Agni idaṃ varṇayatāmasi prajāpateḥ trivṛtā yac purastād yacca deho 'ruṣā.
“May Agni describe this (body) which is threefold enlarged (by the three gunas) of Prajapati, which is before (the eyes) and which is full of vital force.”
Structure
Agni - idam - varṇayatām - asi - prajāpateḥ - trivṛtā - yac - purastād - yacca - deho - 'ruṣā
Agniḥ (Agni) idam (this) varṇayatām (describes) asi (is) prajāpateḥ (of Prajapati) trivṛtā (threefold) yac (what) purastād (before) yacca (and) deho (body) 'ruṣā (anger)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agni | Agni | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Fire |
| idam | idam | pronoun | accusative · neuter · neuter | this |
| varṇayatām | varṇayatām | verb | √varṇay · optative · third | may describe |
| asi | asi | verb | √as · optative · second | you are |
| prajāpateḥ | prajāpateḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the lord of creatures |
| trivṛtā | trivṛtā | adjective | — | threefold |
| yac | yac | indeclinable | — | and |
| purastād | purastād | indeclinable | — | from the front |
| yacca | yacca | indeclinable | — | and |
| deho | deho | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | body |
| 'ruṣā | aruṣā | adjective | — | unhurt |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, Shankara discusses the concept of the threefold nature of the universe, which is reflected in this verse. He notes that the three gunas (sattva, rajas, and tamas) are the fundamental qualities that constitute the universe, and that they are ultimately illusory (māyā). This verse, with its reference to the threefold enlarged body of Prajapati, points to the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinctions between subject and object, self and other, are transcended. According to Shankara, the identification of the individual self (jīva) with the ultimate reality (Brahman) is the key to liberation, and this verse serves as a reminder of the illusoriness of the material world and the need to seek the timeless and unchanging reality that underlies it.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Ramanuja, in his Sri Bhashya, interprets this verse as a description of the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the supreme lord (Īśvara). The threefold body of Prajapati represents the various manifestations of the divine, and the reference to Agni as the describer of this body highlights the role of the divine in revealing its own nature to the devotee. For Ramanuja, this verse underscores the importance of devotion (bhakti) and self-surrender (prapatti) as the means to attain a direct experience of the divine. The verse also points to the concept of vibhūti, or the divine manifestations, which are a central theme in Vaiṣṇava theology. By contemplating on the divine body, the devotee can cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and love for the supreme lord, and ultimately attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures on the Upanishads, highlights the practical significance of this verse in understanding the human condition. He notes that the threefold body of Prajapati represents the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of human nature, and that the reference to Agni as the describer of this body symbolizes the power of introspection and self-awareness. According to Vivekananda, this verse encourages the individual to cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world, and to strive for a harmonious balance between the different aspects of their being. This verse can be seen as a call to integrate the various dimensions of human experience, and to recognize the interconnectedness of all things. As Radhakrishnan notes, the concept of Prajapati can be seen as a symbol of the universal spirit that underlies all existence, and this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of living in harmony with nature and recognizing the sacred in all aspects of life.