etad vai khalu ekam vijñānam yaj jñānaṃ jñāyate sarvam । nānyah panthā asti ajñānasya nivṛttaye
“This indeed is the one knowledge by which all else is known; there is no other path for the elimination of ignorance.”
Structure
etad vai khalu ekam vijñānam yat jñānaṃ jñāyate sarvam nānyah panthā asti ajñānasya nivṛttaye
etad(this) vai(indeed) khalu(certainly) ekam(one) vijñānam(means of knowledge) yat(which) jñānaṃ(knowledge) jñāyate(is known) sarvam(all) nānyah(there is no other) panthā(path) asti(exists) ajñānasya(of ignorance) nivṛttaye(for destruction)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| etad | etad | pronoun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | this |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| khalu | khalu | indeclinable | — | certainly, surely |
| ekam | ekam | numeral | — | one |
| vijñānam | vijñānam | noun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | knowledge, understanding |
| yat | yat | pronoun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | which |
| jñānaṃ | jñānaṃ | noun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | knowledge |
| jñāyate | jñāyate | verb | √jñā · passive present · third | is known |
| sarvam | sarvam | adjective | — | all, everything |
| nānyah | nānyah | adjective | — | no other |
| panthā | panthā | noun | nominative · masculine singular · masculine | path, way |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · present · third | is |
| ajñānasya | ajñānasya | compound | tatpuruṣa · "ajñāna + asya" | of ignorance |
| nivṛttaye | nivṛttaye | noun | dative · feminine singular · feminine | cessation, removal |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is pivotal in establishing the non-dual nature of reality, underscoring that there is only one knowledge, vijñānam, which when realized, reveals all else. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the importance of understanding the absolute identity between Brahman and Ātman, which is the essence of this verse. He notes that the ultimate knowledge, or vijñāna, is not about acquiring additional information but realizing the true nature of the Self, which is one with Brahman. This realization is what dispels ignorance (ajñāna), leading to liberation. Shankara's reasoning on this and related passages consistently points to the idea that all paths lead to the understanding of this singular, ultimate truth. Therefore, this verse supports the idea that the knowledge of Brahman-Ātman identity is not just one path among many but the sole path to eliminating ignorance and achieving moksha.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse with a devotional emphasis, highlighting the unique path to realizing the ultimate reality, Īśvara, through devotion and surrender. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, discusses the relationship between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), emphasizing that true knowledge (vijñāna) comes from understanding and experiencing this relationship. He argues that while there may be various approaches to spiritual growth, the verse suggests that the direct path to eliminating ignorance is through the grace of Īśvara, which is bestowed upon the devotee who seeks knowledge of the divine. This implies a personal, loving relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the knowledge of Īśvara, facilitated by devotion, is the singular path to liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles, including the concept presented in this verse. He saw the pursuit of knowledge (vijñāna) not merely as an intellectual exercise but as a means to empower the individual and bring about social change. Vivekānanda believed that this verse points to the universal nature of true knowledge, which, when realized, can dispel ignorance and usher in a new era of human understanding and cooperation. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, stressed the contemporary relevance of this verse, arguing that its message of the unity of all knowledge and the singular path to eliminating ignorance speaks to the global community's need for a unified, universal worldview that transcends petty divisions and promotes peace and understanding.