Tathaikatāṃ samupagamya vrajantamāyaṃ prajāpatīn. Na hi kaḥ pouruṣeṇa vinā daivaiḥ śṛṇvanti vai vāṇīm.
“As he approached the assembled gods, no one heard his words because it is not possible for mortals to be heard by the gods without extraordinary means.”
Structure
Tathaikatāṃ samupagamya vrajantam āyaṃ prajāpatīn Na hi kaḥ pouruṣeṇa vinā daivaiḥ śṛṇvanti vai vāṇīm
Na (not) hi (indeed) kaḥ (who) vinā (without) pouruṣeṇa (male effort) daivaiḥ (gods) śṛṇvanti (hears) vai (indeed) vāṇīm (voice)Tathaikatāṃ (thus) samupagamya (having approached) vrajantam (going) āyaṃ (I) prajāpatīn (to Prajapati)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tathaikatāṃ | Tathaikatāṃ | adverb|indeclinable | — | in that manner, one |
| samupagamya | samupagamya | verb | √gam · past participle · third | having approached |
| vrajantam | vrajantam | verb | √vraj · present participle · third | going |
| āyaṃ | āyaṃ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | I |
| prajāpatīn | prajāpatīn | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | Prajāpatīs |
| Na | Na | indeclinable | — | not |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| kaḥ | kaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| pouruṣeṇa | pouruṣeṇa | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by a man |
| vinā | vinā | indeclinable | — | without |
| daivaiḥ | daivaiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | with gods |
| śṛṇvanti | śṛṇvanti | verb | √śru · present · third | they hear |
| vai | vai | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| vāṇīm | vāṇīm | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | the speech |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse highlights the fundamental distinction between the mortal realm and the divine. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the inability of mortals to be heard by the gods without extraordinary means underscores the concept of māyā, or illusion, which separates the human experience from the ultimate reality. The phrase 'pouruṣeṇa vinā daivaiḥ' suggests that only through the cultivation of a purified and refined human consciousness, or pouruṣa, can one transcend the limitations of the mortal condition and attain a state of unity with the divine. This interpretation is consistent with the Advaita Vedānta emphasis on the attainment of self-realization, or mokṣa, through the negation of the ego and the realization of the ultimate non-duality of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition offers a distinct perspective on this verse, focusing on the concept of divine grace and the role of devotion in bridging the gap between the human and divine realms. According to Rāmānujācārya, the phrase 'śṛṇvanti vai vāṇīm' implies that the gods are indeed receptive to the prayers and petitions of mortals, but only when these are offered with a pure heart and a genuine devotion. This interpretation is consistent with the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on the importance of bhakti, or loving devotion, as a means of establishing a personal relationship with the divine. In this context, the 'extraordinary means' referred to in the verse may be seen as a reference to the transformative power of devotion, which can elevate the human consciousness and facilitate communication with the gods.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a modern perspective, this verse can be seen as a commentary on the human condition and the fragility of human communication. According to Swami Vivekānanda, the phrase 'pouruṣeṇa vinā daivaiḥ' suggests that true understanding and communication can only be achieved when the individual ego is transcended, and the person is able to connect with a higher, more universal consciousness. This interpretation is consistent with the Neo-Vedānta emphasis on the importance of self-realization and the cultivation of a universal, compassionate consciousness. In this context, the 'extraordinary means' referred to in the verse may be seen as a reference to the need for a profound inner transformation, which can enable individuals to transcend their limitations and communicate effectively with others, and ultimately, with the divine.