KENA UPANISHAD: “Know That Alone as Brahman”: 2. SWAMI GURUBHAKTANANDA.

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Thursday 16, October 2025, 18:10.
KENA UPANISHAD: “Know That Alone as Brahman”: 
SWAMI GURUBHAKTANANDA
4 Chapters, Mantras:  34.
Post-2. 

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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,   vaak praanah chakshuh shrotram,  athah balam indriyaani cha sarvaani. = i) Vigorous may my limbs grow; so, too, my   speech, Prana (vital air), eye, ear,  and the strength of all my senses! 

2 

sarvam brahma upanishadam, maa aham brahma niraakuryaan maa maa brahma niraakarod-= ii) All is Brahman of the Upanishads.   May I never deny Brahman;  may Brahman never spurn me. 

3 

aniraakaranam astu, aniraakaranam me astu; tad  aatmani nirate; = iii) May there be no denial of Brahman;  may there be no spurning by Brahman;  may I take delight in that Atman; 

4 

ya upanishatsu dharmaah,  te mayi santu, te mayi santu. om shaantih shaantih shaantih! = iv) The virtues recited in the Upanishads – may they repose in me; may they repose in me!    Om Peace, Peace, Peace!  

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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 Peace 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 methodis recognized as very effective in removing one’s defects.

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Next
Chapter 1,   8 Mantrs: The Nature of BRAHMAN
THE DISCIPLE QUESTIONS THE GURU
Mantram:  1.1: The Disciple’s Questions 

Continues

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