yo devānāṃ purohitaḥ purā | janmaddhavo madhuṃ mathītaḥ | nūnāṃ ca devānāṃ śarīreṣu | tannūnāṃ ‖
“He who formerly was the priest of the gods, the god born from the churning of the honey, now dwells in the bodies of the gods.”
Structure
yo devānāṃ purohitaḥ purā janmad devas madhuṃ amathītaḥ nūnāṃ ca devānāṃ śarīreṣu tat nūnāṃ
yo (who) devānāṃ (of gods) purohitaḥ (priest) purā (formerly) | janmad (was born) devaḥ (god) madhuṃ (the honey) amathītaḥ (did not churn) | nūnāṃ (now) ca (and) devānāṃ (of gods) śarīreṣu (in bodies) tat (that) nūnāṃ (now)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | yo | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| devānāṃ | devānāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of gods |
| purohitaḥ | purohitaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | priest |
| purā | purā | indeclinable | — | formerly |
| janmad | janmad | verb | √jan · liṅ-aorist · third | was born |
| devas | devaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | god |
| madhuṃ | madhuṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | mead |
| amathītaḥ | amathītaḥ | verb | √math · liṅ-aorist · third | churned |
| nūnāṃ | nūnāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of men |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| devānāṃ | devānāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of gods |
| śarīreṣu | śarīreṣu | noun | locative · plural · neuter | in bodies |
| tat | tat | pronoun | nominative · singular · neuter | that |
| nūnāṃ | nūnāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of men |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is pivotal in establishing the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara interprets 'yo devānāṃ purohitaḥ purā' as the ultimate reality that was the primal cause and sustainer of the gods. The phrase 'janmaddhavo madhuṃ mathītaḥ' suggests the emergence of the universe from this reality, akin to the churning of the ocean of milk. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, particularly the section on 'satyam jñānam anantam brahma,' resonates with this verse, implying that the essence of the divine dwells within all beings. This reading underscores the identity of brahman and ātman, where the individual self (jīva) is ultimately the same as the universal self (brahman). The dweller in the bodies of the gods ('nūnāṃ ca devānāṃ śarīreṣu') symbolizes the omnipresent nature of this ultimate reality, affirming that the distinctions between the divine and the mortal are illusory. Through this lens, the verse encourages a meditation on the unity of all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an affirmation of the personal deity and the intimate relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya might interpret 'yo devānāṃ purohitaḥ purā' as referring to the supreme Lord Vishnu, who is the original priest and guide of the gods. The 'janmaddhavo madhuṃ mathītaḥ' could symbolize the Lord's role in the creation myth, where the churning of the ocean (a metaphor for the cosmic process) results in the emergence of ambrosia, signifying spiritual enlightenment or liberation. For Rāmānujācārya, the emphasis would be on the loving dependence of the jīva on Īśvara, with 'nūnāṃ ca devānāṃ śarīreṣu' indicating the indwelling of the Lord within all beings, not just the gods, suggesting a path of devotion (bhakti) towards realizing this inherent divine presence. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might focus on the distinction between the Lord and his devotees, highlighting the grace of the Lord in dwelling within the hearts of the faithful.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, would likely interpret this verse in a universal and practical light. Vivekānanda, known for his emphasis on the potential divinity of every individual, might see 'yo devānāṃ purohitaḥ purā' as the symbol of the perfect man, the embodiment of divine qualities, who is the priest or guide for all humanity. The 'janmaddhavo madhuṃ mathītaḥ' could represent the struggle and effort required to uncover one's true nature, akin to the churning of the ocean to find the nectar of immortality. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, such as 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda,' frequently emphasized the importance of realizing one's inner divinity. Radhakrishnan, with his philosophical orientation, might focus on the concept of 'nūnāṃ ca devānāṃ śarīreṣu,' seeing it as an affirmation of the universal spirit that animates all existence, calling for a recognition of the divine in every human being, and thus advocating for a world based on mutual respect, understanding, and the pursuit of spiritual growth.