आत्मैवेदमग्र आसीत्पुरुषविधः सोऽ-नुवीक्ष्य नान्यदात्मनोऽपश्यत्सोऽहमस्मी-त्यग्रे व्याहरत्ततोऽहंनामाभवत्तस्मादप्ये-तर्ह्यामन्त्रितोऽहमयमित्येवाग्र उक्त्वा-थान्यन्नाम प्रब्रूते यदस्य भवति स यत्पू-र्वोऽस्मात्सर्वस्मात्सर्वान्पाप्मन औषत्त-स्मात्पुरुष ओषति ह वै स तं योऽस्मा-त्पूर्वी बुभूषति य एवं वेद ॥ १ ॥
In plain words
In the beginning, this universe was the Self alone in the shape of a person. Looking around, he saw nothing other than himself. He first uttered, 'I am.' Hence the name 'I' arose. Therefore, even today, when a person is addressed, he first says, 'It is I,' and then speaks any other name that belongs to him. Because this primordial being, prior to all creation, burned away all sins, he is called Purusha. He who knows this verily burns up all evil who seeks to surpass him.
Close to the Sanskrit
The self alone was this in the beginning, having the shape of a person. He looking around saw nothing other than the self. He spoke in the beginning: 'I am this.' Then the name 'I' came into being. Therefore even nowadays, when addressed, saying 'It is this I' first, then one speaks any other name which belongs to him. He, because he before all this burned all sins, therefore is a purusha. He burns indeed him, who desires to be prior to him, who thus knows.