tasmād viśvasya jagataḥ sajāvān | sañcāraś cāsya visiṭā dadhāti || 17 ||
“From Him, the Omniscient One, comes the origin and the dissolution of the entire universe.”
Structure
tasmāt viśvasya jagataḥ sajāvān sañcāraḥ ca asya viśitā dadhāti
tasmāt (from that) viśvasya (of the universe) jagataḥ (of the world) sajāvān (the preserver) sañcāraḥ (the maintenance) ca (and) asya (of this) viśitā (the supreme controller) dadhāti (establishes)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tasmāt | tasmāt | indeclinable | — | from that |
| viśvasya | viśvasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the universe |
| jagataḥ | jagataḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the world |
| sajāvān | sajāvān | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the Lord, who is not separate |
| sañcāraḥ | sañcāraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the permeer, the mover |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| asya | asya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of Him |
| viśitā | viśitā | noun | nominative · plural · feminine | permeated, moved |
| dadhāti | dadhāti | verb | √dā · laṭ-present · third | He causes to pervade, He moves |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Īśopaniṣad signifies the ultimate reality of Brahman as the source and dissolution of the universe, underscoring the non-dual nature of existence. Shankara's commentary on this verse emphasizes that the term 'tasmāt' (from Him) refers to the Supreme Being, from whom the universe originates and into whom it merges. The phrase 'sajāvān sañcāraḥ ca asya' highlights the dynamic and static aspects of Brahman, respectively, implying that Brahman is both the unchanging essence and the changing world. This points to the identity of Brahman and Ātman, where the individual self (jīva) is ultimately one with the universal Self (Brahman). Shankara's reasoning on this verse supports the idea that the distinctions between the universe and its source are transcended in the understanding of Brahman-ātman identity, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava interpretation, this verse is seen as an affirmation of the dependance of the universe on the divine will of Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Īśopaniṣad, emphasizes the term 'tasmāt' to signify the Lord as the material and efficient cause of the universe. The relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord) is one of servitude and surrender, where the jīva recognizes its existence as deriving from and sustained by Īśvara. The phrase 'sajāvān sañcāraḥ' is understood to denote the Lord's gracious act of creation and maintenance, which is an expression of His divine love for His creatures. This devotional reading of the verse encourages the pursuit of bhakti (devotion) as the means to attain union with the Lord, experiencing His love and grace.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, brings out the universal and practical application of this verse by stressing the idea that all existence is interconnected and interdependent. He interprets 'tasmāt' to signify the ultimate reality from which the universe emanates, not as a creator separate from creation, but as the very essence of all existence. The phrase 'sajāvān sañcāraḥ ca asya' is seen as illustrating the dynamic and evolving nature of the universe, which reflects the infinite potential and creativity inherent in this ultimate reality. Vivekānanda connects this understanding to contemporary life by emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting this interconnectedness in all aspects of human endeavor, from science and philosophy to social service and personal growth, as a path to achieve harmony and unity among all beings.