ततः पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्यम् यस्मिन्गता न निवर्तन्ति भूयः। तमेव चाद्यं पुरुषं प्रपद्ये यतः प्रवृत्तिः प्रसृता पुराणी।।15.4।।
tataḥ padaṃ tatparimārgitavyam yasmigatā na nivartanti bhūyaḥ | tameva cādyaṃ puruṣaṃ prapadye yataḥ pravṛttiḥ prasṛtā purāṇī
Translation
Then that supreme abode must be sought, for once one reaches it, one never returns. I surrender exclusively to that primal Person, from whom the ancient activity of creation spreads.
Word Meanings
ततः — from that; पदं — abode; तत्परिमार्गितव्यम् — must be sought after that; यस्मिन्गता — in which one goes; न — not; निवर्तन्ति — return; भूयः — again; तमेव — that alone; च — also; आद्यं — primal; पुरुषं — person; प्रपद्ये — I surrender to; यतः — from whom; प्रवृत्तिः — activity; प्रसृता — spread; पुराणी — ancient
Understanding the Verse
In this profound verse of the Vana‑Parva, Krishna expounds upon the ultimate goal of the spiritual seeker, the "Supreme Abode" (para‑daśa). The phrase "tataḥ padaṃ" refers to the final destination beyond the material world, a realm of perfected consciousness that is free from the cycles of birth and death. It is not merely a place, but a state of being where individuality merges with the immutable reality.
The verb "tatparimārgitavyam" (must be sought after that) stresses the urgency and the dedicated effort required. It is not a casual aspiration; the seeker must consciously set the Supreme Abode as the singular aim of all actions, thoughts, and meditation. The following clause, "yasmigatā na nivartanti bhūyaḥ," underscores the irrevocability of this attainment. Once the soul reaches this pinnacle, it does not regress to worldly existence, eliminating the possibility of further samsaric return. This irreversible nature aligns with the concept of moksha, the liberation from the cycle of karma.
Krishna then personalizes this metaphysical vision by identifying the Supreme Abode with "tameva cādyaṃ puruṣaṃ" – the primal Person who is the sole object of devotion. The word "puruṣa" here is laden with multiple connotations: it signifies the cosmic soul, the eternal principle, and also the personal aspect of the Divine who remains untouched by material imperfection. By declaring "tameva," the verse eliminates any ambiguity about the object of surrender; there is only one, the original source of all creation.
The verse culminates with the rationale for this exclusive devotion: "yataḥ pravṛttiḥ prasṛtā purāṇī" – because from this Primal Person flows the ancient activity (pravṛtti) that continuously manifests the universe. This activity is not a temporal event but an eternal, ever‑expanding process that sustains all existence. By aligning oneself with its origin, the seeker participates in the divine dynamism rather than remaining a peripheral observer.
Thus, Chapter 15, Verse 4 weaves together metaphysics and devotional practice. It presents a roadmap: identify the supreme abode, strive relentlessly toward it, recognize the singular primal entity behind all creation, and surrender wholly. In doing so, the aspirant transcends the transient realm, merges with the source of the age‑old cosmic activity, and attains the ultimate liberation that the Gita envisions for humanity.
