Report
Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Institute of Vedic Research organised a national online seminar on Friday, 31 July 2026. The seminar examined the chapter entitled “Purodasha-Sampadana Karma” from Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya, the celebrated commentary authored by Pandit Motilal Shastri. The seminar formed part of a continuing series devoted to the scientific and philosophical themes discussed in the Shatapatha Brahmana.
Prof. Sundar Narayan Jha, Professor, Department of Veda, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi, explained that Svayambhu, Parameshthi, the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth constitute the five fundamental principles responsible for the differentiation of creation. Among these, Svayambhu and Parameshthi possess an immortal (amrita) nature. The Sun embodies both immortal and mortal aspects, whereas the Moon and the Earth are characterized by the mortal aspect. r\Referring to the statement from the Shatapatha Brahmana:
तस्मात् यत् किञ्च अर्वाचीनम् आदित्यात् सर्वं तन्मृत्युना अप्तम् ।
Tasmad yat kincha arvacinam adityat sarvam tan mrityuna aptam
(“Therefore, whatever is posterior to the Sun is attained through mortality.”),
He explained that the nature of the Earth and the Moon is determined on this basis, since both are later than the Sun. He further interpreted the mantra ‘निवेशयन् अमृतं न मर्त्यं च’-“Niveshayan amritam na martyam cha” to explain the dual nature of the Sun. (Shatapatha Brahmana, p. 540)
Dr. Durga Sharan Rath, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Central Sanskrit University, Shri Raghunath Kirti Campus, observed that the commentary encompasses numerous philosophical themes. The present chapter particularly expounds the doctrine of Triadicism (Tritvavada). According to the principle: Trih satya va devatah (“The deities are threefold in truth.”), the doctrine of triadicity is established.
The Rigveda, Samaveda, and Yajurveda constitute a triad. Likewise, the deities are arranged in triads, and even in traditional practice Vedic benedictions are recited three times. The Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya presents numerous illustrations of this principle, including:
- Earth, Atmosphere, and Heaven — the three worlds (Trailokya).
- Agni, Vayu, and Aditya — the three principal deities.
- Vasus, Rudras, and Adityas — the three classes of divine beings.
In all, the commentary discusses eight such examples in detail. (Shatapatha Brahmana, p. 511)
Dr. Sudhakar Kumar Pandey, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Central Sanskrit University, Jaipur Campus, stated that the present chapter gives a significant exposition of Prajapati. Two forms of Prajapati are described in the context of the Black Antelope (Krishna Mriga): Satya Prajapati and Yajna Prajapati. Satya Prajapati represents the original or essential principle, while Yajna Prajapati represents the functional or derived principle. Satya Prajapati is the very foundation upon which the sacrifice (yajna) is established. (Shatapatha Brahmana, p. 467)
Dr. Nishant Mishra, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Central Sanskrit University, Ekalavya Campus, explained that the entire universe is divided into five principal realms: Svayambhu as the first, Parameshthi as the second, the Sun as the third, the Moon as the fourth, and the Earth as the fifth. Owing to this fivefold division, the concept of Pancha-Pundira Prajapatya Balsha is described, one of whose branches begins with Svayambhu. Svayambhu and Parameshthi together constitute the Supreme Realm (Parama Dhama); the Sun is designated as the Middle Realm (Madhyama Dhama); while the Moon and the Earth together form the Lower Realm (Avara Dhama). (Shatapatha Brahmana, p. 572)
The seminar commenced with the recitation of Vedic invocatory hymns by Dr. Amand Mishra, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Central Sanskrit University, Shri Raghunath Kirti Campus.
The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Lakshmi Kant Vimal, Research Officer, Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Institute of Vedic Research.
Faculty members, research scholars, and Sanskrit enthusiasts from universities and colleges across several states participated enthusiastically, contributing to the successful conduct of the seminar.