Kena Upanishad: Verse 1.8
यत् प्राणेन न प्राणिति येन प्राणः प्रणीयते। तत् एव ब्रह्म त्वं विद्धि नेदं यदिदमुपासते॥८॥
यत्। प्राणेन। न। प्राणिति। येन। प्राणः। प्रणीयते। तत्। एव। ब्रह्म। त्वम्। विद्धि। न। इदम्। यत्। इदम्। उपासते ॥८॥
yat prāṇena na prāṇiti yena prāṇaḥ praṇīyate | tat eva brahma tvaṃ viddhi nedaṃ yadidam upāsate ||8||
That which one does not breathe with the breath, but by which the breath is breathed, know that alone as Brahman, not this which people worship here.
- प्राणिति = प्र + अन् (प्राण्) धातोः लट्। प्रणीयते = प्र + नी, लट् कर्मणि (passive) आत्मनेपद। तत् एव → तत् + एव। न इदम् → न + इदम्। यत् इदम् → यत् + इदम्।
About this Verse
- Central concept
- Brahman as the life-principle beyond the vital breath (Prana)
- The mahavakyas
- Complements 'Ayam Atma Brahma' (This Self is Brahman) by showing Prana as manifestation of Brahman, not Brahman itself
- Veda
- Sama Veda
- Shakha
- Talavakara Shakha
- Chandas
- Anushtup (32 syllables, 8+8+8+8 pattern)
Yoga and practice
Pranayama practice should lead to awareness of the witness behind breath; the breath is animated by Brahman, directing attention to the source of Prana
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