This verse, from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, beautifully encapsulates the concept of wholeness and completeness in Vedic philosophy. It reminds us that both the unmanifested reality (Brahman) and the manifested universe are inherently complete. From this completeness, everything arises and yet remains unchanged. The mantra also invokes peace at every level of existence, offering a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all things and the eternal, undiminished nature of the universe.
Om poornam-adah poornam-idam poornaat-poornam-udachyate Poornasya poornam-aadaaya poornam-eva-avashishyate Om shaantih shaantih shaantih
Meaning
The verse is from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (5.1.1) and is a profound expression of the concept of wholeness or completeness in Vedic philosophy. Let's break it down and explore its meaning:
Om: A sacred syllable that signifies the ultimate reality, Brahman. It is the sound that represents the universe's fundamental vibration.
Poornam-adah: That (Brahman, the ultimate reality) is complete.
Poornam-idam: This (the manifested universe) is also complete.
Poornat-poornam-udachyate: From completeness arises completeness.
Poornasya poornam-aadaaya: When completeness is taken from completeness,
Poornam-eva-avashishyate: Completeness remains.
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih: Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.
Detailed Meaning
Om poornam-adah: "That is complete." This refers to the infinite reality or Brahman, which is absolute, perfect, and whole. Brahman is beyond time, space, and causality. It is the source of all existence, and its nature is wholeness and completeness.
Poornam-idam: "This is complete." Here, "this" refers to the manifested universe or the phenomenal world. Even though it seems diverse, fragmented, or imperfect, it is still an expression of that same complete reality (Brahman). The universe, despite appearing limited or partial, is inherently whole because it is derived from the same complete source.
Poornat-poornam-udachyate: "From completeness arises completeness." This line highlights the Vedic philosophy that the whole (Brahman) can produce a manifestation (the universe) that is also whole. Even though the universe emerges from Brahman, Brahman remains unaffected and undiminished. This points to the idea that the infinite, when it expresses itself as the finite, does not lose its infinity.
Poornasya poornam-aadaaya poornam-eva-avashishyate: "When completeness is taken from completeness, completeness remains." This profound statement illustrates that even when something is "removed" or "taken" from the infinite, what remains is still infinite. This emphasizes the paradox of infinity in Vedic thought—removing a part from the infinite does not reduce it; it remains infinite. In other words, Brahman, the infinite reality, remains unchanged despite the creation of the universe.
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih: The repetition of "Shanti" (peace) three times signifies peace at three levels:
Adhibhautika: External peace or peace in the physical world, peace in our environment.
Adhidaivika: Divine peace, peace from natural or celestial forces beyond human control.
Adhyatmika: Inner peace, peace within oneself—peace in the body, mind, and soul.
Philosophical Significance
This verse points to the non-dualistic nature of reality. The universe we experience, though seemingly diverse and separate from us, is actually a part of the same infinite reality (Brahman). The essence of everything is the same.
It challenges our ordinary notions of wholeness. In our experience, when we take something from something else, the original is diminished. But in the realm of the infinite, nothing is ever diminished or incomplete.
The verse also emphasizes that Brahman is eternal, immutable, and whole, irrespective of the changes and transformations in the world. It suggests that we, as manifestations of Brahman, are also part of this eternal wholeness.
Practical Implication
This mantra can be seen as a reminder to recognize the divine completeness in everything—in ourselves, in others, and in the world. When we understand that everything is fundamentally complete and perfect, it encourages contentment, peace, and detachment from worldly anxieties and conflicts.
By chanting this mantra, one is invoking peace and harmony in all realms—both externally and internally—thereby aligning oneself with the eternal wholeness of the universe.
In essence, this verse is a powerful expression of the oneness and completeness of the universe, which, despite the diversity we observe, remains part of the same infinite source.