oṃ pūrṇaḥ pūrṇaṃ pūrṇam pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya pūrṇam eva avaśiṣyate

pūrṇaḥ (full) pūrṇaṃ (that which is full) pūrṇam (is full) pūrṇasya (of that which is full) pūrṇam (fullness) ādāya (taking) pūrṇam (full) eva (indeed) avaśiṣyate (remains) oṃ (supreme)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Taittirīyopaniṣad underscores the fundamental non-dual nature of reality, emphasizing that the Whole (Brahman) is Perfect and remains unchanged despite any apparent transformations. Shankara's commentary on this verse highlights the concept of 'pūrṇa' as an attribute of Brahman, signifying its completeness and perfection. By stating 'pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate,' the verse illustrates the idea that even when a part of the Whole is taken away, the Whole remains unaffected, pointing to the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This interpretation supports the non-dualistic view that the distinctions between the individual self and the Absolute are illusory, and that the ultimate reality is a unified, unchanging Whole.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as underscoring the relationship between the individual self (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, views this verse as supporting the concept of 'śeṣa-śeṣi-bhāva,' where the individual self is the servant or dependent of the Lord. The perfection of the Whole refers to the Lord's complete and perfect nature, while the taking away of a part refers to the individual self's existence and actions within the framework of the Lord's creation. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, emphasizes the real difference between the individual self and the Lord, highlighting the verse's indication that even in separation, the Lord's perfection remains unaffected, underscoring the dependency of the jīva on Īśvara.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, interprets this verse as a call to recognize the inherent perfection and completeness within each individual. He sees 'pūrṇa' as a symbol of the infinite potential that lies within every human being, waiting to be realized. The verse, according to Vivekānanda, encourages individuals to strive for self-realization and to understand that true fulfillment and perfection can only be achieved by recognizing and embracing one's inner divine nature. S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings, further develops this idea by emphasizing the universal applicability of this verse, suggesting that it points to a reality where distinctions between the self and the world are transcended, and all existence is seen as an interconnected, perfect Whole.

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