Brahman Obtained the Victory for the Devas | Kena Upanishad 3

What sprite is thsi?

Kena Upanishad

Khanda 3

1 Brahman obtained the victory for the Devas. The Devas became elated by the victory of Brahman, and they thought, this victory is ours only, this greatness is ours only.

2 Brahman perceived this and appeared to them. But they did not know it, and said: 'What sprite (yaksha or yakshya) is this?'

3 They said to Agni (fire): 'O Gâtavedas, find out what sprite this is.' 'Yes,' he said.

4 He ran toward it, and Brahman said to him: 'Who are you?' He replied: 'I am Agni, I am Gâtavedas.'

5 Brahman said: 'What power is in you?' Agni replied: 'I could burn all whatever there is on earth.'

6 Brahman put a straw before him, saying: 'Burn this.' He went towards it with all his might, but he could not burn it. Then he returned thence and said: 'I could not find out what sprite this is.'

7 Then they said to Vâyu (air): 'O Vâyu, find out what sprite this is.' 'Yes,' he said.

8 He ran toward it, and Brahman said to him: 'Who are you?' He replied: 'I am Vâyu, I am Mâtarisvan.'

9 Brahman said: 'What power is in you?' Vâyu replied: 'I could take up all whatever there is on earth.'

10 Brahman put a straw before him, saying: 'Take it up.' He went towards it with all his might, but he could not take it up. Then he returned thence and said: 'I could not find out what sprite this is.'

11 Then they said to Indra: 'O Maghavan, find out what sprite this is.' He went towards it, but it disappeared from before him.

12 Then in the same space (ether) he came towards a woman, highly adorned: it was Umâ, the daughter of Himavat. He said to her: 'Who is that sprite?'

The Upanishads translated by Max Müller

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