'ahamkar' & Uma

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THE KENA UPANISHAD falls into two halves.

 

The first half, consisting of two khandas or chapters, records a dialogue in

verse between a student and teacher.

 

The second half, in prose, tells a fable in which the gods fail to recognize

Brahman because they imagine they are responsible for a victory that was in fact

won by him.

 

Swami Nikhilananda interprets this story allegorically as follows:

 

The Gods stand for the psychic forces that control the sense-organs. Indra, or

I-consciousness, is their ruler. The demons [who were overcome in battle by

Brahman] represent a man's evil passions. Now and then the senses are able to

overcome a passion and get a sudden glimpse of Atman. Then they proudly feel

that they can understand Atman's whole nature. The organ of speech (Agni, or

Fire) thinks it can know the whole of Brahman. Prana, the vital force (Vayu, or

Wind), thinks it alone controls man's activity. They soon realize, however, the

futility of their power and beat a retreat. Then the ego, or the individual soul

(Indra), chastened and humbled, steps forward, and the vision of Atman vanishes.

There appears before him Grace (Uma, the consort of the Lord), who is the Power

of Brahman (Sakti) and also the Wisdom of the Vedas (Brahmavidya). She destroys

the wrong notion of the ego and the senses and ultimately reveals the truth of

Brahman. Thus the

aspirant attains the supreme knowledge. It should be noted that one cannot even

have a glimpse of the indwelling Atman unless the evil passions are subdued.

 

For more log on to :http://www.realization.org/page/namedoc0/kena/k_i.htm

Read the story at :http://www.realization.org/page/namedoc0/kena/k_3.htm

 

 

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