Summary:

In this session, we explore the Kena Upanishad, focusing on Chapter 3, Verses 1 and 2. The text discusses a battle between devas (good guys) and asuras (bad guys), where the devas win due to laws such as dharma being on their side. However, the devas become arrogant, claiming the victory as their own.

The lesson illustrates how pride can lead to forgetting Ishvara's blessings in our successes. Ishvara then appears as a yaksha (celestial being) to challenge the devas' vanity. The session defines Ishvara as all-knowing and all-powerful, encompassing humans, devas, and asuras.

We learn about two definitions of devas: celestial beings in higher worlds and knowledge-powers governing universal laws. Examples of the latter include Lakshmi (governing resources) and Sarasvati (distributing intelligence). The text also touches on asuras as misguided sentient beings. The session concludes by hinting at the devas' attempt to identify the mysterious yaksha in the next verse.

Kena Upanishad, Chapter 3, Verse 1:

ब्रह्म ह देवेभ्यः विजिग्ये तस्य ह ब्रह्मणः विजये देवाः अमहीयन्त
brahma ha devebhyaḥ vijigye tasya ha brahmaṇaḥ vijaye devāḥ amahīyanta
Brahman won a victory for the devas (over the asuras). In the victory of that Brahman, the devas were glorified.

• STORY: There was a battle between devas (good guys) and asuras (bad guys). Good guys won because laws are in their favour. It’s Ishvara’s glory. But took victory as their glory.
• EG: You come with talent, design painting, become famous. Excess pride, or ownership starts. “My success”. You eventually forget it's Ishvara blessing, such as people who are appreciate your work, and whom you need to feel good about yourself.

Kena Upanishad, Chapter 3, Verse 2:

ते ऐक्षन्त अस्माकम् एव अयम् विजयः अस्माकम् एव अयम् महिमा इति
तत् ह एषाम् विजज्ञौ तेभ्यः ह प्रादुरबभूव तत् न व्यजानत किम् इदम् यक्षम् इति

te aikṣanta asmākam eva ayam vijayaḥ asmākam eva ayam mahimā iti
(They thought, “This victory is ours alone, this greatness is ours alone,” thus)
tat ha eṣām vijajñau tebhyaḥ ha prādurbabhūva tat na vyajānata kim idam yakṣam iti
(That [Brahman] indeed knew their [thought], [It] indeed appeared before them, they did not understand [It, thinking] “What is this mysterious being?”)

They thought, “This victory is ours only. This glory is ours only.” That Brahman knew (the vanity) of these devas. For their sake, Brahman manifested (in front of them in the form of a yakṣa). They did not recognise that celestial form.

• Devas thought victory was their alone, so because arrogant. Story shows, when living from personal bubble, it eventually bursts.
• Ishvara appeared infront of devas in form of yakṣa (attractive celestial form).
• Definition of Ishvara:
  • Ishvara is sarvajna, sarva-shaktiman.
  • Ishvara includes humans, deva and asuras; in whom duality appears; and is free of both.
    1. Human: Ishvara in form of sentient being on earth.
    2. Deva (or devata or devi): Has 2 definitions…
       1. Ishvara in form of sentient being in higher worlds; better mind/body. Better punya. Still a jiva (ignorant of Ishvara). Chapter 3 story refers to this definition of “deva“.
       2. All knowledge-power that governs a specific law within universe. EG:
          • Lakshmi:
            • Right understanding: Law that governs resources and how it’s going to manifest, is called Lakshmi.
            • Wrong understanding: Lakshmi is a Deva who is distinct out there, sitting on a lotus, distributing resources over here.
          • Sarasvati: Ishvara’s laws that distributes intelligence according to use of free will.
    3. Asuras: Ishvara in form of misguided sentient beings.
• NEXT VERSE: Devas want to find out who yaksha is…

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Recorded 13 July, 2024