rasatān rasaś cāham p'yāsān peyaśca somaḥ . puṣpamārgaṃ puṣpaṃ ca vrīhiṃ cāvrūhīṇi ca .
“I am the taste in the rasas, the intoxicating power of the Soma; I am the path of fragrance in flowers; I am the rice in grains, and the grain on the threshing floor.”
Structure
rasatān rasaś ca aham p'yāsān peyaś ca somaḥ puṣpam ārgaṃ puṣpaṃ ca vrīhiṃ ca avṛūhīṇi ca
ahaṃ (I) rasatān (of tastes) rasaḥ (taste) ca (and) p'yāsān (of drinks) peyaḥ (drink) ca (and) somaḥ (the Soma drink) puṣpam (flower) ārgaṃ (path) puṣpaṃ (flower) ca (and) vrīhiṃ (rice) ca (and) avṛūhīṇi (grains that grow without plowing) ca (and)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rasatān | rasatān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | juices or essences or tastes |
| rasaś | rasaś | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | juices or essences or tastes |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | I |
| p'yāsān | p'yāsān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | drinks |
| peyaś | peyaś | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | drink or beverage |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| somaḥ | somaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Soma |
| puṣpam | puṣpam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | flower |
| ārgaṃ | ārgaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | path or way |
| puṣpaṃ | puṣpaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | flower |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| vrīhiṃ | vrīhiṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | rice |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| avṛūhīṇi | avṛūhīṇi | verb | √vṛ · optative · first | may I not uproot or destroy |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is pivotal in understanding the non-dual nature of reality. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, emphasizes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the essence of all existence. The phrase 'rasatān rasaś ca aham' (I am the taste in the rasas) signifies that Brahman is the underlying substance of all experiences, including the subtlest aspects of taste and pleasure. This points to the identity of Brahman and Ātman, where the individual self (jīva) is not separate from the universal self (Brahman). Śaṅkarācārya's reasoning on this verse underscores the importance of realizing this non-dual identity to achieve liberation. By recognizing that all phenomena, including sensory experiences, are manifestations of Brahman, the individual can transcend the limitations of the empirical self and realize the ultimate truth of non-duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the lord's (Īśvara) intimate relationship with his devotees (jīvas). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets 'rasatān rasaś ca aham' as the lord being the very essence of all experiences, including the joy and bliss derived from them. The mention of 'somaḥ' (Soma) as the intoxicating power further signifies the lord's ability to bestow bliss and liberation upon his devotees. This verse, according to Rāmānujācārya, emphasizes the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara for all aspects of life, including spiritual growth and ultimate liberation. The path of devotion (bhakti) is thus underscored as the means to realize this intimate relationship and attain union with the lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda saw this verse as a call to recognize the divine in all aspects of life. He emphasized the idea that the ultimate reality is not just a distant concept but is intimately connected with our everyday experiences. The phrase 'puṣpamārgaṃ puṣpaṃ ca' (I am the path of fragrance in flowers) illustrates how the divine is present in the beauty and fragrance of nature, inviting us to appreciate and reverence the world around us. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda often cited such verses to inspire his audience to find the universal and the divine in the particular, to see God in every face, and to strive for a life of service and compassion. This approach makes the spiritual pursuit relevant and practical, connecting ancient wisdom with contemporary life and challenges, and encouraging individuals to live a life of purpose, harmony, and contribution to the greater good.