PURUSHASUKTAM---MEANING!

PURUSHA SUKTAM -- MEANING

Purusha Sukta is a hymn of the Rig Veda, dedicated to the Cosmic Being by the rare insight of the great seer Narayana Rishi. There are a few different versions in the other Vedas also. The sukta glorifies the Lord of the yagna who protects not only human beings but the quadrupeds. Purusha is both immanent in the manifested world and transcends it. Purusha is endowed with thousands of heads and feet. After filling the entire universe, He rose ten inches above the earth. He embodies the past, present and the future and is the cause for immortality since he transcends the inert world. All creation and what is perceived in this world is just one fourth part of God! The other three fourths are in the eternal! sky. While this is beyond the perception of the mundane world, the other one fourth has emerged as the world we see!

The YAGNA--  From this original Purusha, macrocosm ( Brahmanda) came into existence. Along with it  the Cosmic person emerged. He created the earth first and the bodies of  all creatures. Meanwhile the Devas desired to perform a yagna for the welfare of  the world, and not having anything to offer in the sacrificial fire, finally sacrificed God himself! Entire Nature played a distinctive  part in the performance of the yagna.Spring season was the ghee, summer the firewood, and rainy season the naivedya. The sides of the homa kunda were formed by the earth and the other elements, day and night to drive away evil forces. Twigs (samidas) for the sacred fire were the five jnanendriyas, five karmendriyas, five pranas, mind,intellect, chitta, and ahankara or ego! Creator Brahma became the sacrificial animal and the yagna began. Brahma rose as the yagna purusha as the sages,Devas and others chanted Vedic mantras.

THE CREATION: As the yagna purusha, Brahma created curd, ghee, all birds, the deer, wild animals, and cattle. From this sacrifice emerged all the four Veda mantras including the famous Gayatri and others of different chanda (prosody) From the same yagna emerged horses with single layer of teeth and animals with two layers of teeth like cows, buffalos, goats. Before man emerged, they imagined what form should be given to him. They thought about what parts of this Virat Purusha should correspond to the face, shoulders, thighs, and feet of the different classes of human beings. The class of Brahamana formed the face of this Virat Purusha representing thinking and discriminating power. Kshatriyas that save the society from enemies became the strong and powerful shoulders of the Purusha. Vaisyas who increase the wealth of the nation formed the thighs while Sudras formed the feet that aided the movement of the Viratpurusha! From the manas of the great form Chandra (Moon) was born. From his eyes the Sun (Surya), from the face Indra king of God's, and Fire the god of fire, and from his prana or breath Vayu (Wind) were born respectively! From his navel the Sky, from the head the heaven or Swarga, from the feet the Earth, from the ears directions like the East came into existence

REALIZATION:  I have realized and understood the powerful self sacrificing Bhagawan, effulgent like the Sun and far distant from the darkness of ajnana. He has created all the forms in the universe and given them names also actively! The creator Brahma first knew about this Purusha. He told about this knowledge to Indra who realized the Paramatma in all the four directions. One who understands the omnipresence of Paramatma shall be emancipated. There is no other way to achieve immortality! The Devas were selfless in performing the Yagna and followed Dharma. By following the path of Dharma and Thyaga or sacrifice one can reach the higher worlds. This world emerged from the essence of water and earth. Brahma was the offspring of the Paramatma. He is immanent in the creator Brahma. This Omnipresent form of the creator Brahma came out at the beginning of creation. I have realizes this  Paramatma! One who has this realization attains salvation here even in this birth itself!

           Paramatma is very active and in spite of birthlessness, is born in this world in many forms! Great Maharshi or sages

          have recognized His real Nature! That is why persons like Brahma desire to have the position of sages like Marichi

          and others! My pranams to the One who is the Radiance, mentor, and preceded all the Devas! The Devas have

          announced that they will be favourable to those who try to realize the Paramatma in the manner described above! O

          Paramatma! the very form of modesty Hri Devi and the source of all wealth and prosperity Lakshmi Devi are your

          consorts! Day and Night are your two sides! The stars are your holy form! only! Aswini devas are your blooming face!

          Kindly shower your Grace on us and grant all we desire! Grant us the pleasures of the earth and heaven!