Madhva’s commentary of the First Khaṇḍa

(Note: This page represents the commentary of the first Khaṇḍa of the Kena-upaniṣad:—an English translation of the bhāṣya called the Īśāvāsyopaniṣadbhāṣya or Īśopaniṣadbhāṣya written by Madhva or Madhvācārya from the 13th-centry. The commentary is largely an extract of the Brahma-Sāra.)

(Says the Brahma-Sāra:—)

The word “vayunaṃ” [vāyunam?] means ‘knowledge.’ The word is used in this sense in the following line addressed by Dhruva to the Lord in the Bhāgavat Puraṇa tvad dattaya vayunayā idam acasṭa viśvam. “This all is energised by the knowledge given by Thee.”

The word ‘asmān’ ‘us,’ should be repeated after Juhurāṇa [juhurāṇam]. This last word does not mean crooked, but degrading, making small. “juhurāṇam enaḥ” means the sin that degrades us, makes us small. The verb “yuyodhi” is imperative second person of the √yuyu meaning to separate. Separate from us our sins, which degrade us and throw us back in to Saṃsāra. As says the Skanda Purāṇa:—“Remove from us that sin which makes us look very small (i.e., causes re-birth) and be thou our Leader to make us acquire the treasure of salvation—thus prayed the Monarch Manu to Lord Yajña.”

Note.—This shows that the Lord can forgive sins, and give salvation in spite of all karmas. This is a prayer for Mokṣa, after one has obtained Sākṣātkāra.

All hail to Thee, O Lord! O Nārāyaṇa! O my best and dearest Friend! O who has a definite and distinct form, consisting of full power, intelligence and bliss and Śrī and Light.

Peace chant.

Om. That is Full, this is full, from that Full, this full emanates. Taking away this full from that Full, the Full still remains behind, Om, Peace, Peace Peace.

[N. B. Here “Full” means “Infinite.” The Infinities described in this verse are of different orders. “This Full” (This Infinity) is lower in order than “That Full” (That Infinity). Thus an Infinite straight line is an infinity of a lower order than an infinite surface. If an infinite straight line, which is merely length without breadth, is taken away from an infinite surface, the remainder is still infinite. Similarly an infinite surface has length and breadth, but no thickness. If such infinite surface is taken away from an infinite solid—i.e., an infinity of two dimensions taken away from an infinity of three dimensions—the remainder is still infinite.