tat sṛṣṭvā tu mahate brahmaṇe ca | rājñe ca janatāṃ caiva tato vinirgato yayau ||
“Having created that, he went forth to the great Brahma and the king and people.”
Structure
tat sṛṣṭvā tu mahate brahmaṇe ca rājñe ca janatāṃ ca eva tato vinirgato yayau
saḥ (he) tat (that) sṛṣṭvā (having created) tu (then) mahate (the great) brahmaṇe (Brahma) ca (and) rājñe (the king) ca (and) janatām (the people) ca (and) eva (indeed) tato (thereafter) vinirgato (went out) yayau (he went)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tat | tat | pronoun | accusative · neuter singular · neuter | that |
| sṛṣṭvā | sṛṣṭvā | verb | √sṛj · past participle · third | having created |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| mahate | mahate | adjective | — | great |
| brahmaṇe | brahmaṇe | noun | dative · singular · masculine | Brahman |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| rājñe | rājñe | noun | dative · singular · masculine | king |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| janatāṃ | janatāṃ | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | people |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only |
| tato | tato | indeclinable | — | then |
| vinirgato | vinirgato | verb | √niṛ · past · third | went out |
| yayau | yayau | verb | √i · past · third | he went |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, 'tat sṛṣṭvā tu mahate brahmaṇe ca | rājñe ca janatāṃ ca eva tato vinirgato yayau,' underscores the non-dual essence of the universe, suggesting that the creator, upon completing the creation, merges back into the ultimate reality, Brahma. Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras emphasizes the identity of Brahman and Ātman, where the individual self (jīva) is ultimately the same as the universal self (Brahman). Here, the act of creation and the subsequent return to Brahma symbolize the cyclical nature of existence and the ultimate dissolution of distinctions. The verse thus supports the Advaitic view that all differentiation is illusory, and the absolute reality is one, unchanging, and all-encompassing. This reading encourages the seeker to look beyond the superficial distinctions of creator and created, ruler and ruled, towards the unity that underlies all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse focuses on the devotional aspect, where the creator's action is seen as an act of grace, establishing a relationship between the Lord (Īśvara) and the individual souls (jīvas). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentaries, would emphasize the concept of 'prapatti' or surrender, suggesting that the creator's return to Brahma signifies the ultimate goal of the individual soul's journey towards union with the divine. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might view this verse through the lens of 'duṣṭa-durvāraatva,' highlighting the Lord's grace in creating a world where souls can strive for liberation. Both perspectives underscore the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, with the verse illustrating the dependency of creation on the will of the creator, thus encouraging devotion and surrender as paths to spiritual liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse can be seen as a call to universal harmony and unity. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the practical applications of Vedānta, might interpret 'tat sṛṣṭvā tu mahate brahmaṇe ca' as a reminder that all creation is an expression of the divine. He would emphasize that the recognition of this oneness is essential for true progress and peace, encouraging individuals to see beyond their differences and strive for a collective well-being. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings on the relevance of Indian philosophy to contemporary life, could view this verse as an allegory for the individual's journey towards self-realization and the realization of their place within the larger cosmos. This perspective encourages a holistic approach to life, where individual actions contribute to the greater good, and the pursuit of knowledge and service to humanity becomes the path to spiritual evolution.