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Major Upaniṣads · 4.21
सर्वाणि भूतानि त्वेव त्वमेवेदं जगत् ।

sarvāṇi bhūtāni tvaiva tvameva idaṃ jagat .

All beings are indeed you alone; this entire world is verily you.

Structure

Padaccheda — word separation

sarvāṇi bhūtāni tva eva tvam eva idam jagat

Anvaya — prose reordering

tvam eva (you alone) sarvāṇi (all) bhūtāni (beings) idam (this) jagat (world) eva (is) tva eva (yourself)

Word-by-Word Grammar

WordIASTTypeGrammarMeaning
sarvāṇisarvāṇiadjectiveall
bhūtānibhūtāninounnominative · plural · neuterbeings
tvatvapronounsecond · singular · masculineyou
evaevaindeclinableindeed
tvamtvampronounsecond · singular · masculineyou
evaevaindeclinableindeed
idaṃidaṃpronounnominative · singular · neuterthis
jagatjagatnounnominative · singular · neuterworld

Scholarly Commentary

Advaita Vedānta(Ādi Śaṅkarācārya)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Praśnopaniṣad underscores the fundamental non-dual nature of reality, affirming that all beings and the world are ultimately brahman. Shankara's commentary on the Upaniṣads, particularly his exposition on the identity of brahman and ātman, finds strong support in this verse. He argues that the world and all beings are manifestations of brahman, not separate entities, highlighting the illusory nature of duality. In his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, Shankara explains that the ultimate reality, brahman, is the essence of everything, including the individual self (ātman), thus affirming the verse's statement that 'all beings are indeed you alone.' This understanding leads to the realization of the brahman-ātman identity, liberating the individual from the cycle of birth and death.

Vaiṣṇava Tradition(Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya)

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is interpreted through the lens of devotion and the personal relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, would likely view this verse as affirming the Lord's omnipresence and the dependence of all beings on Him, emphasizing the path of devotion (bhakti) as the means to realize this unity. Madhvācārya, with his emphasis on the difference between the Lord and the individual souls, would still acknowledge the Lord's all-pervasive nature, as hinted in this verse, but would stress the distinctness of the Lord's essence from that of the world and beings. For both, the verse underscores the central role of Īśvara in creation and the ultimate goal of achieving love and union with the Divine.

Neo-Vedānta(Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan)

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal message of the Upaniṣads, including the idea that the entire world is an expression of the divine. This verse, in his view, would symbolize the inherent unity and interconnectedness of all existence. Vivekānanda might use this verse to advocate for service to others as a means of realizing one's own divinity, reflecting his practical Vedānta. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, would interpret this verse as highlighting the ultimate reality that underlies all existence, emphasizing the need for individuals to recognize and realize this unity in their daily lives. Both thinkers connect this ancient wisdom with contemporary life, inviting individuals to experience the world as an interconnected, holistic entity, thereby fostering compassion, understanding, and peace.

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