Kena Upanishad - Part 4 - English

The fourth section of kēnōpaniṣat concludes the teaching by moving from story to assimilation. After the narrative of the gods and the yakṣa, the text now states clearly that victory belongs to Brahman alone, and that all excellence in beings is due to nearness to that truth.

This section also gives practical foundation: tapas, dama, right karma, and satyam. In other words, realization is not mere inspiration; it is stabilized through disciplined life.

sā brahmēti hōvācha brahmaṇō vā ētadvijayē mahīyadhvamiti tatō haiva vidāñchakāra brahmēti ॥ 1॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
She said, "That was Brahman. In truth, this victory was Brahman's alone." Only then did Indra clearly understand that it was Brahman.

tasmādvā ētē dēvā atitarāmivānyāndēvānyadagnirvāyurindrastē hyēnannēdiṣṭhaṃ pasparśustē hyēnatprathamō vidāñchakāra brahmēti ॥ 2॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Therefore Agni, Vayu, and Indra are said to excel the other gods, because they came nearest to that Brahman and were first to approach its recognition.

tasmādvā indrō'titarāmivānyāndēvānsa hyēnannēdiṣṭhaṃ pasparśa sa hyēnatprathamō vidāñchakāra brahmēti ॥ 3॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Therefore Indra is said to excel the other gods, because he came nearest to that reality and was the first among them to understand it as Brahman.

tasyaiṣa ādēśō yadētadvidyutō vyadyutadā(3) itīn nyamīmiṣadā(3) ityadhidaivatam ॥ 4॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
This is the indication regarding Brahman in the cosmic sense: like a sudden flash of lightning, like the instant of a blink.

athādhyātmaṃ yaddētadgachChatīva cha manō'nēna chaitadupasmaratyabhīkṣṇaṃ saṅkalpaḥ ॥ 5॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Now, in the inner sense: the mind seems to move toward That, and through repeated recollection and resolve, one keeps turning toward it again and again.

taddha tadvanaṃ nāma tadvanamityupāsitavyaṃ sa ya ētadēvaṃ vēdābhi hainagṃ sarvāṇi bhūtāni saṃvāñChanti ॥ 6॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
That indeed is called "Tadvanam," the Adorable, and should be meditated upon as such. Whoever knows thus becomes one whom all beings naturally revere and seek.

upaniṣadaṃ bhō brūhītyuktā ta upaniṣadbrāhmīṃ vāva ta upaniṣadamabrūmēti ॥ 7॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
When asked, "Sir, teach the Upanishadic secret," the teacher replied, "Indeed, we have taught to you this Upanishad concerning Brahman."

tasai tapō damaḥ karmēti pratiṣṭhā vēdāḥ sarvāṅgāni satyamāyatanam ॥ 8॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
For this realization, austerity, self-restraint, and right action are the foundation; the Vedas are its supporting limbs, and truth is its abiding ground.

yō vā ētāmēvaṃ vēdāpahatya pāpmānamanantē svargē lōkē jyēyē pratitiṣṭhati pratitiṣṭhati ॥ 9॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Whoever knows this in this way, having cast off impurity, becomes established in the infinite and supreme state - firmly established indeed.

॥ iti kēnōpaniṣadi chaturthaḥ khaṇḍaḥ ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Thus ends the fourth section of the Kena Upanishad.

ōṃ āpyāyantu mamāṅgāni vākprāṇaśchakṣuḥ śrōtramathō balamindriyāṇi cha sarvāṇi । sarvaṃ brahmaupaniṣadaṃ mā'haṃ brahma nirākuryāṃ mā mā brahma nirākarōdanirākaraṇamastvanirākaraṇaṃ mē'stu । tadātmani niratē ya upaniṣatsu dharmāstē mayi santu tē mayi santu ।

Translation (bhāvārtha):
May my limbs, speech, life-force, eyes, ears, strength, and all faculties be nourished. May I never reject Brahman, and may Brahman never be hidden from me. May the disciplines taught in the Upanishads abide in me.

ōṃ śānti@ḥ śānti@ḥ śānti#ḥ ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Om. Peace, peace, peace.

॥ iti kēnōpaniṣat ॥

Translation (bhāvārtha):
Thus ends the Kena Upanishad.

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