The phrase “īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam” is famous in upaniṣadic lore. Not only because it heads the īśāvāsyopaniṣad, but also because the īśāvāsyopaniṣad itself is traditionally enumerated at the head of the 10 major upaniṣads. The phrase is pregnant with meaning, and is truly a mahāvākyam.
Recently, Dr. Kuntimaddi sadānanda posted some comments (edited below) based on the teachings of Svāmī tejomayānanda on the advaita-academy site –
īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam – The statement is normally translated as: This universe is pervaded or clothed by the Lord. Svāmī tejomayānandā-jī unraveled its deeper meaning. He said, vāsyam actually is an instructional statement of the teacher to the student – just as the instructions– śrotavyaḥ, mantavyaḥ, nididhyāsitavyaḥ. Obviously, it is an instructional statement by a teacher to his student who is seeking brahma vidyā …
This is a wonderful exposition, but I was also a little saddened about the state of vedāntic education, where surface meanings have become deeper meanings. śaṅkarācārya himselfs translates the word “vāsyam” as “ācchādanīyam”, or "should be enveloped", which is clearly an instruction with the same force as śrotavyaḥ, mantavyaḥ, nidhidhyāsitavyaḥ. I was curious, and consulted simple introductory commentaries. First, the maṇiprabhā by amaradāsa –
idaṁ sarvaṁ nikhilaṁ vāsyam ācchādanīyaṁ, vyāptam iti yāvat ..
And then the upaniṣat-prasāda, which is an even shorter commentary. It says –
īśā īśvareṇa antaryāmyātmanā vāsyam ācchādanīyam . īśa eva idaṁ sarvam iti bhāvanayā tirobhāvanīyaṁ, tattadbuddhiḥ tyājyā iti bhāvaḥ ..
The same essence is clearly brought out by all of these commentators. Swami tejomayānanda has nicely brought out this import in English, and Dr. sadānanda has graced us by posting on it. But, I am left to wonder about a world where basic saṁskṛtam skills are present in all spiritual seekers.
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