KENA UPANISHAD : “Know That Alone as Brahman” - 22. Swami Tejomayananda.

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Sunday, March 05, 2023. 06:30.

Chapter 4, 9 Mantras. (The Story Interpreted)

An Illustrative STORY

The Inner Essence

Post -22.

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A DISCUSSION ON UPASANAS :

The Place of Upasanas in Kena Upanishad :

Mantras - 4.4 and 4.5 represent three Upasanas or methods of meditating on Brahman 

using similes. They are ways in which one can bring one’s mind to a focus. The Bhashya has 

something to say about the place of these Upasanas in this Upanishad :

Question: Why are these Upasanas being given after Brahma Jnana, and not, as we 

would expect, before it?

Answer: The reason given by Sri Shankaracharyaji is this: Yes, it is usual to first go 

through the Upasana stage and then, being prepared by it, take Brahma Jnana to move 

forward. However, there are all varieties of seekers. No fixed rule can be drafted for all 

cases. In the case of some seekers, when they are sitting with their Guru in the serene 

atmosphere of his Ashram, an intense longing arises in them for God. Of course, it may be 

temporary, but it is enough to enable the knowledge to flow in with little impediment from 

the mind.

In such a case, the Brahma Jnana comes without the prior preparation. Some time 

later, such a seeker may find the need to do the Upasana to help keep intact the knowledge 

he has received. This is a possibility, and explains the situation we find in Kena Upanishad. 

Further to this Guruji adds: If Brahma Jnana has been given and the person finds it 

difficult to apply it to himself, then the Upasanas help him to practice it on “God’s Body”. 

That helps to take the seeker’s mind away from himself and to something outside his Ego.

The Principle Behind Upasana :

Guruji took some time to explain the principle upon which the effectiveness of 

Upasana rests. Vedanta has always encouraged its students to practice Upasanas because it 

strengthens them (or raises their potential) to pursue Vedantic Sadhana with greater zeal. 

Upasanas have the ability to train the mental powers of the seeker so that he can do 

Vedantic Sadhana more efficiently.

Upasana, i.e. worship of Brahman by superimposing Him upon a form, is based on a 

scientific principle. Just as fire can be known only as fire, so also knowledge of an object

should be known as that object only. If we wish to know about form, the Pramana or proper 

means is the eye. If we wish to know a Mantra, the means is the ear. The senses can bring 

the information immediately. Using this principle, the Upasaka (one who practises Upasana) 

superimposes the qualities of Brahman on the idol he is worshipping, and raises his mind 

through such superimposition.

There are many known cases of devotees actually experiencing these qualities when 

engaged fervently in their devotions towards their idols. Guruji said that the scriptural rules 

regarding idols have to be followed rigidly to get the best results. There are codes in the 

Shastras of how idols should be made and then sanctified (Praana Pratishtha, “given life”). If 

followed correctly, idols can certainly have the necessary effect of cultivating the desired 

qualities in the Vedantic student.

An Important Summary of the Upasanas :

To clarify the whole purpose of these mantras the Bhashya gives the following summary :

“In the macrocosmic context, Brahman has the attribute of 

revealing Itself quickly like lightning and winking. In the microcosmic 

context, It has the attribute of manifesting Itself simultaneously with all 

the modifications of the mind (thoughts). This is the instruction about 

Brahman through these analogies.”

Instead of using form as in idols, sound can be used as in the Name of the Lord. The 

following verse deals with using a Name to represent Brahman. It is another form of 

Upasana, the fourth one in Kena Upanishad.

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Next
Mantram - 4.6: “Tadvanam” – the Adorable Brahman :
To be continued

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