Krishjan

Chapter 2 — Second Section

Kena

5 Shloka • Translation Only

If you think, “I know Brahman well,” then surely you know only a small aspect of Its nature— whether as It appears in yourself, or as It appears among the gods. Therefore, I think that what you know of Brahman is still something to be further inquired into and understood.

I do not think, “I know It well.” Yet neither do I think, “I do not know It.” I know It—and yet I do not know It in the ordinary sense. Whoever among us understands this truth, understands It: that one knows That as “not fully known, and yet not unknown.”

He who thinks “It cannot be grasped by the mind” truly understands It. He who thinks “I know It” does not know It. To those who realize Its nature, It is unknown as an object of knowledge. To those who think they have known It as an object, It remains unknown in truth.

It is realized in and through every state of awareness. Such realization is true knowledge; for through it one attains immortality. Through the Ātman (Self) one gains strength and spiritual power, and through knowledge (Vidyā) one attains immortality.

If one realizes Brahman here, in this very life, then life has attained its true fulfillment. If one does not realize It here, great is the loss. The wise (dhīrāḥ), discerning That in all beings, depart from this world and attain immortality.