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Purusha suktam
Simple English Meaning(word by word)
By Sri Kotikanyadanam Sreekrishna Tatachar
Here is a compilation of verses and meaning with some comments on PS.It has been hard for me to find ONE
comprehensive source. Thus, I put this together with the help of many sources. Hope this does some justice to the
original verses.
pu-ru-SHa sU-ktam
(tai-tti-rI-ya a-ra-Nya-kam, pra-shNaH -3)
kre-SH-Na ya-ju-rvaE-dam)
rO-ma-nA-ga-ri transliteration keys:
a(Cup) A(Cop) i(Pit) I (Need) u(Put) U(Soon) Re(Krishna) aE(Say) ai(Site)
O(More) au(Out) am(Hum) aH(ah)
k (walk) ka(Come) kh(Sikh) kha(Khan) g (Pig) ga(Gum) gh (Drug) gha (Girl) n~(Gang) n~a (Ganga)
c (Preach) ca(Chum) ch(Hatch) cha (Chubby) j(Raj)ja (Junk) jh (Hedge) jha (Jhansi) N~(yajN~) N~a(yajN~a)
T(Cat) Ta (Tub) Th (Butt)Tha (Artha) D(Bad) Da(Dumb) Dh(Thud) Dha(Dacoit) N(Wind) Na(Guna)
t (Math) ta(Thud) th (Hath) tha(Thumb) d(Id Milad) da(Mother) dh (Kurdh) dha(Dharma) n (Tan) na(Nut)
p(Map) pa(Pun) ph (Naphta) pha(kapha) b(Knob) ba(Bun) bh (padmanabh) bha (Bharat)
m (Calm) ma(Must) y(Boy) ya(Yum) r(Bar) ra(Rub) l(Nail) la(Love)
v(Have) va(Variety) sh(Mash)sha(Shall) SH (Brush) SHa(Shun) s(has) sa(Sun)
h(Pooh) ha(Hub) L (Thengol)La(Nala-Damayanthi) x(Moksh) xa(Auto Riksha)
PART I : The Lord's Manifestation of the Universe
LORD'S UNLIMITED MANIFESTATIONS (a-na-ntam)
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Aum sa -ha-sra shI-rSHA pu-ru-SHaH |
sa-ha-srA- xaH sa -ha-sra pAt |
sa bhU- mim vi - shva- tO vRe - tvA |
a-tya-ti-SHTha-dda- shA- n~gu - lam ||1||
sa -ha-sra (thousand) shI-rSHA (heads) pu-ru-SHaH (Purusha)|
sa-ha-sra + a- xaH (thousand eyes) sa -ha-sra (thousand) pAt (feet)|
saH(he) bhU- mim (Earth) vi - shva- tO (entirety) vRe - tvA (pervades) |
a-tya-ti-SHThat (extends) + da- shA- n~gu - lam (ten inches, far beyond) ||1||
The pu-ru-SHa with countless number of heads, eyes, and feet pervades the Earth in entirety and extends far
beyond.
LORD'S OMNIPRESENCE (vi-shva-ma-yam)
pu-ru-SHa aE -vaE-da-gm sa-rvam |
ya-dbhU - tam ya-cca bha-vyam |
u-tA-mRe-ta tva-syaE-shA naH |
ya-da-nnaE-nA-ti -rO-ha-ti ||2||
pu-ru-SHa (Purusha) aE -vaE + i-dam (this is) sa-rvam (all) |
yat (that) +bhU - tam (which was) yat (that) + ca (too or and)+bha-vyam (to be) |
utA (moreover) + amRe-ta -tva-sya (of immortality) + I-shA-naH (master or owner) |
yat (that) + a-nnaE-na (through food) + a-ti -rO-ha-ti (grows immensely) ||2||
Whatever has been and whatever is to be is all pu-ru-SHa. He is the ruler of immortality and He appears to grow
immensely through food.
LORD'S TRANSCENDENCE (lO-kA-tI-ta-tvam)
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aE -tA-vA-na-sya ma-hi -mA |
a-tO jyA-yA-g-shca pU-ru-SHaH |
pA-dO (s)-sya vi-shvA bhU -tA- ni
tri -pA- da-syA(a)-mRe-tam di - vi ||3||
aE -tA-vAn (all that is) + a-sya (His) ma-hi -mA (greatness) |
a-taH (and then) jyA-yAn (Elder, great) +ca (also) pU-ru-ShaH |
pA-daH (one quarter) + a-sya (His) vi-shvA (in the world)
bhU-tA-ni (created forms)tri-pA-dah: (three quarters) + a-syA (His) a -mRe-tam (etrnal) di-vi (in heaven) ||3||
All that is (seen) is His glory, (actually) He surpasses all this. One quarter of Him comprise all the creations (living
and the non-living), while three quarters of Him are eternally in the heaven.
MANIFEST and the UN MANIFEST (vya-kta a-vya-ktam)
tri -pA-dU -rdhva u-dai -tpu-ru-SHaH |
pA- dO-(a)syaE - hA-bha-vA- tpu-naH |
ta-tO vi-SHva n~ vya-krA-mat
sA-sha-nA-na-sha -naE a - bhi ||4||
tri -pAt (three qurters)+ U -rdhva (above) u-dai -t (remained)+ pu-ru-SHaH |
pA- daH (one quarter) + asya (of His)+i - ha (is here) + a-bha-vAt (manifested) + pu-naH(again) |
ta-tah: (with that) vi-SHva n~ (different forms) vya-krA-mat (pervaded) |
sA-sha-naH (that which eat) + a-na-sha - naH(that which does not eat) a-bhi (come forth) ||4||
Three quarters of Him remain above (un manifest). One quarter of Him has manifested here. With that He pervades
all the living and the non-living.
PRE CREATION (pU-rva sRE-SH-Ti)
ta-smA-dvi -rA-Da-jA-ya-ta |
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vi -rA-jO a-dhi pU-ru-SHaH |
sa jA-tO a-tya-ri-cya-ta
pa -shcA-dbhU-mi -ma-thO pu-raH ||5||
ta-smAt (from That) +vi -rAt (variety) + a-jA-ya-ta (come forth) |
vi -rA-jaH (Variations) a-dhi (from within) pU-ru-SHaH|
saH (He) jA-taH(was born) a-ti (very) + a-ri-cya-ta (grew large)
pa -shcAt (in front) + bhU-mi H(of the Earth) + a-thaH(and then) + pu-raH (behind) ||5||
Variety came forth from Him and thus from within he became vi-rAt pu-ru-SHa. He grew immensely and became the
cosmos (bra-hmA-nDam).
Part II: The Sacrifice of the Lord
POST CREATION (u-tta-ra sRe-SHTi)
ya-tpu-ru-SHaE-Na ha -vi-SHA |
daE -vA ya-jN~a- ma- ta -nva-ta |
va -sa- ntO a-syA-sId-A-jyam |
grI-SHma i -dhma-ssha -ra-ddha -viH || 6||
yat (That) + pu-ru-SHaE-Na (with Purusha) ha -vi-SHA (as havis, oblation)
daE -vAH (the gods) ya-jN~am (sacrifice) + a- ta -nva-ta (performed)|
va -sa- ntaH (Spring) a-sya (its) + A-sIt (became) + A- jyam (ghee)|
grI-SHma (Summer) i -dhmaH (samit-fuel sticks) +sha -ra-dhaH (Autumn)+ ha -viH (burnt offering, oblation)|| 6||
The Gods performed a YajN~a using pu-ru-SHa as the offering, in which Spring was the ghee, Summer the sa-mit
and Autumn the oblation (Thanks Giving).
YAGNA IMAGERY (ya-jN~a rU-pa-kam)
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sa -ptA- syA-san pa-ri -dha- yaH |
tri-ssa- pta sa -mi-dhaH kRe -tAH |
daE -vA ya-dhya- jN~am ta-nvA -nAH |
a-ba-dhnan pu-ru-SHam pa-shum ||7||
sa -ptaH (seven) + a- sya (its) + a-san (became) pa-ri -dha- yaH (boundary)|
triH +sa- pta (thrice seven) sa -mi-dhaH (fuel sticks) kRe -tAH (made) |
daE -vAH (gods) yat +ya- jN~am (for the sacrifice) ta-nvA -nAH (as performers of sacrifice)|
a-ba -dhnan (bound) pu- ru-SHam (Purusha) pa-shum (as the sacrificial beast) ||7||
Gods as performers of the sacrifice assigned seven enclosing sticks, and 21 fuel sticks for the sacrifice and also
bound pu-ru-SHa as the sacrificial beast (ya-jN~a pa-shu).
[Note: The seven enclosing sticks refer to the 5 elements (earth, water, fire, wind, and sky), plus day and night.
Twenty-one fuel sticks refer to the 5 sense organs (eye, nose, mouth, ear and skin), plus 5 vital breaths (prANa, a-
pA-na, vyA-na, u-dA-na, and sa-mA-na), plus 5 organs of work (hands, legs, genitals, two excretory organs), plus 4
feelings of the mind (a-ntaH-ka-ra-Nam), plus dha-rma and a-dha-rma. Interestingly, these are the very same 7 outer
and 21 inner limits within which we lead our own life-ya-jN~a. Perhaps the seed of vi-shi-SHTa a-dvai-ta bhA-va
appears here in this creation Hymn].

tam (taiN~) ya -jN~am ba -rhi-SHi prau-xan |
pu- ru-SHam jA-ta-ma-gra- taH |
taE-na daE -vA a-ya-ja-nta |
sA-dhyA-Re-SHa-ya-shca yaE ||8||
tam(that) ya -jN~am (sacrifice) ba -rhi-SHi (on the sacrificial bed of straw,
i.e., dha-rbha grass mat) prau-xan (sprinkled with holy water)|
pu- ru-SHam (purusha) jA-tam (who was) + a-gra- taH (in the beginning)|
taE-na (by this means) daE -vAH (gods) a-ya-ja-nta (sacrificed)|
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sA-dhyAH (sA-dhyAs, those achievers) + Re- SHa-ya H (seers) +ca (also, and) yaE (who were)||8||
The primordial pu-ru-SHa (as Sacrificial beast) was sanctified by sA-dhyAs, gods and other Re-SHIs by placing
Him on da-rbha grass and Sprinkling water over Him.
ONE THAT BECAME ONE and ALL (aE-kA-naE-ka)
ta-smA-dya- jN~A-thsa-rva- hu-taH |
sam-bhRe-tam pre-SHa-dA- jyam |
pa-shU-g-stA-g-shca-kraE vA-ya -vyAn |
A-ra -NyAn grA -myA-shca yaE ||9||
ta-smAt (from that) +ya- jN~At (sacrifice) + sa-rva- hu-taH (took every A-hu-ti or offerings)|
sam-bhRe-tam (was earned) pre-SHa-dA- jyam (ghee mixed with yogurt) |
pa-shUn-sta (beasts) + ca (and, too) + ca-kraE (created)vA-ya -vyAn (beasts of the air) |
A-ra -NyAn (beasts of the forest ) grA myAt (domestic animals) + ca (also) yaE (who are) ||9||
Emerging from that sacred rite (Ya-jN~a) when everything was consumed came butter, curds, animals of sky, forest
and village.
ta-smA-dya- jN~A-thsa-rva -hu-taH |
Re-caH -ssA-mA- ni ja-jN~i- raE |
cha-ndA-gm-si ja- jN~i -raE - ta smAt |
ya -ju- sta- smA- da- jA- ya- ta ||10||
ta-smAt (from that)+ya- jN~At (sacrifice) + sa-rva- hu-taH (took every A-hu-ti or offerings)|
Re-caH (the Re-gvaE-da) + sA-mA- ni (sA-ma-vaE-da) ja-jN~i- raE (come forth)|
cha-ndA-msi (meters too) ja- jN~i -raE (come forth) ta- smAt (from that)|
ya -juH (ya-jur-vaE-da) + ta- smAt (from that) + a- jA- ya- ta (was born) ||10||
When everything was consumed, then arose Re-gvaE-da, sA-ma-vaE-da,
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Ya-ju-rvaE-da and the poetic meters from that sacred rite (Ya-jN~a).
ta-smA-da-shvA a-jA- ya-nta |
yaE kaE cO-bha -yA-da-taH |
gA-vO ha ja-jN~i-raE ta-smAt |
ta-smA-jjA -tA a -jA -va-yaH ||11||
ta-smAt (from that) + a-shvA (horses) a-jA- ya-nta (were born)|
yaE kaE ca (also those who) + u-bha -yA-da-taH (with two rows of teeth)|
gA-vaH (cattle) ha ja-jN~i-raE (come forth) ta-smAt (from that)|
ta-smAt (from that) jA -tA (were born) a -jaH (goat) + a-va-yaH |(sheep) ||11||
And from that ya-jN~a were born horses, cows, goats, sheep and other animals with two rows of teeth.
Part III: The Meditation of the Gods
FOUR FOLD CLASSIFICATION (cA-tu-rva-rNyam)
ya-tpu-ru-SHam vya-da-dhuH |
ka-ti -dhA vya-ka-lpa-yan |
mu-kham ki-ma-sya kau bA -hU |
kA-vU- rU pA-dA-vu-cyaE-taE ||12||
yat (that) + pu-ru-SHam (Purusha) vya-da-dhuH (when they divided)|
ka-ti -dhA (how many ways) vya-ka-lpa-yan (did they imagine) |
mu-kham (Mouth) kim (what) + a-sya (His) kau (what are?) bA -hU (arms)|
kAH (what) vU- rU (thighs) pA-dAH (feet) u-cyaE-taE (call them now) ||12||
[Now a bunch of questions] How many ways did the gods envision to dismember (divide) pu-ru-SHa? What came of
his face (mouth)? What did the arms become? What became of his thighs and feet?
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brA-hma- NO-sya mu- kha- mA-sIt |
bA -hU rA-ja- nyaH kRe -taH |
U -rU ta-da-sya ya-dvai-shyaH
pa -dbhyA-gm shU -drO a-jA-ya-ta ||13||
brA-hma- NaH (Brahmin) + a-sya (His) mu- kham (mouth or face) + A-sIt (became)|
bA -hU (arms) rA-ja- nyaH (kings, xa-tri-ya)kRe -taH (were made)|
U -rU (thighs) tat (that) + a-sya (His) yat (that were) + vai-shyaH (merchants)
pa -dbhyAm (from feet) shU -draH (laborers) a-jA-ya-ta (born) ||13||
The Brahmins came from His mouth, and from His arms came the kings. The merchants sprang forth from His thighs,
and from His feet, the laborers were born.
ca -ndra-mA ma-na-sO-jA- taH |
ca-xO-ssU-ryO a- jA-ya-ta |
mu-khA- di-ndra-shcA- gni-shca |
prA- NA-dvA-yu-ra-jA-ya-ta ||14||
ca -ndra-mA (the Moon) ma-na-saH (from mind) + jA- taH (was born) |
ca-xOH (from eyes) + sU-ryaH (the Sun) a-jA-ya-ta (born) |
mu-khAt (from mouth) + i-ndraH (Indra) +ca (and) + a- gniH (the fire) + ca (also) |
prA- NAt (from vital breath) +vA-yuH (the wind) + a-jA-ya-ta (was born) ||14||
The moon proceeded from (His) mind, and from (His) eyes the Sun arose. Indra and fire came forth from (His)
mouth. The wind emanated from (His) vital breath.
nA-bhyA A-sId-a- nta- ri-xam |
shI -rShNO dyau-ssa-ma-va- rta- ta |
pa -dbhyAm bhU- mi-rdi-sha -sshrO- trAt |
ta-thA lO -kAgm a-ka- lpa- yan ||15||
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nA-bhyAH (from navel) A-sIt (appear) + a- nta-ri-xam (space) |
shI-rShNaH (from head) dyauH (heaven) + sa-ma-va-rta-ta (well established) |
pa -dbhyAm (from feet) bhU-miH (the Earth or ground) + di-shaH (the directions) + shrO-trAt (from ears)|
ta-thA (thus) lO -kAn (all the realms) a-ka-lpa-yan (was fathomed) ||15||
Out from (His) navel the space emerged, from (His) head the heavens arose, the Earth was fashioned from (His)
feet, and directions from (His) ears. Thus all the realms were fathomed.
Part IV: The Sage's Vision
SECRET BEHIND NAMES and FORMS (nA-ma-rU-pa ra-ha-sya da-rsha-nam)
vaE-dA-ha-maE -tam pu-ru-SHam ma -hA-ntam |
A-di -tya-va-rNam ta-ma-sa -stu pA -raE |
sa-rvA-Ni rU -pA-Ni vi -ci-tya dhI-raH |
nA-mA-ni kRe- tvA a-bhi - va-da-nya-dA-staE ||16||
vaE-dAH (know) + a-ha-m (I) + aE -tam (that) pu-ru-SHam (pu-ru-SHa) ma -hA-ntam (supreme) |
A-di -tya-va-rNam (brilliant as Sun) ta-ma-saH (darkness) + a-stu (who is) pA -raE (beyond) |
sa-rvA-Ni (all) rU -pA-Ni (forms) vi -ci-tya (having designed) dhI-raH (glorious) |
nA-mA-ni (names) kRe- tvA (having made) a-bhi - va-dan (communicates/manages/deals) + yat
(that) + A-staE (who is) ||16||
I have realized the supreme pu-ru-SHa, brilliant as the Solar hue and beyond the veil of darkness (mA-ya). All the
forms are formulated, categorized and permeated by that wise and glorious being.

dhA-tA pu -ra-stA-dya- mu-dA-ja-hA-ra |
sha -kraH pra-vi- dv-An pra- di-sha-shca-ta-sraH |
ta-maE -vam vi-dvA-na -mRe-ta i -ha bha-va-ti |
nA-nyaH pa-nthA a- ya-nA-ya vi-dya-taE ||17||
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dhA-tA(the creator, bra-hma or pra-jA-pa-ti) pu -ra-stAt (in the past) + ya- m (whom) + u-dA-ja-hA-ra
(complemented, glorified, or praised)|
sha -kraH (i-ndra) pra-vi- dv-An (well versed, or knowledgeable) pra- di-sha -s + ca+ta-sraH (in all directions or in all
matters) |
tam (him) + aE -vam (in this way) vi-dvAn (knower) + a -mRe-ta (immortal) i -ha (here, in this very life) bha-va-ti
(becomes) |
na + a-nyaH ( not any other) pa-nthA (path) a-ya-nA-ya (for liberation) vi-dya-taH (exists or know of) ||17||
Realizing the pu-ru-SHa thus (as in verse 16), whom bra-hma (the creator) and i-ndra (who is well versed in all
matters) have (also) glorified earlier, one will be liberated in this very life. There is no other way (for liberation)
indeed.
ROOT of DHARMA (dha-rmasya mU-lam)
ya- jN~aE-na ya -jN~a-ma-ya-ja-nta daE- vAH |
tA-ni dha-rmA-Ni pra-tha- mA-nyA-san |
taE ha nA-kam ma-hi -mA-na-ssa-ca-ntaE |
ya-tra pU-rvaE sA-dhyA-ssa-nti daE -vAH ||18||
ya- jN~aE-na (by sacrifice) ya -jN~am (to sacrifice) + a-ya-ja-nta (performed sacrfice) daE- vAH (gods) |
tA-ni (these) dha-rmA-Ni (acts of dha-rma) pra-tha- mA-ni (the first) + A-san (became) |
taE ha (these very) nA-kam (heaven, pious abode) ma-hi -mA-naH (glory of) + sa-ca-ntaE (attain)|
ya-tra (where) pU-rvaE (before) sA-dhyAH (sA-dhyAs or achievers) + sa-nti (are) daE -vAH (gods) ||18||
Gods performed ya-jN~a offering ya-jN~a to ya-jN~a itself. Those were the first acts of Dha-rma. By doing so, they
attained the glory of heaven just as the sA-dhyAs and gods in the past.
[Note1: This is like offering the water from a river back to a river and feel blessed. Any act of charity we perform in
reality is this. We can not claim that we made something from scratch. If we have to do that we will first have to
create this universe!]
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[Note 2: The ya-jN~a mentioned here is the ya-jN~a of creation of this world from the body of the pu-ru-SHa, the one
source of all. pu-ru-SHa literally means "the one who fulfills or encompasses everything". pu-ru-SHa is used
commonly to refer to man. pu-ra refers to a big place which has many attributes. This is also probably derived from
pu-ru-SHa]
[Note3: sA-dhyAs, is perhaps, the root word for: sA-dhya, possible; si-ddhi-attainment; sA-dha-na, means; sA-dha-
ka, seeker; sA-dhu, the right thing to do]

pu-ru-SHa sU-ktam (u-tta-ra NA-rA-ya-Na)
MASTER BUILDER (vi-shva-ka-rmi)
a -dbhya-ssa-mbhU-taH pRe-thi -vyai ra- sA-cca |
vi -shva-ka-rma-Na- ssa ma-va-rta -tA-dhi |
ta-sya tva-SHtA vi -da-dha-dhrU-pa-maE-ti |
ta-tpu-ru-SHa-sya vi-shva -mA-jA-na -ma-graE ||19||

a-dbhyaH (from the water) + sa-mbhU-taH (produced) pRe-thi -vyaiH (the Earth) ra-sAH (essence, elements) + ca
(also, and) |
vi -shva-ka-rma-NaH (divine architect of all) + sa-ma-va-rta -ta (to appear)+ a-dhi (more than that)|
ta-sya (his) tva-SHtA (carpenter) vi -da-dha-t (establishes) + rU-pa-m (form)+ aE-ti (thus, all) |
tat (that) + pu-ru-SHa-sya (pu-ru-Sha's) vi-shva m (all) + A-jA-na m (formed) + a-graE (in the beginning) ||19||

vi-rAt pu-ru-SHa through (the interaction with) water, Earth and other elements became the master of all creations
(vishva-ka-rma). As master carpenter, He assumed numerous forms and is more than all this. I have realized the
primordial great deeds of that pu-ru-SHa.

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SPIRITUAL REALIZATION (ta-tva sA-xA-tkA-ram)
vaE-dA-ha-maE -tam pu-ru-SHam ma -hA-ntam |
A-di -tya-va-rNam ta-ma-saH pa-ra- stAt |
ta-maE -vam vi -dvA-na -mRe-ta i -ha bha-va-ti |
nA-nyaH pa-nthA vi-dya- taE-ya-nA-ya ||20||

vaE-dAH (know) + a-ha-m (I) + aE -tam (that) pu-ru-SHam (pu-ru-SHa) ma -hA-ntam (supreme) |
A-di -tya-va-rNam (brilliant as Sun) ta-ma-saH (darkness) pa- ra- stAt (transcends) |
tam (him) + aE -vam (thus, in this manner) vi -dvA-n (who knows) + a -mRe-ta (immortal) i -ha (here) bha-va-ti
(becomes)|
na(no)+ anyaH (other) pa-nthA (way) vi-dya-taH (know of or exists) + aya-nA-ya (for liberation) ||20||

I have realized the supreme pu-ru-SHa, brilliant as the Solar hue and beyond the veil of darkness (mA-ya). Knowing
him thus, one will be liberated in this very life. There is no other way (for liberation) indeed.
ITHIN (a-nta-ryA-mi-tvam)
pra- jA-pa- ti-shca-ra-ti ga-rbhaE a -ntaH |
a- jA- ya -mA- nO ba -hu -dhA vi-jA- ya-taE |
ta-sya dhI-rAH pa- ri -jA- na- nti -yO- ni m
ma- rI- cI- nAm pa -da-mi-ccha- nti vaE - dha- saH || 21||
pra- jA-pa-tiH (as procreator) + ca-ra-ti (lives, moves) ga-rbhaE (in the womb) a -ntaH (inside) |
a- jA- ya -mA- naH (unborn) ba -hu -dhA (in may ways) vi-jA- ya-taE (appears) |
ta-sya (his) dhI-rAH (wise, intelligent) pa- ri -jA- na- nti (clearly understand) yO- ni m (as the route cause
or primary source) ma- rI- cI- nAm ( ma-rI-ci and others such as sa-pta Re-SHIs)
pa -dam (state or positions) + i-ccha-nti (desirous) vaE - dha- saH (da-xa bra-hma and other subsequent creators) ||
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21||
The Lord abides in every womb. Unborn, yet giving birth to all. The aspirers of the exhalted state of ancient seers
and creators, realize Him as The SOURCE.
SPIRITUAL GLOW (bra-hma taE-jas)
yO daE -vaE-bhya A-ta-pa-ti |
yO daE -vA-nAm pu -rO-hi taH |
pU-rvO yO daE -vaE- bhyO jA- taH |
na-mO ru -cA-ya brA-hma-yaE ||22||
yaH (who) daE -vaE-bhya H (in the gods) A-ta-pa-ti (shines)|
yaH (who) daE -vA-nAm (the gods) pu -rO-hi-taH (leader, well wisher)|
pU-rvaH (before) yaH (who) daE -vaE- bhyH (god's) jA- taH (born)|
na-maH (salutations) ru -cA-ya (brilliance, essence) brA-hma-yaE (para bra-hman) ||22||
All salutations to that essence (radiance) of para bra-hman, who shines bright upon the gods. He is their preeminent
master.
The STATE of KNOWER OF BRAHMAN (bra-hma- jN~A-ni ma-hi-mA)
ru-cam brA -hmam ja- na- ya-ntaH |
daE- vA a-graE ta-da-bru-van |
ya-stvai -vam brA-hma -NO vi- dhyAt |
ta-sya daE- vA a-sa- nva-shaE || 23||
ru-cam (essence) brA -hmam (of knowledge of bra-hman) ja- na- ya-ntaH (emanates, sends forth) |
daE- vAH (the gods) a-graE (in the beginning) tat (this) + a-bru-van (said)|
ya-stu (whoever) + aE-vam (thus) brA-hma -NaH (inclination towards bra-hman) vi - dhyAt (knows) |
ta-sya (his) daE - vA (gods) a-sa- n (will be) + va- shaE (control) || 23||
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This essence of bra-hman, the gods realized early on and said: Whoever realizes the bra-hman, they will have
mastery over gods.
a-rmai-shva-rya sa-ma-nva-yam)
hrI- shca-taE la x-mI-shca pa-tnyau |
a-hO rA- traE pA- rshvaE | na-xa-trA-Ni rU -pam |
a- shvi-nau vyA-tta-m | i -SHTam ma- ni-SHA- Na |
a- mum ma- ni -SHA- Na | sa- rvam ma- ni -SHA- Na ||24||
Om shA-ntihH shA-ntiH shA-ntiH ||
hrIH (hrI, dignity, humility) + ca (also) + taE (Your) la x-mIH (shrI, wealth) + ca (also) pa-tnyau (consorts)|
a-hO-rA- traE (the day and night) pA- rshvaE (sides) | na-xa-trA-Ni (stars) rU -pam (form, attributes) |
a- shvi-nau (dyA-vA pRe-thi-vyaH, Sky and Earth) vyA-ttam (wide open mouth) |
i -SHTam (desires) ma- ni-SHA-Na (grant us) | a- mum (happiness) ma- ni -SHA- Na (grant us) | sa- rvam (all that
is) ma- ni -SHA- Na (grant us) ||24||
Om
shA-ntiH (peace from natural calamities, acts of god, a-dhi-dai-vik)
shA-ntiH (peace from physical ailments, a-dhi-bhau-tik)
shA ntiH (peace within, a-dhyA-tmik) ||
Wealth (Sree) and dignity (Hree) are Your consorts, night and Day are Your two sides, stars Your beauty spots
(body), Sky and Earth are the upper and lower jaws of Your wide open mouth. Grant my desires, grant me
happiness,
fulfill all there is (the purpose of life). Bestow peace in all three spheres of existence.
Om ta-ccham -yO-rA-vRe-NI-ma-haE | gA-tum ya-jN~A-ya |
gA-tum ya-jN~a-pa-ta-yaE | dai-vI sva-sti-ra-stu-naH |
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sva-sti-rmA-nu-SHaE-bhyaH | U-rdhvam ji-gA-tu bhaE-SHa-jam |
sha-nnO a-stu dvi-pa-daE | sham ca-tu-SHpa-daE |
Om shA-ntihH shA-ntiH shA-ntiH
We seek that assemblage. May the ya-jN~a (spirit of sacrifice) flourish May the performer of ya-jN~a (one with spirit
of sacrifice) flourish The divine grace be upon us. The divine grace be upon mankind May plants flourish (grow up
wards)
Auspiciousness be to the two footed (animals) Auspiciousness be to the four footed (animals)
(May) three fold peace (prevail)
sa-rvam shrI kRe-SHNA-rpa-Na-ma-stu
dAsOham,
Koti(kanyadanam) Sreekrishna (Tatachar).
Credits:
The translation and commentary are inspired by works of many scholars, especially, Dr. D.V. Gundappa (well known
Kannada writer) , Swami Dayananda (founder of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam) and Swami Tadatmannada (Arsha vidya
Gurukulam), Prof. Joseph Campbell (of the Power of Myth fame), and PS posted by Sriman V. Sundar on
Srivaishnava home page.
CONCLUSION:
Purusha Sukta teaches us to have respect for the world, life, and Dharma (law and order), which are essentially
the basic sustaining elements of a society. We see here unity in apparent diversity, because this world is nothing but
a projection of the Purusha. Seen this way, every life form, every spot of earth, every mountain, every river becomes
holy. When we look at a mountain or a setting Sun and say ah, that is a participation in the divinity. There is no saying
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NO to WORLD or LIFE in Purusha Sukta! Rather it calls for joyful participation in this world with whatever abilities
that we have, just as a mother would like her child to prosper.
An underlying theme of the Hindu view of creation is "one became everything." It is not that God created everything,
but God is everything. To the question "God is or is not?" The answer is ONLY God is. This universe is a part of the
Divine (not the other way!). There is no clear separation between the Creator and the creations. We do entertain
"dualism" (separation- the Creator and creations are separate), but that is not a unique feature of Hinduism. Even
many proponents of dualism ("dvaitins") consider it more as a "transient dualism." Like wise, the avid proponents
of non-dualism ("Advaitins") in reality practice pseudo-dualism.
I think the way in which a religion deals with the subject of creation greatly affects the psyche (principle of life) of the
followers of that faith. Respect for nature, nature worship, blending with nature, respect for views of others, a gentle
and universal out look of the world, a sense of the vastness of time and the universe, spiritualism, systematic
indifference (reasoned disregard) towards transient things, inner strength, peaceful retreat from restlessness, a
great vocabulary on the inner life - all these come naturally to followers of Sanatana Dharma.
Perhaps the following observation by Stanley Jones, an American missionary, who spent decades in the early part
of this century in India to win souls for Jesus, makes perfect sense ......"It is easy to talk with a Hindu about spiritual
things. It makes you feel that he is a spiritualized being. He is. Spiritual ideas are on tap at once, and he talks about
them fluently, easily, naturally. They are the breath of his life. And not only the breath of his life, but the strength of his
life.....".