Isa Upanishad
Complete lyrics with original text, transliteration, and meaning, 18 sections
Verse 1
Original
ईशा वास्यमिदँ सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्स्थितं तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्य स्विद्धनं
Transliteration
Īśā vāsyamidaṁ sarvaṁ yatkiñca jagatsThitam tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā mā gṛdhaḥ kasya sviddhanam
Meaning / Translation
Everything in this universe is pervaded by God. Therefore, take only what is necessary for your sustenance, and do not be greedy about others' wealth.
Verse 2
Original
कुर्वन्नेवे ह विद्यामृद्धिं प्राचुर्यं सारमस्यांधसः परं प्राप्तव्यं प्राप्तव्यं
Transliteration
Kurvanneva ha vidyāmṛddhiṁ prācuryaṁ sāramasyāndhasaḥ paraṁ prāptavyaṁ prāptavyaṁ
Meaning / Translation
By performing actions, one should acquire knowledge, prosperity, and the essence of the universe, which is the ultimate goal to be attained.
Verse 3
Original
असुर्या नाम ते लोका अन्धेन तमसाऽऽवृताः तत्र मा व्योमा व्याप्ताः तदनुभ्रातृः
Transliteration
Asuryā nāma te lokā andhena tamasā'vṛtāḥ tatra mā vyomā vyāptāḥ tad anubhrātṛḥ
Meaning / Translation
Those worlds are called Asura, covered in darkness, and they are enveloped in blind ignorance. Do not go there, my friend.
Verse 4
Original
अन्धं तामसं विद्यायाँ अशब्दं शब्दमानुपूर्वी
Transliteration
Andhaṁ tāmasaṁ vidyāyāṁ aśabdaṁ śabdamānupūrvī
Meaning / Translation
The knowledge that is devoid of sound and is prior to the sounds is called 'darkness', and it is the lowest form of knowledge.
Verse 5
Original
यस्त्वस्यादित्ये पूर्वे तपः तद्यत् सूर्यस्य सवरणं येन वरणं तपस्तपस्विनः
Transliteration
Yastv asyāditye pūrve tapaḥ tad yat sūryasya svaraṇaṁ yena varaṇaṁ tapas tapasvinaḥ
Meaning / Translation
The one who has practiced austerities before the sun rises, and has gained the knowledge of the sun, is the one who has attained the highest state of austerities.
Verse 6
Original
तद्धावतोऽन्यान्प्रत्येति स सारणं भूत्वा रथीयो भवति
Transliteration
Taddhāvato'nyānpratyeti sa sāraṇaṁ bhūtvā rathīyo bhavati
Meaning / Translation
The one who has attained the knowledge of the ultimate reality, runs ahead of others, and becomes the charioteer of the gods.
Verse 7
Original
स एकधा त्रिधा पञ्चधा सप्तधा लेढी रूपं प्राणस्सारमिदं यश्च
Transliteration
Sa ekadhā tridhā pañcadhā saptadhā leḍhī rūpaṁ prāṇassāram idaṁ yaś ca
Meaning / Translation
The one who is the essence of life, and has multiple forms, and is the ultimate reality, is the one who is known as the supreme being.
Verse 8
Original
अग्निर्मूर्धा ज्योतिर्ज्योतिर्यात्मा सर्वस्य यश्च
Transliteration
Agnirmūrdhā jyotirjyotiryātmā sarvasya yaś ca
Meaning / Translation
The fire is the head, the light is the eye, and the soul is the ultimate reality, and it is the essence of everything.
Verse 9
Original
प्राणो ह्येष यः सर्वभूतैर्विव्यानः प्राणः कर्मणां
Transliteration
Prāṇo hy eṣa yaḥ sarvabhūtair vivyānaḥ prāṇaḥ karmaṇām
Meaning / Translation
The life force is the one that pervades all living beings, and it is the essence of all actions.
Verse 10
Original
प्राणा देवा मृत्युश्च मभागं पायुर्जनस्स
Transliteration
Prāṇā devā mṛtyuś ca mabhāgaṁ pāyuḥ janassa
Meaning / Translation
The life force is the god, and death is the portion of the mortal, and the protector of the people.
Verse 11
Original
य एवं विद्याच्चक्षुरतद्धावति श्रोत्रं यद्यत्
Transliteration
Ya evaṁ vidyāc cakṣur ataddhāvati śrotraṁ yad yat
Meaning / Translation
The one who has the knowledge of the ultimate reality, has the eye of wisdom, and the ear of wisdom, and runs ahead of others.
Verse 12
Original
स ओं तत्सदिति निश्चितोऽर्थः स ओं तत्सदिति निश्चितः
Transliteration
Sa oṁ tat sad iti niścito'rthaḥ sa oṁ tat sad iti niścitaḥ
Meaning / Translation
The ultimate reality is the one that is expressed by the word 'Om', and it is the essence of everything.
Verse 13
Original
यस्यां ह वा अविद्या मोहेनमृत्युमृत्युमावृतः
Transliteration
Yasyāṁ ha vā avidyā mohena mṛtyumṛtyum āvṛtaḥ
Meaning / Translation
The one who is covered by ignorance and delusion, is surrounded by death.
Verse 14
Original
अथ नित्योऽमृतश्चाव्ययात्मा यदाततं यदक्षरं यद्
Transliteration
Atha nityo'mṛtaś cāvyayātmā yad ātataṁ yad akṣaraṁ yad
Meaning / Translation
The one who is eternal, immortal, and imperishable, is the ultimate reality, and it is the essence of everything.
Verse 15
Original
यो वेद निहितं गुहायां पारण्यं ज्योतिर्ज्योतिः
Transliteration
Yo veda nihitaṁ guhāyāṁ pāraṇyaṁ jyotir jyotir
Meaning / Translation
The one who knows the ultimate reality that is hidden in the cave of the heart, is the one who has attained the highest state of knowledge.
Verse 16
Original
सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्म तज्जलानिति शान्त उपासीत
Transliteration
Sarvaṁ khalvidam brahma tajjalan iti śānta upāsīta
Meaning / Translation
The entire universe is Brahman, and it is the essence of everything, and it should be worshipped with a peaceful mind.
Verse 17
Original
यस्तु सर्वाणि भूतान्यात्म्येवानुपश्ययति
Transliteration
Yastu sarvāṇi bhūtāny ātmy evānupaśyati
Meaning / Translation
The one who sees all living beings as the Self, is the one who has attained the highest state of knowledge.
Verse 18
Original
सोऽश्नUTE सर्वान् कामान् स ह वै भूयान्भवति
Transliteration
So'śnute sarvān kāmān sa ha vai bhūyān bhavati
Meaning / Translation
The one who has attained the knowledge of the ultimate reality, enjoys all the desires, and becomes the greatest of all.