---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That which cannot be smelt by the breath…"
description: "\"“That which cannot be smelt by the breath, but by which the breath smells an object—That alone know as Brahman and not that which people here worship.”..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/kena-upanishad-64006_brahman_that-which-cannot-be-smelt-by-the-breath_430208.jpg"
---

#  That which cannot be smelt by the breath, but by which the…

![“That which cannot be smelt by the breath, but by which the breath smells an object—That alone know as Brahman and not that which people here worship.” quote by Kena Upanishad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/kena-upanishad-64006_brahman_that-which-cannot-be-smelt-by-the-breath_430208.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/kena-upanishad-64006_brahman_that-which-cannot-be-smelt-by-the-breath_430208.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/kena-upanishad-64006_brahman_that-which-cannot-be-smelt-by-the-breath_430208.jpg)

> ““That which cannot be smelt by the breath, but by which the breath smells an object—That alone know as Brahman and not that which people here worship.””

[Kena Upanishad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kena-upanishad/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage distinguishes the ultimate reality, Brahman, which is known through inner perception, not through external worship.

**In simple terms:** Brahman is known by inner sense, not by worshipping idols.

Key Takeaway

Seek inner insight over external rituals.

Themes

spirituality philosophy knowledge inner truth religion

Mood

contemplative inspirational

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

- meditation
- study of scriptures
- personal growth
- ethical living

Key Concepts

metaphysics epistemology Hinduism

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you experience inner truth?
- What rituals help you sense the unseen?

A Different Perspective

Relying solely on external worship may miss deeper understanding.

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> [Man is the nearest approach to Brahman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/man-is-the-nearest-approach-to-brahman/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

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> [“That which cannot he heard by the ear, but by which the hearing is perceived—That alone know as Brahman and not that which people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kena-upanishad/that-which-cannot-he-heard-by-the-ear-but-by-which-the-hearing-is/)

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