KENA UPANISHAD “Know That Alone as Brahman” -2. Swami Tejomayananda

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Thursday 12, December 2024, 06:30.
KENA UPANISHAD 
4 Chapters, 34 Mantras 
From:   A. Krishna Yajur Veda & B. Sama Veda  
INVOCATION PRAYERS

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A. GENERAL INVOCATION: from Krishna Yajur Veda 

1 

om.    saha nau avatu; = May He protect us both together.  

2 

saha nau bhunaktu; = May He protect us both. 

3

saha veeryam karavaavahai; = May we attain vigour together. 

4

tejaswi nau adheetam  astu; = Let what we study be invigorating. 

5 

maa vidvishaavahai.=  May we not cavil at each other. 

6 

om shantih, shantih, shantih! = Om Peace, Peace, Peace! 

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This is a very common chant prior to the start of any study between teacher and students. It is universal in nature. It overcomes the main difficulties which stand in the way of grasping knowledge. The main points are: 


i) To bring quietness, peace and stillness into the minds of teacher and student, so that the mind can be focused easily on the knowledge. 

ii) To bring up the correct attitude that the student and the teacher should have in order to make the learning effective. The prayer is for an attitude of understanding and respect and avoiding all useless debating and arguing. 

iii) To promote a vigorous intellect, so that the Truth may be reflected upon from all  angles and assimilated well into the mind in its true import.  

During studies, it is vital that the ambience encourages these three to come to the  fore. Teacher and student cannot exist without each other. Their harmony is crucial.  

Both must put forth effort to grasp the knowledge. Both must look forward to the  class. There must be joy in the learning process. The end result desired is clarity of 

understanding, without doubts, and abidance in the knowledge. The knowledge must be  lived; this is not just an intellectual pursuit. 

May teacher and taught come to love each other eternally. Let it not be just a  business relationship. There should be no ill-will or disrespect between them. 

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B. PEACE INVOCATION:  from the Sama Veda 


1

om.  

aapyaayantu mama angaani, = Vigorous may my limbs grow; so, too, my

vaak praanah chakshuh shrotram, =  speech, Prana (vital air), eye, ear, 

athah balam indriyaani cha sarvaani.= and the strength of all my senses! 

2

sarvam brahma upanishadam, = ii) All is Brahman of the Upanishads.  

maa aham brahma niraakuryaan =  May I never deny Brahman;  

maa maa brahma niraakarod- = may Brahman never spurn me. 

3

aniraakaranam astu, = iii) May there be no denial of Brahman;  

aniracetam me astu; = may there be no spurning by Brahman;  

tad  aatmani nirate; = may I take delight in that Atman;

4 

ya upanishatsu dharmaah, = iv) The virtues recited in the Upanishads – 

te mayi santu, te mayi santu.=  may they repose in me; may they repose in 

om shaantih shaantih shaantih! = iv) The virtues recited in the Upanishads – 

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The Peace Invocation gives an auspicious start to the study. It invokes ‘Peace’ without which the mind is not in a fit state to be enlightened. A mind in turmoil cannot have 

grasping power to understand the subtle truths. Every Upanishad is preceded by a   Invocation.

A healthy body is a pre-requisite for the ideal life that is promoted by the Upanishads.Hence, the seers always invoked strength in the body, Pranas and the mind at 

the start of their study. This shows that the philosophy taught did not clash with holding a  healthy attitude of respect towards the body and its functions. Vedanta is not an ‘other worldly’ pursuit. 

In the words Te Mayi Santu, the student says, “Please let this be with me”, at least  now while I am studying. The student realizes that his imperfections are present and, 

therefore, prays to be free from their grip on him at least for these few hours. This method  is recognized as very effective in removing one’s defects. 

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Next

Chapter 1. The Nature of BRAHMAN - (8 mantras)

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know the self, know the self in Nature, know the self in Jiva, Further Oneness.

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