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 splen