AITAREYA UPANIAD

Word-for-Word Translation with Transliteration and

Grammatical Notes
Please email me if you have questions or corrections: steph.simoes@gmail.com.

2
Introduction

Sanskrit is an inherently vague language: not only are there various possible renderings for individual words,
but the word order is quite loose. Because of this, many translations are often possible for a given passage.
This translation allows readers with no knowledge of Sanskrit to explore the different possible meanings of
the text with the help of the Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary, which can be accessed online.

The format of this translation closely follows that of Winthrop Sargeants translation of the Bhagavad-Gt.
At the top of the left-hand column is the transliterated text, and beneath this is a suggested translation. In
the right-hand column, each Sanskrit word is listed without sandhi1, followed by bracketed grammatical
notes and a few possible renderings.

The grammatical notes are structured as follows: After nouns, I have listed the gender, case, and number,
followed by the stem (or, for pronouns, the base). It is generally the noun stem (with or without prefixes)
that must be entered into the online Monier-Williams Dictionary in order to obtain results. In many cases, I
have listed the verbal root from which the stem is derived, and have written any prefixes or suffixes
separately. After verbs, I have listed the person, number, mood, voice, and, when applicable, secondary
conjugations. This is followed by the root (again separated from prefixes and suffixes).

Often, more than one case, gender, etc. is possible for a word. To list all of these possibilities in every case
would have been cumbersome, but I did make note of different possibilities at times. It is important to note
that Sanskrit texts often omit derivatives of to be, so the reader must usually add these at their discretion.
For example, the line in Kena III.1 which I have translated as Ours, indeed, is this victory is, if translated
exactly, Ours indeed this victory.

I chose to transliterate using the IAST (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration) because I find this to
be the most readable of the Romanized Sanskrit alphabets. One downside is that this alphabet cannot be
typed into the search box of the online Monier-Williams Dictionary: text must be inputted using ITRANS
(Indian Languages Transliteration), HK (Harvard-Kyoto), or SLP1 (Sanskrit Library Phonetic Basic). IAST can be
easily converted into HK according to the chart on the following page.

1
A Sanskrit term meaning holding together, sandhi (or sadhi) is the alteration of soundsboth across word
boundaries (external sandhi) and within words (internal sandhi)that simplifies pronunciation. English uses sandhi,
too: for example,the changing of a to an before vowels. The Sanskrit sandhi rules have not been included here
because they can be be found in many books. For a basic outline of the rules, see McComas Taylors The Little Red
Book of Sanskrit Paradigms. For an understanding of why these changes occur, I recommend Robert P. Goldmans
Devavpraveik.

3
Conversion of the International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration to Harvard-Kyoto

IAST HK
A
D
h Dh
H
I
l lR
l lRR
M
N
J
G
R
RR
S
z
T
h Th
u U

4
Abbreviations

. tmanepada voice inj. injunctive mood

AB. avyaybhva compound instr. instrumental case
abl. ablative case KD. karmadhraya
acc. accusative case lit. literally
act. active loc. locative case
adj. adjective m. masculine gender
adv. adverb n. neuter gender
aor. aorist tense nom. nominative case
ben. benedictive mood opt. optative mood
BV. bahuvrh P. parasmaipada voice
comp. compound p. participle
cond. conditional mood pass. passive
dat. dative case peri. periphrastic future tense
DV. dvandva pf. perfect tense
f. feminine pl. plural
fut. future pres. present
gen. genitive case prob. probably
ger. gerund pron. pronoun
impf. imperfect tense sing. singular
impv. imperative mood TP. tatpurua (vyadhikaraa)
ind. indeclinable voc. vocative case
inf. infinitive mood

5
Explanation of Grammatical Terms

NOUN CASES / VIBHAKTI-S (separations, divisions)

English Term Sanskrit Term Usage

Ablative pancam (5th) or apdna From (and occasionally than) the
(taking away, giving away) noun.

Accusative dvitya (2nd) or karman Identifies the object.

(action; object)

Dative caturth (4th) or sampradna For, to (the indirect object).

(giving over completely,
bestowing)

Genitive ahi (6th) or sambandha Of the noun.

(binding together)

Instrumental ttya (3rd) or karaa (doing, By or with the noun (in either the
making, acting) instrumental sense or in the sense of
accompaniment).

Locative saptam (7th) or adhikaraa Expresses location: in, on, at, etc.
(location; lit. over-making) the noun.

Nominative pratham (1st) or kart Identifies the subject.

(doer, maker, agent)

Vocative sabodhana (awaking, Identifies the addressee.

arousing; calling to)

6
PARTICIPLES / KDANTA-S (ending in kt-s)2

English Term Sanskrit Term Usage

Future active bhaviyatkle kdanta E.g., The about-to-remember man
participle (participle in future time) asked a question.

Future passive ktya (to-be-done) This implies ought.

participle (a.k.a. E.g., The words are to-be-
gerdundive) remembered (i.e., The words ought to
be remembered).

Gerund (a.k.a. ktvanta (ending in tva) / This signals an action that was
indeclinable lyabanta (ending in ya) completed before some other event.
participle or Gerunds are always used with a verb.
absolutive) E.g., Having remembered, Rama went
to the forest or, After remembering,
Rama went to the forest.

Past active Past active participle (a.k.a. These are adjectives:

participle and perfect active participle):
and perfect ktavatu (ending in tavat)
active participle
Perfect active-P participle:
kvasu (ending in vas)
Perfect active- participle:
knac (ending in na) However, this is not necessary if a
E.g., The arisen demon walked,
Having-remembered Rama arrived.
Some authors suggest these be used as
simple past tense verbs when there is
no verb present in the sentence:
E.g., The demon arose; Rama
remembered.
verbal form of to be is taken as
implied:
E.g., The demon (is) arisen; Rama (is)
having-remembered.3

Past passive bhute kdanta (participle in The usage is the same as above, except
participle the past) in a passive sense:
E.g., The arisen demon walked;
Remembered Rama arrived.

Present active vartamne kdanta kartari
participle prayoga (participle in the
present, active construction)
Like the gerund, this is always used with
a verb. It differs in that it is more
imperfectivei.e., it refers to an action
that is in progress at the time of the
verb.
E.g., Remembering Rama went to the
forest.

2
Participles can be used adjectivially without nouns, as nouns can be implied. E.g., The remembered [one] arrived.
3
The more eloquent Rama (is) remembered would not be acceptable here, as this would imply a passive sense
(i.e. that Rama is being remembered). Perhaps the English present perfect tense (Rama has remembered) is a
suitable translation in these cases.

7
Present passive vartmne kdanta karmai
participle prayoga (participle in the
present, passive construction)
Like the present active participle, this
expresses simultaneous activity, but in a
passive sense:
E.g., Being-remembered Rama went to
the forest; or simply, Remembered
Rama went to the forest.
8
VERB TENSES / KLA-S (times)

English Term Sanskrit Term Usage

Aorist adyatana-bhuta (of today Indicates an action that has recently
past) been completed.4
Pinis term: lu E.g., The horse spoke this morning.

Imperfect anadyatana-bhuta (not of Indicates an action that was not

today past) performed today and was witnessed by
Pinis term: la the speaker.4
E.g., The horse spoke a year ago.

Perfect (a.k.a. paroka-bhuta (beyond the Indicates an action that was not
distant past eye past) performed today and was not witnessed
tense) Pinis term: li by the speaker.4
E.g., He says that the horse spoke a
year ago; or He said that the horse
had spoken a year ago.

Periphrastic anadyatana-bhaviyat (not of Refers to an event in the distant future.

future (a.k.a. today future) It has a sense of certainty.
distant future) Pinis term: lu E.g., When I journey beneath the earth,
the horse will (certainly) speak.

Present vartamna (present) Used like the English present tense.

indicative Pinis term: la E.g., The horse speaks.

Simple future smnya-bhaviyat (general Refers to a future event that is

future) contiguous with present time. It has a
Pinis term: l sense of likelihood.
E.g., The horse will (likely) speak any
minute now.

4
In actual usage, the disctinction between the aorist, imperfect, and perfect is not generally maintained.

9
VERB VOICES / PADA-S (words; lit. steps)

English Term Sanskrit Term Usage

Active voice parasmaipada (word for Describes verbs of activity and verbs used
another with an object.

Middle voice tmanepada (word for the Generally describes reflexive verbs, but
self) this distinction is not stricttmanepada
verbs can take external objects, too.

Note: Some verbs always take the parasmaipada endings, some always take the tmanepada endings, and
somecalled ubhayapada verbscan occur in both forms. In the case of ubhayapada verbs, I simply
indicated which ending was taken in each particular occurrence.

10
VERB MOODS (a.k.a. MODES) / ARTHA-S (purposes, aims)

English Term Sanskrit Term Usage

Benedictive r (blessing, benediction; Used for uttering blessings or prayers.
prayer) E.g., May she slay the demon.
Pinis term: li

Conditional atipatti (going Used for hypotheses or situations

beyond)/saketa contrary to fact. It expresses a desire to
(condition) have done things differently in the past.
Pinis term: l E.g., If she had slain the demon, it
would not have arisen.

Imperative jna (order, command) Indicates that the verb is a command.

Pinis term: lo E.g., Slay the demon!

Injunctive This is a usage made of the In Vedic, the injunctive expresses

aorist (lu). intentions (I will slay the demon),
imperatives (Slay the demon!), and
wishes (Let her slay the demon). In
Classical Sanskrit, it functions as a
negative imperative, being used with
the prohibitive particle m.
E.g., Do not slay the demon!

Optative (a.k.a. vidhi (rule, injunction) The optative can be used for
potential) prescription (should, ought) or
(includes Pinis term: li5 possibilities (might, may).
benedictive) E.g., She ought to slay the demon;
She might slay the demon.

The benedictive (r li) is used for

uttering blessings or prayers.
E.g., May she slay the demon.

Subjunctive (prayer, wish, blessing) Used in older Sanskrit, the subjunctive

has a variety of functions including the
Pinis term: le requisition and the expression of
wishes.
E.g., I wish that she would slay the
demon; I request that she slay the
demon.

5
The benedictive and optative are both called li by Pini because they generally function in the same way.

11
SECONDARY CONJUGATIONS / DHTU VTTI-S (root modes)

English Term Sanskrit Term Usage

Causative ijanta (ending in ic) Indicates that someone is being caused to
do the action.

Denominative nmadhtu (noun-root) Derives verbs from nouns. Generally

means becomes X, acts like X, turns
(something else) into X, or treats as X.

Desiderative sannanta (ending in san) Indicates that someone desires to do the

action.

Intensive yaanta (ending in ya) Indicates that the action is repeated or

performed with intensity.

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COMPOUNDS / SAMSA-S (throwing togethers)
Term
avyaybhva (indeclinable
state)
bahuvrhi (much-rice)6
dvandva (pair)
tatpurua (his person)6:
vyadhikaraa (different
case) and karmadhraya
(action bearing)
6
The name of the compound is an example of it.
Usage
This functions as an adverb, with an indeclinable as the prior
member and a nominal stem as the latter.
E.g., every-day, with-anger, as-long-as-a-year.
This is an application of other compounds: The last member
loses its independence and the compound as a whole
qualifies some noun outside the compound, which is often
implicit.
E.g., I approached Much-Rice (i.e., I approached the man
who has much rice).
A list of nouns that would ordinarily be connected by and
or or.
E.g., mother-father (i.e., mother and father).
A compound in which the last member is qualified by the
prior members while remaining independent of them.
In a vyadhikaraa tatpurua compound, the prior member is
in a different case than the last when the compound is
dissolved: e.g., god-son (i.e., son of the god).
In the karmadhraya tatpurua compound, the members
are in the same case. Often, the former member(s)
describes the last (e.g., small-man), but it can also be
equated to it (e.g., king-man i.e., the man is the king).
13
1.1.1

tm v idameka evgra snnnyatkicana tm (m. nom. sing. tman; from an, at,
miat
The self, indeed, is this, one only, the first;
no other blinking one whatsoever was
present.
or v): the self.
v (ind.): or; as, like; just, even, indeed;
however.
idam (n. nom. sing. pron. idam): this.
eka (m. nom. sing. eka): one; alone, solitary,
single.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
agra (m. nom. sing. agra): foremost,
anterior, first, chief, best.
st (3rd sing. impf. P. as): was, existed, was
present.
na (ind.): not.
anyat (n. nom. sing. pron. anya): other,
another.
kicana: whatever, whatsoever, however.
kim (n. nom. sing. kim): what? how?
cana (ind.): makes preceding
interrogative indefinite.
miat (n. acc. sing. miat; pres. p. mi):
blinking (one).

sa kata loknnu sj iti sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it; that.
kata (3rd sing. impf. . k7): saw, beheld;
He thought, Now, let me send out the thought.
worlds. lokn (m. acc. pl. loka): the worlds.
nu (ind): now, still, just, indeed, surely.
sjai (1st sing. imperative P. sj): let me
release, let me cast, let me emit.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.

7
The augment has been omitted.

14
1.1.2
sa imlloknasjata
He sent out these worlds:
ambho marcrmarampodombha parea
diva dyau pratihntarika marcaya
pthiv maro y adhasttta pa
The celestial water, the specks of light,
death, the waters. There, the celestial
water; beyond, the sky. The sky, the
support; the intermediate space, the specks
of light; the earth, death; whatever is
casting up from below, the waters.
8
Alternately: ada (3rd sing. ipf. d): burst, split open; tore asunder, divided.
9
Therefore a possible literal rendering is seeing within or seeing between.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it; that.
imn (m. acc. pl. pron. idam): these.
lokn (m. acc. pl. loka): worlds, wide
spaces, places; countries.
asjata (3rd impf. P. sj): released, created,
cast, emitted.
ambha (n. acc. sing. ambhas): water, the
celestial water; power.
marc (f. acc. pl. marc): particles of light,
shining specks in the air; rays of light.
maram (mn. acc. mara): dying, death; the
world of death (i.e. the earth).
pa (f. nom. pl. ap): waters, airs,
intermediate regions.
ada (ind.): there.8
ambha (n. nom. sing. ambhas): water, the
celestial water; power.
parea (ind.): further, beyond, past.
divam (n. nom. sing. diva): heaven, sky; day.
dyaus (mfn. nom. sing. div): heaven, sky.
pratih (f. nom. sing. pratih): steadfast;
resting place, ground, base, foundation,
support; dwelling, house.
antarikam (n. nom. sing. antarika; possibly
from antar k9): the intermediate
space between heaven and earth, the
atmosphere, the sky, air.
marcaya (mf. nom. pl. marci): particles of
light, shining specks in the air; rays of
light.
pthiv (f. nom. sing. pthiv): the earth, the
world; land, ground, soil; lit. the
spacious or the broad.
mara (m. nom. sing. mara): dying, death; the
world of death.
y (f. nom. pl. relative pron. yad): who,
which, what; whichever, whatever.
adhastt (ind.): from below.
ta (n. nom. sing. tas): throwing, casting up.
pa (f. nom. pl. ap): waters, airs,
intermediate regions.
15
1.1.3
sa kateme nu lok lokaplnnu sj iti
He thought, These are now worlds. Now,
let me send out world-protectors.
sodbhya eva purua
samuddhtymurchayat
He, having raised up, indeed, Purusha from
the waters, expanded.
10
The augment has been omitted.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, that.
kata (3rd sing. impf. . k10): saw, beheld;
thought.
ime (m. nom. pl. pron. idam): these, these
here; present.
nu (ind.): now, still, just, at once; now then;
indeed, certainly.
lok (m. nom. pl. loka): the worlds, wide
spaces, places; countries.
lokapln (m. acc. pl. loka-pla, TP. comp.):
world-protectors.
loka (grammar not specified): the world,
of the world, etc.
pln (m. acc. pl. pla): guards,
protectors, keepers.
nu (ind.): now, still, just, at once; now then;
indeed, certainly.
sjai (1st sing. impv. P. sj): let me release, let
me cast, let me emit, let me create.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, that.
adbhya (f. dat./abl. pl. ap): for the waters;
from the waters.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
puruam (m. acc. sing. purua): man,
person; Purusha, the primeval being
who is the source of the universe.
samuddhtya (ger. sam ud h): having
completely drawn out; having
destroyed; having rescued; having raised
up.
amurchayat (3rd sing. impf. P. murch):
became solid, thickened, congealed,
expanded, increased, grew; filled,
pervaded, penetrated, spread over.
16
1.1.4
tamabhyatapattasybhitaptasya mukha
nirabhidyata yatha
mukhdvgvcognirnsike nirabhidyet
nsikbhy pra
prdvyuraki nirabhidyetmakibhy tasya (mn. gen. sing. pron. tad): of that, its.
cakucakua ditya karau abhitaptasya (mn. gen. sing. abhitapta; past
nirabhidyet karbhy rotra
rotrddiastvanirabhidyata tvaco lomni
lomabhya oadhivanaspatayo hdaya
nirabhidyata hdynmano
manasacandram nbhirnirabhidyata
nbhy apnopnnmtyu ina
nirabhidyata inadreto retasa pa
He scorched him. The mouth of the
scorched one split asunder like an egg: from
the mouth, speech; from speech, fire. The
nostrils split asunder: from the nostrils, life-
breath; from life-breath, wind. The eyes
split asunder: from the eyes, seeing; from
seeing, the sun. The ears split asunder: from
the ears, hearing; from hearing, the four
directions. The skin split asunder: from the
skin, body hair; from body hair, herbs and
trees. The heart split asunder: from the
heart, the mind; from the mind, the moon.
The navel split asunder: from the navel, the
down-breath; from the down-breath,
death. The penis split asunder: from the
penis, semen; from semen, waters.
tam (m. acc. sing. pron. tad): him.
abhyatapat (3rd sing. impf. abhi tap):
irradiated with heat, heated; pained,
distressed.
pass. p. abhi tap): of the scorched one,
of the burnt one.
mukham (n. nom. sing. mukha): the mouth,
the face.
nirabhidyata (3rd sing. impf. nir bhid): cleft,
split asunder, divided, opened, pierced,
hurt, destroyed; penetrated, discovered.
yath (ind.): that, as, as if, like, how.
aam (n. nom. sing. aa): egg, testicle,
scrotum.
mukht (n. abl. sing. mukha): from the
mouth, from the face.
vk (f. nom. sing. vc): speech, word.
vca (f. abl. sing. vc): from speech.
agni (m. nom. sing. agni; from ag): Agni.
nsike (f. nom. du. asika): nostrils.
nirabhidyetm (3rd du. impf. nir bhid): cleft
asunder, split asunder, divided, opened,
pierced, hurt, destroyed; penetrated,
discovered.
nsikbhym (mfn. abl. nsika): from the
nostrils.
pra (m. nom. sing. pra): life-breath,
vitality.
prt (m. abl. sing. pra): from life-breath,
vitality.
vyu (m. nom. sing. vyu; from v): wind,
Vayu.
aki (n. nom. du. aki): the eyes.
nirabhidyetm (3rd du. impf. nir bhid): cleft,
split asunder, divided, opened, pierced,
hurt, destroyed; penetrated, discovered.
akibhym (n. abl. du. aki): from the eyes.
caku (n. nom. sing. cakus; from cak):
eye, seeing.
cakua (n. abl. sing. cakus; from cak):
from the eye, from seeing.
17
 ditya (m. nom. sing. ditya): Surya, the
sun.11
karau (m. nom. du. kara): the ears.
nirabhidyetm (3rd du. impf. nir bhid): cleft,
split asunder, divided, opened, pierced,
hurt, destroyed; penetrated, discovered.
karbhym (m. abl. du. kara): from the
ears.
rotram (n. nom. sing. rotra; from ru):
hearing.
rotrt (n. abl. sing. rotra): from hearing.
dia (f. nom. pl. di): the quarters, the four
directions, the regions.
tvak (f. nom. sing. tvac): the skin.
nirabhidyata (3rd sing. impf. nir bhid): cleft,
split asunder, divided, opened, pierced,
hurt, destroyed; penetrated, discovered.
tvaca (f. abl. sing. tvac): from the skin.
lomni (n. nom. pl. loman): body hair.
lomabhya (n. abl. pl. loman): from the body
hair.
oadhivanaspataya (m. nom. pl. oadhi-
vanaspati): herbs and trees.
hdayam (n. nom. sing. hdaya): the heart,
the soul.
nirabhidyata (3rd sing. impf. nir bhid): cleft,
split asunder, divided, opened, pierced,
hurt, destroyed; penetrated, discovered.
hdyt (mn. abl. sing. hdya): from the heart,
from the soul.
mana (n. nom. sing. manas): mind.
manasa (n. abl. sing. manas): from the
mind.
candram (m. nom. sing. candramas): the
moon.
nbhi (mf. nom. sing. nbhi): the navel.
nirabhidyata (3rd sing. impf. nir bhid): cleft
asunder, split asunder, divided, opened,
pierced, hurt, destroyed; penetrated,
discovered.
nbhy (f. abl. sing. nbhi): from the navel.
apna (m. nom. sing. apna): that of the five
vital airs which goes downwards and out
at the anus.

11
ditya literally means coming from Aditi; i.e. a child of Aditi.

18
apnt (m. abl. sing. apna): from that of the
five vital airs which goes downwards and
out at the anus.
mtyu (mf. nom. sing. mtyu): death, dying.
inam (mn. nom. sing. ina): the penis; lit.
poss. the piercer.
nirabhidyata (3rd sing. impf. nir bhid): cleft
asunder, split asunder, divided, opened,
pierced, hurt, destroyed; penetrated,
discovered.
inat (mn. abl. sing. ina): from the penis.
reta (n. nom. sing. retas): flow, stream;
semen.
retasa (n. nom. sing. retas): from the flow,
stream; from the semen.
pa (f. nom. pl. ap): waters, airs,
intermediate regions.

19
1.2.1
t et devat s asminmahatyarave
prpatan
tamaanypipsbhymanvavrjat
Those divinities, sent out, fell upon this
great foaming sea. It was afflicted with
hunger and thirst.
t enamabruvannyatana na prajnhi
yasminpratihit annamadmeti
They said to him, Make known to us a
resting-place, in which, stationed, we may
eat food.
t (f. nom. pl. pron. tad): they, those.
et (f. nom. pl. pron. etad): these.
devat (f. nom. pl. devat): divinities.
s (f. nom. sing. s; past pass. p. sj): let
go, discharged, thrown; given up,
abandoned; brought forth, created.
asmin (m. loc. pron. idam): in/on this.
mahati (m. loc. sing. mahat): in/on the great,
large, important.
arave (m. loc. sing. arava): in/on the wave,
flood, foaming sea.
prpatan (3rd pl. impf. P. pra pat): flew away,
fell upon, fell from, lost.
tam (m. acc. sing. tad): it, that; him.
aanypipsbhym (f. ins. du. aany-
pips, DV. comp.): with/by hunger and
thirst.
aany (grammar not specified): hunger.
pipsbhym (f. du. ins. pips): with/by
thirst.
anvavrjat (3rd sing. impf. anvavrj; from anu
ava arj): caused to go after; afflicted
with.
t (f. nom. pl. pron. tad): they, those.
enam (m. acc. sing. pron. etad): him.
abruvan (3rd pl. impf. bru): spoke, said, told.
yatanam (n. acc. sing. yatana): resting-
place, support, seat, home.
na (acc./dat./abl. pl. asmad): us, for us, from
us.
prajnhi (2nd sing. impv. pra jn): know,
understand, distinguish, find out, discover,
show, point out.
yasmin (mn. loc. sing. pron. yad): in which, in
whom.
pratihit (mf. nom. pl. pratihit; past
pass. p. prati sth): stationed, placed,
situated in, abiding in, fixed, rooted,
founded, established.
annam (n. nom. sing. anna; past pass. p. ad):
food; lit. the eaten.
adma (1st pl. impv. P. ad): let us eat.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
20
1.2.2
tbhyo gmnayatt abruvanna vai
noyamalamiti
For them an ox was fetched. They said,
Verily, for us this is not enough.
tbhyovamnayatt abruvanna vai
noyamalamiti
For them a horse was fetched. They said,
Verily, for us this is not enough.
tbhya (f. dat./abl. pl. pron. tad): for them,
from them.
gm (m. acc. sing. go): an ox.
nayat (3rd sing impf. n; from n): led
towards, brought, carried to, fetched.
t (f. nom. pl. pron. tad): they, them.
abruvan (3rd pl. impf. bru): spoke, said, told.
na (ind.): no, not, nor, neither.
vai (ind.): a particle of emphasis.
na (acc./dat./gen. pl. asmad): us, to us; for
us; of us, our.
ayam (m. nom. sing. idam): this.
alam (ind.): enough, sufficient, adequate.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
tbhya (f. dat./abl. pl. pron. tad): for them,
from them.
avam (m. acc. sing. ava): horse, stallion.
nayat (3rd sing impf. n; from n): led
towards, brought, carried to, fetched.
t (f. nom. pl. pron. tad): they, them.
abruvan (3rd pl. impf. bru): spoke, said, told.
na (ind.): no, not, nor, neither.
vai (ind.): a particle of emphasis.
na (acc./dat./gen. pl. asmad): us, to us; for
us; of us, our.
ayam (m. nom. sing. idam): this.
alam (ind.): enough, sufficient, adequate.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
21
1.2.3
tbhya puruamnayatt abruvan sukta
bateti puruo vva suktam
For them a person was fetched. They said,
Well-done! Oh! A person, indeed, is well-
done.
t abravtyathyatana praviateti
They said, Each into your own abode,
enter!
tbhya (f. dat./abl. pl. pron. tad): for them,
from them.
puruam (m. acc. sing. purua): man,
person; Purusha, the primeval being
who is the source of the universe.
nayat (3rd sing impf. n): led towards,
brought, carried to, fetched.
t (f. nom. pl. pron. tad): they.
abruvan (3rd pl. impf. bru): spoke, said, told.
suktam (n nom. sing. sukta; past pass. p. su
kt): doing good, benevolent, virtuous;
fortunate; skilful; lit. well-made, well-
done.
bata (ind.): oh! alas!
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
purua (m. nom. sing. purua): man, person;
Purusha, the primeval being who is
the source of the universe.
vva (ind.): just, indeed, even.
suktam (n. nom. sing. sukta; past pass. p. su
kt): doing good, benevolent, virtuous;
fortunate; skilful; lit. well-made, well-
done.
t (f. nom. pl. pron. tad): they.
abravt (3rd sing. impf. br): spoke, said, told.
yathyatanam (ind.): each in its own place or
abode.
praviata (2nd pl. impv. P. pra vi): enter!
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
22
1.2.4

agnirvgbhutv mukha prviadvyu agni (m. nom. sing. agni; from ag): Agni.
pro bhutv nsike vk (f. nom. sing. vc; from vac): speech,
prviaddityacakurbhutvki word.
prviaddia rotra bhutv karau bhutv (ger. bhu): having become.
prviannoadhivanaspatayo lomni bhutv mukham (mn. acc. mukha): the mouth, face.
tvacaprviacandram mano bhutv prviat (3rd sing. impv. prvi; from pra vi
hdaya prvianmtyurapno bhutv or pra vi): came to, resorted to;
nbhi prviadpo reto bhutv ina entered into.
prvian vyu (m. nom. sing. vyu; from v): wind,
Vayu.
Fire, having become speech, entered the pra (m. nom. sing. pra): life-breath,
mouth. Wind, having become life-breath, vitality.
entered the nostrils. The sun, having bhutv (ger. bhu): having become.
become seeing, entered the eye. The four nsike (f. acc. du. nsik): nostrils.
directions, having become hearing, entered prviat (3rd sing. impv. prvi; from pra vi
the ears. The herbs and trees, having or pra vi): came to, resorted to;
become body hair, entered the skin. The entered into.
moon, having become the mind, entered ditya (m. nom. sing. ditya): the sun, Surya.
the heart. Death, having become the down- caku (n. acc. sing. cakus; from cak): eye,
breath, entered the navel. Water, having seeing.
become semen, entered the penis. bhutv (ger. bhu): having become.
aki (n. acc. du. aki): the eye.
prviat (3rd sing. impv. prvi; from pra vi
or pra vi): came to, resorted to;
entered into.
dia (f. nom. pl. di): the quarters, the four
directions, the regions.
rotram (n. nom. sing. rotra; from ru):
hearing.
bhutv (ger. bhu): having become.
karau (m. acc. du. kara): the ears.
prvian (3rd pl. impv. prvi; from pra vi or
pra vi): came to, resorted to;
entered into.
oadhivanaspataya (m. nom. pl. oadhi-
vanaspati): herbs and trees.
lomni (n. nom. pl. loman): body hair.
bhutv (ger. bhu): having become.
tvacam (f. acc. sing. tvac; from tvac): skin,
hide; lit. covering.
prvian (3rd pl. impv. prvi; from pra vi or
pra vi): came to, resorted to;
entered into.
candram (m. nom. sing. candramas): the
moon.
mana (n. nom. sing. manas): mind.

23
bhutv (ger. bhu): having become.
hdayam (n. acc. sing hdaya): the heart, the
soul.
prviat (3rd sing. impv. prvi; from pra vi
or pra vi): came to, resorted to;
entered into.
mtyu (mf. nom. sing. mtyu; from m):
death, dying.
apna (m. nom. sing. apna): from that of
the five vital airs which goes downwards
and out at the anus.
bhutv (ger. bhu): having become.
nbhim (mf. acc. sing. nbhi; from nabh):
the navel.
prviat (3rd sing. impv. prvi; from pra vi
or pra vi): came to, resorted to;
entered into.
pa (f. nom. pl. ap): waters, airs,
intermediate regions.
reta (n. nom. sing. retas): flow, stream,
current; seminal fluid, sperm.
bhutv (ger. bhu): having become.
inam (n. nom. sing. ina): the penis.
prvian (3rd pl. impv. prvi; from pra vi or
pra vi): came to, resorted to;
entered into.

24
1.2.5
tamaanypipse
abrutmvbhymabhiprajnhti te aanypipsbhym (f. nom. du. aany-
abravdetsveta v
devatsvbhajmyetsu bhginyau karomti
To him, hunger and thirst said, For us, also
forth-know. To them, he said, Go into
these. To you, divinity not your own I
apportion. In these, I make fortunate ones.
tasmdyasyai kasyai ca devatyai
havirghyate
bhginyvevsymaanypipse bhavata whatever.
Therefore for whatever divinity an oblation
is seized, co-heiresses, indeed, in this
hunger and thirst become.
tam (m. acc. sing. tad): him.
pips, DV. comp.): hunger and thirst.
aany (grammar not specified): desire
of eating or consuming, hunger.
pipsbhym (f. nom. du. pips): thirst.
abrutm (3rd du. impf. bru): they spoke, said.
vbhym (ins./dat./abl. du. pron. asmad): by
us, with us; for us; from us.
api (ind.): and, also, moreover, besides.
prajnhi (2nd sing. impv. pra jn): know,
understand; find out, discover; lit. forth-
know.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
te (f. acc. du. tad): them, to them.
abravt (3rd sing. impf. bru): spoke, said, told.
etsu (f. loc. pl. pron. etad): in these, into
these.
eta (2nd pl. impv. e; from i): come
towards! go near!
vm (acc./dat./gen. du. yumad): you, for
you, of you, your.
devat (f. nom. sing. devat): godhead,
divinity; idol.
asv (f. nom. sing. a sv): not ones own, not
your own, not their own.
bhajmi (1st sing. pres. indic. P. bhaj): I
divide, I distribute, I allot, I apportion.
etsu (f. loc. pl. pron. etad): in these.
bhaginyau (f. nom./acc. du. bhagin):
prosperous, happy, fortunate, perfect,
splended, glorious (ones).
karomi (1st sing. pres. indic. P. k): (I) do,
make, perform.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
tasmt (ind.): therefore.
yasyai kasyai ca (expression in dat. sing.): for
devatyai (f. dat. sing. devat): for the
godhead, divinity; for the idol.
havi (n. nom. sing. havis): an oblation or
burnt offering.
25
ghyate (3rd sing. pres. pass. P. grah): is
seized, is taken, is caught, is received.
bhginyau (f. nom./acc. du. bhgin): co-
heiresses, entitled ones.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
asym (f. loc. sing. pron. idam): in this.
aanypipse (f. nom. du. aany-pipse,
DV. comp.): hunger-and-thirst
aany (grammar not specified; or f.
nom. sing.): hunger.
pipse (f. nom. du.): thirst.
bhavata (3rd du. pres. indic. P. bhu): are,
become.

26
1.3.1

sa kateme nu lokca
lokaplcnnamebhya sj iti kata (3rd sing. impf. . k12): saw, beheld;
He thought, Now then, these worlds and
world-protectors and food: from these, let
me send out.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it; that.
thought.
ime (m. nom. pl. pron. idam): these, these
here; present.
nu (ind.): now, still, just, at once; now then;
indeed, certainly, surely.
lok (m. nom. pl. loka): the worlds, wide
spaces, places; countries.
ca (ind.): and.
lokapl (m. nom. pl. loka-pla, TP. comp.):
world-protectors.
loka (grammar not specified): the world,
from the world, in the world, of the
world, etc.
pl (m. nom. pl. pla): guards,
protectors, keepers.
ca (ind.): and.
annam (n. nom. sing. anna; past pass. p. ad):
food; lit. the eaten.
ebhya (mn. dat./abl. pl. idam): for these,
from these.
sji (1st sing. impv. sj): let me release, let
me cast, let me emit, let me create.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.

12
The augment has been omitted.

27
1.3.2
sopobhyatapattbhyobhitaptbhyo
murtirajyata
It heated the waters; from those scorched
ones, a solid body was born.
y vai s murtirajyatnna vai tat yh (f. nom. sing. pron. yad): who, which.
That which, verily, was born as a solid body
was food.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it; that.
pa (f. nom. pl. ap): waters, airs,
intermediate regions.
abhyatapat (3rd sing. impf. abhi tap): heated;
pained.
tbhya (f. dat./abl pl. pron. tad): for them;
from them.
abhitaptbhya (f. dat./abl. pl. abhi tapta):
for the scorched, burnt; from the
scorched, burnt.
murti (f. nom. sing. murti): solid body,
material form, embodiment,
manifestation, form, appearance.
ajyata (3rd sing. impf. jan): was born.
vai (ind.): a particle of emphasis.
s: (f. nom. sing. pron. tad): she, that.
murti (f. nom. sing. murti): solid body,
material form, embodiment,
manifestation, form, appearance.
ajyata (3rd sing. impf. jan): was born.
annam (n. nom. sing. anna): food.
tat (n. nom. pron. tad): it, that.
28
1.3.3
tadenatsa
partyajighsattadvcjidhkat enat (n. acc. sing. pron. idam): this.
tannaknodvc grahtum
This, sent out in the presence of the
beyond, he wished to strike. He wished to
grasp it with speech; he was not able to
grasp it with speech.
sa yadhainadvcgrahaiyadabhivyhtya
haivnnamatrapsyat
Had he, indeed, grasped this with speech,
having only spoken of food, indeed, he
would have been satisfied.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
sam (n. nom./acc. sing. sa; past pass. p.
sj): released, cast, emitted, created.
parti (ind.): in the presence of the beyond.
para (grammar not specified): far,
distant remote, beyond.
anti (ind.): before, in the presence of,
near; within the proximity of, to.
ajighsat (3rd sing. past. desiderative P.
han): wished to strike, smite, slay; to
go, move; to touch, destroy.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
vc (f. ins. sing. vc): with/by speech,
language, sound, a word.
ajighkat (3rd sing. past. desiderative P.
grah): wished to seize, grasp.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
na (ind.): not.
aaknot (3rd sing. impf. ak): was strong,
powerful; was able, capable, competent.
vc (f. ins. sing. vc): with/by speech,
language, sound, a word.
grahtum (infinitive grah): to seize, grasp.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
yat (n. acc. sing. pron. yad): which, whichever,
what, whatever.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
enat (n. acc. sing. idam): this, here.
vc (f. ins. sing. vc): with/by speech,
language, sound, a word.
agrahaiyat (3rd sing. cond. P. grah): had he
grasped.
abhivyhtya (m. nom. sing. abhivyhtya;
ger. abhi vi h): having spoken; to be
said; lit. having carried over.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
annam (n. acc. sing. anna): food.
atrapsyat (3rd sing. cond. P. tp): would have
satisfied, would have been satisfied.
29
1.3.4
tatprenjighkat tannaknotprena tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
grahtu sa
yaddhainatprengrahaiyadabhiprya
haivnnamatrapsyat
He wished to grasp it with life-breath; he
was not able to grasp it with life-breath.
Had he, indeed, grasped it with life-breath,
having only inhaled food, indeed, he would
have been satisfied.
prena (mn. ins. sing. pra): with/by the
life-breath.
ajighkat (3rd sing. past. desiderative P.
grah): wished to seize, grasp.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
na (ind.): not.
aaknot (3rd sing. impf. P. ak): was strong,
powerful; was able, capable, competent.
prena (mn. ins. sing. pra): with/by the
life-breath.
grahtum (infinitive grah): to seize, grasp.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
yat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. yad): which,
which, what, whatever.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
enat (n. acc. sing. pron. idam): this, here.
prena (mn. ins. sing. pra): with/by the
life-breath.
agrahaiyat (3rd sing. cond. P. grah): had he
grasped.
abhiprya (ger. abhi pr): having
breathed, having inhaled.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
annam (n. acc. sing. anna): food.
atrapsyat (3rd sing. cond. P. tp): would have
satisfied, would have been satisfied.
30
1.3.5
taccakujighkat tannaknoccaku tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
grahtum sa
yaddhainaccakugrahaiyaddv ajighkat (3rd sing. past. desiderative P.
haivnnamatrapsyat
He wished to grasp it with the eye; he was
not able to grasp it with the eye. Had he,
indeed, grasped it with the eye, having seen
food, verily, he would have been satisfied.
caku (m. ins. sing. cakus): seeing.
grah): wished to seize, grasp.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
na (ind.): not.
aaknot (3rd sing. impf. P. ak): was strong,
powerful; was able, capable, competent.
caku (m. ins. sing. cakus): seeing.
grahtum (infinitive grah): to seize, grasp.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
yat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. yad): which,
which, what, whatever.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
enat (n. acc. sing. pron. idam): this, here.
caku (m. ins. sing. cakus): with/by seeing.
agrahaiyat (3rd sing. cond. P. grah): had he
grasped.
dv (ger. d): having seen.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
annam (n. acc sing. anna): food.
atrapsyat (3rd sing. cond. P. tp): would have
satisfied, would have been satisfied.
31
1.3.6
tacchrotrejighkat tannaknocchrotrea tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
grahtu sa
yaddhainacchrotregrahaiyacchrutv
haivnnamatrapsyat
He wished to grasp it with the ear; he was
not able to grasp it with the ear. Had he,
indeed, grasped it with the hear, having
heard food, verily, he would have been
satisfied.
rotrea (n. ins. sing. rotra): with/by the ear,
hearing.
ajighkat (3rd sing. past. desiderative P.
grah): wished to seize, grasp.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
na (ind.): not.
aaknot (3rd sing. impf. P. ak): was strong,
powerful; was able, capable, competent.
rotrea (n. ins. sing. rotra): with/by the ear,
hearing.
grahtum (infinitive grah): to seize, grasp.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
yat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. yad): which,
which, what, whatever.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
enat (n. acc. sing. pron. idam): this, here.
rotrea (n. ins. sing. rotra): with/by the ear,
hearing.
agrahaiyat (3rd sing. cond. P. grah): had he
grasped.
rutv (ger. ru): having heard.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
annam (n. acc. sing. anna): food.
atrapsyat (3rd sing. cond. P. tp): would have
satisfied, would have been satisfied.
32
1.3.7

tattvacjighkat tannaknottvac tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
grahtu sa yaddhainattvacgrahaiyat tvac (f. ins. sing. tvac): with/by skin.
spv haivnnamatrapsyat ajighkat (3rd sing. past. desiderative P.
grah): wished to seize, grasp.
He wished to grasp it with the skin; he was tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
not able to grasp it with the skin. na (ind.): not.
Had he, indeed, grasped it with the skin, aaknot (3rd sing. impf. P. ak): was strong,
having touched food, verily, he would have powerful; was able, capable, competent.
been satisfied. tvac (f. ins. sing. tvac): with/by skin.
grahtum (infinitive grah): to seize, grasp.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
yat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. yad): which,
which, what, whatever.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
enat (n. acc. sing. pron. idam): this, here.
tvac (f. ins. sing. tvac): with/by skin.
agrahaiyat (3rd sing. cond. P. grah): had he
grasped.
spv (ger. sp): having touched, felt.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
annam (n. acc. sing. anna): food.
atrapsyat (3rd sing. cond. P. tp): would have
satisfied, would have been satisfied.

33
1.3.8
tanmanasjighkat tannaknonmanas tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
grahtu sa
yaddhainanmanasgrahaiyaddhytv
haivnnamatrapsyat
He wished to grasp it with the mind; he was
not able to grasp it with the mind. Had he,
indeed, grasped it with the mind, having
thought of food, verily, he would have been
satisfied.
manas (n. ins. sing. manas): with/by the
mind.
ajighkat (3rd sing. past. desiderative P.
grah): wished to seize, grasp.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
na (ind.): not.
aaknot (3rd sing. impf. P. ak): was strong,
powerful; was able, capable, competent.
manas (n. ins. sing. manas): with/by the
mind.
grahtum (infinitive grah): to seize, grasp.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
yat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. yad): which,
which, what, whatever.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
enat (n. acc. sing. pron. idam): this, here.
manas (n. ins. sing. manas): with/by the
mind.
agrahaiyat (3rd sing. cond. P. grah): had he
grasped.
dhytv (ger. dhyai): having thought of,
having imagined, having called to mind,
having meditated on.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
annam (n. acc. sing. anna): food.
atrapsyat (3rd sing. cond. P. tp): would have
satisfied, would have been satisfied.
34
1.3.9
tacchinenjighkat tannaknocchinena tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
grahtu sa
yaddhainacchinengrahaiyadvisjya ajighkat (3rd sing. past. desiderative P.
haivnnamatrapsyat
He wished to grasp it with the penis; he was
not able to grasp it with the penis. Had he,
indeed, grasped it with the penis, having
shot out food, verily, he would have been
satisfied.
inena (mn. ins. sing. ina): the penis.
grah): wished to seize, grasp.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
na (ind.): not.
aaknot (3rd sing. impf. P. ak): was strong,
powerful; was able, capable, competent.
inena (mn. ins. sing. ina): the penis.
grahtum (infinitive grah): to seize, grasp.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
yat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. yad): which,
which, what, whatever.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
enat (n. acc. sing. pron. idam): this, here.
inena (mn. ins. sing. ina): the penis.
agrahaiyat (3rd sing. cond. P. grah): had he
grasped.
visjya (ger. vi sj): having released, cast,
shot, hurled, emitted.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
annam (n. acc. sing. anna): food.
atrapsyat (3rd sing. cond. P. tp): would have
satisfied, would have been satisfied.
35
1.3.10
tadapnenjighkat tadvayat saionnasya
graho yadvyurannyurv ea yadvyu
He wished to grasp it with the down-
breath. He devoured, having this, foods
grasper, which is wind. Desirous of food,
indeed, is this, which is wind.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
apnena (mn. ins. sing. apna): with/by the
down-breath.
ajighkat (3rd sing. past. desiderative P.
grah): wished to seize, grasp.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
vayat (3rd sing. impf. P. av): caused to drive,
impel; caused to lead, bring to; caused to
guard, defend; caused to accept, be
pleased with; consumed, devoured.
sa (ind.): with, having; expresses conjunction
or possession.
ea (m. nom. sing. etad): this, here.
annasya (mn. gen. sing. anna): of food,
foods.
graha (m. nom. sing. graha; noun from
grah): seizing, laying hold of, holding,
grasping; seizer, grasper.
yat (m. nom. sing. relative pron. yad): which,
what, whatever.
vyu (m. nom. sing. vyu; from v): wind,
Vayu.
annyu (m. nom. sing. annyu): living by
food, desirious of food.
v (ind.): or; as, like; just, even, indeed;
however.
ea (m. nom. sing. pron. etad): this.
yat (m. nom. sing. relative pron. yad): which,
what, whatever.
vyu (m. nom. sing. vyu; from v): wind,
Vayu.
36
1.3.11
sa kata katha nvida madte syditi sa
kata katarea prapady iti
He thought, How, except from me, could
this be? He thought, By which one may I
enter?
sa kata yadi vcbhivyhta yadi
prenbhiprita yadi caku da kata (3rd sing. impf. . k): saw, beheld;
yadi rotrea ruta yadi tvac spa yadi
manas dhyta yadyapnenbhyapnita
yadi inena visamatha kohamiti
He thought, If by speech, spoken; if by life-
breath, animated; if by seeing, beheld; if by
the ear, heard; if by the skin, felt; if by the
mind, thought of; if by the down-breath,
breathed downwards; if by the penis, shot
out as a descendant am I.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it; that.
kata (3rd sing. impf. . k): saw, beheld;
thought.
katham (ind.): how? in what manner?
whence?
nu (ind): now, still, just, indeed, surely.
idam (n. nom. sing. pron. idam): this, here.
mat (abl. sing. pron. asmad): from me.
te (ind.): excepting, besides, without, unless.
syt (3rd sing. opt. P. as): could/should/may
be.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it; that.
kata (3rd sing. impf. . k): saw, beheld;
thought.
katarea (mn. ins. sing. katara): by/with
whom/which?
prapadyai (1st sing impv. pra pad): let me
fall, let me resort to, let me enter, let me
attack.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it; that.
thought.
yadi (ind.): if, in case that.
vc (f. ins. sing. vc): by/with speech.
abhivyhtam (n. nom. sing. abhi vyhta;
past pass. p. abhi h): pronounced,
spoken; lit. brought near, carried off,
carried over.
yadi (ind.): if, in case that.
prena (mn. ins. sing. pra): with/by life-
breath.
abhipritam (n. nom. sing. abhiprita; past
pass. p. abhi pra a i): kept alive,
animated.
yadi (ind.): if, in case that.
caku (m. ins. sing. cakus): with/by seeing.
da (n. nom. sing. da; past pass. p.
d): seen, looked at, beheld; visible.
yadi (ind.): if, in case that.
rotrea (n. ins. sing. rotra): with/by hearing,
the ear.
37
rutam (n. nom. sing. ruta; past pass. p.
ru): heard.
yadi (ind.): if, in case that.
tvac (f. ins. sing. tvac): with/by the skin; lit.
the covering.
spam (n. nom. sing. spa): touched, felt.
yadi (ind.): if, in case that.
manas (n. ins. sing. manas): with/by the
mind.
dhytam (n. nom. sing. dhyta; past pass. p.
dh): thought of, meditated on.
yadi (ind.): if, in case that.
apnena (mn. ins. sing. apna): with/by the
down-breath.
abhyapnitam (n. nom. sing. abhyapnita;
past pass. p. abhi apa an): breathed
downwards.
yadi (ind.): if, in case that.
inena (mn. ins. sing. ina): the penis.
visamathaka (m. nom. sing. visa-
mathaka, TP. comp.): a shot-out
descendant.
visa (grammar not specified; past
pass. p. vi sj): released, cast, shot,
hurled, emitted, dispatched.
mathaka (m. nom. sing. mathaka): of a
man, coming from a man, a
descendant.
aham (nom. sing. pron. mad): I.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.

38
1.3.12
sa etameva smna vidryaitay dvr
prpadyata
Rending asunder, indeed, this suture of the
skull, by that door he entered.
sai vidtirnma dvstadetannndanam
This is named skin asunder. This door is
delight.
tasya traya vasathstraya svapn
ayamvasathoyamvasathoyamvasatha
iti
His abodes are in the threefold; threefold is
sleep. This is the abode, this is the abode,
this is the abode.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it; that.
etam (m. acc. sing. pron. etad): this, here.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
smnam (m. acc. sing. sman; from s): a
parting of the hair, a suture of the skull.
vidryai (f. dat. sing. vi dr): tearing or
rending asunder, cutting, splitting.
tay (f. ins. sing. pron. tad): with/by her, it,
that.
dvr (f. ins. sing. dvr): with/by the gate,
door.
prpadyata (3rd sing. impf. . pra pad): fell,
dropped down from; entered.
s (f. nom. sing. tad): she, it.
e (f. nom. sing. etad): this, here.
vidti (f. nom. sing. vi dti): a suture in the
skull; more lit. asunder skin.
nma (ind.): named, called.
dv (n. nom. sing. dvr): door.
tat (n. nom. sing. pron. tad): that, it.
etat (n. nom. sing. pron. etad): this, it.
nndanam (n. nom. sing. nndana; from
nand): a pleasure garden, paradise;
delight, joy, gladness.
tasya (mn. gen. sing. pron. tad): of it, its, of
that, he, his.
traye (m. loc. sing. traya): in the triple,
threefold.
vasath (m. nom. pl. vasatha): dwelling-
places, abodes.
traya (m. nom. sing. traya): the triple, the
threefold.
svapn (m. nom. pl. svapna): sleep, dreams.
ayam (m. nom. sing. pron. idam): this.
vasath (m. nom. sing. vasatha):
dwelling-place, abode.
ayam (m. nom. sing. pron. idam): this.
vasath (m. nom. sing. vasatha):
dwelling-place, abode.
ayam (m. nom. sing. pron. idam): this.
vasath (m. nom. sing. vasatha):
dwelling-place, abode.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
39
1.3.13

sa jto bhutnyabhivyaikhyatkimihnya
vvadiaditi
He looked upon the arisen beings: What
here wished to speak of another?13
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
jta (m. nom. sing. jta; from jan): born,
grown, produced, arisen, caused,
appeared.
bhutni (n. nom./acc. pl. bhuta; past pass. p.
bhu): become, been (ones); existing,
present (ones); beings; the world.
abhivyaikhyat, read as abhivyaikat14 (3rd sing.
impf. P. abhivk; from abhi vi k):
looked at, viewed, perceived.
kim (n. nom./acc. sing. kim): what?
iha (ind.): here.
anyam (n. nom./acc. sing. anya): other,
another.
vvadiat (3rd sing. impf. desiderative P.
vad): wished to speak, utter, tell.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.

sa etameva purua brahma sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
tatamamapayat etam (m. acc. sing. pron. etad): this, here.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
He beheld, indeed, that this person was puruam (m. acc. sing. purua): man,
that very Brahman. person; Purusha, the primeval being
who is the source of the universe.
brahma (n. nom./acc. sing. brahman):
worship, prayer; the sacred word, a
sacred text; Brahman, the universal soul;
lit. growth, expansion.
tatamam (m. acc. sing. pron. tatama): that
one, such a one, just that.
apayat (3rd sing. impf. d): saw, beheld.

idamadaramiti idam (n. nom. sing. pron. idam): this, here.

adaram (1st sing. impf. . d): I saw,
This I beheld. beheld.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.

13
Anyam could also be taken to be nominative: What other here wished to speak?
14
Khy and k are frequently confounded in the Upaniads.

40
1.3.14
tasmdidandro nmedandro ha vai nma
Therefore, This-Seeing he is named. This-
Seeing, indeed, he is named.
tamidandra santamidra itycakate
parokea
That This-Seeing is the son of Truth,
Indra, they declare mysteriously.
parokapriy iva hi dev parokapriy iva hi
dev
For delighted by the mysterious, as it were,
are the deities; for delighted by the
mysterious, as it were, are the deities.
15
Literally, coming from being.
tasmt (mn. abl. sing. pron. tad): from that;
therefore.
idandra (m. nom. sing. idandra; from idam
d): This-Seeing.
nma (ind.): named, called.
idandra (m. nom. sing. idandra): This-Seeing.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
vai (ind.): a particle of emphasis.
nma (ind.): named, called.
tam (mn. acc. or neuter nom sing. pron. tad):
it, him; It, that.
idandra (m. acc. sing. idandra): This-seeing.
santam (m. acc. sing. santa): son of Satya15,
truth.
indra (m. nom. sing. indra): Indra.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
cakate (3rd pl. pres. indic. . cak): (they)
look at, inspect; tell, declare, make
known; call, name.
parokea (mn. ins. sing. paroka): with
mystery; lit. with the beyond-the-eye.
parokapriy (f. nom. pl. paroka-priya; TP.
comp.): delighted by the mysterious.
paroka (grammar not specified): lit.
beyond the eye; invisible,
unknown.
priy (f. nom. pl. pr): delighted.
iva (ind.): like, in the same manner as; as it
were, as if; so, just so; indeed.
hi (ind.): for.
dev (mf. nom. pl. deva): the deities, the
gods.
parokapriy (f. nom. pl. paroka-priya; TP.
comp.): delighted by the mysterious.
paroka (grammar not specified): lit.
beyond the eye; invisible,
unknown.
priy (f. nom. pl. pr): delighted.
iva (ind.): like, in the same manner as; as it
were, as if; so, just so; indeed.
41
hi (ind.): for.
dev (mf. nom. pl. deva): the deities, the
gods.

42
2.1.1
purue ha v ayamdito garbho bhavati
In a person, indeed, at first, this, the
embryo, arises.
yadetadreta
tadetatsarvebhyogebhyasteja
sabhutamtmanyevtmna bibharti
tadyad striy sincatyathainajjanayati
tadasya prathama janma
That which is this, semen, is brilliance come
together from all the limbs. In the self,
indeed, one bears a self. When one
discharges it into a woman, then one
generates this. It is his first birth.
purue (m. loc. sing. purua): in man, in a
person; in Purusha, the primeval being
who is the source of the universe.
ha (ind.): indeed, assuredly, verily.
v (ind.): or; as, like; just, even, indeed;
however.
ayam (m. nom. sing. pron. idam): this.
ditas (ind.): from the beginning, at first.
garbha (m. nom. sing. garbha): the womb;
the inside, middle, interior; embryo.
bhavati (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. bhu): is,
becomes, arises.
yat (n. nom. sing. relative pron. yad): which,
what, that.
etat (n. nom. sing. pron. etad): this, it.
reta (n. nom. sing. retas): flow, stream;
semen.
tat (n. nom. sing. pron. tad): that, it.
etat (n. nom. sing. pron. etad): this, it.
sarvebhya (m. dat./abl. pl. sarva): for/from
all.
agebhya (m. dat./abl. pl. aga): for/from
limbs.
teja (n. nom. sing. tejas): the sharp edge, the
point or top of a flame, glow, glare,
splendour, brilliance.
sambhutam (n. nom. sing. sambhuta; past
pass. p. sam bhu): come together,
united, combined; become, born.
tmani (m. loc. sing. tman; from an, at, or
v): in the self.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
tmnam (m. acc. sing. tman): the self.
bibharti (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. bh): bears,
carries, holds.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
yad (ind.): when, whenever.
striym (f. loc. sing. str): in a woman.
sincati (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. sic): pours out,
discharges, emits, sheds.
atha (ind.): now, then, moreover.
enat (n. acc. sing. pron. idam): this, here.
janayati (3rd sing. pres. causative P. jan):
generates, begets, produces, creates,
births; is born, is produced.
43
tat (n. nom. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
asya (mn. gen. sing. pron. idam): of this, its,
his.
prathamam (n. nom. sing. prathama): first,
foremost.
janma (n. nom. sing. janman): birth,
production, origin; life.

44
2.1.2
tatstriy tmabhuya gacchati yath
svamaga tath
tasmden na hinasti
It goes from the woman to self-being,16 as if
its own limb; therefore, it harms her not.
ssyaitamtmnamatra gata bhvayati
Its self, in this manner gone, she makes be.
16
tmabhuyam could also be nominative, rendering: That self-being goes from the woman
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
striy (f. abl./gen. sing. str): from/of the
woman.
tmabhuyam (n. nom./acc. sing. tmabhuya):
peculiarity, own nature; lit. self-being
or self-becoming.
gacchati (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. gam): goes.
yath (ind.): that, as, as if, like, how.
svam (n. nom./acc. sing. sva):
my/your/his/her/our/their/its own.
agam (n. nom./acc. aga): limb.
tath (ind.): in that manner, so, thus.
tasmt (mn. abl. sing. pron. tad): from that;
therefore.
enm (f. acc. sing. pron. idam): this, her.
na (ind.): no, not.
hinasti (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. his): injures,
harms, kills, slays.
s (f. nom. sing. pron. tad): she, that.
asya (mn. gen. sing. pron. idam): of him, his,
its.
etam (mn. acc. sing. pron. etad): this, it, him.
tmnam (m. acc. sing. tman): the self.
atra (ind.): in this manner, in this respect, in
this place, at this time, there, then.
gatam (m. acc. sing. gata; past pass. p.
gam): gone, come.
bhvayati (3rd sing. pres. causative P. bhu):
causes to be/become/arise.
45
2.1.3

s bhvayitr bhvayitavy bhavati
She, making be, becomes the to-be-made-
be.
s (f. nom. sing. pron. tad): she, that.
bhvayitr (f. nom. sing. bhvayitr; from
bhu): causing to be, cherishing,
protecting.
bhvayitavy (f. nom. sing. bhvayitavy;
causative fut. pass. p. bhu): to be
caused to be, to be cherished, to be
protected.
bhavati (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. bhu): is,
becomes, arises.

ta str garbha bibharti tam (m. acc. sing. pron. tad): it, him, that.
str (f. nom. sing. str): woman.
The woman bears that embryo. garbham (m. acc. sing. garbha): the womb;
the inside, middle, interior; embryo.
bibharti (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. bh): bears,
carries, holds.

sogra eva kumra sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
janmanogredhibhvayati agre (ind.): in front, ahead of, in the
beginning, first; subsequently, further
He, subsequently, indeed, makes be the on; before.
child, from birth onwards.17 eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
kumram (mn. acc. sing. kumra): child, boy.
janmana (n. abl./gen. sing. janman): from
birth, of birth.
agre (ind.): in front, ahead of, in the
beginning, first; subsequently, further
on; before.
adhi (ind.): from, after, on, at.
bhvayati (3rd sing. causative P. adhi bhu):
causes to be.

sa yatkumra sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.

janmanogredhibhvayatytmnameva
tadbhvayatye lokn santaty
The child, which he makes be from birth
onwards, it, indeed, makes be the self by
extending these worlds.
yat (mn. nom./acc. sing. pron. yad): who,
which, whichever, what, whatever.
kumram (n. nom./acc. sing. kumra): child,
boy.
janmana (n. abl./gen. sing. janman): from
birth, of birth.
agre (ind.): in front, ahead of, in the
beginning, first; subsequently, further
on; before.

17
This verse is particularly vague due to agres diverse meanings: perhaps the child is made be in the beginning,
from before birth.

46

eva santat hme lokstadasya dvitya evam (ind.): thus, in this way.
janma
For thus extended are these worlds; that is
his second birth.
adhi (ind.): from, after, on, at.
bhvayati (3rd sing. causative P. adhi bhu):
causes to be.
tmnam (m. acc. sing. tman): the self.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
tat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. tad): it, that, he,
she.
bhvayati (3rd sing. causative P. adhi bhu):
causes to be.
em (mn. gen. pl. pron. idam): of these.
loknm (m. gen. pl. loka): of the worlds.
santaty (f. ins. sing. sa tati; ): by
stretching, by extending, by the expanse.
santat (m. nom. pl. sa tata): stretched,
extended, woven together (ones).
hi (ind.): for, because, indeed, assuredly.
ime (m. nom. pl. pron. idam): these.
lok (m. nom. pl. loka): worlds.
tat (n. nom. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
asya (mn. gen. sing. pron. idam): of this, its.
dvitya (n. nom./acc. sing. dvitya): second.
janma (n. nom./acc. sing. janman): birth.
47
2.1.4

sosyyamtm puyebhya karmabhya sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, that.
pratidhyate asya (mn. gen. sing. pron. idam): of this, its,
of it; his, of him; of one.
This, his self, from18 pure action approaches ayam (m. nom. sing. pron. idam): this.
fulfillment. tm (m. nom. sing. tman): self.
puyebhya (mn. dat./abl. pl. puya; from
pu): for/from pure.
karmabhya (mn. dat./abl. pl. karman):
for/from action.
pratidhyate (3rd sing. pres. indic. or pass. .
prati dh19): approaches accomplishing,
approaches fulfillment.

athsyyamitara tm ktaktyo vayogata atha (ind.): now, then, moreover.

praiti
Moreover, this, his other self, having done
the done, vigour gone, goes forth.
asya (mn. gen. sing. pron. idam): of this, its,
his.
ayam (m. nom. sing. pron. idam): this.
itara (m. nom. sing. pron. itara): the other,
another.
tm (m. nom. sing. tman): self.
kta-ktya (m. nom. sing. kta-ktya; DV.
comp.): the done and to-be-done;
having done the done.
kta (grammar not specified; past pass.
p. k): done, made, performed.
ktya (m. nom. sing. ktya; fut. pass. p.
or ger. k): the to-be-done, having
done.
vayogata (m. nom. sing. vayogata20): vigour-
gone.
praiti (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. pre (pra i)):
comes forth, appears, begins; goes on,
proceeds, advances; goes forward,
arrives at; goes away, departs.

sa ita prayanneva punarjyate tadasya
ttya janma taduktami
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
ita (m. nom. sing. ita; past pass. p. i): gone,
returned.
prayan (m. nom. sing. prayat; pres. act. p. P.
(pra i) pra i): coming forth, appearing,

18
The ablative case can have the sense of because of, so perhaps pure action is what causes him to approach
fulfillment. It is also worth noting that puyebhya could also be dative, so perhaps he approaches fulfillment for the
sake of pure action.
19
Class 4.
20
From vaya (enjoyment, energy, health, vigour) + gata (gone; the past pass. p. gam).

48
 He, gone, moving forth indeed, again is beginning; going on, proceeding,
born; that is his third birth. It is spoken by advancing; going forth, arriving at; going
the sage: away, departing.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only, even.
punar (ind.): back; again, once more;
repeatedly; further, moreover; however,
still, nevertheless.
jyate (3rd sing. pres. indic. . jan21): is born.
tat (n. nom. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
asya (mn. gen. sing. pron. idam): of this, its,
his.
ttyam (n. nom. sing. ttya): third.
janma (n. nom. sing. janman): birth.
tat (n. nom. sing. pron. tad): it, that.
uktam (n. nom. ukta; past pass. p. vac):
uttered, said, spoken.
i (m. ins. sing. i): by the sage, singer,
poet.

21
Class 4.

49
2.1.5
garbhe nu sannanvemavedamaha
devn janimni viv ata m pura nu (ind.): now, still, just, at once; so now, now
yasrarakannadha yeno javas
niradyamiti
Now, being in the womb repeatedly, I wist
the births of these deities. A hundred all-
pervading iron fortresses protected me. In
the lower region, a falcon, with swiftness I
flew away.
garbhe evaitacchayno vmadeva
evamuvca
In the womb, indeed, this is restingthus
uttered Vamadeva.
garbhe (m. loc. sing. garbha): in the womb.
then; indeed, certainly, surely.
san (m. nom. sing. sat; pres. act. p. as):
being, existing; true, real, good.
anu (ind.): after, along, alongside, lengthwise,
near to, under, with, according to,
repeatedly, over, towards, afterwards,
thereupon, again, further. (see hume
note)
em (mn. gen. pl. pron. idam): of these.
avedam (1st sing. impf. vid): wist, knew, saw,
perceived; noticed, observed.
aham (nom. sing. pron. asmad): I.
devnm (mn. gen. pl. deva): of the deities, of
the gods.
janimni (n. acc. pl. janiman): births, origins;
offsprings.
viv (f. nom. sing. viva): all, every; whole,
entire; all-pervading.
atam (n. acc. sing. ata): a hundred.
m (acc. sing. short pron. asmad): me.
pura (f. nom. pl. pur): ramparts, walls,
strongholds, fortresses, castles, cities,
towns.
yas (f. acc. pl. yas): iron.
arakan (3rd pl. impf. P. rak): guarded,
watched, took care of, protected, saved,
preserved.
adhas (ind.): below, down; beneath, under; in
the lower region.
yena (m. nom. sing. yena): hawk, falcon,
eagle.
javas (n. ins. sing. javas): with/by swiftness.
niradyam (1st sing. impf. d): (I) flew away.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
garbhe (m. loc. sing. garbha): in the womb.
eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
etat (n. nom./acc. sing. pron. etad): this, it.
ayna (m. nom. sing. ayna): lying down,
resting.
vmadeva (m. nom. sing. vma-deva; KD.
comp.): Vamadeva; lit. Lovely-deity.
50
 vma (grammar not specified): lovely,
dear, pleasant, agreeable, fair,
beautiful, splendid, noble.
deva (m. nom. sing. deva): deity, god.
evam (ind.): thus.
uvca (3rd sing. pf. vac): spoke, uttered; has
spoken, has uttered.

51
2.1.6
sa eva vidvnasmccharrabheddurdhva
utkramymuminsvarge loke sarvn
kmnptvmta samabhavat samabhavat
Hethus having wist, raised from this
bursting body, having gone up, having
reached all desires in that heavenly world,
not deadcame together, came together.
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
evam (ind.): thus.
vidvn (m. nom. sing. vidvas; the pf. act. p.
vid): knowing, understanding, wise;
having known, having understood,
having wist.
asmt (mn. abl. sing. pron. idam): from this.
arrabhedt (m. abl. sing. arra-bheda; TP.
comp.): from the bursting body, from
splitting from the body.
arra (grammar not specified):
of/from/with/etc. the body:
bhedt (m. abl. sing. bheda; from bhid):
from breaking, splitting, cleaving,
rending, tearing, piercing, bursting
asunder, opening.
urdhva (m. nom. sing. urdhva): rising
upwards, raised, elevated, erected,
erect, high, above.
utkramya (ger. ut kram): having gone up,
having ascended.
amumin (m. loc. sing. adas): in that, in a
certain.
svarge (m. loc. sing. svarga): in heaven, in a
heavenly.
loke (m. loc. sing. loka): in the world.
sarvn (m. acc. pl. pron. sarva): all.
kmn (m. acc. pl. kma): wishes, desires,
longings.
ptv (ger. p): having reached, having
obtained.
amta (m. nom. sing. amta; the past pass.
p. a m): not dead, immortal.
samabhavat (3rd sing. impf. P. sam bhu): was
together, came together, assembled,
met, was joined, was united with.
samabhavat (3rd sing. impf. P. sam bhu): was
together, came together, assembled,
met, was joined, was united with.
52
3.1.1
koyamtmeti vayamupsmahe katara sa
tm
Who is this self?thus asking, we
worship. Which one is that self?
yena v payati yena v oti yena v
gadhnjighrati yena v vca vykareti
yena v svdu csvdu ca vijnti
He by whom one sees, or he by whom one
hears, or he by whom one smells scents, or
he by whom one separates words, or he by
whom one discerns the tasty and the
tasteless.
ka (m. nom. sing. pron. kim): who? how?
whence? wherefore? why?
ayam (m. nom. sing. pron. idam): this.
tm (m. nom. sing. tman): the self.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
vayam (nom. pl. pron. asmad): we.
upsmahe (1st pl. pres. indic. . upa s):
honour, worship, wait upon, are devoted
to; lit. sit near.
katara (m. nom. sing. pron. katara): who or
which of two?
sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it, that.
tm (m. nom. sing. tman): the self.
yena (mn. ins. sing. relative pron. yad): by
whom, by which.
v (ind.): or.
payati (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. d): (one)
sees.
yena (mn. ins. sing. relative pron. yad): by
whom, by which.
v (ind.): or.
oti (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. ru): (one)
hears.
yena (n. ins. sing. relative pron. yad): by
whom, by which.
v (ind.): or.
gandhn (m. acc. pl. gandha): smells, odours,
fragrances, scents.
jighrati (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. ghr):
(one) smells.
yena (mn. ins. sing. relative pron. yad): by
whom, by which.
v (ind.): or.
vcam (f. acc. sing. vc): speech, voice, talk,
language, sound; word, sentence.
vykaroti (3rd sing. pres. indic. P. vi k):
(one) expounds, explains, declares; lit.
undoes, severs, divides, separates.
yena (mn. ins. sing. relative pron. yad): by
whom, by which.
v (ind.): or.
svdu (n. acc. sing. svdu): sweet, savoury,
palatable, pleasant to the taste.
ca (ind.): and.
53
asvdu (n. acc. sing. asvdu): tasteless.
ca (ind.): and.
vijnti (3rd sing. sing. pres. indic. P. vi jn):
(one) distinguishes, discerns.

54
3.1.2
yadetaddhdaya manacaitat
sajnnamjnna vijnna prajnna
medh dirdhtimatirman juti smti
sakalpa kraturasu kmo vaa iti
He who is this heart and this mind,
together-knowledge, near-knowledge,
apart-knowledge, forth-knowledge, mental
vigour, insight, firmness, opinion, thought,
impulse, memory, purpose, ability, life,
desire, control.
22
Literally, this means broth, or a nourishing or strengthening drink.
yat (mn. nom. sing. relative pron. yad): who,
which.
etat (n. nom. sing. pron. etad): this.
hdayam (n. nom. sing. hdaya): heart.
mana (n. nom. sing. manas): mind.
ca (ind.): and.
etat (n. nom. sing. pron. etad): this.
sajnnam (n. nom. sing. sam jnna):
agreement, harmony, unanimity;
counsciousness, perception; lit. together-
knowledge.
jnnam (n. nom. sing. jnna): noticing,
perceiving; lit. towards-knowledge or
near-knowledge.
vijnnam (n. nom. sing. vi jnna):
distinguishing, discerning, recognizing; lit.
apart-knowledge.
prajnnam (n. nom. sing. pra jnna):
knowledge, intelligence; lit. forth-
knowledge.
medh (f. nom. sing. medh22): mental vigour
or power, intelligence, prudence.
di (f. nom. sing. di): seeing, beholding
(also with the mental eye); sight, the
minds eye, intelligence.
dhti (f. nom. sing. dht): holding, bearing,
supporting; firmness, constancy,
resolution, will; satisfaction, joy.
mati (f. nom. sing. mati): prayer, hymn;
opinion, notion, idea, conviction; the
mind, perception, intelligence, judgement;
memory; esteem, regard.
man (f. nom. sing. man): thought,
reflection, consideration, intelligence,
idea; prayer, hymn; desire, wish.
juti (f. nom. sing. juti): going, quickness,
speed; impulse, incitement, investigation.
smti (f. nom. sing. smti): rememberance,
reminiscence, calling to mind; memory.
sakalpa (m. nom. sing. sakalpa; from
sam klp): conception, idea, notion; will,
volition, desire, purpose, intention,
conviction.
55
 kratu (m. nom. sing. kratu; from k): plan,
design, intention, resolution,
determination, purpose; desire, will;
intelligence; power, ability; inspiration.
asu (m. nom. sing. asu; from as): breath,
life.
kma (m. nom. sing. kma): wish, desire,
longing; pleasure, enjoyment; love,
sensuality.
vaa (m. nom. sing. vaa): will, wish, desire;
authority, power, control.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.

sarvyevaitni prajnnasya nmadheyni sarvi (n. nom. pl. sarva): all.

bhavanti eva (ind.): so, indeed, truly, only.
etni (n. nom. pl. pron. etad): these.
Indeed, all these are names of forth- prajnnasya (n. gen. sing. pra jnna): of forth-
knowledge. knowledge.
nmadheyni (n. nom. pl. nma-dheya):
names.
bhavanti (3rd pl. pres. indic. P. bhu): are,
become.

56
3.1.3
ea brahmaia indra ea prajpatiretesarve
dev imni ca pancamahbhutni pthiv
vyurka po jyottyetnmni ca
kudramirva
He is Brahman, he is Indra, he is Prajapati,
all these deities, and these five great
beings: earth, wind, ether, waters, lights.
These and those are mingled with the tiny,
as it were.
23
From prja (bringing forth, bearing; procreation, birth; creature, animal, mankind) + pati (master, owner, lord,
ruler).
ea (m. nom. sing. pron. etad): he.
brahm (m. nom. sing. brahman; from bh):
Brahman.
ea (m. nom. sing. pron. etad): he.
indra (m. nom. sing. indra): Indra.
ea (m. nom. sing. pron. etad): he.
prajpati (m. nom. sing. prajpati23):
Prajapati, the god of creation or
procreation.
ete (m. nom. pl. pron. etad): these.
sarve (m. nom. pl. pron. sarva): all.
dev (mf. nom. pl. deva): deities; divine.
imni (n. nom. pl. idam): these.
ca (ind.): and
panca (m. nom. pancan): five.
mahbhutni (n. nom. pl. mahbhuta; past
pass. p. mah bhu): great beings.
pthiv (f. nom. sing. pthiv): the earth, the
world; land, ground, soil; lit. the
spacious or the broad.
vyu (m. nom. sing. vyu; from v): wind,
Vayu.
ka (m. nom. sing. kza): open space,
vacuity; ether, sky.
pa (f. nom. pl. ap): waters, airs,
intermediate regions.
jyoti (n. nom. pl. jyotis): lights.
iti (ind.): thus; an indication that the previous
words were said or thought.
etni (n. nom. pl. pron. etad): these.
imni (n. nom. pl. pron. idam): these.
ca (ind.): and.
kudramiri (n. nom. pl. kudra-mira; TP.
comp.): mingled with the tiny.
kudra (grammar not specified):
with/of/from the minute,
diminutive, tiny.
mirani (n. nom. pl. mira): mixed,
mingled.
iva (ind.): like, in the same manner as; as it
were, as if; so, just so; indeed.
57
 bjntari cetari cajni ca jrujni ca bjni (n. nom. pl. bja): the seed, semen.
svedajni codbhijjni cv gva puru
hastino yatkinceda pri jagama ca
patatri ca yacca sthvara sarva
tatprajnnetra prajnne pratihita
prajnnetro loka prajn pratih
prajnna brahma
These and those seeds, the egg-generated
ones, the placenta-generated ones, the
vapour-generated ones, the sprout-
generated ones, horses, oxen, people,
elephants, whatever here possesses breath,
all the moving ones, winged ones, and
whatever is stationaryall that, guiding by
forth-knowledge, is stationed in forth-
knowledge. Guiding by forth-knowledge24 is
the world. Forth-knowledge is the support;
forth-knowledge is Brahman.
24
It is worth noting that the vague compound prajn-netra (translated as guiding by forth-knowledge here)
could also be translated as, among other things, the guide of forth knowledge.
25
Itara is used in this way when doubled.
itari (n. nom. pl. itara): these (ones).
ca (ind.): and.
itari (n. nom. pl. itara): the others; those.25
ca (ind.): and.
aajni (n. nom. pl. aa-ja): egg-generated
(ones) (a bird, fish, or reptile).
ca (ind.): and.
jrujni (n. nom. pl. jru-ja; cf. jaryuja):
placenta-generated (ones) (i.e.
viviparous).
ca (ind.): and.
svedajni (n. nom. pl. sveda-ja): sweat-born
(ones), vapour-generated (ones) (insects
and vermin).
ca (ind.): and.
udbhijjni (n. nom. pl. udbhij-ja): sprouting-
generated (ones).
ca (ind.): and.
av (f. nom. pl. ava): horses.
gva (m. nom. pl. go): oxen.
puru (m. nom. pl. purua): men, people.
hastina (m. nom. pl. hastin): elephants; lit.
having hands (i.e. a trunk).
yat ki ca (expression): whatever.
idam (n. nom. sing. pron. idam): this, here.
pri (n. nom. sing. prin): breathing; lit.
breath-having.
jagamam (n. nom. sing jagama; from
gam): moving, living.
ca (ind.): and.
patatri (n. nom. sing. patatrin): winged,
feathered.
ca (ind.): and.
yat (mn. nom. sing. relative pron. yad): which,
what, whatever.
ca (ind.): and.
sthvaram (n. nom. sing. sthvara): standing
still, not moving, fixed, stationary, stable,
immovable; firm, constant, permanent.
sarvam (n. nom. sing. pron. sarva): all, every,
whole.
tat (n. nom. pron. tad.): that, it.
58
prajn-netram (n. nom. sing. comp. prajn-
netra): leading by forth-knowledge.
prajn (grammar not specified):
of/from/by/etc. intelligence,
knowledge; the forth-knowing (one).
netram (n. nom. sing. netra): leading.
prajnne (mn. loc. sing. pra jnna): in forth-
knowledge.
pratihitam (n. nom. sing. prati hita):
stationed or situated in or on.
prajn-netra (m. nom. sing. com. prajn-
netra): the leader of forth-knowledge,
leading by forth-knowledge, etc.
prajn (grammar not specified):
of/from/by/etc. intelligence,
knowledge, the forth-knowing (one).
netra (m. nom. sing. netra): a leader,
guide; leading, guiding.
loka (m. nom. sing. loka): the world, wide
space, country.
prajn (f. nom. sing. prajn): wisdom,
intelligence, knowledge; forth-knowing
(one).
pratih (f. nom. sing. prati ha): steadfast
(one); resting place, ground, base,
foundation, support; dwelling, house.
prajnnam (n. nom. sing. pra jnna): forth-
knowledge.
brahma (n. nom. sing. brahman): worship,
prayer; the sacred word, a sacred text;
Brahman, the universal soul; lit.
growth, expansion.

59
3.1.4

sa etena sa (m. nom. sing. pron. tad): he, it; that.

prjnentmansmllokdutkramymuminsvarge etena (mn. ins. sing. pron. etad): by this.
loke sarvn kmnptvmta samabhavat prjnena (mn. ins. sing. pr jna): by the forth-
samabhavat knowing (one).
tman (m. ins. sing. tman): by the self.
Heby this forth-knowing self, having gone up asmt (mn. abl. sing. pron. idam): from this.
from this world, having reached all desires in lokt (mn. abl. sing. loka): world.
that heavenly world, not deadcame together, utkramya (ger. ut kram): having gone up,
came together. having ascended.
amumin (m. loc. sing. adas): in that, in a
certain.
svarge (m. loc. sing. svarga): in heaven, in a
heavenly.
loke (m. loc. sing. loka): in the world.
sarvn (m. acc. pl. pron. sarva): all.
kmn (m. acc. pl. kma): wishes, desires,
longings.
ptv (ger. p): having reached, having
obtained.
amta (m. nom. sing. amta; the past pass.
p. a m): not dead, immortal.
samabhavat (3rd sing. impf. P. sam bhu): was
together, came together, assembled,
met, was joined, was united with.
samabhavat (3rd sing. impf. P. sam bhu): was
together, came together, assembled,
met, was joined, was united with.

60