The Perfect Prayer | Purnamadah

We seem to live in a very imperfect world. How can we say all this is perfect? What does this mean? The key is in the Sanskrit word purnam, that which fills everything.

Warwick Jessup first came across this Sanskrit prayer aged 14; it was something quite special to him. Warwick sounds the prayer and gives a translation. It's not praying in order to get something; it's stating a reality. So what does it mean? Warwick goes on to consider the commentator Shankara's words on this prayer. He says purnam means the limitless, all-pervasive. It begins by saying 'That is perfect'.

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam
Purnat Purnamudachyate
Purnasya Purnamadaya
Purnameva Vashishyate
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Line by line, Warwick examines and explains this enigmatic prayer. He also gives a tip from his own experience. 'Take perfect from perfect and the remainder is perfect'. It's easy to take imperfect from any situation. But the advice here is to always remember that fullness, that completeness, universality. A teacher's mind can tend towards criticism, but it's much better if it goes towards praise. This gives an indication of the perfect in every situation.

Finally, peace peace peace. If the mind is agitated, it can't perceive the completeness and perfection everywhere. When the mind is calm, it's possible to see that perfection.


The School of Philosophy and Economic Science offers courses in practical philosophy and economics with justice as well as other subjects. It aims to approach philosophy in a practical way, encouraging students to apply philosophy in their lives. The School also introduces a mindfulness-type exercise leading eventually to mantra meditation.

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