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Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (All This is Brahman) — Word-by-Word Meaning

सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्म

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

सर्वम्
sarvam
All, everything (the entire universe)
खलु
khalu
Indeed, verily (emphatic)
इदम्
idam
This (all that is perceived)
ब्रह्म
brahma
Brahman, the supreme Reality
तज्जलान्
tajjalān
From That (tat) all is born (ja), into That it dissolves (la), in That it lives and breathes (an)
इति
iti
Thus (knowing in this way)
शान्तः
śāntaḥ
With a calm, tranquil mind, free of agitation
उपासीत
upāsīta
One should meditate, worship, contemplate
क्रतुमयः पुरुषः
kratumayaḥ puruṣaḥ
A person is made of his conviction/will (becomes what he deeply resolves and believes)
यथाक्रतुः
yathākratuḥ
According to the conviction (one holds in this life)
इतः प्रेत्य
itaḥ pretya
After departing from here (after death)
भवति
bhavati
He becomes (accordingly)
सः क्रतुं कुर्वीत
saḥ kratuṁ kurvīta
Therefore let him form a firm resolve (to meditate on Brahman)

Complete Translation

All this is verily Brahman. From That it is born, into That it dissolves, and in That it breathes and lives. Therefore, with a tranquil mind, one should meditate upon It. Now, a person is made of conviction; as is one's conviction in this world, so does one become after departing hence. Let one therefore cultivate firm conviction.

Origin & History

Source: Chandogya Upanishad, Verse 3.14.1

Author: Traditional (Upanishadic); the Shandilya Vidya, attributed to sage Shandilya

Period: Vedic / Upanishadic

In the third chapter of the Chandogya Upanishad, the sage Shandilya gives a complete teaching of meditation on Brahman. He begins, 'All this is verily Brahman; from That it is born, in That it lives, into That it dissolves — therefore, with a calm mind, let one meditate upon It.' He then describes Brahman dwelling within the heart, smaller than a grain of rice yet greater than all the worlds, the Self of all, free of evil, the controller and ruler of everything. This passage, the Shandilya Vidya, is among the most cherished meditations of the Upanishads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma mean?▼
It means 'All this is verily Brahman'. It declares that the whole universe is a manifestation of Brahman, which is its source, support and dissolution, and so one should meditate on Brahman with a peaceful mind.
Where does Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma come from?▼
It is from the Chandogya Upanishad (3.14.1), of the Sama Veda. It opens the teaching known as the Shandilya Vidya, attributed to the sage Shandilya, on meditation upon the all-pervading Self.
What does 'tajjalan' mean?▼
'Tajjalan' is a compact teaching word: tat-ja (born from That), tat-la (dissolving into That), tat-an (living and breathing in That). It tells us that creation, sustenance and dissolution all rest in Brahman alone.
Why does the verse speak of conviction?▼
It states that 'a person is made of his conviction' — what one deeply believes and resolves shapes what one becomes, here and hereafter. So the Upanishad urges the seeker to cultivate firm faith in Brahman, that one may attain Brahman.

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