Kena Upanishad Verse 1

Kena Upanishad Verse 1.1

The Upanishad begins with a deep inquiry into the source of life and consciousness. The seeker asks what power directs the mind to its objects, what command starts the first breath (Prana), and what intelligence enables speech, sight, and hearing.

Sanskrit Verse

ओं केनेषितं पतति प्रेषितं मनः केन प्राणः प्रथमः प्रैति युक्तः ।
केनेषितां वाचमिमां वदन्ति चक्षुः श्रोत्रं क उ देवो युनक्ति ॥ १ ॥

Transliteration

oṃ keneṣitaṃ patati preṣitaṃ manaḥ kena prāṇaḥ prathamaḥ praiti yuktaḥ |
keneṣitāṃ vācamimāṃ vadanti cakṣuḥ śrotraṃ ka u devo yunakti || 1 ||

Translation

By whom willed and directed does the mind light on its subjects? By whom commanded does prana, the first, move? By whose will do men speak this speech? What Intelligence directs the eye and the ear?