Kenopanishad

Talavakaropanishad

-translated by Prof K.T Pandurangi

Introduction

This Upanishad is in the fourth chapter of Talavakara Brahmana of Samaveda. Hence it is called Talavakaropanishad. It is also called as Kenopanishad as it begins with the word Kena. This word ‘kena’ by whom? Gives the clue to the central theme of this Upanishad viz. God directs all our activities. God regulates all. This Upanishad also brings out the fact that God is infinite, He cannot be fully comprehended by anyone. These two facts, viz. God regulates all and He cannot be comprehended fully are illustrated by an episode.

This Upanishad is in the form of a dialogue between Chaturmukha Brahma and Sadashiva. Therefore, these two are the sages for this Upanishad. Vishnu is the deity. Trishtup etc. are chandas for the poetry portion.

Exact Translation

Directed by whom does the mind proceed towards the objects? Directed by whom the Mukhyaprana performs his duties ? Directed by whom people utter this speech? Who directs the eye, the ear etc.?

He who gives the power of hearing to the ear, the power of thinking to the mind, the power of speaking to the sense of speech, who directs Mukhyaprana and who gives the power of seeing to the eye, is that one only. The wise after leaving this gross body, being freed from, attain immortality.

There, the eye does not go, the speech does not go, nor the mind goes. We do not know, we do not understand, how he regulates them.

He is distinct from the known and distinct from the unknown. He is supreme. Thus we have heard from the ancients who taught Him.

He who is not fully expressed by speech, directed by whom the speech is uttered, is Brahman; the Jiva is not Brahman; Brahman is by your side.

He who is not fully grasped by mind, directed by whom the mind grasps, is Brahman; the Jiva is not Brahman, Brahman is by your side.

He who is not seen by the eye, directed by whom the eyes see, is Brahman; the Jiva is not Brahman, Brahman is by your side.

He who is heard by the ear, directed by whom the ear hears, is Brahman; the Jiva is not Brahman, Brahman is by your side.

He who is not moved by Mukhyaprana , by whom Mukhyaprana is moved, is Brahman; the Jiva is not Brahman, Brahman is by your side.

Others think that I Chaturmukha Brahma know Brahman well. But I know that I do not know him completely. It is also not that I do not know him at all. I know him. Amongst us, he who thinks that I Chaturmukha Brahma know God fully, does not know correctly. On the other hand, he who thinks that I Chaturmukha Brahma do not know God fully, knows correctly. He who thinks that he has not understood God fully, has understood him. He who thinks that he has understood God has not really understood him.

Those who thinks that they have understood, have not really understood. But those who think that they have not understood have really understood.

He who knows according to his capacity attains immortality.

By worshipping after realisation, one obtains increased bliss, by knowledge one attains liberation.

If one knows Brahman at this birth it is good. If one does not know at this birth it is a great loss. The wise will think of the presence of Brahman in every being and attain immortality leaving this world.

Third Skanda

Brahman i.e. Visnu won the battle for gods. In this victory of Brahman, the gods glorified themselves. They thought ‘ours indeed is this victory, ours is this glory’ Brahman knew this concept of gods.

Brahman appeared before them as Yaksa. They did not know what spirit it was. They said to Agni, ‘O Jatavedas, find this out, what this spirit is. He said ‘Yes’ and rushed towards it. The spirit (Yaksha) asked him (Agni) ‘who artthou?’

Agni replied ‘I am Agni, indeed, I am Jatavedas.’

The spirit asked him again ‘ what power is there in thee.’

Agni replied ‘I can burn everything whatever there is on the earth.’

The spirit placed before him grass and said ‘burn this’.

Agni rushed towards it with all his force. He could not burn it. He returned and told other gods ‘I have not been able to find out what this spirit is.’

Then the gods said to Vayu ‘O Vayu, find this out, what this spirit is. He said ‘yes’ and rushed towards it.

(The spirit asked him)’who art thou.’

Vayu replied ‘I am Vayu, indeed, I am Matarisva.’

(The spirit asked him again) ‘what power is there in thee.’

Vayu replied I can blow off everything whatever there is on earth.

The spirit placed before him grass and said, blow off this.

Vayu rushed towards it with all his force. He could not blow it off. He returned and told other gods ‘I have not been able to find out what this spirit is.’

The gods said to Indra ‘O Maghavan! Find this out, what this spirit is.’ He said ‘yes’ and rushed towards it. The spirit disappeared. In the same place, he came across a lady, most beautiful, Uma, daughter of Himavat. He said to her ‘what is this spirit?’

Fourth Skanda

Uma said – This is Brahman. In the victory of Brahman, you gods find the glory. Then, Indra understood that the Yaksha was Brahman. Therefore, these gods Agni Vayu Indra greatly surpass other gods. These understood Brahman earlier.

These gods i.e. Agni, Vayu and Indra first understood him to be Brahman. Therefore, Indra surpasses other gods. He understood him closest. He understood him first as Brahman.

There is this teaching of Brahman. It flashes fourth lightning etc. luminous forms. It closes. This is adhidaivata. Now, adhyatma – The mind moves and remembers them directed by him. The mind wills continuously.

The Brahman is designated Tadvana (for the purpose of meditation in this context). It should be meditated upon as Tadvana (that which is pervading and worthy of worship).

He who knows it thus, (as tadvana), him, all beings like. Sadasiva asked Chaturmukha Brahma again. Sir, teach me the Upanishad (the secret knowledge). (Chaturmukha Brahma) replies ‘the Upanishad is already taught. The secret knowledge about brahman is already stated. The penance, control of senses, and the prescribed duties are its support. The Vedas, the Vedangas, and Mimansa are its sources. He who possesses this secret knowledge, gets rid of his sins, and gets firmly attached to the supreme who is infinite, blissful and luminous.

END OF TALAVAKAROPANISHAD

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