Purusha suktam

[Guest guest]

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)

 

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)

 

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 |

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)

 

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 (prA-

Na, 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)|

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,

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?

 

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||

 

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||

 

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!]

 

[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.

 

 

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) || 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||

 

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 |

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

---------------

 

[Note: Similar creation themes are present in the non-Christian books of the

other peoples including the Romans and the Nordics. For example it says in

the Norse myth that the God Odin and his brother created this world by

dismembering a huge giant. Our Wednesday comes from Odin, which every third

grader in the US should know!]

[Note: A Chinese belief appears to combine both the Hiranya Garbha and the

Purusha Sukta in to one: In the beginning was a huge egg containing chaos and

a mixture of yin-yang (female-male, cold-heat, dark-light, wet-dry, etc.).

Also within this yin-yang was Phan Ku who broke forth from the egg as a giant

who separated the yin-yang into many opposites, including earth and sky. With

a great chisel and a huge hammer, Phan Ku carved out the mountains, rivers,

valleys, and oceans. He also made the sun, moon, and stars. When he died,

after 18,000 years, it is said that the fleas in his hair became human

beings. In summation, the Chinese say that everything that is - is Phan Ku

and everything that Phan Ku is yin-yang].

 

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 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, comments

thus, ......"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.....".

 

Daasan,

 

Koti Sreekrishna