Ayaṁ sujātā iti vedā mama mātā ca me pitā ca me | ṛṣayo 'mantriṇaḥ pūrve yato dāyam upahvaye ||
“I know well that She who has given birth to me is my mother; I know well who my father is; I call on the ancient ṛṣis to tell me my inheritance.”
Structure
Ayaṁ sujātā iti veda mama mātā ca me pitā ca me ṛṣayaḥ amantriṇaḥ pūrve yato dāyam upahvaye
Ahaṁ (I) sujātā (well-born) iti (thus) veda (know) mama (my) mātā (mother) ca (and) me (my) pitā (father) ca (and) me (my) ṛṣayaḥ (seers) amantriṇaḥ (who have not been consulted) pūrve (previously) yato (from whom) dāyam (inheritance) upahvaye (I call)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṁ | Ayaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| sujātā | sujātā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | well-born |
| iti | iti | indeclinable | — | thus, like this |
| veda | veda | verb | √vid · present · first | I know |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
| mātā | mātā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | mother |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| me | me | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
| pitā | pitā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | father |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| me | me | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
| ṛṣayaḥ | ṛṣayaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | seers |
| amantriṇaḥ | amantriṇaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | without counsel |
| pūrve | pūrve | indeclinable | — | formerly, in the past |
| yato | yato | indeclinable | — | from whom |
| dāyam | dāyam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | inheritance |
| upahvaye | upahvaye | verb | √hū · present · first |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda is interpreted by Śaṅkarācārya as an expression of the non-dual nature of reality. The speaker's awareness of their mother and father symbolizes the recognition of the ultimate reality, Brahman, as the source of all existence. The reference to ancient ṛṣis and the call for them to reveal the speaker's inheritance signifies the seeking of knowledge about one's true nature, which is none other than Brahman. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the realization of this identity is the ultimate goal of human existence, and this verse points towards that realization by emphasizing the inquiry into one's true nature, underscoring the Advaitic view that the individual self (ātman) is ultimately identical with the universal self (Brahman).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of devotion and a call for guidance from the divine. The speaker's acknowledgment of their parents and the ancient ṛṣis is understood as a recognition of the hierarchy of teachers and guides in the spiritual journey, ultimately leading to the supreme Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya would interpret the verse as highlighting the importance of prapatti, or surrender, to the divine will, recognizing that one's true inheritance is the grace of God. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might emphasize the distinction between the individual self (jīva) and the supreme Lord (Īśvara), seeing the verse as a call for the jīva to recognize its dependence on Īśvara and seek its true nature and purpose through devotion and knowledge.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda would likely interpret this verse as a call to self-discovery and the realization of one's true potential. The speaker's inquiry into their inheritance is seen as a metaphor for the individual's quest for self-knowledge and understanding of their place in the world. Vivekānanda might connect this verse to his concept of the 'universal religion,' emphasizing the common human aspiration for knowledge and self-realization that transcends specific traditions. Similarly, S. Radhakrishnan could view the verse as an expression of the universal human desire for meaning and purpose, seeing the ancient ṛṣis as representatives of the collective wisdom of humanity, guiding individuals towards the realization of their true nature and the attainment of a fulfilling life.