Verse 6

Vajrasuchika

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

तर्हि ज्ञानं ब्राह्मण इति चेत् तन्न। क्षत्रियादयोऽपि परमार्थदर्शिनोऽभिज्ञा बहवः सन्ति। तस्मात् न ज्ञानं ब्राह्मण इति॥६॥

Padapatha (Word Split)

तर्हि । ज्ञानम् । ब्राह्मणः । इति । चेत् । तत् । न । क्षत्रिय-आदयः । अपि । परमार्थ-दर्शिनः । अभिज्ञाः । बहवः । सन्ति । तस्मात् । न । ज्ञानम् । ब्राह्मणः । इति ॥६॥

IAST Transliteration

tarhi jñānaṃ brāhmaṇa iti cet tan na | kṣatriyādayo'pi paramārthadarśino'bhijñā bahavaḥ santi | tasmāt na jñānaṃ brāhmaṇa iti ||6||

Translation

If it be said, “then knowledge is the Brāhmaṇa,” that is not so. For among Kṣatriyas and others also there are many who are knowers, seers of the highest Reality. Therefore, knowledge is not the Brāhmaṇa.

Academic Translation

If it be said, “then knowledge is the Brāhmaṇa,”—that is not so. For Kṣatriyas and others also are many who are knowers, seers of the highest reality. Therefore, knowledge is not the Brāhmaṇa.

Verse Context

• Non-exclusivity of Brahma-jñāna; distinction between knowledge and social designation
• Mahavakya: Affirms the universality implied by Mahāvākyas: realization of identity with Brahman is not confined to a social group; it is available wherever ‘tat tvam asi’ is understood.
• Atharva
• Chandas: Prose