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ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् Meaning — Line by Line

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् with its Hindi meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate

पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते। पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते॥

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate

Meaningवह (ब्रह्म) पूर्ण है, यह (जगत्) भी पूर्ण है। पूर्ण से ही पूर्ण उत्पन्न होता है। पूर्ण में से पूर्ण निकाल लेने पर भी पूर्ण ही शेष रहता है। ॐ शान्ति, शान्ति, शान्ति।

Verse 2#

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Meaningयह सिखाता है कि अनन्त ब्रह्म और प्रकट जगत् — दोनों पूर्ण हैं; और जगत् के उत्पन्न होने पर भी अनन्त में कोई कमी नहीं आती, वह सदा पूर्ण रहता है।

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.

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