Vadanti Tat Tattva-Vidah (Bhagavata 1.2.11) — Word-by-Word Meaning

वदन्ति तत् तत्त्वविदः

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

वदन्ति

vadanti

They speak of, they declare

तत्

tat

That (the Reality)

तत्त्वविदः

tattva-vidaḥ

The knowers of the truth (those who have realized Reality)

तत्त्वम्

tattvam

The Truth, the Reality, the essence

यत्

yat

Which

ज्ञानम्

jñānam

Knowledge, pure consciousness

अद्वयम्

advayam

Non-dual, without a second

ब्रह्म इति

brahma iti

As 'Brahman' (the impersonal Absolute)

परमात्मा इति

paramātmā iti

As 'Paramatma' (the Supreme Self within all)

भगवान् इति

bhagavān iti

As 'Bhagavan' (the personal Lord, full of all majesty)

शब्द्यते

śabdyate

Is called, is named, is spoken of

Complete Translation

The knowers of Truth declare that the Reality is the non-dual consciousness; and that same Reality is named in three ways — as Brahman, as Paramatma, and as Bhagavan.

Origin & History

Source: Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) 1.2.11

Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (spoken by Suta Goswami)

Period: Ancient (Puranic period)

In the second chapter of the first canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, the sages gathered at Naimisharanya ask Suta Goswami about the highest good. In reply he expounds that loving devotion to the Lord is the supreme dharma, and to clarify the nature of the goal he speaks this verse: the knowers of truth declare the one Reality to be non-dual consciousness, named as Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan. The verse thus sets the philosophical foundation of the Bhagavatam, unifying the impersonal Absolute of the jnanis, the indwelling Self of the yogis, and the personal Lord of the devotees as one and the same Truth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Vadanti tat tattva-vidah' mean?▼

It means 'the knowers of Truth declare that the Reality is non-dual consciousness, and it is named as Brahman, as Paramatma, and as Bhagavan.' It is a famous verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.11) describing the one Reality and its three names.

What are Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan?▼

They are three names for the one supreme Reality as realized in three ways: Brahman is the formless, all-pervading Absolute; Paramatma is the Supreme Self dwelling within all beings; and Bhagavan is the personal Lord endowed with all majesty, beauty and grace. The verse says these are not three truths but one.

Why is this verse considered important?▼

It is regarded as a key to the philosophy of the Srimad Bhagavatam because it reconciles the impersonal and personal understandings of God. By declaring the one non-dual Reality to be addressed under three names, it shows that the paths of knowledge and devotion lead to the same supreme Truth.

Where is this verse found?▼

It appears in the Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana), Canto 1, Chapter 2, Verse 11, spoken by the sage Suta to the assembled sages, in the section that establishes devotion to the Lord as the highest path.

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