Kena Upanishad Verse 8

Kena Upanishad Verse 1.8

The final verse of the first Khanda focuses on the life-force (Prana). Breath itself is empowered by Brahman, yet Brahman is not something that is breathed by the respiratory organs. This underscores the Atman as the most subtle and internal reality.

Sanskrit Verse

यत्प्राणेन न प्राणिति येन प्राणः प्रणीयते ।
तदेव ब्रह्म त्वं विद्धि नेदं यदिदमुपासते ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

yatprāṇena na prāṇiti yena prāṇaḥ praṇīyate |
tadeva brahma tvaṃ viddhi nedaṃ yadidamupāsate || 8 ||

Translation

What none breathes with the breath, but by which breath is in-breathed, That alone know thou to be the Brahman; not this which (people) here worship.