By: Madan Lal

 ‘Om Poorn-madah Poornamidam

Poornaat Poornam-udachchyate,

Poornasya Poornamaadaaya

Poornamayvavashishyate.’

The word ‘Om’ denotes the attributes of the Absolute such as ‘Sat' (trueth), ‘Chit’ (Consciousness) and ‘Ananda’ (Bliss). The Upnishad (Isha Upnishad in this case) opens with this verse and the verse in its own turn opens with the word ‘OM’ that describes the attributes of the Absolute. The Rishi-author of this Upnishad does not use any word not absolutely required. And there lies the beauty of the verse(s).

The above-cited verse is very typical and contradictory inasmuch as it says:

‘Brahma’ (God) is Poorna (absolute) and this Universe is also absolute. And this Poorna has been created from that Poorna. If Poorna is taken out from the Poorna, there remains yet the Poorna.

The above is the literal meaning of the verse. Clearly, the word ‘Poorna’ has been used paradoxically.

In mathematical terms, the verse be explained as under:

0-0=0 0+0=0

0/0=0 0x0=0

It means the whole universe is engulfed by a force or say energy. That energy pervades in the universe and causes all the inertia and activity, both.

If we explain the above equation in words it will be thus : God is absolute and the universe is also absolute, just because only absolute ca be created from the absolute, and by taking away from the absolute, there remains the absolute; and if absolute is added to the absolute, there remains the absolute; and if absolute is added to the absolute, the sum total will still be absolute.

This is the conclusion drawn by the Rishi of the Upnishad. He has declared the Truth first and the means to realise this Truth follows in the subsequent verses. And, ultimately, he proves the equation by closing the Upanishad with the same verse with which it opens. In other words, when it opens, the absolute Truth is declared and after explaining from all angels, it ends with the same verse. Thus the Rishi has proved what he had declared at the outset.

In reality, the whole Upnishad is encapsulated in the opening verse. But this is valid in the case of all those who have realised the Absolute (God). The explanation that follows in the subsequent verses is for those who have yet to realise Him. Thus, the following verses are a sort of explanation and for proving the equation drawn in the apparently contradictory statement and ultimately closing the statement with the same verse.

Let us try to understand the above with the help of some examples. It is said that God is Love. The whole of this Universe is, thus, the product of love. It is the creation of love; it depends upon love. Now if you love someone or something, your love for that is whole. You cannot love anyone or anything in parts. Either you go for it, or you do not go for it, at all. Similarly, when you take out Absolute from the Absolute there remains the Absolute just as if you love, you love. Love does not part with the lover when he loves. Similarly, Absolute does not turn into emptiness when Absolute is taken out of it.

Again, let us take the instance of Space. Quite recently a picture sent by a rocket, shot in the space by the U.S.A., shows an abyss in which millions of celestial bodies are attracted and being absorbed by natural phenomenon. Just think whether the space is reduced or increased in any way, in this process. God-Existence means that He permits all things. In whatever is formed in this existence, simply changes take place and nothing is reduced. Thus, the sum total always remains the same.

For God, this universe is like a dream and when an individual also realises that the universe is like a dream, does he attain Godhood? At this stage he declares that he is a God (Aham Brahamasmi). Thus, each individual is complete in all respects (absolute). Similarly, each atom is God. Those who know anatomy will understand it better in the manner that millions of cells in a body die every day and similarly millions of new cells are formed instead.

I would like to make a mention that the Nirankari way of teaching is based on this verse in as much as it reveals the Truth first and puts the seeker on the path to realise it for himself. And those, who are in a position to understand at the very outset, they are the blessed ones. And the rest have to tread the path and reach the goal as the Upanishad shows the way.