Kena Upanishad By Naithrupan
Chapter 2: Know and Know Not
Preface:
‘Know and Know Not’ are the phrase used to those who try to know the Limitless Brahman. These principles of ‘Know and Know Not’ are fully exploited in Chapter 2 of Kena Upanishad in the five stanzas. One may be confronted with directly opposite meanings which will necessarily confuse any one, however much one is capable of.
These phrases are in vogue from time immemorial from Confucius down to the modern authors.
The modern version of ‘Know and Know Not’ is as follows:
“He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool - shun him.
He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple - teach him.
He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep - wake him.
He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise - follow him.”
In these five stanzas of Kena Upanishads, you will undergo yourself the four stages as indicated in the above quotes. Foolishness, Simplicity, Sleepiness and Wise ness are all to be experienced in knowing Brahman in all its splendors and limitlessness.
Limitlessness or Infinity is not a definite stage or point to pinpoint so that one could reasonably feel satisfied to have known That Stage or Point completely.
Brahman, Kena Upanishads declares, is Limitless in its form, power and control. Hence, if one thinks that Brahman is known by him, actually he has not known Brahman fully. He only limits his knowledge in his pursuit of Brahman, as the Infinity Brahman is being restricted by a specific stage beyond which he does not want to venture. That shows his limitations and hence Brahman is not known completely by him.
These principles of Brahman are explained as the dialogues between the Teacher and Disciple.
I have taken some liberties to explain the aspects of Brahman.
**************************************************************
Disciple: O, Teacher! I know Brahman.
Teacher: O, Disciple! If you think ‘you know Brahman well’, then you do know Brahman only very little.
Disciple: O, Teacher! Why do you say so?
Teacher: O, Disciple! Brahman is Limitless in its form. You are having limitations due to your body, mind and intellect. When you feel that ‘I know Brahman’, then your quest to know Brahman stops there. But, you should know that your quest to know Brahman should be like an endless journey.
Disciple: O, Teacher! You had awakened me. Foolishly, I thought that I know Brahman well. Now, I feel that I do not know Brahman well. But, that does not mean that I do not know
Brahman at all.
Teacher: O, Disciple! Are not you confused with such contradictory statements?
Disciple: O, Teacher! Who knows the meaning of "Neither do I not know, nor do I know"—knows Brahman.
Teacher: O, Disciple! Are you going to keep company with ‘Knows and Knows Not’ of Brahman in your pursuit of true knowledge of Brahman?
Disciple: O, Teacher! Exactly. If some one stops their journey in their pursuit of Brahman feeling that ‘we Know Brahman well’, then I will join those of ‘Know Not’ who are continuing their journey.
Teacher: O, Disciple! Is it a limitless journey?
Disciple: O, Teacher! Yes, it is so. It is an arduous journey as well. It is declared in the Upanishads as under:
He who does not know Brahman, knows Brahman.
He who does know Brahman, knows not Brahman.
Brahman is not known by those who know it.
Brahman is known by those who do not know it.
Teacher: O, Disciple! Well said and explained! Brahman cannot be known by any body nor can be explained. One can only experience It and reach It.
Disciple: O, Teacher! To attain that experience, one’s mind is to be attuned towards the knowledge of Brahman with which one gets strength and immortality.
Teacher: O, Disciple! What are the ultimate aims in life?
Disciple: O, Teacher! To escape the pangs of rebirth in this world. If one knows Brahman in this world, then there is no rebirth for him. If not, he has to born again in this world. Wise who has realized Brahman becomes immortal and there is no rebirth for such soul.
(To be continued.)
Preface:
‘Know and Know Not’ are the phrase used to those who try to know the Limitless Brahman. These principles of ‘Know and Know Not’ are fully exploited in Chapter 2 of Kena Upanishad in the five stanzas. One may be confronted with directly opposite meanings which will necessarily confuse any one, however much one is capable of.
These phrases are in vogue from time immemorial from Confucius down to the modern authors.
The modern version of ‘Know and Know Not’ is as follows:
“He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool - shun him.
He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple - teach him.
He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep - wake him.
He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise - follow him.”
In these five stanzas of Kena Upanishads, you will undergo yourself the four stages as indicated in the above quotes. Foolishness, Simplicity, Sleepiness and Wise ness are all to be experienced in knowing Brahman in all its splendors and limitlessness.
Limitlessness or Infinity is not a definite stage or point to pinpoint so that one could reasonably feel satisfied to have known That Stage or Point completely.
Brahman, Kena Upanishads declares, is Limitless in its form, power and control. Hence, if one thinks that Brahman is known by him, actually he has not known Brahman fully. He only limits his knowledge in his pursuit of Brahman, as the Infinity Brahman is being restricted by a specific stage beyond which he does not want to venture. That shows his limitations and hence Brahman is not known completely by him.
These principles of Brahman are explained as the dialogues between the Teacher and Disciple.
I have taken some liberties to explain the aspects of Brahman.
**************************************************************
Disciple: O, Teacher! I know Brahman.
Teacher: O, Disciple! If you think ‘you know Brahman well’, then you do know Brahman only very little.
Disciple: O, Teacher! Why do you say so?
Teacher: O, Disciple! Brahman is Limitless in its form. You are having limitations due to your body, mind and intellect. When you feel that ‘I know Brahman’, then your quest to know Brahman stops there. But, you should know that your quest to know Brahman should be like an endless journey.
Disciple: O, Teacher! You had awakened me. Foolishly, I thought that I know Brahman well. Now, I feel that I do not know Brahman well. But, that does not mean that I do not know
Brahman at all.
Teacher: O, Disciple! Are not you confused with such contradictory statements?
Disciple: O, Teacher! Who knows the meaning of "Neither do I not know, nor do I know"—knows Brahman.
Teacher: O, Disciple! Are you going to keep company with ‘Knows and Knows Not’ of Brahman in your pursuit of true knowledge of Brahman?
Disciple: O, Teacher! Exactly. If some one stops their journey in their pursuit of Brahman feeling that ‘we Know Brahman well’, then I will join those of ‘Know Not’ who are continuing their journey.
Teacher: O, Disciple! Is it a limitless journey?
Disciple: O, Teacher! Yes, it is so. It is an arduous journey as well. It is declared in the Upanishads as under:
He who does not know Brahman, knows Brahman.
He who does know Brahman, knows not Brahman.
Brahman is not known by those who know it.
Brahman is known by those who do not know it.
Teacher: O, Disciple! Well said and explained! Brahman cannot be known by any body nor can be explained. One can only experience It and reach It.
Disciple: O, Teacher! To attain that experience, one’s mind is to be attuned towards the knowledge of Brahman with which one gets strength and immortality.
Teacher: O, Disciple! What are the ultimate aims in life?
Disciple: O, Teacher! To escape the pangs of rebirth in this world. If one knows Brahman in this world, then there is no rebirth for him. If not, he has to born again in this world. Wise who has realized Brahman becomes immortal and there is no rebirth for such soul.
(To be continued.)
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