Purusha
Purusha (Sanskrit: पुरुष, IAST: Puruṣa) is a complex concept whose meaning evolved in Vedic and Upanishadic times. Depending on source and historical timeline, it means the cosmic man or it means Self, Consciousness, and Universal principle. In early Vedas, Purusa meant a cosmic man whose sacrifice by the gods created all life. This was one of many creation theories discussed in the Vedas. The idea parallels Norse Ymir, with the myth's origin in Proto-Indo-European religion.
Quotes
[edit]Vedas
[edit]- A thousand heads hath Puruṣa, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet.
On every side pervading earth he fills a space ten fingers wide.
This Puruṣa is all that yet hath been and all that is to be.- Rigveda, Book X, Hymn XC, as translated by T. H. Griffith (1896)
Upanishads
[edit]- Splendid and without a bodily form is this Purusha, without and within, unborn, without life breath and without mind, higher than the supreme element. From him are born life breath and mind. He is the soul of all beings.
- From the Mundaka Upanishad, as translated by Klaus Klostermair, A Survey of Hinduism, 3rd ed. (State University of New York Press, 2007), p. 170
Puranas
[edit]- Oh leader of Kurus! From the mouth of the Puruṣa came forth Brahman (the Veda) and the Brāhmaṇa class like syllables coming out from the mouth (head). Hence the Brāhmaṇa Varṇa became the foremost among the Varṇas.From his arms emanated the power of protection and the Kṣatriya class who follows that vow, viz. the duty of protecting the world. This class born from Puruṣa (Lord Viṣṇu) protects the classes of people from wounds (i.e. injuries or troubles) caused by thorns (in the form of miscreants).From the thighs of that All-pervading Lord were born the vocations like agriculture which maintain the livelihood of the public. The Vaiśya class, born from the same part of the body, carries out trades and agriculture for the maintenance of people.From the feet of the Lord was born to service for the achievement of religion. Formerly the Śūdra class was born for the sake of service, whereby Hari is pleased.
- Bhagavata Purana, Book 3, Chapter 6, as translated by G. V. Tagare (1950)
Vedanta
[edit]- That Supreme Being (purusha), Partha, is attained by undivided devotion. The living beings are situated within him and he pervades this entire world.
- Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 8, verse 22, as translated by Nicholas Sutton (2016), p. 133
- You are the Supreme Brahman, the supreme abode and the supreme purifier. You are the eternal divine purusha, the primordial Deity, unborn and all-pervading.
- Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10, verse 12, as translated by Nicholas Sutton (2016), p. 157
- Arjuna refers to Krishna as purusha in several verses, such as Chapter 10, verse 12; Chapter 11, verse 18; Chapter 11, verse 38
