yaccaivaṁ brahmaṇe nāthāya vidmahe । gāyatrī ca yaśasā naḥ ।
“And we know You as the protector of Brahma, and the Gayatri as Your fame.”
Structure
yacca + evam + brahmaṇe + nāthāya + vidmahe + gāyatrī + ca + yaśasā + naḥ
yacca (and) evam (thus) brahmaṇe (to Brahma) nāthāya (the Lord) vidmahe (we know) gāyatrī (the Gayatri) ca (and) yaśasā (by the glory) naḥ (to us)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yacca | yacca | indeclinable | — | and, also |
| evam | evam | indeclinable | — | thus, in this way |
| brahmaṇe | brahmaṇe | noun | dative · singular · masculine | to Brahma |
| nāthāya | nāthāya | noun | dative · singular · masculine | to the Lord |
| vidmahe | vidmahe | verb | √vid · laṭ-present · first | we know |
| gāyatrī | gāyatrī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | Gāyatrī |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yaśasā | yaśasā | noun | ablative · singular · neuter | with glory |
| naḥ | naḥ | pronoun | dative · plural · masculine | to us |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse signifies the ultimate reality of Brahman, where the protector of Brahma is none other than the Supreme Self. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets the term 'nāthāya' as the refuge or the essence of all beings, including Brahma. The Gayatri, as an emblem of the Vedic tradition, represents the universal and eternal knowledge that is inherent in Brahman. The verse points to the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between the individual self (jīva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) is transcended. As Shankara notes in his Upadeśasāhasrī, the realization of this non-dual truth is the pinnacle of spiritual attainment, liberating the individual from the cycle of suffering and ignorance. In this context, the verse underscores the identity of Brahman and Ātman, guiding the seeker towards the path of self-realization and ultimate union with the Supreme.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an affirmation of the Lord's sovereignty and the dependence of all beings, including Brahma, on Him. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, interprets the term 'nāthāya' as the Lord who is the ruler and protector of all, including the gods. The Gayatri, in this context, represents the divine name and the fame of the Lord that is chanted by the devotees. The verse highlights the relationship between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord), where the jīva seeks refuge in the Lord and worships Him through the chanting of the divine name. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the distinction between the Lord and the individual self, while also underscoring the Lord's grace and compassion towards His devotees. The verse, in this tradition, is seen as a call to devotion and surrender to the Lord, who is the ultimate refuge and protector of all beings.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has significant implications for modern spiritual seekers, as it points to the universal and eternal principles that underlie all existence. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes the importance of realizing the divine within and without, and the verse is seen as a call to this realization. The Gayatri, in this context, represents the universal mantra that connects the individual to the cosmic consciousness. The verse also underscores the importance of selfless action and devotion, as a means of realizing the ultimate reality. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings on Indian philosophy, notes that the verse represents the synthesis of knowledge and devotion, where the intellectual understanding of the ultimate reality is complemented by the emotional and intuitive experience of the divine. The verse, in this modern context, is seen as a powerful reminder of the human potential for spiritual growth and self-realization, and the importance of cultivating a deeper understanding of the ultimate reality that underlies all existence.