Tatpuruṣāya vidmahe vāyuvrātāya dhīmahi । Tanno vāyuḥ pracodayāt ॥
“We know that Supreme Being; we meditate on the Lord of the stormy winds; may that Wind inspire us.”
Structure
Tatpuruṣāya vidmahe vāyu-vrātāya dhīmahi Tanno vāyuḥ pracodayāt
Tatpuruṣāya (to that all-pervading being) vidmahe (we know) vāyu-vrātāya (who is the lord of the air) dhīmahi (may we meditate) Tanno (may that) vāyuḥ (air or wind) pracodayāt (inspire or impel)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatpuruṣāya | Tatpuruṣāya | compound | bahuvrīhi · "tad + puruṣa + āya" | to that puruṣa |
| vidmahe | vidmahe | verb | √vid · laṭ-present · first | we know |
| vāyu-vrātāya | vāyu-vrātāya | compound | dvandva · "vāyu + vrāta + āya" | to vāyu and vrāta |
| dhīmahi | dhīmahi | verb | √dhi · laṭ-present · first | we meditate |
| Tanno | Tanno | pronoun | accusative · singular · neuter | that (neuter) |
| vāyuḥ | vāyuḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | wind |
| pracodayāt | pracodayāt | verb | √cod · liṅ-optative · third | may inspire |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Praśnopaniṣad is pivotal in understanding the non-dual nature of reality. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Upaniṣads, emphasizes that the 'Tatpuruṣāya' refers to the Ultimate Reality, Brahman. The meditation on 'vāyuvrātāya' signifies the manifestation of Brahman in the form of the life-giving wind, which is omnipresent and essential for all living beings. The phrase 'Tanno vāyuḥ pracodayāt' is interpreted as the call for this universal life force to inspire and guide us towards realizing our true nature, which is none other than Brahman itself. This realization leads to the understanding of the identity between the individual self (ātman) and the universal self (Brahman), a core tenet of Advaita Vedānta. Through this verse, Śaṅkarācārya guides us towards a deeper contemplation of the non-dual essence that underlies all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of devotion to the Supreme Lord, who is often identified as Nārāyaṇa or Vishnu. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary, would likely interpret 'Tatpuruṣāya' as referring to the Supreme Being, who is the object of our knowledge and devotion. The 'vāyuvrātāya' would symbolize the divine presence that pervades all creation, including the elements. The Vaiṣṇava emphasis is on the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara), with the verse indicating a call for divine guidance and inspiration. This reading underscores the importance of bhakti, or devotion, as a means to attain spiritual growth and liberation. The verse is thus seen as a prayer to the Lord to inspire and lead the devotee on the path to realizing their eternal relationship with Him.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, a key figure in Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse as a call to recognize and realize the divine within oneself and in all of nature. He often emphasized the importance of realizing one's true potential and the universal principles that govern human existence. The 'Tatpuruṣāya' represents the supreme consciousness that is the essence of all beings, while 'vāyuvrātāya' symbolizes the dynamic, omnipresent force of nature that connects all living beings. Vivekānanda would likely see the phrase 'Tanno vāyuḥ pracodayāt' as an inspiration to tap into this universal energy to fulfill one's duties and live a life of service and compassion. This reading aligns with his message of practical Vedānta, where spiritual growth is not merely a philosophical pursuit but a way of life that seeks to uplift both the individual and society. It resonates with contemporary life by encouraging a holistic and sustainable approach to living, respecting the interconnectedness of all existence.