प्रस्थानत्रयम् Prasthanatrayam-Kena Upanishad -केनोपनिषत्-By-Vid.MM.Brahmarishi Dr.Manidravid Sastri

Part-08
प्रस्थानत्रयम् Prasthanatrayam-Kena Upanishad -केनोपनिषत्-By-Vid.MM.Brahmarishi Dr.Manidravid Sastri
The Kena Upanishad is a Vedic Sanskrit text from the Samaveda that explores the nature of the ultimate reality, Brahman. It is named after its opening word, "Kena," meaning "by whom," and questions the source of the mind, life force, and senses, asserting that true knowledge is attained through introspection and realizing Brahman is the silent power behind all existence. The text includes a symbolic story about the gods learning humility to reveal that Brahman is the true source of their power.
Key aspects of the Kena Upanishad
Philosophical inquiry: The Upanishad poses fundamental questions like "By whom is the mind directed?" and "By whose will does life force move?" to guide the seeker from the known to the unknown.
Nature of Brahman: It describes Brahman as the Supreme Power that is the source of all things, a concept that can only be understood by moving beyond the senses and intellect.
Path to knowledge: It emphasizes that true knowledge comes from realizing one's connection to this ultimate reality. A key teaching is, "He who thinks he knows It, knows It not. He who knows he knows not, truly knows".
Structure: The text is divided into four sections, with the first two in verse and the last two in prose.
Symbolic story: The third and fourth sections contain a story about the gods who, after a victory, fail to recognize the Supreme Being. A divine figure appears and teaches them that Brahman is the ultimate source of their power, leading them to humility and true wisdom.
Founder of Vedanta: As one of the principal Upanishads, it is a foundational text for the Vedanta school of Hinduism, particularly Advaita Vedanta.