tasyasya yasya apām śarīraṃ visṛṣṭam medhasā agrataḥ taṃ vidyāt śukla amṛtatvāya

tasyasya (of Him) yasya (whose) apām (of water) śarīraṃ (body) medhasā (by the intellect) agrataḥ (at first) visṛṣṭam (created) taṃ (that) vidyāt (one should know) śukla (the pure one) amṛtatvāya (for immortality)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Praśnopaniṣad underscores the non-dual nature of reality, highlighting the origin of the physical universe from a unified, intelligent source. Shankara's commentary on the Upaniṣads emphasizes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the sole cause of the universe, and all phenomena, including the body of waters, emanate from it. The term 'medhasā' (intelligence) suggests a conscious, all-knowing principle guiding the creation. This intelligent source is not separate from the individual self (ātman) but is, in fact, the ātman itself, which is ultimately identical with Brahman. The verse, therefore, points to the brahman-ātman identity, encouraging the seeker to realize this unity as the path to achieving amṛtatvāya, or immortality, not in the physical sense but in the transcendental, liberated state of consciousness.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse focuses on the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara), emphasizing devotion and surrender. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, discusses the concept of the Supreme as the material and efficient cause of the universe, which aligns with the idea presented in this verse that the body of waters (apām śarīraṃ) is produced by a superior intelligence. This intelligence is seen as a manifestation of the Lord's power, guiding the creation. The verse is understood to encourage the devotee towards a deeper understanding and devotion to Īśvara, recognizing the Lord's omnipresence and omnipotence in all aspects of creation, including the natural world symbolized by 'waters.' This understanding leads to a path of bhakti, or devotion, as a means to achieve spiritual liberation and closeness to the divine.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures in modern Vedantic thought, would interpret this verse in the light of universal principles applicable to contemporary life. The emphasis on 'medhasā' or intelligence as the primal force behind creation resonates with Vivekananda's ideas on the power of human consciousness and its potential for realization and transformation. Radhakrishnan, in his writings, often highlighted the Upaniṣads' teachings on the unity of existence and the importance of recognizing this unity in daily life. This verse, therefore, can be seen as a call to tap into one's inner potential and intelligence, aligning individual consciousness with the universal, and thereby achieving a state of spiritual awareness and freedom. In modern terms, this could translate into living a life of purpose, harmony with nature, and self-realization, embodying the universal and practical applications of ancient vedantic wisdom in contemporary contexts.

More from this source