Essentials of Hinduism - Kata Upanishad

Essentials of Hinduism

Kata Upanishad

Kata Upanishad deals with a conversation between the Yamadharmaraja and Nachiketa. It is in the format of Question and Answer session all pertaining to Death and related details. There is a controversy if this Kata Upanishad should be read inside a home or not, considering the welfare of the Family. The author chooses to avoid this controversy and elaboration of this Kata Upanishad. Interested people should find an appropriate book covering this subject and read the book outside the Home after verification from an authoritative source.

Kena Upanishad:

SUMMARY:

This Upanishad starts with Kena that means By Whom. Therefore this Upanishad got the name Kena Upanishad. This Upanishad belongs to Sama Veda.

DETAILS:

There are a total of 35 Mantras distributed in 4 sections. However the descriptions for all the sections have been consolidated. The Shanti Sloka begins by stating - let us not deny, as well as, forget the Brahman. The Upanishad begins by asking how does the Body, Mind, Atma (Jivatma) function? It answers thus – the Atma (Self) is the ear for the ears, mind for the mind, eye for the eyes. The eyes sees the outside objects; the eyes are looked at by the mind; the thoughts inside the mind are looked by the Self; but, no one can look at the Self! Inside the body and the mind lies the Self, that is the Truth and indestructible; it does not die; it functions on its own. Inside the body, it is known as the Self; the soul of man is the Atma (Self), and, the soul of the Universe is the Brahman. Who is the Self? The One who occupies the entire Universe is also the Self. The Atma and the Brahman are identical.. What is meant by Self Realization? The simple way to Learn about the Self is to understand every bodily actions and every activity of the mind functioning through the Self. Also, a Person with Self-Realization - he feels His presence in all names and forms, in every living creatures.

One becomes immortal by renouncing all the Desires. Man talks about my Wife, my Son, my House etc. The Wise abandon all such Worldly Talks and Worldly Desires and attain immortality by meditating on the Brahman. The Shruti says: not by works, not by offspring, not by wealth, but by Renunciation alone did some attain immortality. When all Desires are abandoned, they attain the Brahman, having turned his Senses inwards for desire of immortality. Brahman must be known through intuition (perception) or self-cognition (being self-conscious) by practicing constant Meditation. The Atma (Self) inside the Body is not connected with anything but it supports Everything.

In the third Section – Brahman won a Victory for the Devas against the Asuras. The Devas thought – to us belongs the Victory, to us belongs the Glory – this was their false notion. The Superiority of Brahman is brought out here. Brahman is the very Life of all the Gods and they derive their power from Brahman only. Brahman came in the form of Yaksha and appeared before them (to destroy their pride). He challenged individually the Agni, Vayu to destroy a blade of grass and they could not succeed. However, Indra’s ignorance was dispelled by Uma (consort of Shiva). Indra first heard of Brahman from the words of Uma. He was the first who knew Brahman. Sri Sankara says: Brahman showed Himself to the Devas and disappeared from their sight like the flash of lightning.

Knowledge of Brahman arises in those persons who have Purified their Minds through Austerity (severity), Self-Restraint and works either in this Birth or in many Previous Births. Those who have not removed the impurities of the Mind, either disbelieve or misbelieve Brahman. The study of the Vedas help one to attain the Knowledge of the Brahman. Atma-Anubhooti consists of three different Penances that we need to Learn: (1) Tapas – control of our Senses and always being aware of Paramatma; (2) Read Scriptures that discuss Higher Truths and chanting of the Veda Mantras; (3) Facing bad news without letting them upset you, by not upsetting others in any manner. A Person who practices these Truths attains Self-realization.

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.