sarvāṇi bhūtāni tva eva tvam eva vedāḥ

tvam eva (you alone) sarvāṇi (all) bhūtāni (beings) eva (are) tvam eva (you alone) vedāḥ (the Vedas)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where all beings are ultimately Brahman. Shankara explains that the statement 'sarvāṇi bhūtāni tva eva' implies that the individual self (ātman) is not different from the universal self (Brahman). The phrase 'tvameva vedāḥ' suggests that the Vedas, which are the ultimate authority, also point to this identity. Shankara's commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad (2.1.1) supports this interpretation, where he states that the self is 'not different from Brahman.' This verse thus reinforces the central tenet of Advaita Vedānta: the ultimate reality is a unified, all-encompassing Brahman, and the individual self is not separate from it. By realizing this identity, one attains liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The emphasis on 'tvameva' (you alone) drives home the point that there is no duality, and all distinctions are mere appearances.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an affirmation of the intimate relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Ramanuja interprets 'sarvāṇi bhūtāni tva eva' as indicating that all beings are dependent on God, who is the inner controller of all. The phrase 'tvameva vedāḥ' signifies that the Vedas, which are the words of God, reveal this dependent relationship. According to Ramanuja's Śrī Bhāṣya (1.1.1), the individual self is 'a servant of the Lord,' and this verse underscores the devotion and surrender that the jīva must cultivate towards Īśvara. Madhva, on the other hand, would likely emphasize the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, while still acknowledging the dependence of the former on the latter. This verse thus becomes a call to devotion and a recognition of the Lord's sovereignty over all creation.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda would likely interpret this verse as a celebration of the universal potential that lies within every individual. He might argue that 'sarvāṇi bhūtāni tva eva' signifies that every being has the capacity to realize their true nature, which is divine. The phrase 'tvameva vedāḥ' would then imply that this realization is the ultimate goal of all knowledge and scripture. In his lecture 'The Absolute and Manifestation' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), Vivekananda states that 'the Vedas are not merely a collection of dogmas, but a collection of experiences.' This verse thus becomes a call to explore one's own potential and to realize the unity that underlies all existence. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life,' might connect this verse to the idea of the 'universal self,' which is the common thread that runs through all human experience. He would likely argue that this verse has practical implications for contemporary life, encouraging us to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, and to strive for a more compassionate and equitable world.

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