Ayaṃ subandhuḥ tava śataśṛṅgo viṃśatidvāro daśagrīvaḥ ṛtavrataḥ.
“This well-bound (earth) with a hundred peaks, twenty gates, and ten heads, has a fixed (moral) order.”
Structure
Ayaṃ subandhuḥ tava śata-śṛṅgaḥ viṃśati-dvāro daśa-grīvaḥ ṛta-vrataḥ
Ayaṃ (this) subandhuḥ (having good bonds/relations) tava (your) śata-śṛṅgaḥ (having a hundred peaks) viṃśati-dvāro (having twenty gates) daśa-grīvaḥ (having ten heads) ṛta-vrataḥ (truth-vowing/following the truth)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| subandhuḥ | subandhuḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | good friend or a particular name/term |
| tava | tava | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of you |
| śata-śṛṅgaḥ | śata-śṛṅgaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "śata śṛṅgāni yasya" | having a hundred horns/ peaks |
| viṃśati-dvāro | viṃśati-dvāro | compound | bahuvrīhi · "viṃśati dvārāṇi yasya" | having twenty doors/ gates |
| daśa-grīvaḥ | daśa-grīvaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "daśa grīvā yasya" | having ten necks |
| ṛta-vrataḥ | ṛta-vrataḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "ṛtam vrataṃ yasya" | whose vow/observance is truth/ṛta |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda (RV 1.131) is interpreted by Śaṅkarācārya as a poetic expression of the ultimate reality, Brahman. The 'hundred peaks' symbolize the multifaceted nature of the universe, while 'twenty gates' and 'ten heads' represent the various senses and faculties that perceive this universe. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes that such descriptions point to the illusory nature of the world (māyā) and that the true essence, Brahman, is beyond these manifestations. The phrase 'ṛta-vrataḥ' or 'fixed moral order' suggests the inherent order and harmony that exist when one realizes the non-dual nature of reality, where the individual self (ātman) is identical with the universal self (Brahman). This interpretation underscores Śaṅkarācārya's central argument for the unity of all existence, stressing that the differentiated world is a manifestation of the undivided Brahman, and that liberation (mokṣa) is achieved through the realization of this unity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as a symbolic representation of the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, would likely view the 'hundred peaks' as indicative of the Lord's omnipresence and the 'twenty gates' and 'ten heads' as symbols of the manifold ways through which the Lord interacts with His creation. The 'ṛta-vrataḥ' or 'fixed moral order' signifies the divine plan or the natural law that governs the universe, ensuring its harmony and order. This interpretation emphasizes the personal aspect of the ultimate reality, where the jīva seeks to understand and connect with Īśvara through devotion (bhakti) and self-surrender (prapatti), ultimately realizing their inherent dependence on and inseparability from the Lord. Madhvācārya might further emphasize the distinction between the Lord and the individual souls, highlighting the importance of devotion as a means to bridge this gap and attain liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, interpret this verse in a universal and practical light. They see the 'hundred peaks' and 'twenty gates' and 'ten heads' as symbolic of the diversity and complexity of human experience and perception. The 'ṛta-vrataḥ' or 'fixed moral order' is understood as the inherent moral and ethical principles that guide human actions, transcending individual and cultural differences. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of realizing one's true nature and the unity of all existence, echoing the theme of this verse. Radhakrishnan, with his philosophical inclination, would likely stress the rational and ethical implications of this verse, advocating for a life governed by reason, morality, and a deep sense of connection with the universe. Both thinkers would encourage individuals to seek a higher, universal truth that underlies all existence, promoting a path of self-realization, service, and harmony with nature and humanity.