Purusha suktam
Simple English Meaning(word by word)

By Sri Kotikanyadanam Sreekrishna Tatachar

Here is a compilation of verses and meaning with some comments on PS.It has been hard for me to find ONE comprehensive source. Thus, I put  this together with the help of many sources. Hope this does some justice to the original verses.

 pu-ru-SHa sU-ktam
(tai-tti-rI-ya  a-ra-Nya-kam,  pra-shNaH -3)
kre-SH-Na  ya-ju-rvaE-dam)

rO-ma-nA-ga-ri transliteration keys:

a(Cup)  A(Cop) i(Pit)  I (Need) u(Put) U(Soon) Re(Krishna) aE(Say) ai(Site)
O(More) au(Out) am(Hum) aH(ah)

k (walk) ka(Come) kh(Sikh) kha(Khan) g (Pig) ga(Gum) gh (Drug)  gha (Girl) n~(Gang) n~a (Ganga)
c (Preach) ca(Chum) ch(Hatch) cha (Chubby)  j(Raj)ja (Junk) jh (Hedge) jha (Jhansi) N~(yajN~) N~a(yajN~a)
T(Cat) Ta (Tub) Th (Butt)Tha (Artha) D(Bad) Da(Dumb) Dh(Thud) Dha(Dacoit) N(Wind) Na(Guna)
t (Math) ta(Thud) th (Hath) tha(Thumb) d(Id Milad) da(Mother) dh (Kurdh) dha(Dharma) n (Tan) na(Nut)
p(Map) pa(Pun) ph (Naphta) pha(kapha) b(Knob) ba(Bun) bh (padmanabh) bha (Bharat)
m (Calm) ma(Must) y(Boy) ya(Yum) r(Bar) ra(Rub) l(Nail) la(Love)
v(Have) va(Variety) sh(Mash)sha(Shall) SH (Brush) SHa(Shun) s(has) sa(Sun)
h(Pooh) ha(Hub) L (Thengol)La(Nala-Damayanthi) x(Moksh) xa(Auto Riksha)

PART I : The Lord's Manifestation of the Universe

LORD'S UNLIMITED MANIFESTATIONS  (a-na-ntam)

Aum sa -ha-sra   shI-rSHA    pu-ru-SHaH |
sa-ha-srA- xaH    sa -ha-sra    pAt |
sa   bhU- mim    vi - shva- tO    vRe - tvA |
a-tya-ti-SHTha-dda- shA- n~gu - lam ||1||

sa -ha-sra (thousand)  shI-rSHA  (heads)  pu-ru-SHaH (Purusha)|
sa-ha-sra + a- xaH (thousand eyes)  sa -ha-sra (thousand)   pAt (feet)|
 saH(he)   bhU- mim (Earth)   vi - shva- tO (entirety)   vRe - tvA (pervades) |
a-tya-ti-SHThat (extends) + da- shA- n~gu - lam (ten inches, far beyond) ||1||

The pu-ru-SHa with countless number of heads, eyes, and feet pervades the Earth in entirety and extends far beyond.

LORD'S OMNIPRESENCE (vi-shva-ma-yam)

pu-ru-SHa   aE -vaE-da-gm   sa-rvam |
ya-dbhU - tam     ya-cca   bha-vyam  |
u-tA-mRe-ta    tva-syaE-shA naH |
ya-da-nnaE-nA-ti -rO-ha-ti  ||2||

pu-ru-SHa (Purusha)   aE -vaE + i-dam (this is)   sa-rvam (all) |
yat (that) +bhU - tam (which was)    yat (that) + ca (too or and)+bha-vyam (to be) |
utA (moreover) + amRe-ta -tva-sya (of immortality) + I-shA-naH (master or owner) |
 yat (that) + a-nnaE-na (through food) + a-ti -rO-ha-ti (grows immensely) ||2||

Whatever has been and whatever is to be is all pu-ru-SHa. He is the ruler of immortality and He appears to grow immensely through food.

  LORD'S TRANSCENDENCE (lO-kA-tI-ta-tvam)

aE -tA-vA-na-sya     ma-hi -mA |
a-tO    jyA-yA-g-shca      pU-ru-SHaH |
pA-dO (s)-sya      vi-shvA    bhU -tA- ni
tri -pA- da-syA(a)-mRe-tam   di - vi  ||3||

aE -tA-vAn (all that is) + a-sya (His)     ma-hi -mA (greatness) |
a-taH (and then)   jyA-yAn (Elder, great) +ca  (also)     pU-ru-ShaH |
pA-daH (one quarter) + a-sya  (His)    vi-shvA  (in the world)
bhU-tA-ni (created forms)tri-pA-dah: (three quarters) + a-syA  (His) a -mRe-tam (etrnal) di-vi (in heaven) ||3||

All that is (seen) is His glory, (actually) He surpasses all this. One quarter of Him comprise all the creations (living and the non-living), while three quarters of Him are eternally in the heaven.

MANIFEST and the UN MANIFEST (vya-kta  a-vya-ktam)

tri -pA-dU -rdhva    u-dai -tpu-ru-SHaH |
pA- dO-(a)syaE - hA-bha-vA- tpu-naH |
ta-tO    vi-SHva n~  vya-krA-mat
sA-sha-nA-na-sha -naE     a - bhi  ||4||

tri -pAt (three qurters)+ U -rdhva (above)   u-dai -t (remained)+ pu-ru-SHaH |
 pA- daH (one quarter) + asya (of His)+i - ha (is here) + a-bha-vAt (manifested) + pu-naH(again) |
ta-tah: (with that)  vi-SHva n~ (different forms) vya-krA-mat (pervaded) |
sA-sha-naH (that which eat) + a-na-sha - naH(that which does not eat)  a-bhi (come forth) ||4||

Three quarters of Him remain above (un manifest). One quarter of Him has manifested here. With that He pervades all the living and the non-living.

PRE CREATION (pU-rva sRE-SH-Ti)

ta-smA-dvi -rA-Da-jA-ya-ta |
vi -rA-jO    a-dhi   pU-ru-SHaH |
sa  jA-tO  a-tya-ri-cya-ta
pa -shcA-dbhU-mi -ma-thO   pu-raH ||5||

ta-smAt (from That) +vi -rAt  (variety) + a-jA-ya-ta (come forth) |
vi -rA-jaH (Variations)   a-dhi  (from within)  pU-ru-SHaH|
saH (He) jA-taH(was born) a-ti (very) + a-ri-cya-ta (grew large)
pa -shcAt (in front) + bhU-mi H(of the Earth) + a-thaH(and then) + pu-raH (behind) ||5||

Variety came forth from Him and thus from within he became vi-rAt pu-ru-SHa. He grew immensely and became the cosmos (bra-hmA-nDam).

Part II: The Sacrifice of the Lord

POST CREATION (u-tta-ra  sRe-SHTi)

ya-tpu-ru-SHaE-Na    ha -vi-SHA |
daE -vA   ya-jN~a- ma- ta -nva-ta |
va -sa- ntO  a-syA-sId-A-jyam |
grI-SHma   i -dhma-ssha -ra-ddha -viH || 6||

yat (That) + pu-ru-SHaE-Na (with Purusha)   ha -vi-SHA (as havis, oblation)
daE -vAH (the gods)   ya-jN~am (sacrifice) + a- ta -nva-ta (performed)|
va -sa- ntaH (Spring)  a-sya (its) + A-sIt (became) + A- jyam (ghee)|
grI-SHma (Summer)  i -dhmaH (samit-fuel sticks) +sha -ra-dhaH (Autumn)+ ha -viH (burnt offering, oblation)|| 6||

The Gods performed a YajN~a using pu-ru-SHa as the offering, in which Spring was the ghee, Summer the sa-mit and Autumn the oblation (Thanks Giving).

YAGNA IMAGERY (ya-jN~a  rU-pa-kam)

sa -ptA- syA-san    pa-ri -dha- yaH |
tri-ssa- pta sa -mi-dhaH  kRe -tAH |
daE -vA  ya-dhya- jN~am   ta-nvA -nAH |
a-ba-dhnan   pu-ru-SHam  pa-shum ||7||

sa -ptaH (seven) + a- sya (its) + a-san (became)   pa-ri -dha- yaH (boundary)|
triH +sa- pta (thrice seven) sa -mi-dhaH (fuel sticks) kRe -tAH (made) |
daE -vAH (gods)  yat +ya- jN~am (for the sacrifice)  ta-nvA -nAH (as performers of sacrifice)|
a-ba -dhnan (bound)  pu- ru-SHam (Purusha) pa-shum (as the sacrificial beast) ||7||

Gods as performers of the sacrifice assigned seven enclosing sticks, and  21 fuel sticks for the sacrifice and also bound pu-ru-SHa as the sacrificial beast (ya-jN~a pa-shu).

[Note: The seven enclosing sticks refer to the 5 elements (earth, water, fire, wind, and sky), plus day and night. Twenty-one fuel sticks refer to the 5 sense organs (eye, nose, mouth, ear and skin), plus 5 vital breaths (prANa, a-pA-na, vyA-na, u-dA-na, and sa-mA-na), plus 5 organs of work (hands, legs, genitals, two excretory organs), plus 4 feelings of the mind (a-ntaH-ka-ra-Nam), plus dha-rma and a-dha-rma.  Interestingly, these are the very same 7 outer and 21 inner limits within which we lead our own life-ya-jN~a. Perhaps the seed of vi-shi-SHTa a-dvai-ta bhA-va appears here in this creation Hymn].
 

tam (taiN~)   ya -jN~am   ba -rhi-SHi    prau-xan |
pu- ru-SHam   jA-ta-ma-gra- taH |
taE-na   daE -vA   a-ya-ja-nta |
sA-dhyA-Re-SHa-ya-shca  yaE ||8||

tam(that)  ya -jN~am (sacrifice)  ba -rhi-SHi  (on the sacrificial bed of straw,
i.e., dha-rbha grass mat)  prau-xan (sprinkled with holy water)|
pu- ru-SHam (purusha)  jA-tam (who was) + a-gra- taH (in the beginning)|
taE-na (by this means)  daE -vAH (gods)  a-ya-ja-nta (sacrificed)|
sA-dhyAH (sA-dhyAs, those achievers) + Re- SHa-ya H (seers) +ca (also, and) yaE (who were)||8||

The primordial pu-ru-SHa (as Sacrificial beast) was sanctified by sA-dhyAs, gods  and other Re-SHIs by placing Him on da-rbha grass and Sprinkling water over Him.

ONE THAT BECAME ONE and ALL (aE-kA-naE-ka)

ta-smA-dya- jN~A-thsa-rva- hu-taH |
sam-bhRe-tam  pre-SHa-dA- jyam |
pa-shU-g-stA-g-shca-kraE  vA-ya -vyAn |
A-ra -NyAn   grA -myA-shca   yaE ||9||

ta-smAt (from that) +ya- jN~At (sacrifice) + sa-rva- hu-taH (took every A-hu-ti or offerings)|
sam-bhRe-tam  (was earned) pre-SHa-dA- jyam (ghee mixed with yogurt) |
pa-shUn-sta (beasts) + ca (and, too) + ca-kraE (created)vA-ya -vyAn (beasts of the air) |
A-ra -NyAn (beasts of the forest ) grA myAt (domestic animals) + ca  (also)  yaE (who are) ||9||

Emerging from that sacred rite (Ya-jN~a) when everything was consumed came butter, curds, animals of sky, forest and village.

ta-smA-dya- jN~A-thsa-rva -hu-taH |
Re-caH -ssA-mA- ni   ja-jN~i- raE |
cha-ndA-gm-si   ja- jN~i -raE  - ta smAt |
ya -ju- sta- smA- da- jA- ya- ta ||10||

ta-smAt (from that)+ya- jN~At (sacrifice) + sa-rva- hu-taH (took every A-hu-ti or offerings)|
Re-caH  (the Re-gvaE-da) + sA-mA- ni (sA-ma-vaE-da) ja-jN~i- raE (come forth)|
cha-ndA-msi (meters too) ja- jN~i -raE (come forth) ta- smAt (from that)|
ya -juH (ya-jur-vaE-da) + ta- smAt (from that) + a- jA- ya- ta (was born) ||10||

 When everything was consumed, then arose Re-gvaE-da, sA-ma-vaE-da,
Ya-ju-rvaE-da and the poetic meters from that sacred rite (Ya-jN~a).

ta-smA-da-shvA   a-jA- ya-nta |
yaE  kaE  cO-bha -yA-da-taH |
gA-vO   ha  ja-jN~i-raE   ta-smAt |
ta-smA-jjA -tA   a -jA -va-yaH ||11||

ta-smAt (from that) + a-shvA (horses) a-jA- ya-nta (were born)|
yaE  kaE ca (also those who) + u-bha -yA-da-taH (with two rows of teeth)|
gA-vaH (cattle)   ha  ja-jN~i-raE  (come forth)  ta-smAt (from that)|
ta-smAt (from that)  jA -tA (were born)  a -jaH  (goat) + a-va-yaH |(sheep) ||11||

And from that ya-jN~a were born horses, cows, goats, sheep and other animals with  two rows of teeth.

Part III: The Meditation of the Gods

FOUR FOLD CLASSIFICATION (cA-tu-rva-rNyam)

ya-tpu-ru-SHam   vya-da-dhuH |
ka-ti -dhA vya-ka-lpa-yan |
mu-kham  ki-ma-sya  kau  bA -hU |
kA-vU- rU  pA-dA-vu-cyaE-taE ||12||

yat (that) + pu-ru-SHam  (Purusha)   vya-da-dhuH (when they divided)|
ka-ti -dhA (how many ways) vya-ka-lpa-yan (did they imagine) |
mu-kham (Mouth) kim (what) + a-sya (His) kau (what are?)  bA -hU (arms)|
kAH (what) vU- rU  (thighs) pA-dAH (feet) u-cyaE-taE (call them now) ||12||

[Now a bunch of questions] How many ways did the gods envision to dismember (divide) pu-ru-SHa? What came of his face (mouth)? What did the arms become? What became of his thighs and feet?

brA-hma- NO-sya   mu- kha- mA-sIt |
bA -hU rA-ja- nyaH  kRe -taH  |
U -rU  ta-da-sya  ya-dvai-shyaH
pa -dbhyA-gm  shU -drO   a-jA-ya-ta ||13||

brA-hma- NaH (Brahmin) + a-sya  (His) mu- kham (mouth or face) + A-sIt (became)|
bA -hU (arms) rA-ja- nyaH (kings, xa-tri-ya)kRe -taH (were made)|
U -rU (thighs) tat (that) + a-sya  (His)  yat (that were) + vai-shyaH (merchants)
pa -dbhyAm (from feet) shU -draH (laborers)  a-jA-ya-ta (born) ||13||

The Brahmins came from His mouth, and from His arms came the kings. The merchants sprang forth from His thighs, and from His feet, the laborers were born.

ca -ndra-mA   ma-na-sO-jA- taH |
ca-xO-ssU-ryO   a- jA-ya-ta |
mu-khA- di-ndra-shcA- gni-shca |
prA- NA-dvA-yu-ra-jA-ya-ta ||14||

ca -ndra-mA (the Moon)  ma-na-saH (from mind) + jA- taH (was born) |
ca-xOH (from eyes) + sU-ryaH (the Sun)  a-jA-ya-ta (born) |
mu-khAt (from  mouth) + i-ndraH (Indra) +ca (and) + a- gniH (the fire) + ca (also) |
prA- NAt (from vital breath) +vA-yuH (the wind) + a-jA-ya-ta (was born) ||14||

The moon proceeded from (His) mind, and from (His) eyes the Sun arose. Indra and fire came forth from (His) mouth. The wind emanated from (His) vital breath.

nA-bhyA  A-sId-a- nta- ri-xam |
shI -rShNO dyau-ssa-ma-va- rta- ta |
pa -dbhyAm  bhU- mi-rdi-sha -sshrO- trAt |
ta-thA  lO -kAgm  a-ka- lpa- yan ||15||

nA-bhyAH (from navel) A-sIt (appear) + a- nta-ri-xam (space) |
shI-rShNaH (from head) dyauH (heaven) + sa-ma-va-rta-ta (well established) |
pa -dbhyAm (from feet)  bhU-miH (the Earth or ground) + di-shaH  (the directions) + shrO-trAt (from ears)|
ta-thA (thus) lO -kAn (all the realms) a-ka-lpa-yan (was fathomed) ||15||

Out from (His) navel the space emerged, from (His) head the heavens arose, the Earth was fashioned from (His) feet, and directions from (His) ears. Thus all the realms were fathomed.

Part IV: The Sage's Vision

SECRET BEHIND  NAMES and FORMS (nA-ma-rU-pa ra-ha-sya da-rsha-nam)

vaE-dA-ha-maE -tam   pu-ru-SHam  ma -hA-ntam |
A-di -tya-va-rNam  ta-ma-sa -stu   pA -raE |
sa-rvA-Ni   rU -pA-Ni   vi -ci-tya   dhI-raH |
nA-mA-ni  kRe- tvA  a-bhi - va-da-nya-dA-staE ||16||

vaE-dAH (know) + a-ha-m (I) + aE -tam (that)   pu-ru-SHam (pu-ru-SHa) ma -hA-ntam (supreme) |
A-di -tya-va-rNam  (brilliant as Sun)  ta-ma-saH (darkness) + a-stu (who is)     pA -raE (beyond) |
sa-rvA-Ni (all)  rU -pA-Ni (forms)  vi -ci-tya  (having designed)  dhI-raH (glorious) |
nA-mA-ni (names)  kRe- tvA (having made)  a-bhi - va-dan (communicates/manages/deals) + yat
(that) + A-staE (who is) ||16||

I have realized the supreme pu-ru-SHa, brilliant as the Solar hue and beyond the veil of darkness (mA-ya). All the forms are formulated, categorized and permeated by that wise and glorious being.
 

dhA-tA   pu -ra-stA-dya- mu-dA-ja-hA-ra |
sha -kraH  pra-vi- dv-An   pra- di-sha-shca-ta-sraH |
ta-maE -vam  vi-dvA-na -mRe-ta   i -ha  bha-va-ti |
nA-nyaH   pa-nthA   a- ya-nA-ya  vi-dya-taE  ||17||

dhA-tA(the creator, bra-hma or pra-jA-pa-ti)  pu -ra-stAt (in the past) + ya- m (whom)  + u-dA-ja-hA-ra (complemented, glorified, or praised)|
sha -kraH (i-ndra)  pra-vi- dv-An (well versed, or knowledgeable)  pra- di-sha -s + ca+ta-sraH (in all directions or in all matters) |
tam  (him) + aE -vam (in this way) vi-dvAn  (knower) + a -mRe-ta (immortal)       i -ha (here, in this very life) bha-va-ti (becomes) |
na + a-nyaH ( not any other) pa-nthA (path)  a-ya-nA-ya (for liberation) vi-dya-taH (exists or know of) ||17||

Realizing the pu-ru-SHa thus (as in verse 16), whom bra-hma (the creator) and  i-ndra (who is  well versed in all matters)  have (also) glorified earlier, one will be liberated in this very life. There is no other way (for liberation) indeed.

ROOT of DHARMA (dha-rmasya mU-lam)

ya- jN~aE-na   ya -jN~a-ma-ya-ja-nta  daE- vAH |
tA-ni   dha-rmA-Ni   pra-tha- mA-nyA-san |
taE   ha   nA-kam   ma-hi -mA-na-ssa-ca-ntaE |
ya-tra  pU-rvaE  sA-dhyA-ssa-nti   daE -vAH ||18||

ya- jN~aE-na (by sacrifice)  ya -jN~am (to sacrifice) + a-ya-ja-nta (performed sacrfice)  daE- vAH (gods) |
tA-ni  (these) dha-rmA-Ni (acts of dha-rma)  pra-tha- mA-ni (the first) + A-san (became) |
taE   ha (these very) nA-kam (heaven, pious abode)  ma-hi -mA-naH   (glory of) + sa-ca-ntaE (attain)|
ya-tra  (where) pU-rvaE (before) sA-dhyAH (sA-dhyAs or achievers) + sa-nti (are)  daE -vAH (gods) ||18||

Gods performed ya-jN~a offering ya-jN~a to ya-jN~a itself. Those were the first acts of Dha-rma. By doing so, they attained the glory of heaven just as the sA-dhyAs and gods in the past.

[Note1: This is like offering the water from a river back to a river and feel blessed. Any act of charity we perform in reality is this. We can not claim that we made something  from scratch. If we have to do that we will first have to create this universe!]

[Note 2: The ya-jN~a mentioned here is the ya-jN~a of creation of this world from the body of the pu-ru-SHa, the one source of all. pu-ru-SHa literally means "the one who fulfills or encompasses everything". pu-ru-SHa is used commonly to refer to man. pu-ra refers to a big place which has many attributes. This is also probably derived from pu-ru-SHa]

[Note3: sA-dhyAs, is perhaps, the root word for: sA-dhya, possible; si-ddhi-attainment; sA-dha-na, means; sA-dha-ka, seeker; sA-dhu, the right thing to do]
 

pu-ru-SHa sU-ktam (u-tta-ra NA-rA-ya-Na)

MASTER BUILDER (vi-shva-ka-rmi)

a -dbhya-ssa-mbhU-taH  pRe-thi -vyai  ra- sA-cca |
vi -shva-ka-rma-Na- ssa ma-va-rta -tA-dhi |
ta-sya  tva-SHtA   vi -da-dha-dhrU-pa-maE-ti |
ta-tpu-ru-SHa-sya    vi-shva -mA-jA-na -ma-graE ||19||
 

a-dbhyaH (from the water) + sa-mbhU-taH (produced) pRe-thi -vyaiH (the Earth)  ra-sAH (essence, elements) + ca (also, and) |
vi -shva-ka-rma-NaH (divine architect of all) +  sa-ma-va-rta -ta (to appear)+ a-dhi (more than that)|
ta-sya  (his) tva-SHtA (carpenter)  vi -da-dha-t (establishes) + rU-pa-m (form)+ aE-ti (thus, all) |
tat (that) + pu-ru-SHa-sya (pu-ru-Sha's)  vi-shva m (all) + A-jA-na m (formed) + a-graE (in the beginning) ||19||
 

vi-rAt pu-ru-SHa through (the interaction with) water, Earth  and other elements became the master of all creations (vishva-ka-rma). As master carpenter, He assumed numerous forms and is more than all this. I have realized the primordial great deeds of that pu-ru-SHa.
 

SPIRITUAL REALIZATION (ta-tva  sA-xA-tkA-ram)

vaE-dA-ha-maE -tam   pu-ru-SHam  ma -hA-ntam |
A-di -tya-va-rNam  ta-ma-saH  pa-ra- stAt |
ta-maE -vam   vi -dvA-na -mRe-ta  i -ha   bha-va-ti |
nA-nyaH  pa-nthA   vi-dya- taE-ya-nA-ya ||20||
 

vaE-dAH (know) + a-ha-m (I) + aE -tam (that)   pu-ru-SHam (pu-ru-SHa) ma -hA-ntam (supreme) |
A-di -tya-va-rNam  (brilliant as Sun)  ta-ma-saH (darkness) pa- ra- stAt (transcends) |
tam  (him) + aE -vam (thus, in this manner) vi -dvA-n (who knows) + a -mRe-ta  (immortal) i -ha (here)  bha-va-ti (becomes)|
na(no)+ anyaH (other) pa-nthA (way)  vi-dya-taH (know of or exists) + aya-nA-ya (for liberation) ||20||
 

I have realized the supreme pu-ru-SHa, brilliant as the Solar hue and beyond the veil of darkness (mA-ya). Knowing him thus, one will be liberated in this very life. There is no other way (for liberation) indeed.

ITHIN (a-nta-ryA-mi-tvam)

pra- jA-pa- ti-shca-ra-ti   ga-rbhaE   a -ntaH |
a- jA- ya -mA- nO   ba -hu -dhA  vi-jA- ya-taE |
ta-sya  dhI-rAH   pa- ri -jA- na- nti  -yO- ni m
ma- rI- cI- nAm  pa -da-mi-ccha- nti   vaE - dha- saH || 21||

pra- jA-pa-tiH (as procreator) + ca-ra-ti  (lives, moves)  ga-rbhaE (in the womb)  a -ntaH (inside) |
a- jA- ya -mA- naH (unborn)   ba -hu -dhA (in may ways) vi-jA- ya-taE (appears) |
ta-sya  (his) dhI-rAH (wise, intelligent) pa- ri -jA- na- nti  (clearly understand) yO- ni m (as the route cause
or primary source) ma- rI- cI- nAm ( ma-rI-ci and others such as sa-pta Re-SHIs)
 pa -dam (state or positions) + i-ccha-nti (desirous) vaE - dha- saH (da-xa bra-hma and other subsequent creators) || 21||

The Lord abides in every womb. Unborn, yet giving birth to all. The aspirers of the exhalted state of ancient seers and creators, realize Him as The SOURCE.

SPIRITUAL GLOW (bra-hma taE-jas)

yO  daE -vaE-bhya  A-ta-pa-ti |
yO  daE -vA-nAm   pu -rO-hi taH |
pU-rvO   yO  daE -vaE- bhyO   jA- taH |
na-mO  ru -cA-ya   brA-hma-yaE ||22||

yaH (who)  daE -vaE-bhya H (in the gods) A-ta-pa-ti (shines)|
yaH (who)  daE -vA-nAm (the gods)  pu -rO-hi-taH (leader, well wisher)|
pU-rvaH (before)  yaH (who)  daE -vaE- bhyH (god's)   jA- taH (born)|
na-maH (salutations)  ru -cA-ya  (brilliance, essence)  brA-hma-yaE (para bra-hman) ||22||

All salutations to that essence (radiance) of para bra-hman, who shines bright upon the gods. He is their preeminent master.

The STATE of KNOWER OF BRAHMAN (bra-hma- jN~A-ni  ma-hi-mA)

ru-cam  brA -hmam   ja- na- ya-ntaH |
daE- vA   a-graE    ta-da-bru-van |
ya-stvai -vam   brA-hma -NO  vi- dhyAt |
ta-sya  daE- vA  a-sa- nva-shaE  || 23||

ru-cam (essence)  brA -hmam (of knowledge of bra-hman)  ja- na- ya-ntaH (emanates, sends forth) |
daE- vAH (the gods)   a-graE  (in the beginning) tat  (this) + a-bru-van (said)|
ya-stu (whoever) + aE-vam (thus) brA-hma -NaH (inclination towards bra-hman)  vi - dhyAt (knows) |
ta-sya (his) daE - vA (gods) a-sa- n (will be) + va- shaE (control) || 23||

This essence of bra-hman, the gods realized early on and said: Whoever realizes the bra-hman, they will have mastery over gods.

a-rmai-shva-rya  sa-ma-nva-yam)

hrI- shca-taE  la x-mI-shca   pa-tnyau |
a-hO   rA- traE   pA- rshvaE | na-xa-trA-Ni  rU -pam |
a- shvi-nau   vyA-tta-m | i -SHTam  ma- ni-SHA- Na |
a- mum  ma- ni -SHA- Na | sa- rvam   ma- ni -SHA- Na ||24||

Om  shA-ntihH  shA-ntiH  shA-ntiH ||

hrIH (hrI, dignity, humility) +  ca (also) + taE (Your) la x-mIH (shrI, wealth) + ca  (also)  pa-tnyau (consorts)|
a-hO-rA- traE (the day and night) pA- rshvaE (sides) | na-xa-trA-Ni (stars) rU -pam (form, attributes) |
a- shvi-nau  (dyA-vA pRe-thi-vyaH,  Sky and Earth)  vyA-ttam (wide open mouth) |
i -SHTam (desires)  ma- ni-SHA-Na (grant us) | a- mum (happiness)  ma- ni -SHA- Na (grant us) | sa- rvam  (all that is)  ma- ni -SHA- Na (grant us) ||24||

Om
shA-ntiH  (peace from natural calamities, acts of god, a-dhi-dai-vik)
shA-ntiH (peace from physical ailments, a-dhi-bhau-tik)
shA ntiH (peace within, a-dhyA-tmik) ||

Wealth (Sree) and dignity (Hree) are Your consorts, night and Day are Your two sides, stars Your beauty spots (body), Sky and Earth are the upper and lower jaws of Your wide open mouth. Grant my desires, grant me happiness,
fulfill all there is (the purpose of life).  Bestow peace in all three spheres of existence.

Om ta-ccham -yO-rA-vRe-NI-ma-haE | gA-tum ya-jN~A-ya |
gA-tum  ya-jN~a-pa-ta-yaE | dai-vI sva-sti-ra-stu-naH |
sva-sti-rmA-nu-SHaE-bhyaH | U-rdhvam ji-gA-tu bhaE-SHa-jam |
sha-nnO  a-stu dvi-pa-daE | sham ca-tu-SHpa-daE |
Om  shA-ntihH  shA-ntiH  shA-ntiH

We seek that assemblage. May the ya-jN~a (spirit of sacrifice) flourish May the performer of ya-jN~a (one with spirit of sacrifice) flourish The divine grace be upon us. The divine grace be upon mankind May plants flourish (grow up wards)
Auspiciousness be to the two footed (animals) Auspiciousness be to the four footed (animals)
(May) three fold peace (prevail)

sa-rvam shrI  kRe-SHNA-rpa-Na-ma-stu

dAsOham,

Koti(kanyadanam) Sreekrishna (Tatachar).



Credits:

The translation and commentary are inspired by works of many scholars, especially, Dr. D.V. Gundappa (well known Kannada writer) , Swami Dayananda (founder of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam) and Swami Tadatmannada (Arsha vidya Gurukulam), Prof. Joseph Campbell (of the Power of Myth fame), and PS posted by Sriman V. Sundar on Srivaishnava home page.

CONCLUSION:

        Purusha Sukta teaches us to have respect for the world, life, and Dharma (law and order), which are essentially the basic sustaining elements of a society. We see here unity in apparent diversity, because this world is nothing but a projection of the Purusha. Seen this way, every life form, every spot of earth, every mountain, every river becomes holy. When we look at a mountain or a setting Sun and say ah, that is a participation in the divinity. There is no saying NO to WORLD or LIFE in Purusha Sukta! Rather it calls for joyful participation in this world with whatever abilities that we have, just as a mother would like her child to prosper.

An underlying  theme of the Hindu view of creation is "one became everything." It is not that God created everything, but  God is everything. To the question "God is or is not?" The answer is ONLY God is. This universe is a part of the Divine (not the other way!). There is no clear separation between the Creator and the creations. We do entertain "dualism" (separation- the Creator and creations are separate), but that is not a unique feature of Hinduism. Even many proponents of dualism ("dvaitins")   consider it more as a "transient dualism." Like wise, the avid proponents of non-dualism ("Advaitins")  in reality practice pseudo-dualism.

I think the way in which a religion  deals with the subject of creation greatly affects the psyche (principle of life) of the followers of that faith. Respect for nature, nature worship, blending with nature, respect for views of others, a gentle and universal out look of the world, a sense  of the vastness of time and the universe, spiritualism, systematic indifference (reasoned disregard) towards transient things, inner strength, peaceful retreat from restlessness, a great vocabulary on the inner life - all these come naturally to followers of Sanatana Dharma.

Perhaps the following observation by   Stanley Jones, an American missionary, who spent decades in the early part of this century in India to win souls for Jesus, makes perfect sense ......"It is easy to talk with a Hindu about spiritual things. It makes you feel that he is a spiritualized being. He is. Spiritual ideas are on tap at once, and he talks about them fluently, easily, naturally. They are the breath of his life.  And not only the breath of his life, but the strength of his life.....".