yasya deve parijātā devāḥ । tāni tv.aṣṭā caritāni । yasya vāc sā vāc ca vāṇī ॥
“Of whom the gods know the birth, as a late comer; his actions are indeed those of the Tvastar; his speech is speech, verily, and the word.”
Structure
yasya deve parijātā devāḥ tāni tvaṣṭā caritāni yasya vāc sā vāc ca vāṇī
yasya (of whom) deve (the gods) parijātā (are well-known) devāḥ (the gods) tāni (those) tvaṣṭā (by the lord) caritāni (actions) yasya (of whom) vāc (speech) sā (that) vāc (speech) ca (and) vāṇī (voice)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom |
| deve | deve | noun | locative · singular · masculine | among the gods |
| parijātā | parijātā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | creator |
| devāḥ | devāḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | gods |
| tāni | tāni | pronoun | nominative · plural · neuter | those |
| tvaṣṭā | tvaṣṭā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | architect of the universe |
| caritāni | caritāni | noun | nominative · plural · neuter | actions |
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom |
| vāc | vāc | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | speech |
| sā | sā | pronoun | nominative · singular · feminine | that |
| vāc | vāc | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | speech |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| vāṇī | vāṇī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | voice |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Kenopaniṣad highlights the non-dual nature of reality, pointing towards the identity of Brahman and Ātman. According to Shankara, the phrase 'yasya deve parijātā devāḥ' suggests that the gods themselves are born from or are dependent on a higher reality, which is the ultimate truth or Brahman. The mention of 'tv.aṣṭā caritāni' reinforces the idea that even the actions attributed to the divine are ultimately a manifestation of this singular reality. Shankara's commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, where he discusses the concept of 'Brahman as the source of all', indirectly illuminates this verse, emphasizing that all phenomena, including divine beings and their actions, are rooted in the non-dual Brahman. Thus, the verse underscores the Advaita perspective that the ultimate reality is singular and all manifestations, including speech and word, are expressions of this unified consciousness.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition approaches this verse with a focus on the personal relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya would interpret 'yasya deve parijātā devāḥ' as indicating that even the gods are dependent on the Lord for their existence, thereby establishing a hierarchy with Īśvara at the pinnacle. The actions of Tvastar, 'tāni tv.aṣṭā caritāni', are seen as part of the divine plan, governed by Īśvara. The phrase 'yasya vāc sā vāc ca vāṇī' is understood as the Lord's word being the ultimate authority and truth. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference between the Lord and the individual souls, would further stress the idea that the speech and word of the Lord are distinct and superior to those of the jīvas, highlighting the devotional path where the jīva seeks to understand and follow the Lord's will.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan interpret this verse in the context of its universal and practical applications. According to Vivekānanda, the phrase 'yasya deve parijātā devāḥ' symbolizes the universal spirit from which all things, including divine beings, emanate. He would see 'tāni tv.aṣṭā caritāni' as the manifestation of this spirit in action, guiding human endeavors towards harmony and unity. The line 'yasya vāc sā vāc ca vāṇī' would be understood as the power of true speech and the word, emphasizing the importance of honest and compassionate communication in achieving personal and societal transformation. Radhakrishnan, with his emphasis on the synthesis of Eastern and Western thought, might view this verse as underscoring the human quest for meaning and the ultimate reality that underlies all existence, encouraging a contemplative and active engagement with life's mysteries and challenges.