The Kena Upanishad
We’re almost done studying the Kena Upanishad in my Vedanta class. The Kena Upanishad is the third upanishad we’re reading (after the Katha and Mundaka) and the 5th Vedantic text (including the Bhagavad Gita and Tattvabodha). This text delves into the nature of Brahman, and through the dialogue format common to Hindu scriptures, helps the reader understand that the Self is Brahman. For the last few weeks we’ve been discussing a story that comes in the third canto of the text. It’s a story about the demi gods becoming proud of their strength after winning a battle. In this story the Guru appears as a woman, Uma Devi. This story is relevant during Navratri, when we worship the various manifestations of Durga. I was also pleasantly surprised to find a literary example of a female Guru.
Navratri: Worship of the Devi
Navratri is my favorite time of year. It’s a beautiful prelude to the festive season, a moment of calm and introspection. I’ve been fasting during the Navratri for as long as I can remember, but my study of the Vedas has deepened my appreciation for this time. I now see it not only as a way to purify my body through fasting, but also to purify my mind through study and self-reflection.
Navratri is a time when the Devi is worshipped in her many forms. Different places have different customs (in Bengal they worship Goddess Kali, in other places they worship Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati for three days each). Subhadra ma’am always relates what we are studying with whats going on in the broader world and for the past few weeks she’s been telling us a lesser known story of when Devi appears as a Guru to teach the demi Gods a lesson.
Kena Upanishad: Story of the Female Guru
After the devas defeated the asuras in battle, their victory made them arrogant. To humble them, a mysterious yaksha appeared before them. Curious and proud, Agni approached first, boasting of his power to burn anything. The yaksha handed him a single blade of dry grass and asked him to burn it—but Agni couldn’t. Then came Vayu, confident in his strength, and the yaksha asked him to blow the same blade away—but he couldn’t either. Bewildered, both retreated. Finally, Indra stepped forward, full of self-importance, determined to uncover the stranger’s identity. But before he could even speak, the yaksha asked, “And who are you?”
Indra was taken aback—after all, who wouldn’t recognize the mighty lord of the heavens? But unlike Agni and Vayu, Indra paused to reflect. The mysterious yaksha had effortlessly humbled the gods themselves—surely there was something extraordinary about him. In that moment of humility and introspection, appears before him, radiant. She revealed that the yaksha who had confounded them was none other than Brahman. The victory the devas were so proud of did not belong to them at all; it was Brahman’s power that had triumphed.
Without His will not even a blade of grass can move.
Uma Devi: The Guru in Feminine Form
In Hindu scriptures, the scriptures are regarded as gurus. As such Uma Devi embodies the guru and shastra together, one without the other is incomplete. In this story we see Shakti is the revealer of knowledge, showing us the wisdom and guidance are not limited to the masculine form. Here Uma Devi is the ultimate guru – bestowing the elusive knowledge of Brahman itself.
This story depicts some of the essential lessons of Vedanta, which you can read about in this blog.
Personal Reflections
I’ve always loved how unapologetically feminist this story is. The revealer of truth is a woman, bringing the light of knowledge to the gods, all male. Every year during Navratri, when we fast and worship the Devi, we pay tribute to Devi as the teacher of truth. She dispels the darkness of ignorance and reveals the light within.
For me Uma Devi represents the wisdom that emerges when pride is dropped and surrender happens, the wisdom enshrined in the divine feminine. This story encourages me to reflect on my own approach to learning, not only during a class, but also in Life. Am I receptive to knowledge in unexpected people, places and situations?
I hope this blog makes you think about your approach to learning and spiritual growth. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
My second book explores the divine feminine and its influence on our daily lives. Order your copy here.
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