tad viṣṇoḥ paramam padam sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ . na tu sarve parikalpante ..
“The wise ones always see that supreme position of Vishnu, but not all imagine it.”
Structure
tad viṣṇoḥ paramam padam sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ na tu sarve parikalpante
sūrayaḥ (wise ones) tad (that) viṣṇoḥ (of Vishnu) paramam (supreme) padam (position) sadā (always) paśyanti (see) na (not) tu (but) sarve (all) parikalpante (can imagine or conceive)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tad | tad | pronoun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | that |
| viṣṇoḥ | viṣṇoḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of Viṣṇu |
| paramam | paramam | adjective | — | supreme |
| padam | padam | noun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | position |
| sadā | sadā | indeclinable | — | always |
| paśyanti | paśyanti | verb | √paś · present · third | they see |
| sūrayaḥ | sūrayaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | gods |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tu | tu | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| sarve | sarve | adjective | — | all |
| parikalpante | parikalpante | verb | √parikalp · present · third | they imagine |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the supreme position of Vishnu is equated with the ultimate reality, Brahman. According to Shankara, the wise ones who always see this supreme position are those who have realized the identity of the individual self (ātman) with Brahman. In his commentary on the Kenopaniṣad, Shankara emphasizes that the supreme position of Vishnu is not a separate entity, but the very essence of Brahman, which is the unchanging and all-pervading reality. The phrase 'na tu sarve parikalpante' suggests that not all can conceive of this reality, implying that only those who have attained a certain level of spiritual maturity can comprehend the non-dual nature of existence. This verse thus points to the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self is ultimately one with the supreme reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse highlights the importance of devotion and surrender to the supreme Lord, Vishnu. According to Ramanuja, the wise ones who always see the supreme position of Vishnu are those who have cultivated a deep sense of devotion and have surrendered themselves to the Lord. The phrase 'sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ' suggests that these devotees have a constant and unwavering vision of the Lord, which is made possible by their devotion and self-surrender. The relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord) is one of dependence and surrender, where the jīva recognizes its limitations and surrenders to the will of the Lord. Ramanuja's commentary on this verse emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) as a means of realizing the supreme position of Vishnu and attaining liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): This verse has a profound universal and practical application, as it speaks to the human aspiration for transcendence and the realization of one's true nature. According to Vivekānanda, the supreme position of Vishnu represents the highest potential of human consciousness, which can be realized through the practice of meditation, self-inquiry, and devotion. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda often emphasized the importance of realizing one's true nature, which is beyond the limitations of the ego and the conditioned mind. The phrase 'na tu sarve parikalpante' suggests that this realization is not accessible to all, but only to those who are willing to embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. This verse thus inspires us to strive for a higher level of consciousness, where we can experience the unity and interconnectedness of all existence.