The Kena Upanishad defines the idea of Brahma as the one absolute spirit, and shows its distinction from the world. The instrument by which Brahma is to be comprehended is highest intellect. This intellect cannot be acquired so long as one is united with this body. Only those who acquire the knowledge that Brahma cannot be known by worldly knowledge reach near Him. Brahma is the nature of every thought whereby individual existence disappears. Kena Upanishad illustrates the infinite nature of Brahma and the consequences that follow from this knowledge. The questions like under whose will the intellectual power makes its approach to different objects; under whose authority the breath, the primitive power in the body, continues its operation; under whose direction language is regularly pronounced; under whose order vision an hearing are applied to their respective objects also form the subject matter of the narration. In answering these questions, it is explained that it is He (Brahma) who is the sense of the sense of hearing; the intellect of the intellect; the essential cause of language; the breath of the breath; the sense of the sense of vision; He is the invisible Supreme Being. He is beyond description in terms of words. he is beyond intellectual power to comprehend him. He gives meaning to words and language, He cannot be conceived by vision. Under his superintendence everybody perceives the objects of the vision. He is the Supreme Being and the only one worthy of worship. Spirit of God (Brahma) extends to all creatures.
Under whose will does our mind make its approach to different objects, who is He under whose authority people breathe and live, who is He who gives power of speech, vision and hearing to respective objects?
These and other questions show the desire of the pupil to know the Supreme Being who is the master of our lives and their journey. That Supreme Being is Brahman, the soul of the universe which exists in all creatures. He has an appearance beyond description but His presence can be felt in everything that exists. In reply the teacher said: He is the sense of the sense of hearing; the Mind of the Mind, the cause of speech, the breath of life; the source of all vision, the Supreme Being about whom you have enquired, learned men attain his knowledge and enjoy everlasting bliss after their departure from the world.
He who is beyond description in words and He who gives meaning to language is the Supreme Being, and not any other object which people ordinarily worship. Know thou this.
He who cannot be described by speech and He who reveals the power of speech in us is the Brahman, and not the objects people worship.
He who cannot be comprehended with the mind alone and He who encompasses the mind and its power to comprehend is the Supreme Being, not objects the objects that people worship.
He who can be seen by eyes and gives the eyes the power to see is the Brahman, and not the objects that people worship.
He whose ears cannot hear and He who gives the ears the power of hearing is the Brahman, and not the objects that people worship.
He whose the power of smell cannot smell and He who bestows on us the power of smell is the Brahman, and not the objects that people worship.
The Supreme Being (Brahman) can be realised not by means of power of senses. He is not a specific object. Those who understand the above principles will know the Truth about Brahman and attain Bliss and not others. Wise men realised Brahman in all beings. Such wise men get absorbed in Brahman after their departure from this world.
This article has been taken from the book Soul Of India by H R Bhardwaj