tadyo veda idaṃ amṛtatvaṃ vediṣyātveda niṣprāṇaḥ
“He who knows It, knows immortality; but he who knows not, verily dies.”
Structure
tad yo veda idam amṛtatvam vediṣyāt veda niṣprāṇaḥ
tad + yo (who) veda (knows) + idam (this) amṛtatvam (immortality) vediṣyāt (will know) + veda (or knows) niṣprāṇaḥ (lifeless)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tad | tad | pronoun | nominative · neuter singular · neuter | that |
| yo | yo | pronoun | nominative · masculine singular · masculine | who |
| veda | veda | verb | √vid · laṭ-present · third | knows |
| idaṃ | idam | pronoun | accusative · neuter singular · neuter | this |
| amṛtatvam | amṛtatvam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | immortality |
| vediṣyāt | vediṣyāt | verb | √vid · liṅ-optative · third | may know |
| veda | veda | verb | √vid · laṭ-present · third | knows |
| niṣprāṇaḥ | niṣprāṇaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "niḥ + prāṇa" | lifeless |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Praśnopaniṣad, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as underscoring the ultimate reality of Brahman and the identity of Ātman with Brahman. He reasons that the knowledge of 'It' (tad) refers to the non-dual Brahman, which is the essence of immortality (amṛtatvam). The phrase 'veda niṣprāṇaḥ' suggests that one who does not know this reality is as good as dead, for they are trapped in the cycle of birth and death. This verse thus points to the liberating knowledge of the Brahman-Ātman identity, where the individual self (jīva) recognizes its true nature as the universal Self (Brahman). Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on this verse emphasizes the importance of Self-realization, highlighting that the knowledge of Brahman is not just intellectual but a direct, intuitive experience that transcends the dualistic world of name and form.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, Rāmānujācārya interprets this verse as emphasizing the importance of devotion to Īśvara (the Lord) for attaining immortality. According to Rāmānuja, 'tad' refers to the Lord, and 'idaṃ amṛtatvam' signifies the state of liberation, where the jīva experiences eternal bliss in the presence of the Lord. The phrase 'veda niṣprāṇaḥ' suggests that one who lacks devotion to the Lord is devoid of true life, for they are disconnected from the source of all existence. Rāmānuja's commentary highlights the reciprocal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the jīva's knowledge of the Lord is reciprocated by the Lord's grace, leading to the jīva's liberation. This verse thus underscores the central role of bhakti (devotion) in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, as the means to attain the ultimate goal of eternal union with the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, interprets this verse as a call to realize one's true potential and attain spiritual freedom. He sees 'tad' as representing the universal consciousness, and 'idaṃ amṛtatvam' as the state of inner bliss and peace that arises from realizing this consciousness. Vivekānanda emphasizes that the phrase 'veda niṣprāṇaḥ' suggests that one who is disconnected from this inner reality is, in a sense, 'dead' to the true possibilities of life. He encourages individuals to explore their own deeper nature, to 'know themselves' in the light of this verse, and to cultivate the qualities of self-awareness, compassion, and wisdom. This, according to Vivekānanda, is the key to unlocking human potential and creating a more harmonious and enlightened world. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, reminds us of the importance of introspection, self-discovery, and the pursuit of spiritual growth as essential components of a fulfilling and meaningful life.