2 T HE PUR USHA SUK T A .

i i
s p ra t o n fro m w e s t e rn sa va nts , ma k es t he

fo ll o w i ng re m a rk s on th si Sfi k t a * — “
T he
h y mn i t s e l f w as c o mpo sed c e nt uri e s a fte r t h e
t i me w h e n t h e B ig V eda h y mns w e re ge ne
ra lly c o m o s e d a s i s ro v ed b i t l
p p
, y s a ng g
ua e

a nd i t s i de a s I t w a s c o mpo s e d a ft e r t h e R i k
.

a nd t h e Sa ma n a nd t h e Y aj u r V e das h a d

bee n s e pa ra t el y c l ass i fi e d ( v e rs e a nd a ft e r

t h e i de a o f t h e s a c ri fi c e o f t h e Supre me

B e i ng ( u nk no w n e l s e w h e re I n t h e R ig V e da )
h ad fo u nd a pl a c e i n t h e H i nd u r e l igio n .

I t w a s c o mpo s ed a s Co le bro o k e s t a t es a ft e r
, ,

t h e r ude v e rs ifi c a t io n o f t h e B ig V eda h a d
i l t h m o r e s o no ro us me t re o f
g v en
p a c e o t e

a l at e r a ge We be r Max M ull e r M uir

.
, ,

a nd o t h e r sc h o l a rs a ll a re e as t o t h i s h y mn
g
be i ng c o mpa ra t i v e l y mo de r n
'
!
.

M ui r s a y s t h a t t h i s Sfi k t a w as e v i de nt ly ‘

ro d uc e d a t a e ri o d w h e n t h e c e re mo ni a l
p p
o f s a c ri fi c e h a d beco me l a rg e ly de v el o ped ,

w h en grea t v i r t ue w a s s uppo se d t o reside

‘

D tt A c i t I di B k 1 C h p t 5
'

n s n en n a . . a er .
 I N T R O D UC T I O N .

i n i t s p ro pe r
-
l
c e e b ra t io n, a nd w h en a mys
i l
t ca me a ni ng h a d co me to be a t t a c h ed to

t h e v ar o us i ma t e ri a ls a nd i ns t rume nt s o f
the r i t ua l as We ll as t o th e di ffe rent me m ‘

t h e v c t im
i ’
be rs of .

We leav e th e q ue s t i o n of th e l i
'

re a t v e

e ri o r i t y o f th e l h y mns t o t he
‘

po s t s ev e ra

s c h o l a rs of E uro pe , w ho s ee m to h av e
"

s ec a
p i l i
a pt t ude fo r t h i s b ra nc h of i nqu ir y ,

W e I ndi a ns
, , c o nc er n o urs e l v e s w ith w ha t is
s a id , mo re t h a n w ho s a id it a nd w h en . I t

i s t h is t e nden c I ndi a n mi nd t h a t
y of th e

a c c o un t s fo r t h e a bs e nc e o f h i s t o ri c a l w o r k s

in o ur li t e ra t ure a nd h as gi v e n a pre t t y
lo ng t e t h e r t o t h e t h e o r i si ng pro pe ns i t i e s
o f w e s t e rn Sa nsk ri t i s t s B ut w e ma y no te .

o ne o r t w o t h i ng s w i t h re a rd t o t h i s h y mn
g .

1 I t w ill no t do t o s a y t h at t h e h ym
.
n
i s o f l a t e ori gi n s i mply be c a use i t c o n ta i ns
re fe re nc e s t o so me o f t h e de t ai l s o f c e re .

mo ni a l sa c ri fi c e o r t o t h e c ast e sys t em Sa c
.
~
. .

r ifice se e ms t o be t h e k e y no t e o f t h e R i ff
4 T HE P UR U S H A SUKTA .

V eda as i t is i ndi s pu ta bly of the o th e r

V e das nd h y mns ma y be fo und i n s e ve ra l

M an w h i c h h a v e s o l e re fe re nc e t o t h e

i li t i es o f sa c ri fi c ia l lo re
t ec h n c a I nd i a n .

t ra d i t i o n h a s i t t h a t t h e R ig V e da w a s c o m

il e d t o mee t t h e re q ui re me n t s o f t h e H o t
p a r ,

o ne o f t h e c h i e f o f fi c i a t i ng pri e s t s a t a s a c
rifi c e a nd t h e s t a t eme nt ma de by Go l d
,

s t ti c k er th a t so me o f t h e h y mns w ill h a r d

l y l e nd t h ems el v es t o t h e purpo s e s o f s ac
rifi c e w ill no t e v e n i f s ubs t a n t i a t ed w e a k e n
, ,

o ur po s i t i o n a s o u r c o nt e nt i o n is s i m ly t h a t
p
t h e majorpo r t i o n o f t h e R ig V e da h ymns

re fe rs t o s a c ri fi c e mo re o r l e s s di re c t ly .

W e h o ld t h a t t h e c as t e sy s t e m e xi s t ed -

w h e n ma ny o f t h e h y mns o f t h e R ig V e da .

w e re co mp os ed, i n i t s pres en t
t h o ugh no t

h i de -
bo und fo rm a nd t h o ugh free fro m t h e
bli nd r igidi ty of la t e r t i me s W e a re a w a re
.

t h at Mr R 0 B . . . ut t bri n s fo r w a rd po s i t i v e
g
a nd ne g i a t ve
proo fs t o sh o w t h a t t h e re w as

no c a st e sys t e -
m d uri ng t h e V edi c pe ri od
 IN T R O D UC TI O N . 5

a nd th e v er y w o rds B ralnn ana , V i pra a nd

Ksh a t riy a a re u s ed i n t h e R ig V eda w i th

o ut an
y refe renc e t o t h e c a s t es W e a re .

a sol a w a re th at w e s t e rn s c h o a rshl ip w ill

be sh o c k e d t o see s uc h a t h eo r y a s o urs

ma i nt a i ne d at a t i me w h e n, the y t h i nk , th e

ques t io n h a s be e n fi na lly l
se t t e d o nc e fo r
al l . B ut w e a re o f o p n o n i i that th e q u es
i
t o n c an w e ll bea r a re e
-
xa mina t io n , a nd

we p ro
po s e t o o ffe r a fe w re ma rk s on th e

s ub e c t j in o ur c o mme n t s on R ik XIII .

2 . Mr R C . . . D ut t ma i nt a i ns th at th e

Purush a S fi k t a w as c o mpo s e d a ft er t h e R ik ,

th e Sa ma n, a nd th e Y aj ur Veda s h a d been
se
pa ra t e ly c l assifi ed and bases t h i s i nfere nc e
o f h is on t h e n i n t h v e rs e o f t h i s h y mn ,

w h e re R icha s , Sa murai a nd Yan a re me n

t i o ne d by na me .
I f th i s v e rs e h a d be e n
mmp osed a ft e r t h e se v e ra l V eda s h a d be e n
c o m iled i nt o di s t i nc t bo o k s h m t h i
p o w c a e s ,

v e rse a nd t h i s h y mn t o be fo und i n th e
body of one of them ! D o es h e me a n t o sa
y
6 Tm :P UR U H S A SUKTA .

th at t h s i pa i
rt c u ar l h y mn w as co mpo s e d
a ft e r w a rds i nse r t e d i nt o t h e bo dy
a nd

o f t h e bo o k t h a t i t mi h t no t be re a rde d
g g
as a l a t e r a nd s uri o us a ddi t i o n !
p W h y
a l l t h i s t o rt uri ng a nd t w i s t i ng t o u ph o l d

a pa r t i c ul a r t h e o ry ! T h e re is no t t h e
gh ost of a re fe re nc e to t h e d is tinc t co m
p i lo ti ons o f t h e s e v e ra l V e da s i n t h e v e rs e .

R i ehas , Sa mcmi a nd Yuj ue do no t t h e re

re fe r to th e s e v e ra l Veda s b ut s i mply
to R ik , Sa ma n a nd Y aj us vers es a nd ta rts ,

al l o f w h ic h w e r e a nd mus t h a v e be e n i n
exis t e nc e l o ng bef re t h e t i me o f t h e i r c o di
o

fi c a t i o n i nt o se pa ra t e t re a t is e s a nd e a c h
o f w h i c h h a d a di s t i nc t p u rpo s e a n d a ppl i

c a t i o n i n s ac ri fi c i a l c e re mo ni a l s V i dy a .

ra n a do e s n o t i n h i s c o mme n t a ry t a k e t h e
y
w o rds t o re fe r t o t h e se v e ra l V e da s N o .

o ne w il l t h i nk o f i no ri n h l ra l rm
g g t e
p u
f o

o f t h e w o rd s us e d a nd t a k e t h e t ro ubl e of

i n t e r pre t i ng t h e m i n t h e co l le c t i v e s e ns e

to fa ll , as t h e re w a rd of i
th s t ro ub e l i nt o
 I N T R O D UCT I O N .

the fa ll a c y o f ar
g i
i l ! u n
g i n a c rc e

3 . T h e la n gu age o f t h i s h y mn is pa r t i
c ul a rl y sw e e t rh y t h mi c a l a nd po li s h ed a nd
,

t h i s h a s l e d t o i ts be i ng r e ga rde d a s t h e

ro d uc t o f a l a t e r a ge w h e n t h e c a pa bili t i e s
p
o f t h e l a ng ua g e h a d be e n de v e lo pe d B ut .
.

t h e po li sh ma y b e d ue t o t h e a r t i s t i c sk ill

o f t h e pa rt i c ul a r a u t h o r t o t h e na t ure of ,

t h e s ubj ec t a nd t o se v e ra l o t h e r c a us es

t h a n me re po s t e ri o ri t y i n t i me W e mi gh t .

a s w ell sa y t h a t Ch a uc e r mus t h a v e li v e d

c e nt ur i es a ft e r G o w e r bec a us e t h e l a ng
r ua g
,
e

of th e fo rme r is so re fi ne d a nd t h at of th e

la t ter so r ugge d W e mus t a t t h e sa me

,
.

t i me c o nfe ss t h a t w e a r e u na bl e t o di s c o v er

a ny dis tinct li ngui sti c p eculia r ity i n t h e

h y mn w h ic h w ill s t amp i t a s o f a l a t e r

o ri gi n .

4 . R e v M a ur i c e
. P h illi ps o bse rv es
T h o ugh h u ma n sa c r i fi c es w e re k no w n d ur
i ng t h e ma nt ras or the o l de s t h y mns of

1"
c
T h e t e a h i ng o f t h e V e d a s p 198 . .
8 T HE P UR U S HA SUKTA .

th e V e da , ide nc e is t o o sc anty fo r us
t he ev

t o c o nc l ude t h a t t h e y w e re common T he .

n i ne t i e t h h y mn o f t h e t e nt h Ma nda l a o f
t h e R ig V e da in w h i h Purus h a t h e c ri me
p ,

v a l mal e i s de s c ri be d a s c ut t o i e c es a nd
, p
fe re d a s a sa c ri fi c e by t h e G o ds sh o w s
’
of

t h a t t h e i dea o f o ffe ri ng a ma n Pm as h a ,
'

w a s fa mili a r t o t h e a nc i e nt A ry a ns I t is .

t r ue t h a t t h e Pur us ha in t h e h y mn is a n

i ma gi nary bei ng but t h e desc ri pt i o n o f

h is i mmo l a t i o n i s so re a l a nd mi nut e a s t o

j u s t i fy t h e c o n c l us i o n t h a t it w as t a k e n

fro m t h e w el l k no w n ma nne r i n w h i c h h u
-

ma n he i n s w e re s a c ri fi c ed
o Pro fess o r Ma x .

Mulle r a l so is o f o pi n i o n t h a t h uma n sa c r i
ti c e s pre v a il ed a mo ngt h e a nc i e nt H i nd us
, ,

o t in t h e B ra h ma n ic o r t h e V e di c e ri o d
( n p
but a t a s t ill e a rli e r a ge ) D r R aj e ndra L al . .

a l so i nc li ne s t o t h i s V i e w L et o ur
V id h i Hi t y f S
e s s or k it L i
o t
an s pp r4 1 9 n d 4 2 0
t e ra ure . a .

1
'
W m e y i t
a h i c n c t i s f
o nn e d
on t t h l i
re e r o ur re a f e rs o e e
an d l tt e f S mb
e rs o h d a M k ji by M S k i
uc an ra u erI C S r r ne .

c
.
. .
,

w h e re w e g t me i d so fe t h ea y oi h i he Dw a R L n w r. .

c t h m c ifi c
.

Mi t h ra t i d t h
as r e t p f o f
un u o r re e re n e s o u a n sa r es .
 I N T R O D U CTI O N . 9

re ade rs s t ud y th e P urush a Sli k t a

’

a nd j udge
fo r t h e mse l v es h o w fa r t h e i
c o nc l us o ns of

R ev . M
P h illi ps a re j us t i fi ed
. .

T h e h y mn i s a t t ri but e d t o a R i s h i na med
N a ray a na a n d is t h e re fo re c a ll e d N a ra y a na
i nuv ak a . I t is us e d by t h e B ra h ma ns i n
i
the r re li gi o us c e re mo ni e s i n a v a ri e t v o f

w a ys a nd ma ny w h o c a nno t s a re t i me fo r
p
a s t ud y o f th e c o m le t e V eda g e n e r a lly
p
c o n t e n t t h e ms e l v es w i t h l e a rn i ng t h e R ud
r i dh fi a
z
y y a nd t h e P ur us h a S ii k ta W e .

r o o se t o deal w i th t h e P urush a Suk t a

p p
h e r e a nd e x pl a i n i t a t so me l e ngt h .
 Gi l) :m urus l m Ei nld a

RI K 1 .

s
w fi s fir
’
ma ssi n e a g
-

Pur us ha h = T h e Supre me B e i ng ,

r a s irs h d==h a t h a t h o usa nd h e a ds Sa ha s

'

l ha h
r d cs z h a th a t h o us a nd e e s , y Sa ka sra
p at = h at h a t h o us a nd fe e t S ; ah = He , B h tl
mim= th e U ni v e rse Vis r a ta h = o n al l i de s
'

,
s .

Vr itv d = pe r v a di ng D dnyula m= t o th e
’

,
as

ex t e nt o f ten i nc h es ,
A tya tis h tha t— l a y be
y o nd .

T h e Su pre me B e i ng h a th a t h o u sa nd
h e a ds , a t h o us a nd ey e s , a t h o us a nd fe e t

p e rv ad n i U
g tnhiev e rs e o n al l s i des H e l a
y ,

b e y o nd i t t o t h e e x te nt o f t e n i nc h e s .

T h e w h o l e U ni v e rse o f e xi s t i ng t h i ngs
a n i ma t e a s w e ll a s i na ni ma t e i s re ga rde d
 RI K II . 11

as the —
bo dy o f P urush a t h e Su preme
B e i ng . He nc e t h e e y es li v i ngbe i ngs
o f a ll

a re H is the ir h e a ds , His h e a ds t h e i r fe e t ,

H is fe e t . He is t h us s po k e n o f a s h a v i ng

a t h o usa nd e ye s , &c . T h o usa nd is h e re

us ed fo r Co untless by w h a t is ca lled
Up o
la lcs h a na Up a l a lcs ha na is
. de fi ned a s

W i émd W W t e i . th e im

li i o f s o me t h i n ot x re s s e d i
p c a t o n g n e p n ,

a ddi t i o n t o t h a t w h i c h h a s b e e n e x pre s se d .

D as dnya la m i s a l so us e d h e re by w av o f
'

Up a la l s ha na '

. A ll t h a t is mea n t i s t h a t t h e
Supre me B i
e n g i s so me t h i ng o ver a nd a bo v e

th s i U ni v e rse ,
w h i c h fo rms on ly a p a rt of

Hi m .

RI K I I .

a a
s s 6 3 :
a
ge! W I

3 m m ss a e sses ll
I da m= t h is , Sa r va m= al l ( is ) , Pur us ha /1
t h e Sup re me i l I h at ,
’

e ca rz B e n g a o ne , a tz w
14 T HE P UR U S H A SUKT A .

d i ffi c ul t t o sa y . I t is t h e i nde fi na bl e c a us e

w h i c h , by a ss o c i a t i o n w i t h B ra h ma n , pro
h e a ra nc e o f ma t e ri a l w o rl d c o m
j e c t s t e a
pp
p i
ri s n
g di s t i nc t i nd i v i d ua l exi s t e nc e s M a y a .
,

by a pro gress i ve e v o l ut i o n mo di fi e s i t se l f ,

i nt o t h e se v e ra l ma t e ri a l ele me nt s a nd t h e
bo dily o rga ns o f v a ri o us li vi ng be i ngs T h e .

i ndi v i dua l so uls a re re a lly t h e U ni v e rsa l

B ra h ma n bro ugh t by M a y a u nde r h e r i n
,

fl ue nc e U nde r t h e ma t e ri a l e nc umb ra nce s

.

i mpo sed by M a y a t h e y a re un able t o r e a li s e

,

t h ei r t r ue na t ure a nd so h ave co me to
re
ga rd t h e msel v e s a s se
pa r a t e e nt i ties d is
t in c t
'

fro m t h e U n i v e rs a l so u l . T h us i t is
t h a t so u s l w h ch i a re on ly B ra h ma n a re

ii
c o nd t o ned , i nd iv id ua lised and e nv e l o pe d
i n a ma t e ri a l c a se by M a y a a nd bec o me
a nd a c t i o ns of
g
a en ts
j
en oyers T h e .

t h es e s o ul s h av e t h ei r me ri t a nd de me ri t ,

w h os e frui t s t h e y a re t o re a p i n a se r i es o f

fut ure e xis t e nc es A t t h e e nd o f e v e r y

.

K a lp a t h e w h o l e ma t e ri a l w o rl d is me rge d
 Rm I I . 15

i nt o M ay a a nd the i ndi v i dua l so uls l ie in a

l a t e nt s t a t e . B ut t h e frui t s o f t h e i r K a rma
h a v e no t ye t b ee n e xh a us te d ; s o w h e n
a ft e r t h e ra la a a ne w w o rld i s e v o l v e d
p y
o ut o f M a y a t h e se So ul s o nc e mo re e nt e r
,

t h e c y c l e o f bir t h a nd re bi r t h . T h e y a re
fi nal ly re l e a se d fro m t h is c o il o f Sa ms a r a
w h e n t h e y re a li se t h e i r r ea l na t u re a nd t h e i r

a bs ol ut e i de n t i t y w i t h t h e uni v ers a l so u l

a nd t h e ill uso ry re s t ri c t i o ns i mpo se d by

Ma ya . T rue k no w le dge a s t a ugh t by
,

S r uti a nd l e a rne d fro m t h e A c h ary a a ft e r

'

re li mi na r f l f i fi i d i
a
p y c o u rs e o s e sa c r c n
g s
-

c i l i ne l e a ds t o t h i s r e a li s a t i o n a nd s uc h
p ,

re a li s a t i o n b ri n s a bo ut t h e x t i t i f
g e n c o n o

t h e s e e d o f K a rma a nd fi na l e ma nc i pa t i o n

fro m t h e t h ra ldo m o f Ma ya .

T h i s i n b ri e f is t h e t e a c h i ng o f Sa nk a
, ,
'

ra . T h e v is i bl e u n i v e rs e a ro und us c o n
s i s t s o f tw o d i s t i nc t e l e me n t s — ma t t e r a nd
s i ri t
p ( J i v a ) M. a t t e r i s e v o l v e d M a y a a n d
Ma ya , w h a t e v er i t s esse nc e ma y be i s bu t
,
18 T HE m s na SUKTA .

t o fo rm rt o f t h e S u pre me B e i ng
m
p a .

« s a e Ya d a nn en a a ti roh a ti M uir .
~

t ra ns l a t e s t h e e x re ss i o n t h us
p S i nc e ( or
‘v

w h en) b foo d h e ex a nds . Co le bro o ke a l so

’

y p
t ransla tes i t by He gro w s by
31 75
! ( anna ) mea ns fo o d o r
'

no ur sh me n t i
B ut t o say t h a t t h e Supre me B e i ng e Xpands
by foo d b ri s h me nt ma k es
‘

or
g y no u ro w s no

se nse . T h e ex Pre ssio n is pregna nt w

o
it h
mea ni ng . I t s e rv e s t o rec o nc il e t he i nco n
s ist e nc v be t w ee n t he t w o p i re c ed n
g state

me nt s—( l ) A ll t h i s ( pe ri s h able ) U ni v e rs e is

H e alo ne ( )
2 and ye t He is t he L o rd o f

i mmo rt a li t y A nd i t s h o w s , fo r
. w h a t purpo se
th e I mmo rt al Lo rd a lso co mes to a ss u me
th is t ra ns e nt i fo r m . W e h a v e , h e re as

l h e re fo llo w e d V idyara nya a nd i t is

e se w ,

di ffi c ul t to se e w h y h is i nt e r pre t a t i o n h as
fa iled to c o mmend i t sel f t o t h e se sc h ol a rs
’

unl ess pe rh a s
p it be t h at i t is base d on the.

t h eo ry o f re bi rt h -

( Ja nmant a ra a nd Ka rma)
-
any re fe renc e to w h ic h t h eo ry w e s t e r n
20 T HE PUR U SHA SUKTA .

As y His , Ma h ima z man ifes t a t io n of

‘

l o ry ; Gh o = a nd Pii r us h a h T h e
p o w er or
g -
z
,

—
Supre me B e i ng( is ) Jya ydn muc h gre a t e r z
,

A la /i t h a n t h i s Vis v a = a l l B h uta ni ==t h 1 ngs

’
m
, ,

t h a t e xi s t ( a re ) Pdda h = a fo u rt h A sya =
,
=o f ,

H im . A sya = H is , T i i p dd = t h re e fo ur t h s , -
.

A mr ita m= be i ng i mmo r t a l a nd c h a n
g l e e s s,

D iv i = ( m a i ns
) i
re n se l f l umi no us
-
fulge nc e
ef

( as B ra h ma n) .

T h is Univ e rse o f e xis t i ng t h i ngs t o ge t h e r

'

w i t h a l l t h a t w a s a nd w i ll be is o nly a ma n i

fes t a t io n o f His po w e r o r glo ry no t Hi s re a l ,

na t u re Fo r a ll e xi s t i ng t h i ngs a re bu t a
.

q ua rte r o f Him w h il e t h ree fo urt h s re ma i n

,
-

i mmo rt a l a nd c h a nge l ess as t h e Se l f l umi -

no us B ra h ma n .

RI K . I V .

T i ij i dté T h re e fo u r t h s Pl l O USha h = T l l e
' -

,
‘ ’

m i L
’
S p
u re e B e n
g, Ud a i t= w e n t u p, r d h va h
 RI K I V . 21

t h e t ra mme s o f l Sa msit ra ) ; Prid a h

‘
a bo v e (
o nefo urt h , Asya = o i
-
m, I h a —
h e re
.
,
Abha
r a t= c a me , Pu na h = a a in a nd i T a ta h
g a
ga n ;

==t h e n,
(fo urt h pa rt o f H i m), Vya
t h i s o ne -

lerdma t= s pre ad, Vis h va ny o n a l l s id e s , Scis -

z

a na — una s a ne
’
A bh i r -
o ver th n si g t ha t ea t

a nd i
t h ngs that do no t e a t .

T h e Supre me B e i ng w h o h a s be e n c a ll e d
t h e t h re e fo ur t h s po rt i o n i s a bo v e a l l ph eno
-

me no n . I t is on ly a q ua r t e r o f Hi m th at

d uri ngp r d aya f

li es in a nasc e n t s t a t e a nd

a ft e r w a rds c o me s o ut a s t h e v is i ble u ni v e rse

a ro un d us . I t is t h i s o ne fo u rt h p art t h a t

s
pre a ds i n a l l di re c t i o ns as th e ph e no me n a l
w or ld c o ns s t n i i g of i
t h ngs an i ma te as we ll
as i na nima t e .

C omment ( on R ihs 3 a nd Th e se t w o r ihs

'
-

l a y do w n t h e re l a t i o n t h a t e xi st s be t w ee n
t h e Supre me I i e i nga nd t h e uni v e rs e All .

t h e ph e no me n al w o rl d is no t h i ng b ut a

i o f t h e Su re me B i o v e r a nd
p o r t o n p e n
g ;
a bo v e t h i s ph e no me na l ma n i fe s t a t i o n t h e re ,
22 T un P UR USHA SUKT A .

re ma i ns t h e Supre me Lo rd w h o is a bo v e al l
c h a nge w h o n e v e r c o me s w i t h i n t h e t ra m
,

me l s o f Sa ms ii ra T h a t w h i c h w e se e a s
.

the v s i i bl e w or ld a ro u n d us is b ut a s mall
p i
o rt on o f H is E sse nc e , w h i c h is a bs o r be d
i n H i m d uri nge v e ry p i a la
'
a , a nd c o
g mes o ut
o f Hi m a t t h e begi n ni ngo f e v e ryK a l pa T h e .

t r ue t h eo ry o f v i r a rta di ffi c ul t t o gra s p a nd
'
‘

r e s e rv e d fo r t h e l a s t s t a e o f me t a h y s i c a l
g p
en q ui ry , i s b u t ba re ly h i nt e d at in th e

se c o nd R ik a nd t he t ra ns fo rma t io n t h efio ry, ~

w h i c h is ba nd r a nd e a s ie r of co mpre h e n
i
s o n, do es e xc e ll e nt ly we ll as a w or ki n
g
h y po th es i s a nd is t h e re fo re t a k e n up o nc e

mo re i n t h e t h i rd a nd fo ll o w i ng r ilcs fo r
t h e e uc ida t i o n o f V e di c c o smo l o gy T h e
l .

fi rs t h a l f o f R ik 3 a ll udes t o vi c a r ta a nd
dis t inc t ly sa y s t h a t a l l ph e no me no n is b ut
His gl o ry a nd He is abo v e a l l ma ni fe s t a t io n .

B ut i n t h e v e ry nex t h a l f t h e par indma

.

t h eo ry s t e ps i n a nd s pe a k s o f o ne fo ur t h
-

a n d ‘
t h re e fo u r t-
h s o f Go d a s i f t h e t e rms
,
 RI K I V ‘
23

p a r t and w h ole i
w h ch c an a p pl y onl y to

ma tter c o uld i
be Spi ri t
us e d w t h re fe re nc e t o

w h i c h i n ul t ima t e a na ly s i s i s O ne
,
i ndi c t! , ,

s ible a nd i nca a ble o

p fp a rts T h i s m e t h od .

o f pro c e d ure i s c a ll ed Al a ndh ati da rs a na

'
-

N ydya I t h a s re q ui re d t h e ge ni us o f
.

S a nk a ra t o gras p t h e Vi v a rta t h e o ry w o rk
'

i t o ut i n a l l it s b ea ri ngs a nd e x pl a i n a ll t he
see mi ng c o nt rad i c ti ons o f t he Sc ri pt ures .

Puna h V idyfira nya t a k e s i t t o h e e q ui

.

v a l en t t o
p una h p una h a a i n a nd a a i ii ;
g , g
t h a t is a ft e r e v e ry r a la a t h e uni v e rse
, p y ,

w h i c h h a d be e n d i ss o l v e d i nt o B ra h ma n

ass ume s a a i n t h e v i s i bl e m t ri a l fo rm
g a e .

Vis hva ng ==on a ll sides V i dyara nya i nt e r .

p re t s i t t h us .
W U! W zfi m su m
i ng v a ri ous for ms s uch as
g ods a nd a ni ma ls .

Sds
'
a na —a nas a né '
. G ri ffi t h s rema r k s t h us ;
A c co rdi ng t o Sfiya na and M ah i dh a ra , o v er

bo t h l
c a sse s o fc re a t ed t h n s , t h o s e c a i g pa b e l
o f en o j yme nt , th a t is , w ho ca n ta st e th e

re w a rd a nd
pun s i me nt
h of
g oo d a nd e vi l
24 T HE PUR U SH A SU K TA .

i
a c t o ns , s uc h a s
g o ds , me n
l o w e r a nia nd

ma l e a nd t h o se w h o a re i nc a pa ble t h e reo f
, ,

s u h a s mo un t a i ns a nd r i v e rs C o le bro o k e
!
c .

a l s o t ra ns l a t e s t h e e x r es s i o n t h us h t
p w a

d oes a nd w ha t does no t tas te ( th e r e w a rd

f
o

go od a n d bad ac ti ons .
)
Al l t h a t w e c a n sa y is t h a t Say a na '

do e s
no t y
sa y
ant h i ng o f t h e k i n d H e s a
ys .

«ma i x : i m mfi mfifi dr w sh man ca

m d a a ,

m W : W I i v i n
g bm n gs

t ha t e rfo rm t h e fu nc t i o ns o f a li me n t a t i o n
p
a nd li fe l e ss t h i n s s uc h a s
g m o unt a i ns a nd

ri v e rs t h a t a re no t c a a bl e o f s uc h func
p
t i o ns .

RI K . V .

T a smdt = F ro m Hi m ( i s . the Su pre me

B e i ng), Vi rdt= t h e su m to ta l o f t h e ma t e ri a l
ofw h ic h t h e i
un v e rse is ma de up, Ajdya ta =
 RI K V . 25

w as bo rn ; Virdjé a dh i = o ver ( i . e .
pe ne t ra t

i ng i nto ) th s i mass ma t te r, Pii rusha h =

of

t h e L o r d ( t r a ns fo rme d H i mse lf i nt o t h e

a ni ma t i ng pri nc i le o f t h i s uni v e rse o f

p
ma t t e r) Jdta h = ( A ft e r be i ngt h us ) bo rn ( i a . .

a ft e r t h i s t ra nsfo rma t i o n , Sa ll H
) = e , al t a r i
y
l

«rh a ta = be c a me di f f re nt i at d t h i ndi i
y e e a s e v

d ua l souls o f go ds me n &c Pas chdt= t h e n

,

B h ii mi m= ( H e s h a pe d t h e s h a pe l e ss p ri me v al ,

ma ss o f ma t t er i nt o t h e e a rt h a nd t h e o t h e r .

A th o t h e n, F a ra h —
)
s h e re s ;
p
-
o ut o f t h e
(
sa me ma t te r) h e pro v i de d t h e s e v e ra l
i ndi v idua l s o uls , t h a t w e re lyi ngu nbodi e d ,

w i t h bo di e s .

F ro m t h is sa me Supre me B e i ng w a s bo rn
a l l t h e s h a pe les s p ri me v a l
,
ma s s o f ma t te r
o f t h e u ni v e rs e . I nt o t h i s ma ss t h e Lo rd
n e t ra t e d a nd be c a me i t s l i fe p ri nc i pl e
p e .

He t h e n be c a me di ffe re n t i a t e d a s t h e se ve ra l
i ndi v id ua l so uls o f me n go ds &c w h il e , ,

re t a i nin a t t h e s a me t i me a di s t i nc t s i ri
g p
t ual fo rm a s t h e pres i di ng D e i t y o f t h e uni
26 T HE P UR US HA SUKTA .

v e rse o f ma t t e r . T h e n h e s h a ped t h e c rude

mass o f ma t t e r i nt o t h e e a r th a nd t h e
h e av e nly s ph e re s T h e n h e pro v i de d t h e
.

se v e ra l i nd i v i d ual s o uls o f o ds me n 850

g , ,

w i t h bo di e s s ui t e d t o th e i r pa rt i c ul a r c o nd i

t i o ns
.

Comment T h i s e x pl a i ns v e ry bri e fl y a nd
i

w -

t e rsely h o w t h e w h o le u ni v e rs e o f s pi ri t and

ma t t e r c a me i nt o exis t e nc e a nd t h e s uc c ee d
i ng r iles me re ly e x po und t h e de t a ils o f
c rea t io n a nd t h e mod us o era ndi b w h ic h
p y
t h e s ev e ra l c l a s ses o f e xis t i ng t h i ngs c a me

i nto bei ng .

O ne t h i ng mus t be fi rs t pre mise d T he .

Sfi k t a do e s not p ro po se t o e x pl a i n h o w a l l
t h is v is i ble mul t i pli c i ty o f sh a pe s a nd be i ngs

fi r s t c a me i n t o e xi s t e nc e N .e i t he r t h e

V e da no r t h e V e dft nt a a t t empt s t h e s o l ut io n
’

o f th e ro bl e mo f or i ina l c re a t i o n T h
p g e.

mi nd o f ma n is li mi te d a nd h a s t o s t o p s o me
.

w he re . I t v a i nly fa bri c a t e s a fi c t i o n t h a t
t h ere w a s a time w h e n t h e re w a s a bs ol utely
28 T HE PUR USH A SUKT A .

co mpli c a t e d di sgui se s i t is e q ua l l y v i c io us
, ,

e q ua lly u nt h i nk a bl e B e i t a fra me n t o f ma t
.
g
te r o r s o me o t e nt i a l fo rm o f ma t t e r o r s o me
, p ,

mo re re mo t e a nd s t i ll l e ss i magi na bl e c a us e ,

o ur c o nc e
p t i l f e x i s t e nc e c a n be
o n o f i ts s e - .

fo rme d o nly by j o i ni ng w i t h i t t h e no t i o n o f
unli mi t e d d ura t i o n t h ro u h a s t t i me A nd a s
g p .

u nli mi t e d d ur a t i o n i s i nc o nc e i v a bl e a l l t h o se ,

fo r ma l ide a s i nt o w h i c h i t e nt e rs a re i nc o a
c e i v a bl e a nd i nde ed i f s uc h a n e x re ss i o n
, , p
is a llo w a bl e a re t h e mo re i nc o nc e i v a bl e i n
,

o rt io n as t h e o t h e r e l e me nt s o f t h e i de a s
p pro

a re i nde fi ni t e So t h a t in fac t i mpo ss i bl e

.
,

a s i t i s t o t h i nk o f t h e a c t ua l u ni v e rs e a s

s e lf e xi s t i n d o bu t mul t i ly i mpo ss i bi
g w e p
-

l it ies o f t h o ugh t by e v e ry a t te mpt w e ma k e

t o e x pl a i n i t s e xi st e nc e
[ o r furt h e r
!
F .

i nfo rma t i o n v ide pp 30 3 6 He rbe rt — . .

Spe nc e r s
’
F irs t P ri nc i ple s o f Sy nt h e t ic

A ll t h a t t h e ri k d o e s is si mply to po nt i
o ut ho w c re a t o n i p ro c ee ds at the e nd o f a
‘
 RI K V . 29 .

zw a lwyn a nd a t t he be gi nni ng of a K a lp a .

D uri ngp r a l t ya c , t h e s o uls o f a ll li v i ng beings

w i t h t he l a t e nt pos s ib i l i t i e s o f th e i r
pa s t

Ka r ma .
a re me rged i nt o B ra h ma n ( t h e Sn

p rem e B e i ng ); a nd a l l ma t t e r b e c o m i ng ,

e x t re me l v a t t e n ua t ed a nd e t h e ri a li s e d i s

ul t i ma t e l y re so l v ed i nt o Ma y a and t h i s
Ma y a is l i k e w i s e a bso rbed i n to B ra h ma n
Th us d uri ngp r
xis ts and
al a ya, o ne l
a o ne e

t h a t i s B rah ma n c o n t a i ni ngw i t h i n Hi ms e l f
.
, .

h o w e v e r numbe rl e ss po te nti a l exi s t e nc es

, .

A t t h e e nd o f t h e p r al nya Ma y a fi rs t ge t s ,

o ut o f B ra h ma n a nd b e c o mes a c rude ne bu l a r

mass o f ma t t e r w h i c h is t ec h ni c a l l y k no w n
Th en B ra h ma n bre at h es a par :
,

as Vi r di .

o f H i mse l f i nt o t h i s i ne r t ma s s o f ma t t e r
.

and be co me s i t s ani ma t i ng a nd s us ta i ni ng

p ri n c i pl e a nd i ts
pr es i d i ng D e i t y w h o is ,

t ec h ni c al ly k no w n as Pr ajcip a ti T hen th e .

sev eral so ul s o f g me no ds ,
be as t s ,

h ad been a bs orbed i n B ra h man w i t h th e :

ac c u mul at ed fo rce of the r i .
pa s t K a rma .
 30 .
T HE P UR US HA SUK I ’
A .

po t e nt a i l but no t e x t i nc t ,
iss ue o ut as

J ivci s , re a dy t o t a k e s uc h fo rms a s a re de t e r
mi ne d by t h e i r fo r me r de eds .

T h e fi rs t Ji vci s t h a t ca me o f B ra h ma n a re
t he g o ds a nd the Sad h yas a nd t h ey

c o nt e m la t e on a nd to Praj apa t i fo r
p p ra
y
the i
c re a t o n o f th e o th e r t h i ngs o f t he

Uni v e rs e . T h e n t h e c rude ma ss o f mat t er

is s h a pe d o ut i nt o t h e se v e ra l s ph er es a nd
t h e re ma i ni ngnu bo di e d s o ul s t h a t h ad issued

o ut o f B ra h ma n a re ro v i de d w i t h bo di es
p .
.

T h e s e q ue l ex pl a i ns t h e s e v e ral de t a il s o f
t h is Utta rc Sr is h ti o r l a t er c rea t i o n .

I t mus t be no t e d t h a t a l l t h i s ma t t e r a nd .

t h e s pi ri t s pro c e e d o ut o f w h a t h a s be e n

c a l l ed i n B i ke 3 a nd 4 a s t h e o ne fo urt h pa r t - :

o f t h e Supre me B e i ng I t is t h i s o ne fo urt h
.
-

h at bec o me s P raj apa t i o r t h e v i tal

'

p a rt t .

ri nc i l e o f t h e U ni v e rse I t i s fro mt h i s
p p .
.

o ne fo u rt h pa rt t h a t t h e mat e ri a l U ni v e rs e
- .

a nd t h e s ev e ra l so ul s i s s ue o ut T h i s o ne .

fo u r t h pa rt t h a t b e c o m e s t h u s s ub j ec t t o !
 RI K V . 31

t h e s e s e v e ra l c h a nge s mat io ns
a nd t ra nsfo r

unde r t h e nflue nc e i o f Ma y a is t ec h ni c ally

k no w n as t h e re ma i ni ngt h ree
fo urt h s t h a t u nde rg c h an
’

any
ne v e r o
ge

i ha t is lled S uddha B ra / ma m
'
c o ns t t u te w ca i .

T as mdt ( F ro m h i m) h e re t h ere fo re re fers t o

t h e o ne fo urt h po rt i o n me nt i o ned i n t h e
-
. .

p re c e di n
g rik s . Vir dj is t h e pro d uc t
-

of Maya ,

h ic h mes of I i n th e fo r m
'
of
'

w co o ut s v a ra

B ra h mand a o r the mu nda ne eggMr . . Wa l lis

i n hi s Co s mo logy
’
‘
of the B ig V e da ba a t h s
fo llo w i ng no t e on the w o rd . f Vi rti
‘
j w ho se
na me ( in R ig V e da X -
1 5 9, 3) a
ppe a rs to

me a n que e n ld s e e m be t he female
’
‘
w ou to

c o unt e rpar t o f P urush a as A di t i of Da ksh a

in X1 2 4, 5
'

c . f B rih a dara nya k a Upa nish ad

.

4 . 2 .

'
Th i s is t r ue i n a se nse ; fo r
Maya re pre sent s t h e femal e esse nce o f I s v ara
'

a nd Vi r d is t h e pro d uc t o f Ma ya I i
j t s .

nee d es s t o l st a t e t h a t a l l t h e se ex pl a na t o ns i
a re on ly p
i
ro v s o nal l i i y , V d
t rue
y va hdr i ka ,

no t Pdramdrthika , be i ng bas ed o n t h e
32 T HE P UR U SHA SU K rA '
.

p i i
ro v s o na l h y po t h es i s of Pa rimi ma .

Pa s ch ct t t i mzmA tI t o Pur a h V idya ra nya

‘‘ '

«m m
.

i nt e r p re t s ura h t h us ,
p
i l fll fibh bo dies w h i c h a re ma de u p o f t h e
’ '

s e v e n k i nds o f t i s s ues , mus c l e s bo ne &c

,
.

T h is i nt e r pre ta t io n h a s no t c o mme nded i ts el f

t o w es t e rn s c h o l a rs T h e y a re e v ide nt ly o f
.

O pi ni o n t h a t i t is fa r fe t c h e d a nd t a k e t h e ,

e x press i o n t o mea n ea s tw ar d a nd w es t w a rd
‘

16 ea rth t 6 bo t h be fo re a nd be h i nd t h e
’
o v er t/
'

. .

e a rt h .T h e y a l l t ra ns la t e t h is r ile mo re o r
le ss i n t h i s s t ra i n — “
Fro m h im V i raj w as
bo rn ; a ga i n P urush a fro in V i raj w a s bo rn .

As so o n a s he w as . bo r n h e s
p rea d e a s t w a rd
We i
!
a nd w es t w a rd o v e r t h e e a rt h . w s h to

k no w w h a t t h e se sc h o a rs l me a n by sayi ng
t h at fro m .
P urush a V i raj w a s bo rn a nd fro m
V iraj w as Purus ha born . Do es t h i s no t
lo o k like a
pa ra do x ! Curi o usly e no ugh
no ne o f t h e se lars sc h o t h i nk i t nec ess ary

to ex pl a i n t h e i nc o ns i s t ency .

T h e fa c t is that to t h o se w h o are no t
 RI K V I . 33

s a tur a ted w i th
i de a s o f V eda nt i c ph il o so
th e

h t h e i nt e r pre t a t i o n o f V idyara nya mus t

p y ,

se e m unfa mili a r a nd fo rc ed B ut w i t h o u t .

t h e c l ue furni sh ed by V e dant a t h e pa s s a g e ,

w i ll b e da r k as t h e da k es t o ra c l e
r —a nd t h e .

o nly w a y o f es c a pi ng o ut o f t h e di ffi c ul t y

w o ul d b e n o t t o a ppe a r t o no t i c e i t .

VI . RI K .

518 7
W ‘

m !H afi z

Ya t=w h en, D =t h e dev as o r th e go ds

evci h ,

A ta nva ta = per fo r me d, Yaj na m=t h e ( me nt a l )

s a c ri fi c e Purus hena = w i t h t h e Supre me
,

B ein g ,H a v is k d a s t h e I t e m
zs o r t h e s a c ri
fi c ia l o ffe r n
g , A siya , fo r i ( s a c ri fi c e )
th s ,

Va sa ntc h= t h e
sac r ifi c i a l b ut t er ; Gr is hma h=t h e su mme r ,

I d h ma h= ( be c a me ) the fuel S a r a t= t h e
’

;
a ut u mn H a v is= ( be c a me )
, the of
fe r n i g ( of

d s a &c )
'

p uro s .

Wh e n the
g o ds pe rfor med the me n t al
 34 T HE PU R U S H A SUK TA .

s ac r ific e i
w th P ur us h a as t h e o ffe r n i g , t he

if r me d h i fi i l b t h
g
s pr n o t e s a c r c a ut t e r ; e

s umme r w a s t h e fue l a nd t h e a u t umn w as

the h o l y o ffe r n i g .

Comment —
It h as l
a re a d
y be en re ma rk ed

t h at t h e g o ds w e re t h e fi rs t to co me o ut o f

t h e Supre me B e i ng a ft e r p ra l aya a nd t o be -

p ro v i de d w i t h bo di e s A m o n
g t h e s e go
. ds

a re a so l i nc l uded c e rt ai n se mi di v i ne fbeings -

ca ll ed Sfid h yfis a nd R is h is o r s a ges t h e ,

V edi c Sadh yzis

'
T h ese o ds , a nd
se e rs .
g
R is h i s , Vidaya ra nya re a rds a s
g the re p re

s e nt a t i v es of th e li fe a nd t h e se n s es of

ra —
P j apa t i t h e p re sid i n
g D ei t y of V i raj .

Jus t as li fe ~
a nd t he s e ns e s d ra w o ut th e

i
ac t v i t y of a pers o n, so t h ese
po w e rs br i ng
o ut t he l at e nt po ss i bili t ies P raj apa t i
of .

Wh en t h ey t h us c a me o ut , t h e y sa w no t h i n
g
b ut t h e B rah manda munda ne e gg a
or the ,

s h a pe l es s ma ss o f ne bul a r ma t te r w h ic h ,

t h e Supre me B e i ng a ni ma t ed a s i t s v i t a l

pr i i pl e
nc and pre s iding Dei t y . T h e go ds
 36 T HE P UR U S HA SUKTA .

a nd a l l t h at i s, li v es a nd mo v es a nd h as i t s
be i ng i n Hi m . I t is a p i t y that th i s si gni fi
c ant c o nc e p t o n o fi Purush a Sac ri fi c e s h o uld
’
s

h a v e bee n di s to rt e d i nt o a re fe re nc e to

h uma n s ac r ifi c e .

VI I . RI K .

A sya=Fo r t h i s (me nt a l sa c r ifi c e) , A s c ot
t h e re w e re , Sap ta =se v e n , Pa rid/t a ya lt
s a c re d l i gs t i c k s ;
e nc o s n flassap ta = t h ri c e
s ev e n , Sa mid ha h=fue l -
i
st c k s, K r i tcth=w e re

p re pa re d ; Yat= w h e n, D t : th e
eed/
g o ds ,

T a nv dndit= pe rfo rmed , Yajna mz the sac r i

fi ce , Aba dhna n= t h e y bo und, Pumcs ka mz th e

Supre me B e i ng, Pas um== i im

’
as t h e v ct .

Fo r t h i s i fi c e t h er e w ere se v e n p a r i
sa c r ,

d lns fe nc i ng l o gs a nd t h ric e s e v e n fuel

'

or e
~

i
s t c k s w e re re are d
p p w h e n t h e go ds pe r
'

fo rme d i
th s s ac r i fic e th ey bo und t h e
“

,
.

Supreme B e i ng ( t o t h e sac rifi c i a l o

po s t ) . as
 RI K VI I . 37

t h e v ic t i m ( t o be i mmo l a t ed ) .

Comment Th i s r ile o c c urs as th e fi ft ee nt h

.

in t h e R i gve da Sa mh i t a ; b ut is pl a c e d as
t h e se v e nt h i n t h e T a i t t iriya A ra ny a k a .

W e h a v e fo llo w e d t h e T a itt i riyic a rra nge

ment a s t h is v e rse fo rms a na t ura l c o nt i nua
,

t i o n o f t h e s ix t h r ile .

T h e sa me fi gure is k e pt u p i n t h i s r ile a s
a l so i n t h e s e q ue l E nc l o s i ngt h e sa c ri fi c i a l
.

fi re s o n a l l si de s a re pl a c e d c e r t a i n sac red
t w ig s sev e n i n n umbe r
,
— th ree ro und t h e
‘
A h a v a ni ya fi re , t h re e ro u n d t h e Utta ra
i
'

vedt a nd o ne res e nt n th e A nd
re
p g s un .

a l
bu nd e o f tw e nt v -
o ne ma ll st i c ks is
s

t h ro w n i n t o the fi re as a re li mi n a ry t o t h e
p
sac ri fi c e .

“T h e re are h
d fi p taining t c i
t ree sac re re s er o sa r

fi :
ce — th t hi h i p p t u ll y main a w c s er e a

t ai ned by a g i h p tir h u h lde hi h h ecei e

a a or o se o r, w c e r v s

f m h i fat h
ro s and t an mit t
er hi de nd nt
r s nd s o s s ce a s, a

f m hic h fi
ro w f sac ifi ci l p u p
re s or
a l igh ted
r a r o ses re .

2
( ) A v —
ha a niya t h e east ern fi re burningat fil mva ne or

a sacri fi ce , ta ke n fro m t h e gdr ha a t a fire

p y . T he sac ri
38 T H E PUR U S HA SUKTA .

T he rile gi v e s us no c l ue as to w hat
t h ng
is , in t h i s ment a l sa c ri fi c e , re pre se n t e d

the se v e n
p a r idh is o r e nc o s n l i gt w igs and t h e
t w e nt y -
o ne i
s t c ks . V idyar a nya s a y s t h a t
t h e sev e n V e d c i me t res s uc h as Gava t ri ,

A nush t up, Jaga t i &c .

, h e re re
pr ese nt the

se v e n
p a r i d h is T h e s e . sev e n me t re s w e re , it
must be admi t t ed no t i n a c t ua l ex i s t e nc e ,

a t t h e t i me o f t h i s a ll e o ri c a l s a c ri fi c e f
g o r

w e fi nd i t e x pressly s t a t ed in la t e r rile
a

t h at r ik,
ya us
j, ed ma n a nd t h e se v e ra l metr es

i ssue o ut o f t h s s a me
i
ifi c e B ut i t is sac r .

bel ie v e d t h a t t h e V e da s a nd by i mpli c a t i o n , ,

t h e V e di c me t res a re e t e rna l a nd th erefo re

mus t h a v e ex is t ed in t h e mi nds o f t h e go ds ,

t h e Sfidh v as a nd t h e R i sh i s w h o a re t h e ,

fle p p
a i pe f m d in t hi fi e ( 3 ) D k h in
ro er s r or e s r . a s a

th ed fi
e sac r ( al cal led
re so —
dhé y p h n ) place d an v r a ac a a

so ut h w d u d in t h n fi h a y
ar s , se ifi h h i e a v r a sac r ce , w ic s

a n xpi t
e y c m
a or n y pe fo m
ered f r t h om o l f r r e o e re va o

faul t f o mi s i n o commi i n t h t may h e cre pt

s o s o r ss o a av
i n in t h c u
, of t h
e o ifi
rs e p p and in hi h e sac r ce ro er w c
f d gift
oo , nd ifi i l fi i ng
s a sac r p esent d t th
c a o er s are r e o e

R it i kt s ffi iati ng p i t
or o cU t t a edi i th r es s . er v s e

no t h n l ta made f
r er a thr ed fi or e sac r re .
 RI K VI I . 39

e rfo r m e rs o f th s i fi gura t i v e sa c r ifi c e I t
p
.

is t h e a bo v e -
me n t i o ne d R ish i s ,
t h a t re c e v e i
th e ligh t o f rev el a t io n t h ro ugh di v i ne i ns pi
i
ra t o n a nd t h ro ugh w h o m i t is ma de k no w n
t o th e w o r ld . St ri pped o f th e fi gu re , t h e ri ft
w ou l d me a n t h a t t h e e t e rnal V edi c t r ut h
i ll u mi ned t h e mi nds o f t h ese d i v i ne a nd
s e mi div i ne s a c rifi c e rs a nd t h e y c o nt e mpl a t ed
-

o n t h e n a t ure o f t h e Supre me Lo rd a s w e

fi nd i t se t fo rt h l a t e r o n i n V e di c me t re s
, , .

R T H G riffi t hs o bse r v es t h a t M ah i dh a ra
. . .
,

a no t h e r c o mme nt at o r is o f o pi ni o n t h a t t h e
,

se v en o c e a ns may h av e bee n i n t e nde d by

th e s e t is ;
a r id/ b ut w e fa il t o s ee
'

v en
p
t h e a ppro pri a t eness o f t h e i nt e rpre t a t i o n .

V idyara nya sa y s t h a t t h e t w e l v e mo n t h s
t h e fi v e s ea s o ns t h e t h ree w o r
,l ds a nd t h e

s un a re i nt e nded by t h e t w e nt y o ne s t i c k s

m
-
.

T h e t w elv e o nt h s a nd t h e fi v e s e a s o ns "

m m ( s pring) i ncl ud i ng s ha t t r a and mi s ékha gr it /mm

'
.

th e ,
su mme r) t h e next t w mo nt hs ; p rami t ( t h e ra i ny seas on)
o -

0 ne xt t w o ; a c ra t ( a ut umn) t h e next t w o ; r i s tr a a nd
' ' '

hw m ta co mpri s i ng t h e las t fo ur mont h s o f t h e year bei ng

—t h a t
.

h ere regarded a s o ne seas o n of dew .

40 T HE PUR USHA SUK T A

as re
p re s e nt n i g t ime ma y ll h a v e bee n
we

me a nt h e re ; bu t t h e t h re e w o rlds a nd t h e ,

s un a t t h e t i me o f t h i s sac r i fi c e w e re t
, , y e

t o c o me i nt o e xi s t e nc e a nd s o t h e a ro
pp
ri a t e ne ss o f t h e s e l a st h av i n b i d d
p g e e n n t e n e

by t h e fue l s t i c k s i s no t v e ry c l ea r
-
.

T h e y bo u nd t h e P urush a o r t h e L o rd ( to '

t h e s a c ri fi c i a l
p s t ) oas th e, v i c t i m t o be

of fe re d ; e v i de nt ly be c a us e t h e re w as

e l s e to be o fl e re d
-

no t h i n a c ri fi c e
g u p as s .

F ro m Hi m sa c r i fi c ed w as t o pro c ee d al l
,

t h e u ni v e rs e o f e xi s t i ngt h i ngs a nd t o H i m

w a s t h e sa c r i fi c e o ffe re d Pro ba bly i n a

.

met a ph o ri c a l de s c ri pt i o n o f t h i s k i nd w e
s h o ul d no t b e do i ng j ust i ce t o t h e spi ri t o f

t h e a ut h o r o f t h e h ymn if w e sh o ul d ,

e x pe c t th e me t a ph o r to s t a nd o n all
; fo urs .

A l
r ut h e ss a na l ys is xpre ssiv e fi gure
of an e

may go t o s t ri p ma ny a bea ut i ful pas sage ,

h e re as el se w h e re o f i ts i nt r i nsi c c h arm
, ,

may pe rh a ps be i ndi ca t i v e o f a st i ff nec ked -

s c i e nt i fi c s pi ri t but i s c e rt a i nl y subv e rs i v e
,
 R m V II I . 41

o f a l l c a no ns o f d t a st e a nd
g oo
ge ne ro us

ii im
cr t c s .

A l l t h a t is impli ed by t h i s a s w e ll a s t h e
re c e di n i l i t h t h D d t h d h d
p g r e s a t e ev s , e y s

a nd t h e R is h is c o nt e m l a t e d fo r a l o ng
p
w h il e on t he gl o ry o f th e —
Lo rd s uch glo ry
as w e fi nd se t fo rt h i n t h e V e da s , pra y ed t o
Him de v o u t ly a nd re a rded H i m a s bo t h
g
t h e sa c r ifice a nd th e Lo rd of th e sa c r ifi c e ,

th at is , as bo t h th e ma t e ri a l a nd th e
i
e ffi c e nt c a us e o f t h e un v e rse i .

I nc i de nt a lly t h e s e t w o r iks sh o w t h a t
,

a t t h e t i me o f t h e h y mn t h e c e re mo n i a l o f

s a c ri fi c e mu st h a v e be e n c o nsi derably
e l a bo rat e d T h i s is h o w e v e r t r ue o f ma ny
.
, ,

ano t h e r h y mn o f t h e R i g v eda As w e h av e .

a l re a dy r e ma rk ed sa c r i fi c e i s t h e k e y no t e
,

o f t h i s V eda a s i t i s c l e a rly o f t h e o t h e rs
,
.

VI I I RI K .
42 T H E PUR USHA SUKTA .

T a m=t h a t , Yajna m=s a c rifi c ial o ffe ri ng ,

Purus h a m = t h e L o rd J ci ta m = bo rn Agra ta /a
, ,
.

be fo re a l l t h i n gs P r ou lc s h
,
a n= t h e
y i mmo

l at e d, B a rh is h i =o n t h e s ac ri fi c i al fi re ; T ena
w i t h t h is th e g o ds , Ye ( a nd
th e y) w ho ( w e re ) d , hydh=t li e Sfidh yfis ,
R is ha ya s ch az a nd the R is h i s , A yaja nta r

pe rfor me d t h e s a c rifi c e .

T h e y i mmo l a t ed o n the sacr ifi c i al fi re

t h at sa c r ifi c i a l o ffe r n i g , P ur ush a , w ho w as

bo rn be fo re all o t her t h i ngs ; w th i i

th s

of
fe r n i g t h e Go ds t h e Shdh yfis a nd t h e
, ,

Ris h i s pe rfo rmed t h e sa c ri fi c e .

—
Comment I t s h o uld be no t ed t h a t t h i s
i mmo l a t i o n o f Pur us h a is a lso t o be t a k en ,

fi gura t i v ely A t t h e t i me o f t h i s ment a l

.

s a c ri fi c e t h e o ne fo u rt h
, p
-
a r t o f P urus h a

h a d a s a l rea dy re ma rked a ss umed t w o

, ,

—
fo r ms o ne Praj apa t i o r as He is k no w n
, ,

i n l at e r s y s t e ms o f ph ilo s o ph y I s v a ra a nd
’

, ,

th e o t h er
, ne b ul a r m a t t e r c a ll ed V i raj ,

w h i c h th i s P ra a a t i ani ma t ed as i t s v i t a l
jp
 44 T HE P URU SHA SUKT A .

T he x pre ss i o n is c a pa bl e o f bo t h t h e
e

i nte rpre t a t io ns Th e re is no ma t e ri al
.

d i ffe re nc e be t w een t h e t w o ; ye t w h a t w e
w i sh t o po i n t o ut is t h a t i t w ill no t be s a fe t o

s e t a s i de V idyara n a s m
’
ea nin l f
y g u n es s o r

v e ry s t r o n re a so ns a nd e ve n t h h
g , en s uc ,

rea so ns s h o ul d be ex pli c i t ly s t a t e d We .

h a v e k no w n Pa ndi t s o f i mme ns e l ea rn i ng ,

w h o w h e n t h e y fa il e d t o u nde rs t a nd V i dy a

r a ny a di d no t h o w e v e r r o c ee d t o c o nde mn
, p
h i m b ut s i nc e re ly s e t i t do w n t o t h e i r o w n
i gno ranc e a nd re ga rded t h e c o nde mna t io n
o f Vid ara n a a s li t t l e s h o rt o f h e res y
y y .

—
d /zyd/z Wa llis i n h i s Co s mo l o gy o f t h e
,
‘

R igv e da h a s t h i s no t e o n t h e w o rd
’
T he .
‘

Sfidh yas w o uld s e e m t o be di v i ne a nc i e n t

s a c rifi c e rs Co mpa re X 1 0 9 4 ; a ls o X
.
, , ,

1 9 1 2 ; V I I ; 2 1 7; a nd X
,
. V i dya
r a ny a h a s t h e s e re ma r k s o n sadh yas a nd

R i sh i s.
 RI K IX . 45

i . e,
’

Th ose w ho, ( y
b t h ei r
pe n a nc e
)
w e re c a pa bl e o f a c c o mpli s h i ng t h e w o r k o f
'

c re a t i o n— g ds w ho, a re a dl no t e d, re
o as
y
p res e nt e d the life a nd s e ns e s o r th e ac t v e i
po w e rs o f P raj a a t i
p
— a nd t h e v e d c s e e rs i .

RI K . I X .

W W W !
T as ma F m t ro t h at , Ya jndt = sa c r ifi c e ,

Sa rra ka ta k=i n -
w h ic h , all , t e, . V i rad

p ur us h a , w as o ffe re d u p, Pr is ha d ajya m= -

gh e e mix e d i
w th c urd , Sa mbhr i ta m=w a s
p ro duc ed ; Cha lcr e=He ( P raj apa t i ) ( t h e n)
c rea t e d, T dn= a l l ) t h e se , Pa s zi n a ni ma l s
(
’
z
,

Ye d av
yci n that h av e t h e air fo r t h ei r
de i t y , A ra nydn=t h o se
li v i ng i n fo rests ,

G rci myds cha =a nd t h o s e li v i ng in v ill a ges .

Fro m t h is s a c ri fi c e i n w h i c h V irtij w as ‘

s a c ri fi c e d w as pr o duc e d h e e mi xed w i t h
g
c urd . H e ( Prajapa t i ) t h e n c re a t ed a l l t h e
a i ma ls
n — t h o se li v i ng in t h e a i r a nd t h ose ,

t h a t a re w il d a s w e ll a s do mest i c .
46 T HE PUR USH A SUK T A .

Co mment . Th is sac r ifi c e is t e r me d

h ic h
’
sa r va h a t , bec a use s a r va i . e .
, V i raj, w

i
c o nt a ne d t h e g m o f a ll t h e
er i
t h ngs of t h e

i
un v e rse , w as
g re a rde d as t he ob lat io n to

Lo rd Ghee mixed ith is us e d

’
th e . w c a rd

h e re , by w a y o f Up a la ks h a na , t o de no t e al l

t h o se t h i ngs t h a t se rv e as s ust e na nc e t o a ll

li v i ng be i ngs A ni ma ls a re said t o h a v e
.

V ay u o r t h e Go d o f w md fo r t h e i r pres id i ng
d ei t y ; V idyara nya q uo t e s T a i t t i riya B ra h
ma na I I I — l2 — 3 i n s u ppo rt o f t h is fa c t .

Wa lli s t h us t ra nsl a te s t h e rile ; Wh en

t h e s a c ri fi c e w a s c o mpl e t e d t h e y co ll ec t e d,

t h ed rip pi ng fa t fro m i t i t fo rme d t h e be a s t s

,

o f th e ai r o f t h e w ild pl a c es a nd o f th e
,

v ill a g Wa llis t h i nk s t h a t th e fa t dri ppi ng

!
e .

fro m t h e sac ri fi c e d v i c t i m fo rmed t h e

a n i ma l s w il d a nd do me s t i c B ut a c co rdi ng
.

t o V i dyara nya fro m t h is uni v e rs a l sa c ri fi c e

, ,

w e re p ro duc e d al l t h i ng s t h a t se r v e a s

s us t e na nce a nd s i mil a rly He c rea t e d al l .

a n i ma l s w ild and t a me .
 RI K X . 47

T a s mdt=Fro m t h a t Sa r va h uta h univ e r ,

z

s a l Ya nci t= sa c r ifi c e R ich a h =t h e r ile v e rses

, j , ,

—
Sdmdni ( a nd) th e Sti ma n v e rs e s , Jaj nire=
w e re bo rn; T a s mdt=fro m t h a t , Chh a nddmsi z
t he me t res , Jajnir e=s pra ng Yaj u8 ==
th e
Ya
j us t ex t s , a d a ta =s r a n , T a snui t=fro m
j y p g
t ha t .

F ro m that i
un v e rsa l s a ri fi c e w e re b o rn
:
“

t h e r ih a nd t h e edma n v e rs e s ; t h e s e v e ra l
me t res s uc h as Gdya tr i &c .
,
w e re l
a so

p ro d uc e d fro m t h e sa me ; t he Yaj us t ex t s
w e re bo rn t h e re fro m .

Comme nt . T he Vedas a re re
ga rde d as

e t e r na l , be i ng t h e w o rd o f G o d ; b ut he re
t h ey a re e x pre ss ly s t a t ed t o h a v e be e n bo rn
o ut of t h i s s a c ri fi c e T he
. t w o s t a t e men t s

a re no t t o be t a ke n as mut ua ll y c o nfli c t i ng .

Veda is e t e rna l t rut h o r sa c re d k no w ledge

48 T HE P UR US HA SU K TA .

a nd i n t h e Supr e me B e i ng W h e n
li v ed .

t h e se Sfidh yas and R i s h i s c o n t e mpl a t ed o n

H im a nd
p ra y ed to ill u m
H im, He
i ne d t h e i r

h e a r t s w i t h t h e di v i ne k no w l e dge a nd t h e ,

E t e r na l T r ut h fla s h e d o n t h e i r mi nds w i t h
s uc h v i v i d nes s a n d b r illi a n c y t h a t t h ey

s ee me d t o see a nd h ea r i t . He nc e i t is t h a t
t h e w o rd o f G o d is t e rme d Sr uti
’
or w h at
w as hea rd, a nd th e R i sh i s w ho w e re th e

re c i pi e nt s of th si d i v i ne k no w l e dge a re

t e rme d ma ntrd r i sh ta ra h i
‘

, . e .
,
t h o se t h a t s a w

th e h y mns T h e pre s ent

. ri le c o nv e ys th e

sa me i de a ,
na me ly ,
t h at the V edi c t rut h s
ca me out o f i
t h s sa c r i fi c e d Pur ush a a nd t h e

rec i pi e n t s t h e r e o f, the Sadh yas a nd th e

R ish is , w h o se mi nds h a d be e n t h us ill umi ned

g a v e o ut th ese t rut h s t o t h e w o r l d i n metr ica l
fo rm, w h o se h a rmo ni o us o u t flo w is al so
attr i but ed t o th e s a me di v i ne agen c y . T h is ,

in sh o r t , is t h e o rt h o do x t h eo ry of t he

div i ne i nspir a ti on a nd eterni ty o f th e Sc r i p

 RI K X . 49

T h e me nt i o n of R i/
c, Ya us
j a nd Sdma n i n
i
th s v e rs e h a s l e d ma ny l
s c h o a rs to be li e v e
t ha t th e R ig V e da , t h e Y aj ur V e da a nd th e

Saun a V e da l
a o ne w e re x is t e nc e a t fi rs t
in e

a nd t h e A t h a r v a V e da c a me l a t e r o n i n t o

e xi s t e n c e. T h e re is n o t h i ngi n t h e v e rs e t o
s u ppo r t t h i s V i e w T h e w o rds r ieh a s s dmdni
.
,

a nd ya us c a nn o t h e re me a n t h e s e v e ra l
j
c om ila ti o ns b e a ri ng t h e s e n a me s S uc h a n
p .

i nte rpre t a t i o n pre s ume s t h a t t h i s v e rs e mus t

h a v e be e n w ri t t e n a ft e r t h e th r ee d is tinc t
co m il a ti o ns h a d be e n c o mpl e t e d I f so i t
p .
,

h a s t o be pro v e d w hen a nd by w hom t h i s ,

v e rse c a me to be w r i tten a nd i ns er ted i n t h e

b o dy o f o ne o f t h e m . B ut t h e mea ni ng is
p l a i n a nd s i m l e
p A
. t t h e t i m e w h e n ma n y

o f t h e h y mns o f t h e R igv e da w e re s a ny ,

( p
c o m os ed ,
n o t c o mp ile d ), t h e c e r e mo n i a l o f
t h e sac r i fi c e h a d be e n i de ra bly de v el o p
c o ns

e d a nd V e di c s o ng s a n d c o m o s i t i o ns h a d
p
b e e n c l a s si fi e d i nt o t h re e di s t i nc t v a ri e t i es ,

t h e fu nda mentum divis i onis be i ng t h ei r

50 T m: P UR U SHA SUK T A .

j
s ub e c t ma t t e r i fi c i al pu r po se s
,
th e sac r

t h ey se rv e d a n d t h e i r me t ri c a l a nd mus i ca l
,

a bs e n c e o f a mo re a c c u ra t e e x re s
( i n t h e
p
s io n e c uli a ri t i e s T V i
) p h us a n
y e d c v e rs e

or p a s sa
g
e m us t co me u nde r a ny o f t h es e

t h re e h e a ds h e nc e t h e V e da s w e re de s i g na t
ed by the co mpre h e ns i v e t e rm, T r a y! or

T r a yi Vidyd T h e e x pre s s i o n T m yi Vidyd

.

t h us c o mp ri se s t h e A t h a r v a V e d a a l s o , a s

t he so n
g s of th s i V e da a re r iles , t h o ugh

ma ny of th em a re no t t o be me t i t h ( a nd
w

ne c ess a r i ly s o ) in t h e R i gv e di c c o mpil a t i o n .

I t w a s o nl y a t a la ter s ta ge t h a t t h e se v e rs e s
a nd t e x t s w e re c o di fi e d i n t o d i s t i nc t bo o k s ,

to me e t di s t i nc t s a c ri fi c i a l a nd o t h e r
,

r e q ui re me nt s T ill then t h e s e v e rse s a nd

.
,

t e x t s li v e d o n i n t h e me mo ry o f t h e pe o pl e
, ,

l o o s ely a nd u ns t rung but ea c h a nd e v ery ,

o ne o f t h e m l a be ll e d as a R ik Yajus o r ,

Sti mct n a c c o rdi ng t o i t s v a ri e t y a nd ea c h

‘

s e r v i ng a di s t i nc t purpo se ; a nd s uc h so ng s

a nd t e x t s a s w e r e ne w ly g i v en o ut by w i se
 52 T HE PUR USHA SUKTA .

t h a t th e B igV e di c a nd th e A t h a r v a n a V e di c
so n
gs mus t h a v e e xi s t e d s i de by s ide a nd

re s e n t t w o c o n c u rr e n t s t re a ms o f t h o u h
re
p g t .

Ch h a nddms i . G ri ffi t h s t h i nk s w th i W a llis
t hat th e w o rd ma y be tak en to me an
“
H e is pro ba bl y
!
ells a nd i nca nta ti ons
p s .

o f o pi n i o n t h a t t h e w o rd ma t h re fo r e be
y e

re
g a rded i ndi re c t ly
as r efe rr i n
g t o t h e

A t h a r v a na V e da w h i c h mai nl v c o ns i s t s o f
s p e l l s a n d i n c a nt a t i o ns B ut a s w e h a v e
.
,

o i n t e d o u t a bo v e t h e A t h a r v a n a V e di c
p ,

s o ng s a r e s uffi c i e n tly i nc l ude d unde r t h e

t e rms B i ch a s Sdmdni a nd Yaj us

, V idyar .

a ny a t a k e s t h e w o rd t o me a n Gdya tryd

d ini (G aya t ri a nd t h e o t h e r me t re s ) a nd no ,

r e a s o n c a n be as s i g ne d t o s e t a s i de t h is

i n t er pre t a t i o n .

W W W :
7h s mdt Fr o m t h a t ,
=
Aj o y
a nta =w e re b o rn Ye K e Ch a =a nd a l l t h o s e ,
 RI K XII . 53

Ubha ydda ta h =t h a t h a v e tw o ro w s o f t ee t h ;

T a s mdt=fro m t hat, d a hz c o w s, H a =(a n

ex
pl e ti v e
) , Jagni re z
w e re bo r n ; T a s mdt
fro m t h a t , Aj a a oa a h = o a t s a nd s h e e p
y g
-
.

F ro m t h is s a c ri fi c e w e r e b o rn h o rs e s a nd

a ll
( c a t tl e ) w ith tw o ro w s o f tee t h . T he
cow s w e re a s o l ge ne ra t e d fro m t h e sa me ;
a nd fro m i t p d uc e d
g o a t s a nd s h ee
w e re ro
p .

Comment — T h i s v e rs e s h o ul d, pro pe rly

s
p ea k n i g ,
be
p l a c e d i m m e d i a t e ly a ft e r v e r s e

IX ,
as bo th t h e s e v e rs e s de s c ri be t h e c re a t i o n
o f a ll the lo w er an i ma l s a nd t h us t re a t of

t h e s a me s ub e c t j .

XII .

fl t
a;s W i gwam 81 1m l

Y at=w h e n, Vya da dh a h =t h e y d i v i de d ,
Purus ha m=t h e Lo rd ( s a c ri fi c e d) , K a tidhd=
i nt o h o w ma ny pa rts Vya lca lp a ya n=did ,

=
t h e y fo rm H i m ! K i m w h a t w a s Asya ,

H is , K a u=w h a t t w o, U sh
54 T HE P UR USHA SUK TA .

—
ete h a v e be e n ll e d B eh al His a r ms
y ca ,
f -

=H is) t h i h s Pddds
Ur i l=
K an z w h at t w o , ( -

g ,

Hi s fe e t .

W h e n t h e D e v a s t h e Shdh yas a nd t h e ,

R i s h i s w h o r e pre s e nt t h e v i t a l a c t i v i t i es o f
,

t h e Lo rd o r P raj apa t i c ut H i m u i n t
p o ,

se v e ra l rts t o b of f re d u i n t h
pa e e p e

s a c ri fi c e i n t o h o w ma ny pa rt s did t h e y
,

di v ide H i m w h a t w a s H is mo n th , W h at ,
.

w e re c a ll e d H is a rms w h a t H is t h i g h s a nd,

fe e t !
Commen t . T h e h y mn no w p ro c e e ds to

e x pl a i n t h e c re a t o n i of the s e v e ra l c as tes

&c . a nd p u t s th e ma t t e r in th e fo rm of

q u e s t i
o ns a nd a ns w e rs . T he q ue s t i o ns k ee p
up t h e fi gu re ifi c e
o f sa c r . T h e v i c t i m t o be
fe re d
of up is c ut u
p i n t o pa rt s a nd the

s e v e ra l pa rt s i nt o w h i c h th e L o rd w as

d i v i de d a re e n u me ra t e d i n t h e ne x t v e rse ;

h ma S ri S r i ni v asa S as t ri i n h is m
' ’ '
B ra co

me nt a ry on th e Sh k t a , t h us i nt e rpre t s th e

R ik .
 RI K XII I . 55

Wh e n t h e y c rea t e d ma n w as h e bo rn ,

a s a s i ng l e t y pe o r w e re s ev e ral di s t i nc t
c l a ss e s o f me n bro ugh t i nt o e xi s t e nc e
s i mul t a neo us ly T h e c o nt e x t w o ul d no t
a ll o w us t o i n t e r pre t Pu r us h a m v a da dh u h
y
t o me a n theycrea ted ma n ; b ut t h e po i n t
“ !

is w o r th y o f no t e t h a t t h e o bj e c t o f t h e
q ues t io n pro po se d i n t h e v e rse se e ms t o be t o
b ri ng i n t o pro mi ne nc e t h e be li e f t h a t w h e n
man w as c re a t e d se v e ra l c la sse s o f me n
c a me i nt o be i ng a nd no t a s i n l e c l a ss
g
. .

XII I

W W W :
W @ W |I
B rdhma na h=T h e B ra h ma n, As it=w a s ( i . e .

ca me fro m) , Asya =His

I ll a/
ch a =
m mo uth R dja nya h =t h e K s h a t riy a ,
 56 T HE P UR USHA Suk '
rA .

Jfr i ta h =w a s ma d e ( i .

p e . ro c e e de d fro m H i s ) ,
B dh ii t w o a rms ; T a d =t h e n, Ya d Va is ya h
'
z

— th e V a i s y a , A syd =( c a me fro m) H is , Ur d
’

t h i gh s , S dd ra h rz t h e S ud ra , A dya ta
'

j
'
tw o

s
p ra n , g Pa d bh yd m fro m H i s
( ) z
t w o fe e t .

T h e B ra h ma n w as b o r n fro m the mo u t h
of Praj apa t i ; th e K s h a t riy a , fro m H is ar ms ;
V a i s y a , fro m H is t h igh s ; a nd t h e S ud ra
’ '

the

w as b o rn fro m H is fe e t .

Co mment 1 T he S ud ra a l o ne is
'
re
.
p re

s e nt e d i n t h i s R ik as h a v i ngsp r a ngfro m t h e
'

fe e t of P raj apa t i . Th e t h re e h i gh e r c a s t es

a re h e re p re re s e n t e i
d i g as
s o mc o ns t t u t n
e

s e c i fi e d li mbs o f P raj a a t i P ro ba bly t h e

p p .

a u t h o r o f t h e h y mn h a d s o me di s t i nc t i o n i n

V i e w ; t h e w o rd i n f h e r ile s e e ms t o i m ly
g o t p
t h a t i n t h e a ut h o r s v i e w t h e t h re e h i g
’

,
h er
,

c as t e s w e re c oe v a l w i t h t h e Di v i ne B e i ng

a nd li v e d a s
p a r ts o
f H i m b e fo re t h ey

a s s ume d t h e i r se v e ra l fo r ms w h e rea s t h e ,
-

S ud ra H is fe e t V i dyara nya ,
'
s p ra n g o ut o f .

h o w e v e r, do e s no t no t e t h s i d i ffer e nc e .
 RIK XIII . 57

9
T h e R ik mus t ev i de nt ly be t ake n

fi gura t i v e ly . I t su
gg es t s t ha t t he c as te

s y s te m w a s o rigi na lly b a se d o n a di v i si o n
o f l a bo u r. T h e mo u t h is t y pi c a l o f l e a r ni ng
a nd t e a c h i n a nd h e B ra h ma n t he
g t w as

r e o s i t o ry o f a ll l e a r ni n s a c re d a nd s e e n
p g
l a r a nd t o h i m a lo ne w a s e n t r us t ed t h e
t a s k o f s pre a di ng t h e ligh t o f k no w l e dge .

His li fe i nde e d w a s c o ns e c ra t e d t o t h e
rs ui t a nd t h e di ss e mi na t i o n o f k no w l e d e
p u g .

T h e a r ms o f P raj apa t i r e p re se n t ph y s ic a l
s t re ng th a nd th e K s h a t riy a t h e re fo re

t y pi fi e s t h e s t re ngt h o f a rm t h a t s e c u res

e a c e a nd o rde r i n t h e re a l m a nd t t s
p p r o e c

t h e c o un t ry fro m fo re i n i nv a s i o n T h
g e

t h igh s a re symbo l i oia l o f t r a v e l ( a nd c o m

me rc e ) a nd t h e V a i s y a t h us re pre s e nt s t h e
’

s e v e ra l a r t s a nd t ra d es ; a nd t h e S ud ra a s
'

s pr ung fro m t h e fe e t o f P raj a a t i w t h

p as, e

s e rv a nt o f a l l t h e o t h e rs .

3 . R i k may be a l s o
T he re
g a rde d as

i mplyi ng t h a t t h e B ra h ma n c a me fi rs t in
58 T HE P UR USHA SUKTA .

th e o rde r o f ra n k a nd t h e o t h e rs c a me a ft e r

h i m i n d ue o rd e r . I t do e s no t s ea k
p ill of

th e I ndi a n mi nd t h a t t h e re pre se nt a t i v e o f
t h e n a t i o na l i n t e ll e c t s h o ul d h a v e be e n

a c c o rde d t h e h i g h e st pl a c e i n t h e s o c i a l
s c al e .

4 . M r R C D ut t fo llo w i ng t h e l e a d
. . .
,

o f w es t e r n s c h o l a rs is o f o pi ni o n t h a t t h e
,

c as t e s y s t e m di d n o t e xi s t d uri ng th e t i me
-

w h e n t h e R ig v e da h y mns w e re ge ne ra lly
co mpo se d . He ar
gues t h at i f th a t w o nde r

ful y s t e m h ad t h e n exis te d i t is no t
s ,

p o ss i bl e t o e x l a i n h o w t h e re is n o a ll us i o n
p
t o t h i s funda me nt a l pri nc i pl e o f so c i e t y i n

t h e t e n t h o us a nd v e rs es o f t h e R i gv ed a .

He t h i n k s t h a t t h e s olita ry me nt i o n o f t h e
fo ur c a s t es i n t h i s Sfi k t a c a nno t w e ak e n
h is a rgume nt as t h e
,
Sfi k t a i t s e l f w a s
c o mpo s e d c e nt u ri e s aft e r t h e g e ne ra l bul k

o f t h e R i v e d i c h y mns H a l so s a y s t h a t
g e .

w o rds li k e K s h a tr i a Vi u s e d as
y p ra , a re ,

a dj e c t i v e s i n t h e se nse o f s tr o n d i
g a n w s e
60 T HE P UR U S HA SUKTA .

s e v e ra l c a s t e s ; a nd th is i s mo re than a ny

of th e s c h o a rs l h as a tt e mpt e d . As w el l ma y
i t be sa id t h a t t h e re w e re n o r is h is in th e
R i gv edi c da y s , be c a us e w e fi nd t h e w o rd r is h i

us e d in t h e i s e a nd a ppl ie d t o
s e ns e o f a l l w -

I ndra a n d o t h e r G o ds a s fo r i ns t a nc e i n V III
,

“ l & h i h Vid a h
6, 41 553q g " a c w c
y ra n v a t us
a
. .

i n t e r pr e t s
:
.

zfi fi firs t ai ls s
‘
a ‘ sa n
'

A pa rt fro m th e nu me ro us re fe re nc es

to th e c a s t es in t h e Tai tt . Sa mh i t a w h e re
K anda , l s t B ma d e t a il e d
'

i n th e se v e nt h ra s , a

a c c o un t o f th e o r i gi n o f th e c a s tes s i mil a r
t o t h e o ne i n t h e p res e nt Sfi k t a is gi v e n , w e
mi gh t s a y t h a t i n t h e R i gv e d a i t s e l f me n t i o n

is made of th e B ra h ma n &c . in s e v e ra l
l a c e s o me o f t h e s e r e fe re nc e s w ill be
p s

e x a mi ne d o n a fut u re o c c as io n but o ne

i nst a nc e may be q uo t ed h e re .

T h e pa ss a ge w e re fe r t o is R i k s 1 6 , 1 7
a nd 1 8 i n t h e 3 5 t h Sfi k t a o f t h e V III
Ma nd a l a .
 RIK XIII . 61

T h ey a re a s fo ll o w

M anama f
a ith s w i t
h (t ienn
r i al I :

e s te e m !
fi n est g areelem na it

Th ese B ik s ex a c tl v a
g
re e w ith o ne

a no t h e r e x c e p t in t h e begi nni ng T h e .

o rti o n w h i c h i c o mmo n t o t h e s e ri k s
p s

i n v o k e s t h e A s v i ns t o c o me w i t h Surya
’

a rt a k e o f t h e a a mdna s li ba t i o n o f s o ma
’

p yj ,

a nd de s t ro y t h e R ak s h a s a s T h a t po r t i o n
.

w h i c h i s s e c i a l t o t h e fi rs t R ik r ay s t o
p p
t h e A s v i ns t o ma k e t h e B ra h ma n h a ppy
'

a nd s t i mul a t e h is un de rs t a ndi n o r ac t i
g (
v i t ie s a c c o rdi n t V i d a y ) T h
, g o y ra n a . e

s pe c i a l po r t i o n o f t h e s e c o nd R ik s i mil a rl v

ra y s h h A i ns s h o ul d ma k e t h e
’

p t a t t e s v

K s h a tr iy a h a ppy a nd bl e ss t h e w a r ri ors
66 T HE P U R U S HA SUKT A .

r is hi
'

me ans is t h is .
: U ged by
“
r a d es i re
fo r w ea th ,l ea c h of us is en
gg a ed in a

d i ffe re nt p urs ui t I am a .
.
of c o m o s er
p
h y mns ; my fa t h er ( o r my so n) is a bh ishalc;
mv mo t h e r is a gri nde r o f c o rn A s c o w s .

w a nde r s e v e ra lly i n p u rs ui t o f pa st ure so ,

we g o o ur sev era l w ays i n p urs ui t o f

w ea l t h .T h us abso rbed i n mo ney ma ki ng -

a vo c a t i o ns w e h a v e h a rdly t i me t o t h i nk
,

o f ma t t e rs s pi rit u al W e t h us s t a nd i n
.

Spec i a l ne ed o f di v i ne g ra c e O h So ma .
,
!
flo w , th erefo re , fo r I ndra .

A mo dern B rah man po et , bo r n a nd bred

up i n t h e prese nt h ide bo und a rt i fi c i a l ne t
-

s yst e m o f s ub ca s tes , c a n exc l a i m w i t h o ut

-

a ny th e l ea s t i mpro pri ety , O h L o rd,

w hat mad me n h a th l o v e o f mo ne y ma de
o f us al l ! B eh o l d my fa t h e r t o il s and
,

s w ea t s a s a V a idik a B ra h man ea ger fo r

d a lcshi nd My mo t h e r k nea ds do ugh fo r
.

h o use h ol d c o ns umpt i o n a nd pi nc h es and

-

s ta rv es t o ma ke bo t h e nd s m ee t ; a nd I go
 RI K XIII . 67

a bo ut s n i ra i s es o f ri c h me n a nd t ryi n
i
g gpn
g
t o ge t mo ne y fro m t h e m T h us se v e rally .

e n a ed w e h h rdly t i me t o t h i n k o f
gg a ve a ,

T he e T h e refo re O h Lo rd h a v e me rc y o n
.

I t w o ul d be a s s a fe t o a rgue fro m
3,
us .

s uc h a s pe c i me n t h a t t h e re a re no c a s t e s
‘

no w .

6
( ) p i l I li
n theed u o n b
p a r t c u a r r i/
y c re

M r D ut t t h e R i sh i c a ll s h i ms e l f a c o mpo se r
.

o f h y mns — a p pro e r a v o c a t io n for a

B ra h ma n ; h is mo t h e r gri nds c o rn w h i c h i s ,

o ne o f t h e l e i t i ma t e o c c u at i o ns o f t h e
g p
mi s t re ss o f a h o use i n a B ra h ma n fa mily ;
h is fa t h e r i s (e v e n a s u nde rs t o o d by M ui r
a nd o t h e r w es t e r n s c h o l a rs y i
) pa h s ic a n

a nd t h e re i s no t h i n t o s h o w t h a t a B ra h ma n
g
c o ul d no t be a t t h e s a me t i me a h y sic ian
p .

I t i s t rue t h a t i h t h e Dh a rma Sut ra s o f

'

A pas t a mba a nd Ga u t a ma , t h e re is no

m ent o n i of i
th s p i
ro fe s s o n a mo ng t h o se
w h ich a B ra h ma n c an fo l l o w i n an e me r
g e nc y . B ut A ya r ceda h a s bee n re
g
ar de d
 68 T HE PUR USHA SUKTA .

V e démga ; i l i t y h as
‘
as a a ar t c u a rs a nc t e v er
p
b een a t ta c h e d to t h is art . T he d i v i ne
A s v ins fi rs t f th is
’
a re t h e t e a c h er s o a rt

a nd i t s fi rst pro mul ga t o rs , li k e D h a nv a nt a ri ,

C h ara k a a nd S us r u t a a re rega rde d a s
' ’ '

B ma n a nd a c c o rde d mi di v i ne
'

ra h a se -

h o mage . c i rc u ms t a nc es
I n t h e se t h e re i s ,
.

no t h i n i t h e r ik w h i c h w o ul d c o nfli c t
g n

w i th t h e v i e w t h a t a t t h e t i me w h e n i t

w a s c o mpo se d a l l t h e fo ur c a s t e s mi g ht
h a v e bee n i n e xi s t en c e .

( )c B ut , if V i dv ara nya is t o be a c c e pt ed ,

th e ri k is i nno cent of all r e fe r e nc e to th e

ph y s i c ia n He sa ys
‘
fss fi a ’
“

t er m I as s as si ns :

So , a c c o rd n i
V idyara nya , t h e pa ssa ge
gt o

me a ns My fa t h e r is t h e s upe ri nt e ndi ng
“ !

r i e s t a t a s a c ri fi c e a nd Vi dyara nya s u p
p
po r ts t h s i i nt e rpre t a t i o n by a no t h e r passa ge
fro m t h e Sr u t i w h e r e w e h a v e t h e v e ry
'

,
 RI K XIII .

w o rd w Wh i c h d e c i des the po nti ,

furt h e r l e t us re me mbe r th at V idyara nya

‘

h as no ar t ic ul a r h o bby to r ide li k e
p
;

w es t e rn l
s c h o a rs a nd
p ro
p ose s a l t e rna t iv e
mea ni ngs w h e re v e r h e t h i nk s t h e pa s sa ge s
a dmi t o f t h e s ame a nd no c o nv i nc i ngr ea so n
can be gi v e n t o s h o w t h a t t h e i nt e r pre t a
t i o n o f w e s t e rn Sa ns k ri t i s t s i s a ny w a y

be t t e r t h a n Vi dyara nya s o r mo re s ui t e d t o
’

t h e c ont ex t Y e t i t is o n t h e s t re ngt h o f
.

p a ssa
g es l ik e t h e se th at t h ese l
s c h o a rs

e st a b li sh so me of th e r i mo s t i
c h e r sh ed

t h e o ri e s !
‘

Yet o nemo re po i n t a nd w e h a v e do ne .

T he Pa r ns h a s zi lcta ma y be a dmi t t e d t o be
of la t e r or i gi n t h a n th e g e ne r a l b ul k o f th e

h y mns of th e R igv e da ; but i t is u ndo ub t e d

that i t mus t be i
c ent u r e s ea r li er th an th e

t i me w h e n t h e R igv e da w a s comp iled , a s, i f

t h e re h a d b e e n t h e n t h e sligh t e s t s us pi c i o n
of i ts la ter or i gi n it w ou ld no t h a v e bee n
i nc o r po ra t e d i n t h e Sa mhitd . B ut t h e c a s t e
70 T HE P UR U S HA SUK T A .

s y s t e m must be o f e v e n e a rlie r da t e t h a n
t h i s hy mn . Fo r t h e p re se nt r ile do es no t
be t ra y any c o nsc i o us ness o f t h e h uman
o ri i n o f c a s t e G a nt i n h h h
g . r
g t e n t a t t e

c as t e s y s t em w a s a h u ma n i ns t i t u ti o n o r a
-

g ra d u a l g ro w t h i t, m u s t h a v e b ee n i n

exi s t e nc e o f c o u rs e o nly i n i t s bro a de s t

(
o ut li ne s l re t h e t i me o f t h i s
) s o o n g b e fo

Suk t a t h a t i t s h o uld h a v e be e n t h o ugh t a t

t h a t t i me t o be c o e v a l w i t h t h e begi nni ng
'

o f t h i ng s ; t h e re is no c a use t o sh o w t h a t

t h e i nt erv a l o f t i me t h a t w e pres ume be t w ee n

t h e i nc e p t i o n o f t h e c a s t e s y s t e m a nd t h e
-

r e s en t Sfi k t a i s s h o r t e r t h a n t h a t w h i c h i s
‘

p
b e li e v e d t o s e pa ra t e h y mns li k e t h is o n e
fro m t h e e a rli e r o nes .

T h e i nn ume ra ble s ub se c t s a mo ng t h e
-

fo ur c a s t es a re c e r t a i nly o f v e ry l a t e o ri gi n ;
‘

t h ey fi n d no sa nc t i o n i n o ur s ac re d w o rks
fo r t h ei r r a ison d etre T h ese a re d ue t o t h e
’
.

s e v e ra l w av es o f A ry a n e mi g ra t i o n i nt o

So u t h e rn I ndi a to
, di ffe re nc es o f l o c a l
72 T HE P UR US HA SUKTA .

b re a t h , d =
a h =t h e a i r, Aj a ya ta =w as
ro d uc e d .
p
Sima rl y th e mo o n w as bo rn of His
mi nd a nd fro m H is e y es ca me t h e
, s un ;

fro m H is mo nt h pro c e e de d I nd r a a nd A gn i
and fro m H is bre a th w as t h e a ir
pro d uc ed.

XV .

: smal i m a m
33 st W di

N dbhys m (His) na v el , As it z w a s ( i e
ro .
°

ca me ) , A nta rilcs h a m= t h e i nt e rmedi a t e

re
gi on b e t w e e n h eav e n a nd e a rt h ; S ir
s h na h =fro m ( His ) h ea d ; D ya ns :h ea v e n,
S am a va r ta ta =p ro c e e de d Pad bhydm=fro m
H
( ) is f eet B h a
,
m i h ( c a m
-
ze
) th e E a r th ,
S
'
r é trd t: fro m ( His ) ea r , th e

di rec t i o ns . T a th d=in i
th s ma nn e r (did
th e s e v e ra l li mbs
P raj apa t i ) A lca lpa ya n
of ,

c rea t e L olcdn = t h e (se v e ra l ) w o rl ds

,
.

Fro m H is nav el c a me t h e a t mo s ph ere

 R I K XV . 73

fro m His h ead, t h e sky ; fro m H

( )is fe e.t

pro c ee de d the E arth a nd fro m H is ea rs

ca me t h e se v e ra l di re c t i o ns . I n th s i ma nne r
d id His s e v e ra l li mbs c re a t e . t h e s ev e ra l

w or lds
m
.

Co ment on B ilos I4 a nd 15; Gra n t e d

t h at t h es e pa ssage s a re fi gura t i v e , i t n e ed

s c a rc e be po i nt ed o ut h o w app ro pri a t e ly
ly
t h e se v e ra l li mbs a re c h o s e n t o t y pi fy t h e

v a ri o us membe rs o f t h e U ni v e rse T h e .

s ubt e l band o f c o nne c t i o n be t w ee n t h e mi nd

a nd th e mo o n h a s bee n re c o
gn s ed i a mo ng
mo re i
na t o ns t h a n o ne . Si mil a rly t h e s un

is v er y a ppro pri a te ly re prese nt ed a s t h e eye

o f t h e Lo rd Wi t h rega rd t o t h e c o nnec t i o n
.

h e r e me nt i o ned be t w ee n t h e e a r a nd t h e
d i rec t i o ns i t s h o uld be no ted t h a t i n l a t er
s y s t e ms o f I ndi a n h il o s o ph y t h e e a r i s
p
r e a rde d a s o th in m h dl
'
t cds a
g n g o re an

c i rc umsc ri be d w i t h i n t h e c a v i t y o f th at
’
or
ga n a nd t h a t s dbda o r so und is re
g a rde d
di s t i ngui sh i ngc h a ra c t e ris t i c o f dkds a .
'
a s th e
74 T HE P UR USHA SUK rA
’

'
.

T h e r es t do no t c a ll fo r a ny s
p ec a i l re mar k .

D hir a h T h e r -
a ll w -
i s e P urus h a , Ya d=ya h
w h o , Sa r c dni =bei ngs ( s uc h as o ds ,
g me n
Vichi ntya =b ri ngi ng i nt o xis te nc e
e ,

N dmdni K r i tr d=(a nd) gi v i ng na me s

( t o

t h em) , A s te=
=re 1n a ins , A bh i va da n=c a l l i ng
t h emby t h e i r na me s , —
E ta m t h is , Pa r us h a m -
’

=P ur ush a , hfa hdntamz w ho t ra ns c e n ds a l l

at t r i b u t es ,
A ditya va r na m:( a nd) w ho i
s h ne s

lik e the s un , A ha m=l , Veda =k no w , T a r

bu t ( H e e xis t s ) , Pdr e=o n th e s h o re ,

T a ma sa h =o f igno ra nc e .

E xp la na tory mea ning .

I h as be e n gi v e n t o me t o k no w ( by
t .

d i re c t i n t ui t io n) t h i s a l l w i se P urus h a w h o ,-

li ft e r bri ngi ngi n t o xis t e nc e a l l be i ngs s uc h

e

as me n go ds
, a nd t h e li k e a nd gi v i ng t h e m
 R m XV I . 75 .

na me s , g o es on
( s us ta n in i g t h e un i v e rs e )
ca lli ng e v e ry c rea t ure by i t s n a me , w h o ,

t ra nsc e nds a l l a t t r i but e s , w h o i s re s pl e n

d e nt li k e the s un, a nd w ho li es bey o nd th e

igno ra nc e
o cea n o f .

Comment T h i s a nd
-
t h e ne xt r i/
c a re no t

to be fo und i n th e R i gv eda tex t of th e

Siik t a T h ey h o w e v e r me t i th in th e
‘
. a re w

t ex t of th e Snk t a as
gi v e n in th e T a i t t i ri ya
A ra ny a k a . T hey a re in a mo re po l i sh ed
st yle th an t h e re s t of th e miles a nd i n a
,

mo re de v e l o pe d met r e . M o reo v e r the y

be a r a mo r e di re c t l
re a t ion to t h e t e a c h ng i
of th e V e dant a x po unded i n t h e C h h an
as e

do gy a a nd o t h e r U pa ni sh a ds a nd i n t h e
V e dant a Sfi t ra s A nd Say a na i n t e r pre t s
.

t h e m a gre e a bl y t o t h e t e a c h i ng o f t h e

V e da n t i c pll l l O SO pll y Fo r t h e se r e aso ns

.

t h e t w o r i/ cs w ill be c o n s i de red by w e s t e rn
s c h o l a r s a s a l a t e r a dd i t i o n B ut i t i s t h e .

T a i t t i ri ya T e x t t h at is i n gene ra l us e in .

So ut h e r n I ndi a a nd bes i des t h e r iks t h e m ,

76 T HE P UR USHA SUKT A .

l
s e v es a re i nt e res t i ng a nd so fo ll o w i ng t h e '

T a i t t i ri ya t e x t w e h a v e i ns e rt e d t h ese t w o

r iks l
a so .

X V II .

mar g
rtg m gri
wg
'

I t raw lEma g
-

rawla
fi g :
I

t h t fi a s q zig
a
s l w l sw sa a r
m l st ae m ate! I I

Ya m z
w h o m, t =
td Prajapa t i Pa ra s tdt ,

fi rs t , Uddj a hdra =ma de k no w n , S a lor a h :

I ndra ( t h e n made k no w n) Pra vid vdn=w e l l ,

k no w i ng Ch a ta s r a h Pra dis a h ( al l h
'

,
t e

be i ngs li v i ng i n al l ) t h e fo ur d i re c t i o ns
,

T a m=H i m E v a m Vid vdn= , h e w h o k no w s .

t h us , B h a va ti =bec o mes , A mrita h =i mmo rt a l ,

in t h is li fe ; N a a n ah
y
-
no

o th e r Pa nthd p at h, Vidya te=t h e re i s ,

Aya na ya : fo r e t e rna l bli s s .

P raj apa t i fi rs t ma de k no w n ( th e E t e r na l
t r ut h a bo ut
) Hi m t h en I ndra k no w i ng
e i ng li v i ng in all t h e fo u r q ua r t e rs
the ( b s )
( t a ugh t t h e t rut h t o t h e w o r l d) . T h a t ma n
 RIK X V II . 77

w ho co me s to k no w Hi m t h us , be c o me s
i mmo r t a l ev e n in t h is
Th e re w or ld . is no .

o t h e r pa t h t h a t l e a ds t o e t e rn a l blis s .

Commen t o n r iks 1 6 a nd 1 :
’

1 . Ma h dnta m =
=I nfi n ite , zi nco ndi ti oned .

T he j
o b ec t o f th e t w o r i ks is t o i de n t i fy t h e
c rea t o r of th e w or ld ( w h o is i lly
t ech n c a

k no w n i n t h e V e da nt i c sy s t e m
'
as I s v a ra

a nd w ho is o ft e n ca lled P raj apa t i in t h e

ear li er li t e ra t u re ) w i t h t h e N irguna B ra h
—
ma n t h e A bs o l ut e t h e O ne w i t h o ut a
,

A c c o rdi ngt o S a nk a ra s u nq u a li fi e d
’
s e c o nd
'
.

A bs o l u t i s m e v e n I s v a r a is Mayo padh ik a
'

, .

I s v a ra h a s o nly a ph e no me na l ex i s t e nc e H e
’
.

d o e s n o t ex is t i n t h e r e a l s e ns e o f t h e t e rm .

H e c a n be sa id t o exi s t o nly i n t h a t s e ns e
i n w h i c h t h e v i s i bl e u n i v e rs e i s sa i d t o e xi s t .

I n Pdr a mdr th ih a re a li t y N irgu na B ra h ma n ,

a lo n e e xi s t s ; a nd t o e x pl a i n t h e c re a t i o n o f

t h e u ni v e rs e w h i c h h a s o nly a p heno mena l

o r V dz a hdr i / ca e x i s t e nc e a ph e n o me nally
y
'

e xis t in s v a ra is bro ug h i T h e difl

'

I
’

g t n er .
~
 T H E PUR USHA SUK TA .

e nc e be t w een a bsol ute and p heno menal

e xi s t enc e may be t h us bri efly t h o ugh ,

i na de qua t e l y ill us t ra t e d A ma n w h e n h e
'

, .
,

is h y pno t i s e d u nde rgo es ma n y e x pe ri e nc es

,

h e se e s fo r i ns t a n c e d uri ngh is h y pno t i s e d

, ,

c o ndi t i o n a ra nd l S l as th e
g p a a c e o on
g .

h y pno t i c c o ndi t i o n re ma i ns t h e ma n r e ga rds ,

h is e x pe ri e nc e a s ge n ui ne ; t o h im fo r t h e ,

t i me b e i ng t h e r a nd a l a c e re a lly e x is t s
g , p .

I t i s o nly w h e n h e ge t s o ut o f t h i s c o nd i t i o n
t h at h e co mes t o s ee t h a t t he p alace w as

o n ly an ill us o ry a
pp e a ra nc e c o n ure d j u
p
i nt o a te mpo ra ry iby t h e mayi !
e x s t e nc e

p ow er of th e h y pno t i se r N o w t o a p ply
.

t h is a na o l g y . T h e Supre me B e i ng is t h e

g ra n d h y pno t i s e r . A ll be i ngs in t he

i
u n v e rs e a re u nde r th e i nflue nc e of H is
h y pno t i s m W h e n o ne c o mes t o kno w di
.

r ectl
y t h a t a l l t h i s
ph e no me n a l u ni v e rs e h a s

bee n proj ec t e d i nt o e xi s t e nc e by H is mayic

o w r t h e i ll us i o n v a ni s h e s a nd o ne s ee s
p e ,

t h a t a l l t h e w h ile t h e ill usi o n l a s t e d t h e re ,

80 T H E PUR U SH A SUKTA .

ided l arger
'

w a ter (p ro v th e sh e e t o f w at er is
n e a r e no u gh) n d t h e a i r i n th e
a
po t b e c o me s

i nex tri c a bly mixe d up w i t h t h e a t mo s ph ere .

O nly V eda nt i c ph ilo so ph y do e s nO t pro fess

t o e x pl a i n h ow t h i s h ypuo t i s m bega n o r w h en
fl
,

o r h o w so ma ny b i n s c a me t o b e u nder
g e

i t s s pell I t i s e no ug
. h ft o k now t h at t h i s
h y pno t i s m no w exi s t s ; a nd t h e o nly t h i ng
o ne c a n do u nde r t h e c i rc u ms t a n c es is t o

s e e h o w o ne c a n g e t cut o f i t s i nflue nc e ,

a nd na t u ra lly t h e o nly w ay o f g e t t in
g o ut

o f i t i s to k no w t h a t i t i s no t h i ng b ut

h y pno t i s m t h a t t h e h y pno t i s t al o ne r e a lly

’
'

e x i s t s a nd c a u se s a l l th i s Wo nde rful ap pe a r

a nc e Sfiya n a t h e refo re ex pl a i ns t h e w ord

.

ma hduta m t h us survuguua ira dhika m=tra ns ~

cendi n a ll a ttr i butes i uncondi ti oned ,

g . e .
,

a bsolu te .

2 . li k e th e

T h e A bso l ut e is not t o be r ega rded

"

s un .

as o sses s i ng s pl e ndour b u t a s sra pm kti s a

p
r il a I f He be r ega rded as h av i ng
p .
 RIK X V II . 81

l
Sp e ndo ur ill bec o me a n
it w attr i but e o f
H is a n d t h i s w ill c o nflic t w i th t h e pre v i o us

s ta t e me nt t h a t He t ra ns c e nds a l l a t t ri b ut e s .

H e nc e x press i o n s h o uld be t a k en t o
the e

me a n t h a t H e i s Ligh t t h e L igh t o f ch it (M ) ; ,

He is e ssen t i a lly Spi ri t uali t y .

3 . T a ma t a s tu Pdr e . T a ma s i s M aya o r
i gno ra nc e . H e is no t u nd e r t h e i nflue nc e o f
Maya . I t is w e th a t a re u nde r the

h y pno t i c s pe l l of His Maya . T h e Supreme

B e ing s h o ul d t h e r e fo re be di s t i ngui sh e d
fro m I h o is h i ms el f M dyds a ba li tu
' ’
s v a ra w

a nd w h o se h e no me na l xi s t e nc e i
p e s

p o s t ul a t ed to ex
pl a in all th e res t o f t h e

h no me no n
p e .

4 . He g ave al l i
t h ngs a na me a nd a

sh a
p e a nd i t is H e t h a t re ma i ns cal li ngt h e m
by t h e i r na me s T w o t h i ngs
. a re st a ted h e re .

F ir s t . H e is t h e s o ur c e o f a l l c re a t e d i
t h ngs .

Seco ndly H e i t i s th a t o eth a bo ut c a l l i nn

g
'

t h ngi
s b y th e i r na me s . T hat is , i t is He
l
a o ne th a t is en gg
a ed in t h e se v e ra l p urs ui t s
6
82 T HE PUR USHA SUKTA .

of Sa msara . T h is is c o n t ra ry t o o ur
o rdi na ry ex pe ri e nc e . I t is me n a nd t h e
s e v e ra l c rea t u re s t h a t w e fi nd e ng a ed in
g
t h e v a r i o us a c t i v i t i e s o f li fe . M o re o v e r
t h e se c o nd s t a t e me n t c o nfli c t s w i t h th e

fi rs t w h i c h s ay s t h a t i t is He t h a t h as
,

c rea t e d a l l be i ng s W h o m w e fi nd b usy i n

t h e s e v e ra l w a l k s o f li fe . Ho w t h e n i s t h i s
i nc o nsi s te nc y t o be ex pla i ne d !
T h e C h h ando gyo pa nis h a d th us e x pl a i ns
t h e ma t t e r ( V I C h a pt e r Se c t i o ns II a nd III )
,
.

A t fi rs t T h i s a l o ne w a s B e i ng O ne o nly
I t w ill e d t h us :
,

w i t h o u t a s e c o nd . I w ill
mul t i ply a nd be bo rn I t c re a t ed T eja s
’
.

Fi re ; t h e n w a t e r W a me i n t o be i n ; a nd
( ) ( ) c g
t h e n e a rt h Ha v i ngt h us bro ugh t i nt o
e xi s t e nc e t h e s e v e ra l e l e me n t s ( a i r a nd e t h er

be i ng i nc l ude d by i mpli c a t i o n) t h a t D e i t y
m
,

w ill e d t h us : fi fi fi mfiflfifl
‘
s

c E nt e ri ngt h e se t h re e deva tds ( e a rt h , w ate r

 RI K X VII . 83

a nd fi re ) i n the fo r ms of Ji v a I s ha ll he
ma ni fes t i n i fo rms mes
!
v a r o us a nd na .

T h us w e se e t h a t t h e ph e n o me nal
u ni ve rs e is n o t a dis ti nct ent i t b ro u h t i n to
g
y
e xi s t e nc e by t h e W ill o f a Supre me B e i ng ,

w h o re ma i ns di s t i nc t fro m a l l ph e no me no n .

B ut H e i t is t h a t h a s be c o me ma ni fes t as
s e v e ra l fo rms a nd na me s I t is i n t h i s .

s e ns e a lo ne t hat H e c a n be s a i d t o
h a v e c re a t e d a l l th i ngs T h us t h e i ndi v i d ua l .

s o ul s t h a t a re s e e n t o s s e d a bo u t i n t h e s ea
o f Sa msara a re no t e nt i t i e s di s t i nc t fro m

H i m but t h ey a re e v e n He o nly t h ey no w
r c o ndi t i o ne d a n d c i rc u ms c ri be d b
a
pp e a
y
“eye .

O ne di ffi c ul t y n a t ura lly p rese nt s i t se l f

h e re . I t ma y be t h us s t a t e d a nd e x pl a i ne d
w o rds
’
of S a nk a ra i n h is mme nt
’
i n th e co

on th s i p a ssa
g e . I t ma y be sa id th a t it
wou ld no t a
pp e ar c o ns s t e n ti fo r a d i v i ne

re nd e re d by D r. R a je nd ra L al nit ra ( B i bl i ot h e c a.

I c
ndi a ) .
84 T HE P UR U SHA SUKTA .

o mni sc i e nt D e i t y i nt e llige nt ly t o w i s h t o
e nt e r a c re a t e d b o dy t h e rec e p t a c l e o f
,

i nnu me ra ble e v il s a nd u nde rgo t h e frui t s

t h e reo f . N o r i s i t c o nsi s t e nt t h a t bei ng ,

i nde pe nde n t H e s h o ul d c e a s e t o b e s o by
,

a ma l a ma t i o n i th s ubo rdi na t e I n
g w a .

r e l y I a d mi t t h at it w o ul d no t be c o n
p
s i s t e n t if t h a t D e i t y w e re t o e n t e r a bo dy

a nd u nde r o t h e s uffe r i ng i nd i v i d u a lly

g s ,

w i t h o u t a ny t ra ns fo rma t i o n B u t s uc h is
.

n o t t h e c a se . How so B e c a us e t h e w o rds

i n th e te xt a re I n th e fo r m of Ji v a Ji v a
i s bu t t h e re fle c t i o n of th e Supre me
Dei t y
I t i s pro duc e d by i t s rel a t i o n t o i n t el l ige nc e
i r s u bt l e e l e me n t s li k e t h e
( B u d d h ) a nd o t h e ,

i mage o f t h e s un in w a t e r o r o f a man in a
l o o k i ng gl a s s T h e re l a t i o n t o B uddh i o f
.
,

t h a t D e i t y o f i ns c r ut a bl e a nd e ndl e ss po w e r

a nd t h e re fle c t i o n o f H is i n t e lli e n c e h a v e
g
fo r t h e i r i ns t r ume n t a l c a use t h e igno ra n c e
of H is t rue n a t ur e , a nd fro m t h e m pro c e e d
t h e fee l ng i
s of I am h a p y , I a m s u f
f i
p e r ng,
 RI K X V II . 85

I m i gno ra nt &c ri ng i nt o munda ne

’
a e nte

o bj e c t s i n the fo rm of a l i
re f e c t o n, t h a t

D i t y in H is o w n s elf is n o t i nv o l v ed in a ny
e

c o rpo re a l pl e as u re or
p a in A h u m an .

be i ng o r t h e s un e nt e ri ng a mi rro r o r w a t e r
in t h e fo rm o f a re fle c t i o n c a n no t h i ms el f
a c q ui re t h e de fe c t s o f t h e r e flec t i ngs u rfa c e .

So is t h e c a s e w i t h t h e D e i t y
!
.

Fo r a de t a il e d e l uc i da t i o n o f t h i s v i e w
w e ma y re fe r o ur re a de rs t o t h e t h i rt e e nt h

A dh i k a ra na o f t h e 3 rd Pada o f t h e Se c o nd
A dh yaya of th e V e dant a Sut ra s , w h e re
S a nk a ra
'
e x a mi ne s th e s e v e ra l po s nio ns in
de t ail .

5 . 1) 1t (i td D hti td o r t h e o ri gi na l

p ro
g i
en to r o f th e h u ma n ra c e a nd I ndra a re

s t at ed i n th e U pa ni sh a ds to h a v e be e n t h e
fi rs t p ro mul ga t o rs o f t h e V e da nt i c t r ut h s .

V i de fo r i ns t a nc e Ch h and o gya , V I I — l 5— 1 .

6 . T h e se tw o r i ks ,
t h o ugh no t fo und i n
th e R i gv eda ye t o c c u r i n a no t h e r Sa mh i tci
Vfi
( j n S m h i t i 3 1 — 8 ) i li h l
as a e ya a t n a s
g yt
-
86 T HE P UR USHA SUKTA .

d i ffe re n t fo r m . T he tw o r iks in t h e T a i tt .

A ra n y a k a i
v e rs o n c a nn o t t h e re fo re be se t

do w n as t h e l a t e s t pro d uc t o f V e di c ac t v i i ty ,

t h o ugh a re l a t i v e
p o s t e r i o ri t y ma y be
ass igne d to th e m a mo ng t h e p ro d uc t s of

w h at w e s t e rn s c h o a rs l ca ll ‘
the C h h anda s
r io d ma y be no t e d t h a t t h e ri k
’

pe . I t as

gi v en in t he V aja sa n eya Sa mh i t a is
-
l
a so

a t ed i n t h e S v e t a s v a t ar a Upan i sh a d ( I I I
’ ’
re e
p
Ch a p .

X V III .

fi dwfl
w fi w fi sfilfi mmw lei l

D evdh =T h e p w o rs h i

e d , Ya na m sa c r ifi c e a mel , Lo rd
p j t h e ( n y
Praj a pa t i ) Yajnena =by t h e sa c ri fi c e ( o f
mpl a t i o n) Asa n a me
C o nt e ( t h us ) c ,

Prutha mci ni t h e fi rs t a nd e ss e nt i a l T uni

z
,

( a nd
) w e ll k n o w n D h a r m d n i ,
= l aw s b
( y
w h i c h t h e u n i v e rs e i s go v e rn e d ); il l u h i m i
c na b
-
t ho se re a t s o u s
g l ( t h at w o rs h i p Prajapa t i )
 T HE PUR U SHA SU K T A .

“
th e Sa c ri fi c e . V id ya ra n y a ex pl a i ns N dlcu m
M W W — i
no t h n g b ut uni o n i
w th

th e L o rd .

HE R E E N D S PAR T I .
 PA R T I I .

UTT A R A PUR USH ASU K T A .

RI K . I .

wa s: H u:
t Elam u

fi nfi fiw :
e nfiarfil I a

d
aw a r mew
T h is i
u n v e rs a l ma t t e r k no w n as Vi r dt,
Su mblntta h =s p ra n g, A dbhya h =tro m t he

w a t e rs , Chu z a nd, R asdtz fro m th e w a te r y

e ss e nc e , Pr i th i vyui =blt umydh =o f t h e e ar t h .

T h e pre s i di ng de i t y o f t h e uni v e rse , k now n

as V i rat puru sh a , Adh i =w i t h a l l h i s e x
c e l l e nc e , Sa ma va r ttt ta =s pr a ng, Vis va lca r +
'

ma nuh =fro m t h e U ni v e rs a l C re a t o r ; T va shtti

-
Th i s U ni v e rsa l C re a to r Vida dh a t=bri ngi ng
,

i nt o exi s te nc e R 12pa m=t h e fo rm T usya

, ,

o f t h e V i rit t p urush a E ti =bus i e s H i mse l f

, .
90 T HE U I ' ' ‘
I AR A P UR U SHA
’

SUK TA .

T a ts a r ra m —
A ll t h is , Pur ush at syu pre s ide d z

o v er by V i rat p ur ush a , Ajdna m=( t h us

s pre a d ) o n al l s i des , Agr e z a t t h e b egi nni ng
( o f c rea t o n i ) .

Th is i
u n v e rs a l ma t t e r k no w n as Vi r dt
s pra n g fro m t h e w ate rs a nd fro m t h e w at e r
y
e ss e nc e o f t h e ea r t h . T he D ei ty pre s i di ng
o v e r t h e un v e rs e , i H i ms el f k n o w n as V i rat

p u rush a , s ra n
p g w t h al l i h is ex c e ll e nc e fro m
t h e Univ e rs a l C re a to r . T h i s U ni v e rs al C re a t o r
b ro ugh t i nt o e xi s t e nc e t h e o ut w a rd fo r m o f
V irfit pur us h a w h i c h c o ns i s t s i n t h e v i s ibl e
,

u ni v e rse a bo ut u s T h us did a l l t h is .

res i de d o v e r b V i rat u ru s h a s re a d o n
p y p p
a ll s i d e s a t t h e be i n ni n o f c re a t i o n
g g .

Comment 1 Th i s A nuv dlca is t h e s eq ue l

. .

o f t h e P ur us h a Sfi k t a p ro e r a nd i s c a lle d
p
-

Utta ra dr dyuna Anuz dlca a nd is asc ri be d t o

I
i
,

t h e sa me R is h i N aray a na .
2 . A dbhyas &c T h i s ri k agree a bly t o .
,

t h e t e a ch i ngo f t h e fo rme r pa rt po s t ul a t es ,

t h e e xi s t e n ce o f t w o Di v i ne B e i ngs T he .
 RI K I . 91

fi rs t is ll e d Vis ma n T r a s/t tri

’
ca v u/
ca r or

th e P ri me So urc e o f a l l t h i ngs c re a t e d
F ro m t h i s B e i ng k no w n a s B ra h ma n i n
,

V eda nt i c ph ilo s o ph y s ra n
p g a s ec o nd
,

—
B e i ng c a ll ed V i rat pur ush a t h e pre s i di ng
De i ty o f t h e v is i bl e u ni v e rse Jus t a s t h e .

h uma n bo dy c o rre s po nds t o t h e i ndi v i d ua l

s o ul w h i c h re s i des i n i t s o t h e w h ole ,

u ni v e rs e is re a rde d a s t h e body o f t h e
g
V i rat pu T h is bo dy i s k no w n a s
'

r ush a .

V i rat . V i rat is s a i d i n t h i s ri k t o h a v e
s pr u n
g a dblt a/
y t, fro m w a te r . B
( y w a t e r is

p ro ba bly me a nt w h a t is k no w n a s n eb u a r l
ma t t er) . All w ate r ca me o ut o f th e flui d
pa rt o f th e neb u a l ly ma t t e r
a nd al l e a r t h

c a me o ut o f t h e t h i c k e r pa r t o f n eb ul a I t .

a ppe a rs t h us t h a t t h e t h e o ry o f c re a t i o n as

i v e n h e re is a s uc c i nc t s ta t e me n t o f t h e
g
t h e o ry o f e v o l ut i o n o ne o f t h e pro ude s t
,

a c h i e v e me n t s o f mo de r n s c i e nc e O rigi na l .

ne b ul a r ma t t e r gra d ually c o o l e d a nd t h i c k

e ned a nd e ar t h a nd w a te r a re but th e
92 T H E UT
’

I ARA
‘
P UR U S HA SUKTA .

p i
ro d uc t s o f v a r o us de gre e s o f c o nde ns a t io n .

So sa y s a l so Say a na i n h is c o mme n t o n t h i s

p a s sa
g e .

i m fig g i d d
‘

H s
e a s
t 5 1311 s it e in n
ve - 0

—
as s ss r( m fi fi m E : '

e i 3
gg a
g er fi

«a s :
se t t o w a ! c a n
a i!
t :m a l ai se EFfl

W e ma y t r uly t ra ns la te t h e pa ss a ge t h us
Fro m j a la t h a t w a s s p re a d o n a l l si des
s
p ra n g t h s u i
n iv e rs a l glo be l ike c re a m fro m
,

t he mi ds t of milk N o t s i mpl y fro m t h e

.

liq ui d b ut l
a so fro m Pdrth iva e s s e nc e
( t h e

e sse nc e o f ma t t e r) ; i
t h e t h c ke r p ar t o f th e

sc u m be c a me so lid ma t t e r an d t he liq uid

p a rt s o f t h e sc u m be c a me t h e w a te rs . So
sa ys t he V e da , “
T he i
th c k e r is t h e so li d
e a r t h a nd t h e liq ui d pa rt is t h e w at e rs .
!

T h e ri k i t se l f bri e fly h i nt s a t t h e e v o l a
t i o n t h e o ry a nd Say a na li v i ng as h e did in
,
 RI K II AN D III . 93

th e 1 4t h c e nt ur y A C, . c o uld h a rdly be
s us pe c t ed of re a d ni g i
n ne t eent h c ent ury
i
sc e nc e i nt o t h i s h o a ry pa ss age Suc h a n .

i ns t i nc t i v e gras p o f s c i e nt i fi c t r ut h s in t i mes
a l mo st p r e h
-
i s t o ri c i s pe rh a s
p t h e b e s t

co mme nt on th e i ns pi red c h a ra c te r o f t h e

V eda s .

RI K . II .

Jgg i
'
af
t a s
-
n s sFé l
a fi afifii ad s sitar!“ :
ai l! li mi t s se data
‘

T h i s Rik h as l
a re a d y bee n i
ex pl a ne d in
t h e Fi rs t Pa r t .

RI K III .
94 T HE UT T AR A P UR U SHA SUK T A

Prujdp a tift T h e L o rd o f be i ngs A nta lt

z
,

C h a rat i mo v e s t h ro ugh Ga r b/t e t h u ni v e rse

z
,
x

Aj dyamci na h =t h o ugh bi r t h le ss V d a te He
ii y ,
z

is bo rn , B uh udhci z in s e v e ra l fo rms D h ir dft

t h e w se, i Pa rijti na nti=w e ll k no w , T ass/a x

H is ; Yonim=re a 1 e ss e nc e w h i c h is t h e so u rc e
o f c re a t o n T h e se w i s e me n Ved/t asa h :
i ,

b ec o mi ng ) h e L o rds o f c re a t i o n I c/ h h
( t w a n ti ,

—W i sh fo r a nd o b t a i n Pudum t h e exa l t e d
( ) ( )
-
z
,

stat e JI a r ic/aindm=o f M a ri c h i ( A t ri a nd
,

o t h e r P raj apa t i s ) .

T h e L o rd o f b e i ngs pe r v a de s a l l t h i ngs .

T h o ugh no t s u bj e c t t o bi rt h He i s ye t bo r n
i n s e v e ra l fo rms T h e w i se w ell k no w H is
"

r e a l es se nc e a nd k no w i ng i t w i s h fo r a nd

o bt a i n t h e e x a l t e d s t a t e o f M a ri c h i a nd t h e

o the r P rajit pa t i s a nd be c o me t h e l o rds o f

c re a t i o n .

Co mment . 1 . A nto n C/t ura ti =I t is H e

t h a t pe rv a de s a nd s us t a ins t h e uni v e rse a nd
«
di re c ts a l l c re a t ures i n t h e i r se v e ra l
a ct v i i t i es a nd
p u rs u t s i . He i s jth e An i a /yd
96 T HE UT T A R A P UR USHA SUKTA .

Pr ayap a tis h is mi nd bo r n
-

,
-
so ns , w ho co m
pl e t ed t h e w o rk o f c re a t o n i .

A c c o r di ng t o a no t h e r a c c o u nt , M a ri c h i
w a s t h e so n o f B ra h ma h is
’
so n w as K as

y p a a fro m w hom s
p ra n
g Vi r u s m t . F ro m
V i v asv a t w as bo rn M a n u w ho w as th e

p ro c r e a t o r o f a l l
-
h uma n be i ngs .

T h e R ik t h us me a ns t h a t t h o se w h o k no w
th e l na t ure o f t h e Supre me Lo rd bec o me
re a

i mmo rt a l l o rds o f c re a t io n a nd a t t a i n t h a t
b li ssful s t a t e o f e xi s t e nc e w h i c h i s e nj o ye d ,

b y M a r i c h i a nd t h e o t h e r Praj apa t i s .

B ra h ma s ri S ri ni v as a S a s t ri gi v e s a n
’ ’

a l t e r na t i v e i nt e rpre t a t i o n o f M a r ich indm .

l c
—
l l t r i ch indm Pa d a m t h e pa t h o f r a y s o r
w h a t is c a ll e d i n l a t e r ph iI O SO ph v as
a r ch ir ti d t mdrgam th e h t h a t t h ro ugh
'

-
p a t

t h e s un a n d the mo o n l e a ds on t o e t e r nal

bl i s s .

w m g é l wfi fi fl w flr l

th a w s :
wfil s a m wsml
’
v é ii w
 RI K I
7
V . 97

Ya /t =w h o , D evebhyuh z o n ac c o un t o f t h e

D e v as , A tupa ti z s h i ne s e v e r y w h e re ; Yul:
w ho, P the pri e st D er
, d mtm ~

of the De v as ; Ya h h o , Ja tult =w a s bo rn
‘
z w ,
,

Pnr va h=a n t ec e dent , D et eblt ya it

~ =t o al l the

Devas ; N a muh =sal ut a t io n T a sma i ,

r
to t h a t ,
R uclui ya =re spl e nde n t , B rti /
t mrt ye Supre me z

Lo rd .

Sal ut a t i o n t o t h a t re s pl end e n t Su re me
p
Lo rd w h o sh i nes e v e ry w h e re n a c c o u nt o

o f t h e D e v a s w h o be c a me t h e ri e s t o f t h e
, p
De v as a nd w ho w as bo rn be fo re t h e D e v as
, .

Comment ( )
1 D et eb/
t o/
y t Atop uti Vi

mm
. .

23TH!
“
dv a ra ny a t h us e x pl a i n s i t .

« was 3 63 new 3 1
71 11
0 h fiafi
11 i s t h e
wr .

Lo rd th a t e nt e rs i nt o t h e h e a rt o f e v e 1 y
De v a a nd sh ines t h e re as t h e s pi ri t ua l li gh t
w ith in .I t i s t h i s Di vi ne es s e nc e s h i ni ng 1 11
t h e m mo re t h a n i n o t h e r be i ngs t h a has ,
t.

e x al t e d t h e m t o t h e ra nk o f g o ds .

( )
2 D ev ttn dm P n r oh it a lt B ri h a s ati
p .
,

ac c o rdi ngt o V id ara n a I t is t h e Su re me

y y .

p
98 T HE UT T AR A PUR US HA SUK I
’ ‘
A .

Lo rd t h a t h as assu med t h e fo r m o f B rih a s

p a t i
, t h e
p ri es t o f t h e D e v a s a nd i s ,g u i d i ng

t h e m by h i s w i s e c o un sel s .

P r va la= e L o rd be fo re
( )
3 D ev e b hy u h d T h
al 1 c re a t i o n be c a me ma nifest as

Him nyaga r bh a ( t h e go l den egg) a nd fro m

Him pro c e ede d al l c rea t i o n Co mpare t h e

m il :
.

V e di c pa ss age “
mafia wit !

rdhma e i
( )
4 B y . V i dy ar a ny a n t e r
p r e t s

i t i n t w o w ay s .
( )
1 P u m'

6 r a h m as va r i
z
p yd a

w ho , i n His real esse nc e is t h e Supre me

,

Lo rd ( 2 ) B ra h ma nd Vedena Pr a tip ddydyu

= -
z

w h o se na t ure is set fo rt h i n t h e B ri t/
a me nd .

or th e Veda .

V .

Agrez l n t h e be i nni n o f t h e c re a t i o n
g g
( a ft e r t h e
p r a lny ),
a J u n nt l = h il
a
yc a t w e
bri ngi ng o ut , R uch tt m th e =
i nte ll ec t ua l
h
li g , t B ri t /
i m a m =o f th e Supreme L o rd,
 Rm V . 99

D eed/
t z th e -

De vas , A br uvft n =( t h us ) a ddre s s

e d, T ul =i t ; B ma na lt T h e B rah ma n Ya k
reth z
,

=w h o , Vidydt k no w s T voi T h e e E na m
, ,

t h us, D evdh=th e Dev as ( i ) Asun =a re ,

'

. e. w e ,

T a sya Va s e unde r h is c o nt ro l
’
-
, .

I n th e mmenc e me nt o f crea t io n a ft e r
co

t h e pra l aya t h e D e v as w h il e g
,
i v i ngo ut fo r ,

t h e bene fi t o ft h e w o rld t h e t rue n

.

a t ure o f t h e

i ntel lec t ua l essenc e o f t h e Supre me Lo rd

t h us a ddressed i t : O h T h o u e ssenc e o f t h e ,

Lo rd h e w h o k no w s T h y rea l na t ure ( as
,

desc ri bed i n t h e a bo v e ri k s) unde r h is ,

c o nt ro l do w e D e v as c o me .

Comment T h e t r ue k no w l edge o f t h e
.

na t u re o f t h e Supre me L o rd i s be li e v ed t o

h a v e bee n c o mmuni c a ted t o ma n k i nd by

th e De v as w h o a s re ma rk e d i n t h e ,

re c e di n i t r ume n t a l i n t h e
p gp ga es w e re ns ,

c o mpl e t i o n o f c rea t i o n by t h e i r c o nt e m l a
p
tio n Wh a t t h e D e v a s me a n by t he ir
.

address is t h a t h e w hoome s t o k no w t h e
c

rea l nat ure o f th e Lo rd bec o mes o ne w i t h

10 0 T H E UI ' ‘
T AR A PURUSHA SUK T A .

Hi m a nd t h us be c o me s t h e A nta rg
/dmi n
-

of

a ll the g o ds a nd r u e s l th e m . V idyara nya

q uo t e s fro m t he V ajas ane yi ns ( i . e . the

w h i t e Y a ur V e da i
o f t h s s ta t e
j ) in s uppo r t

me nt .

W W W e w s fi m l
m fi a w
w ifi u
He w h o k now s h i mse l f t o be i de nt i c a l
w th
i B ra h ma n bec o mes a l l t h i ngs h i mse l f
a nd o v e r h im t h e D e v a s h a v e no po w e r .

VI ( j )
Y a us .

sw im wt l was! w e! I

O h Lo rd ! Hr i/ t Cha Hri a nd L a ks /t misc /t u z

,

La ksh mi T e=a re T h y Putnya u=t w o

, ,

w i v e s ; Alw r dtr e da y a nd ni g h t Pdrs ve

’
z
,

T i d N k h d i= T h
( a re h y) s e s a e utr n . e s ta rs ,

m= m A i h
’
T h f A
‘ ’

I q
t
’
v a
ut re y o r s v na u t e t w o s .
=

v i ns Vyci tta m m
,
re T h y) o e ne d mo ut h O h
pz .
 Rm VI .
( Y a ms ) 10 1

Lo r d o f s uc h glo ry ! Ma ntishdna =gra nt us ,

[slamm o ur de s i res ( i e k no w l edg

z e o f Se l f) . . .

A mum a ll t h i s ( w e a l t h ) t h at
z we s ee ,

ill unis ltdna = gra nt us S u r va m Ma nis lutm

ra nt us a l l
g .

O h Lo rd ! B ri a nd L ak s h mi s 1e T hy tw o
w ives day a nd n igh t a re T hy s ides ; t he
s ta rs a re T hy bbdya nd th e As v i ns are T hy
mo ut h . Grant us ( k no w l e dge of Se l f)
w h ic h we des i re, l
w ea t h a nd al l o t h e r
goo d
t h ngs i .

Comment .

Vidyaranya t a k es H ri to mea n L uiici bk b

mdnini D era td , t he p residi n
g Go ddes s o f
me mea n Ais va rycibh i
a nd L ksh mi '
sh a to
'

utui ni D eva td = t h e p res idi ng Goddess o f

r “

w ea l t h Pro ba bly t h e ide a is t h i s H ri o r

. . .

aj fi is t h e s ure s t pres e r v e r o f v i rt ue ; i t
T
j
; .

is t h i s fee li ng t h a t k e e ps us fro m do i ng
a ny t h i n
g m ea n o r s i nful H e nc e H ri is .
,

use d h e re t o de no t e m i ( D ha rma ) a nd L a k
s h mi Sui A rt h a ) ; D h a rma a nd A rt ha t h e
( , ,
10 2 T H E UTTA R A Y ua ns HA SUKTA .

fi rs t tw o p ur us hdrth a s , be i ngh e re re
g a rde d

fi gura t i v e ly i
as t h e w v e s o f t h e Lo rd .

A s vinuu is t h e na me di v i ne
’
2 . of t w o

be i ngs w ho a re s a id to a ppe a r in t h e sky

be fo re t he da w n in a
gol den c a rr a i g e

dra w n by h o rses Th ey a re belie v ed t o

.

bri ng t rea s ures t o men a nd a v e rt mis fo r

t une a nd s i c k ne ss T h ey a re me nt io ned h ere
.

a s pe rh a ps r e pre se nt i ng K ama ( w o rl dly ,

e
nj o yme nt ) w h i c h is t h e t h i rd p urus hdrthu
, .

To re
g a rd t h e s t a rs as His bo dy a nd da y
a nd igh t as His t w o
n s i des is a s ublime

co nc e pt i o n o f t h e Supre me D e i ty , w h o se
s ubli mi t y e v e n fa mili a ri t y h as no t bee n
a bl e e nt i re ly t o e fi a ce .

I s hta m T h o ugh t h e w o rd me a ns w h at
is desi re d i n ge ne ra l , V idyara u ya h e re
t a k e s i t t o re fe r t o a pa rt i c ul a r o ne — th e

k no w l edge o f Se l f w h i c h l e a ds t o t h e

i me nt
a t ta n of the fo urt h p urus hdr th a or

fi na l bliss .

l s .