Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Meaning — Line by Line

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

← Full Page Complete Lyrics Benefits & How to Chant

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Om Purnamadah Purnamidam with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते। पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते॥

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate

MeaningThat is whole; this is whole. From the whole, the whole arises. When the whole is taken from the whole, the whole alone remains. Om, peace, peace, peace.

Verse 2#

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

MeaningIt teaches that the infinite (Brahman) and the manifest world are both complete — and that the infinite, even as the universe springs from it, loses nothing and remains forever full.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

पूर्णम् अदः

Purnam Adah

That (the unmanifest Absolute, Brahman) is whole, complete

पूर्णम् इदं

Purnam Idam

This (the manifest universe) is also whole, complete

पूर्णात् पूर्णम् उदच्यते

Purnat Purnamudachyate

From the whole, the whole comes forth

पूर्णस्य पूर्णम् आदाय

Purnasya Purnamadaya

Taking the whole away from the whole

पूर्णम् एव अवशिष्यते

Purnamevavashishyate

The whole alone still remains

शान्तिः

Shanti

Peace — invoked thrice, for body, mind and spirit

Origin & History

Source: Isha Upanishad (Shanti Patha); also Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.1.1

Author: Vedic seers (Shukla Yajurveda tradition)

Period: Ancient (Vedic)

This verse opens the Isha Upanishad as its peace invocation. In a single image — the whole (purna) — it captures the non-dual vision of Vedanta: the infinite Brahman is complete, the universe born from it is complete, and the source remains complete even as the world pours forth. For millennia it has framed the study of the Upanishads, reminding the seeker that the Self they search for is already full and lacking nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Om Purnamadah Purnamidam mean?▼

'That is whole, this is whole; from the whole the whole arises; take the whole from the whole, and the whole still remains.' It declares that both the infinite Absolute (Brahman) and the manifest world are complete, and that the infinite is undiminished even as creation flows from it.

Where is this mantra from?▼

It is the Shanti Patha (peace invocation) of the Isha Upanishad, and also appears in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (5.1.1). It is one of the most celebrated peace mantras of Vedanta.

When is it chanted?▼

Traditionally before and after studying the Upanishads or any sacred text, and before meditation — to invoke peace and to frame the study within the truth of wholeness.

Ready to start chanting?

See Benefits & How to Chant →