KENA UPANISHAD : “Know That Alone as Brahman” - 25. Swami Tejomayananda.

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Monday, April 17 , 2023. 07:15.

Chapter 4 - 9 Mantras. (The Story Interpreted)

An Illustrative STORY

The Inner Essence

Post -25.

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Mantram - 4.8: The Edifice of Brahma Vidya

1 tasyai tapah damah   =  Of that (knowledge), austerity, self-restraint and 

2 karma iti pratishthaa;   =  dedicated work – these are the foundations;

3 vedaah sarvaangaani,   =  the Vedas are Its limbs;

4 satyam aayatanam.   =  and Truth is Its abode.

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The Guru’s reply here justifies the deeper meanings of the previous verse. In 

accordance with the second of the above interpretations, the Guru answers that there are 

some practical aids to Brahma Vidya.

The implication is that Brahman Vidya is indeed independent of any other means. 

Knowledge is the only factor that will eliminate Ignorance. However, what is being 

acknowledged here is that in practice, it is greatly aided by three other factors:

i) Tapas-Dama-Karma – Foundation of Brahma Vidya:

1-2 Tapas is austerity, Dama is self-restraint, and Karma stands for dedicated work or 

Karma Yoga. Upon these three acting as the foundation, the edifice of Brahma Vidya can 

rest firmly. These three represent all the Niyamas. They may not be part of Brahma Vidya, 

but Brahma Vidya cannot stand without them.

Austerity provides the strength and capacity to the seeker; Dama frees him from the 

external temptations of sense objects so that he can devote himself one-pointedly to the 

spiritual pursuit; and Karma Yoga frees him from the bonds of past Karma which has to be 

worked out, i.e. it stands for the purification process that clears all Karmic debts.

ii) Vedas – Support to Brahma Vidya:

3 The true relationship between the “secret knowledge” of the Upanishads and the 

larger body of knowledge, namely the Vedas, is indicated. The Vedas are to be seen as the 

limbs of the Upanishads, feeding the Upanishads, as it were. Guruji called it the “Publicity 

Wing” of the Upanishads. The vast majority of people will find lots of interest in the Karma 

and Upasana Kandas (portions) of the Vedas, but these portions are only to draw people 

towards the Upanishads, which is what the Rishis really want to teach to mankind.

The Upanishads are the Brahma Vidya portion, whilst the rest of the Vedas are 

certainly accessories which lead people to Brahma Vidya in due course of time.

iii) Truth – the Residence of Brahma Vidya: 

4 A sound foothold in morality is what Truth stands for. It includes all the Yamas, 

namely, Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha. These mean non-violence, 

truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and absence of greed or hoarding. Again, although these 

are not considered as part of Brahma Vidya, the latter has no ‘home’ without them. 

Yet another way to view this mantram is this:

The SEED of Brahma Vidya needs the WARMTH of Tapas-Dama-Karma; 

found in the WOMB of Truth; and nourished by the MOTHER of the Vedas;

to produce the CHILD of spiritual illumination!

*****

Next
Mantram - 4.9: The Phala Stuti – the Fruits of Brahma Vidya
To be continued

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