Abstract

The Kena Upanishad presents one of the most profound explorations of knowledge in Indian philosophical thought by questioning the very foundations of human cognition. Instead of treating knowledge as a product of sensory perception or intellectual reasoning, the text directs attention to the deeper principle that enables the senses and the mind to function. This research paper offers a comprehensive epistemological study of the Kena Upanishad, arguing that true knowledge lies beyond empirical observation and conceptual understanding. Through close textual analysis, engagement with classical commentaries, and reference to modern scholarly interpretations, the paper explains how the Upanishad understands Brahman—ultimate reality or consciousness—as the ground of all knowing. The study situates the Kena Upanishad within the framework of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and examines its relevance to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises holistic, value-based education rooted in Indian intellectual traditions. In addition, the paper analyses the Kena Upanishad as a literary-philosophical text, using insights from literary theory to understand its use of paradox, narrative, and symbolic language. The paper concludes that the Kena Upanishad presents a timeless vision of knowledge as experiential, transformative, and ethically oriented, offering valuable insights for philosophy, literature, and contemporary education.