The story of Yaksha in Kena Upanishad
Kena Upanishad is one of the oldest mukhya (principle) upanishads. It is associated with Sama Veda.
The story of “Umā Haimavatī” in the Kena Upaniṣad is extremely important because it presents the Goddess not merely as a beautiful woman who possesses power, but as the very revelatory power through which Brahman is known. She has been described as Mahavidya or Brahma Vidya (The Great Knowledge of Brahman, i.e., Supreme Reality).
In Kena Upanishad, Uma appears in the third section. The story begins after the devas have won a victory over the asuras. On this victory, they developed a pride and thought “This victory is ours; this glory is only ours.”
Then Ishwara, the Brahman (Ultimate Reality) appears as a mysterious Yakṣa in order to enlighten them so that they become humble. So when the Brahman revealed itself as Yaksheshwara before the gods, they were indeed fascinated that what is this wonderful being?
Gods first send Agni to Brahman. The Brahman asked him “who are you”? Then Agni (fire) replied, "I am Agni, knower of beings". Brahman asked him that if he is famous with such a name and attribute then what is his capability? Agni replied, "I can burn whatever is there on earth, the earth itself is only a medium because everything in sky too burns because of me”.
The Yaksheshwar (Brahman) then laid a piece of grass before Agni, and said “Burn this, if you fail then leave your pride and stop boasting about your ability ”. Agni then tried his best to burn the piece of grass but he failed. He turned back and returned to the gods.
Then came Vayu (air). Brahman asked him “Who are you”? Vayu too proudly declared that as wind 🌬️, he can blow away anything on Earth. The Brahman again showed him the piece of grass just he did with Agni. Vayu then tried his best to blow away the piece of grass but couldn't. He went back to the gods and revealed that he is unable to understand what this wonderful mysterious Yaksha is..
Finally Indra the king of celestial gods himself came to Brahman (Yaksha). Again the same condition was put up and Indra too couldn’t destroy the piece of grass despite using all of his powers.
At last when all of them failed, Yaksha (Brahman) disappeared. Indra then turned towards Uma, a beautiful woman who was standing along with the Yaksha. Goddess Uma was full of knowledge and so Indra asked her about the mysterious being. Goddess Uma then replied “It was Brahman, the one who actually won through you all gods”. This was ego crushing secret revealed by Uma which meant that Devas were like instruments but they considered themselves as the winners and kept boasting about it.
In the entire conversation, the Divine Mother Uma Haimavati, who has been described as the daughter of mountain (Himavat/Himalaya), her appearance has been described as radiant and shining like gold and she being like snow. Since she is the daughter of mountains, she represents stability, purity and heights of spiritual knowledge.
Uma acts as the Guru of Indra and other gods as she was the Vidya, inseparable Shakti of the Brahman. Brahman swaroopini Uma then guides Indra, the leader of gods. Bhagwati Uma advises Indra and by her grace, Indra and all the gods get enlightened.
Thus Kena Upanishada glorifies Uma as that power behind everything, she is the Ultimate cosmic energy because of whom everything runs.
Jai Maa Uma 🙏