Krishjan

Chapter 4 — Fourth Section

Kena

9 Shloka • Translation Only

She replied: “It was Brahman.” “It was through the victory of Brahman that you became great.” Then Indra came to understand that it was indeed Brahman.

Therefore, among the gods, Agni, Vāyu, and Indra are regarded as surpassing the others. For they came nearest to Brahman and approached It most closely. And among them, Indra excelled, for he was the first to truly understand that It was Brahman.

Therefore, Indra is regarded as surpassing the other gods. For he came nearest to Brahman and approached It most closely. And he was the first among them to realize that It was Brahman.

This is the teaching concerning That from the standpoint of the gods (adhidaivata): It is like a flash of lightning that suddenly shines forth, or like the blink of an eye that appears and vanishes in an instant.

Now, from the standpoint of the individual self (adhyātma): It is that which the mind seems to approach, and by which the mind repeatedly remembers and contemplates It. Through repeated reflection and resolve (saṅkalpa), one continually turns toward That.

That Brahman is called Tadvanam—the Object of Adoration and Reverence. Therefore, It should be meditated upon as Tadvanam. Whoever knows It in this way, all beings seek after him and hold him in reverence.

The disciple said: “Revered Sir, teach me the Upaniṣad.” The teacher replied: “The Upaniṣad has indeed been taught to you. We have taught you the Upaniṣad concerning Brahman.”

Its foundation is tapas (spiritual discipline), dama (self-control), and right action (karma). The Vedas are its limbs. And Truth (Satya) is its abiding support.

Whoever knows this in such a manner, having cast off all sin and impurity, becomes firmly established in the infinite and highest heavenly state. He becomes established there—indeed, he becomes established there.