Prakṛtiṁ puruṣaṁ cāiva viddhi niye samīhate | Uddhare dātma-vatsthāt te mohāṁ saṁsṛteḥ ||
“Know to be the source of the whole creation, the material nature and the puruṣa, and understand that I, who am beyond them, am to be liberated from the delusion of this saṁsāra.”
Structure
Prakṛtiṁ puruṣaṁ cāiva viddhi niye samīhate uddharādātmanvatsthāt te mohāṁ saṁsṛteḥ
Viddhi (know) niye (in this field) prakṛtiṁ (the material nature) puruṣaṁ (and the puruṣa) cāiva (also) samīhate (they strive); te (your) ātmanvatsthāt (from the embodied self) uddhara (rescue) saṁsṛteḥ (from the cycle of rebirth) mohām (the illusion)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prakṛtiṁ | Prakṛtiṁ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | nature |
| puruṣaṁ | puruṣaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | the puruṣa |
| cā | cā | indeclinable | — | and |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| viddhi | viddhi | verb | √vid · imperative · second | you should know |
| niye | niye | indeclinable | — | in the field |
| samīhate | samīhate | verb | √sī · present · third | it pervades |
| uddharādātmanvatsthāt | uddharādātmanvatsthāt | compound | tatpuruṣa · "uddharā ātmanvatsthāt" | from the embodied self |
| te | te | pronoun | genitive · singular | your |
| mohāṁ | mohāṁ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | delusion |
| saṁsṛteḥ | saṁsṛteḥ | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from samsāra |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is pivotal in establishing the non-dual nature of reality. According to Shankara, the distinction between Prakṛti (material nature) and Puruṣa (the conscious being) is a product of ignorance. The ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond these dualities. In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara explains that understanding the origin of creation (Prakṛti and Puruṣa) is crucial for liberation. He cites the example of the snake and the rope, where the illusion of the snake is dispelled upon realizing it is just a rope. Similarly, the delusion of saṁsāra is dispelled when one realizes the true nature of the Self (Ātman) as identical with Brahman. This verse, therefore, points to the brahman-ātman identity, emphasizing that liberation is not a change of state but a change of perspective, where one recognizes their true non-dual nature.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): Rāmānujācārya's visiṣṭādvaita vedānta interprets this verse as emphasizing the distinction between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). According to Rāmānuja, Prakṛti and Puruṣa are both under the control of Īśvara. The jīva, caught in the cycle of saṁsāra, must seek liberation through devotion to Īśvara. This verse suggests that understanding the relationship between the material world (Prakṛti), the individual souls (Puruṣa), and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara) is essential for liberation. Rāmānuja's commentary highlights the role of bhakti (devotion) in this process, where the devotee surrenders to Īśvara, recognizing their dependence on Him for liberation from the delusion of saṁsāra. This emphasizes the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, with liberation being a gift of Īśvara's grace.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda interprets this verse in the context of practical Vedānta, emphasizing its universal application. He sees the struggle to understand Prakṛti and Puruṣa as a metaphor for the human condition, where individuals are caught between their lower, material nature and their higher, spiritual aspirations. Vivekānanda advocates for a synthesis of the material and spiritual, recognizing that true freedom and liberation can only be achieved by transcending the limitations of both. In his lectures, he often cited the importance of self-realization, where the individual recognizes their true nature beyond the dualities of the material world. This verse, therefore, becomes a call to action, urging individuals to strive for a higher state of consciousness, where they can see beyond the delusions of saṁsāra and achieve a state of unity and harmony with the universe. This perspective resonates with contemporary life, encouraging individuals to seek balance, wisdom, and spiritual growth in their daily lives.