सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं ब्रह्म — Word-by-Word Meaning
सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं ब्रह्म
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
सत्यम्
satyam
Truth, the ever-existent Reality (that which never ceases to be)
ज्ञानम्
jñānam
Knowledge, pure consciousness (self-luminous awareness)
अनन्तम्
anantam
Infinite, endless, limitless (unbounded by space, time or object)
ब्रह्म
brahma
Brahman, the supreme Reality
यः वेद
yaḥ veda
He who knows, the one who realizes
निहितम्
nihitam
Hidden, set, seated
गुहायाम्
guhāyām
In the cave (of the heart, the innermost intellect)
परमे व्योमन्
parame vyoman
In the supreme space/ether (the transcendent, the highest)
सः अश्नुते
saḥ aśnute
He enjoys, attains, obtains
सर्वान् कामान्
sarvān kāmān
All desires, all desirable things (fulfilment of every longing)
सह ब्रह्मणा विपश्चिता
saha brahmaṇā vipaścitā
Together with the all-wise (omniscient) Brahman
Complete Translation
ब्रह्म सत्य, ज्ञान और अनन्त स्वरूप है। जो उसे हृदय-गुहा में, परम आकाश में स्थित जानता है, वह सर्वज्ञ ब्रह्म के साथ समस्त कामनाओं को प्राप्त कर लेता है।
Origin & History
Source: Taittiriya Upanishad, Verse 2.1.1
Author: Traditional (Upanishadic)
Period: Vedic / Upanishadic
The second chapter of the Taittiriya Upanishad, the Brahmananda Valli or 'chapter of the bliss of Brahman', opens by defining the supreme Reality: 'Brahman is Truth, Knowledge, Infinity.' It declares that whoever knows this Brahman, hidden in the cave of the heart and in the highest space, fulfils all desires together with the all-knowing Brahman. The Upanishad then unfolds the famous teaching of the five sheaths (koshas) and the ascending degrees of bliss, all founded upon this opening definition of Brahman as Sat-Chit-Ananta.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Satyam Jnanam Anantam Brahma mean?▼
It means 'Brahman is Truth, Knowledge, Infinity'. This is the classic definition of Brahman: It is Satyam (the ever-existent Reality), Jnanam (pure consciousness), and Anantam (the limitless infinite).
Where does Satyam Jnanam Anantam Brahma come from?▼
It is from the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1), the opening of the Brahmananda Valli, which belongs to the Yajur Veda. It is one of the most quoted definitions of Brahman in all of Vedanta.
How does this definition describe Brahman?▼
These are not three separate attributes but three indicators of one Reality: as Truth, Brahman is that which never ceases to exist; as Knowledge, It is self-luminous awareness, not inert; as Infinity, It is beyond all limits of space, time and objects. Together they point beyond every finite thing to the Absolute.
What does 'hidden in the cave of the heart' mean?▼
The 'cave of the heart' (guha) signifies the innermost recess of one's being, the subtle intellect where the Self is realized. Brahman is said to be seated there and in the 'supreme space' — meaning It is to be found within, as one's own deepest awareness, as well as transcendent.
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