Kena Upanisad

“By whom (kena, i.e., by whose mere intent) is the impelled mind directed?” With this profound question, the Kena Upanishad begins. One of the shortest Upanishads, Kena offers one of the most thorough presentations of Vedanta in its first two chapters. The prose of the last two chapters narrates how the gods take credit for a victory won by Brahman. Failing to recognize Brahman, they are taken to task until Indra finally approaches the goddess Uma, who reveals the knowledge of the Absolute Brahman to him. Recognizing that all of us may not be such highly qualified aspirants, Kena ends on a compassionate note as a student is permitted to ask, “Revered sir, please teach me the Upanishad” Despite its compactness, Kena, which is part of the Sama Veda, is significant. Shankara wrote two Bhasyas on it (Padabhasya & Vakyabhasya).