the deities.

5. Now – with respect to the body. This is that to which the mind seems to move; thanks to it [man] constantly remembers this, [hence] – will.

6. Its name is "object of aspirations", [it] should be revered as an object of aspirations. Whoever knows this, all beings strive for him.

7. "O, tell the Upanishad," – [you said], – the Upanishad is expounded. Verily, we have told you the Upanishad about Brahman.

8. Asceticism, self-restraint, action – its basis: the Vedas are all [its] members, the real is a refuge.

9. Verily, whoever knows this, having cast away evil, is established in the end in the highest heavenly world, is established [in it].