sa mahātmyaṁ prapadye vedasya vedī ca yaḥ smṛtaḥ
“I bow down to Him who is known as the greatness of the Veda and the knower of the Veda.”
Structure
sa mahātmyaṁ prapadye vedasya vedī ca yaḥ smṛtaḥ
saḥ (he) mahātmā (the great one) prapadye (I take refuge in) vedasya (of the Veda) vedī (the knower) ca (and) yaḥ (who) smṛtaḥ (is remembered)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| mahātmyaṁ | mahātmyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | greatness |
| prapadye | prapadye | verb | √pad · present · first | I resort to |
| vedasya | vedasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the Veda |
| vedī | vedī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | one who knows the Veda |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| smṛtaḥ | smṛtaḥ | verb | √smṛ · passive participle | is remembered |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse signifies the ultimate reality, Brahman, as the essence of the Veda. Shankara interprets 'mahātmyaṁ' as the greatness or the supreme nature of the Veda, implying that the Veda itself is a means to realize this ultimate truth. The phrase 'vedasya vedī ca yaḥ smṛtaḥ' indicates the one who is known as both the Veda and the knower of the Veda, pointing to the non-dual nature of Brahman. According to Shankara, this verse underscores the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately the same as the universal reality (Brahman). This understanding is crucial for Self-realization, as it dispels the illusion of duality and leads to liberation. Shankara's commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes the importance of understanding this verse in the context of non-dualism, highlighting the path to mokṣa or liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In this verse, the Vaiṣṇava tradition sees the affirmation of the personal deity, particularly Viṣṇu or Kṛṣṇa, as the ultimate reality and the source of the Veda. Rāmānujācārya interprets 'mahātmyaṁ' as the glorious nature of the Lord, who is both the speaker and the subject of the Veda. The phrase 'vedasya vedī ca yaḥ smṛtaḥ' is understood as the Lord being the author and the knower of the Veda, highlighting the inseparable relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Madhvācārya further emphasizes that this verse underscores the distinction between the Lord and the individual self, while also affirming their relationship of dependence. For Vaiṣṇavas, this verse is a call to devotion and surrender to the divine, recognizing the Lord as the source of all knowledge and the ultimate goal of human existence.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse is seen as a powerful statement on the universal and eternal nature of truth. Swami Vivekānanda interprets 'mahātmyaṁ' as the inherent greatness and dignity of the human soul, which is capable of realizing the ultimate truth. The phrase 'vedasya vedī ca yaḥ smṛtaḥ' is understood as the individual's potential to become the knower of the Veda, or the universal knowledge. According to Radhakrishnan, this verse highlights the importance of self-discovery and the realization of one's true nature. In contemporary life, this verse can be seen as a call to tap into our inner potential, to strive for self-awareness, and to recognize our place within the larger universe. Vivekānanda's lectures and writings emphasize the practical application of this verse, encouraging individuals to embark on a journey of self-discovery and to realize their true nature, which is divine and eternal.