yenadadhāti gabhastibhyāṃ vardhamānaḥ pitā janānāṃ | taṃ ma ā pipplāda vṛddho vad.
“Tell me, O Pipplada, by whom, with His two hands, He, the all-increasing Father of beings, bestows (growth).”
Structure
yenadadhāti gabhastibhyām vardhamānaḥ pitā janānāṃ taṃ mama ā pipplāda vṛddho vad
vardhamānaḥ (growing) pitā (father) janānāṃ (of people) yenadadhāti (by whom he nourishes) gabhastibhyām (with his hands) taṃ (that) mama (to me) ā (come) pipplāda (tell) vṛddho (old) vad (tell)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yenadadhāti | yenadadhāti | verb | √dā · laṭ-present · third | who gives |
| gabasthibhyāṃ | gabasthibhyāṃ | noun | instrumental dual · dual · masculine | with his hands |
| vardhamānaḥ | vardhamānaḥ | noun | nominative singular · singular · masculine | increasing, growing |
| pitā | pitā | noun | nominative singular · singular · masculine | father |
| janānāṃ | janānāṃ | noun | genitive plural · plural · masculine | of men |
| taṃ | taṃ | pronoun | accusative singular · singular · masculine | him |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive singular · singular · masculine | my |
| ā | ā | indeclinable | — | to, towards |
| pipplāda | pipplāda | verb | √plād · liṅ-optative · third | may he protect |
| vṛddho | vṛddho | noun | nominative singular · singular · masculine | old, aged |
| vad | vad | verb | √vad · liṅ-optative · third | may he speak |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, 'yenadadhāti gabhastibhyāṃ vardhamānaḥ pitā janānāṃ taṃ mama ā pipplāda vṛddho vad', is interpreted by Shankara as an expression of the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is the sole cause of the universe. In this context, the 'pitā janānāṃ' or the 'Father of beings' refers to Brahman itself, which is the source of all existence. The 'gabhastibhyām' or the 'two hands' symbolize the dual aspects of Brahman - the unmanifest (avyakta) and the manifest (vyakta). The question 'yenadadhāti' or 'by whom' is rhetorical, pointing to the fact that there is no other cause beyond Brahman. Shankara's reasoning, as seen in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, underscores that the seeker's goal is to realize this non-dual identity of Brahman and Ātman, thereby transcending the limited understanding of a separate creator and creation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): Within the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as a devotional call to understand the relationship between the jīva (the individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, interprets 'vardhamānaḥ pitā janānāṃ' as the ever-increasing, all-nourishing Father, which refers to Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord. The 'two hands' signify the Lord's power to create, sustain, and destroy the universe. The question posed to Pipplāda is an invitation to reflect on the nature of the Divine and our dependence on Him. Rāmānuja's visiṣṭādvaita (qualified non-dualism) perspective emphasizes that while the jīva and Īśvara are distinct, they are inseparably connected, with the jīva being a part of Īśvara. This verse, therefore, encourages a devotee to contemplate the Lord's benevolence and majesty, fostering a deeper sense of devotion and surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekananda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the universal and practical applications of Vedāntic principles. This verse from the Ṛgveda can be seen as a call to recognize the inherent potential within every individual, symbolized by 'vardhamānaḥ pitā janānāṃ'. Vivekananda, in his lecture 'The Powers of the Mind', talks about the vast, untapped potential of the human mind, which can achieve great things when properly harnessed. The 'two hands' of the Father can be interpreted as the dual powers of human potential - the power to know and the power to will. The question 'yenadadhāti' becomes a reflection on how we can tap into this inner potential, realizing that the true 'Father of beings' is the universal consciousness that resides within each of us. This verse, therefore, has a direct application in contemporary life, encouraging individuals to explore their inner strengths, strive for self-realization, and contribute positively to the world around them.