yena pūrvam ṛṣāyo devānāṃ vācaḥ śatam ceda carupat | tena divaḥ ota ṛcaḥ probodhiyuk tā upahvayasava
“By whom the ṛṣis of old, with a hundred excellent statements of the gods, were thus awakened to heaven.”
Structure
yena pūrvam ṛṣāyaḥ devānām vācaḥ śatam ceda caru-pat tena divaḥ ota ṛcaḥ probodhiyuk tā upahvaya-sava
yena (by which) ṛṣāyaḥ (seers) pūrvam (formerly) devānām (of gods) vācaḥ (speech) śatam (hundreds) ceda (and) caru-pat (beautiful-footed one) tena (by that) divaḥ (heavenly) ota (threaded) ṛcaḥ (verses) probodhiyuk (rouse) tā (those) upahvaya-sava (and call us)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yena | yena | indeclinable | — | by which |
| pūrvam | pūrvam | indeclinable | — | formerly |
| ṛṣāyaḥ | ṛṣāyaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | the seers |
| devānām | devānām | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the gods |
| vācaḥ | vācaḥ | noun | accusative · plural · feminine | speech |
| śatam | śatam | indeclinable | — | hundred |
| ceda | ceda | indeclinable | — | -particle, emphasizing the preceding word |
| caru-pat | caru-pat | compound | dvandva · "caruś ca pat ca" | beautiful lord |
| tena | tena | pronoun | instrumental · singular · neuter | by that |
| divaḥ | divaḥ | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from heaven |
| ota | ota | indeclinable | — | pervading |
| ṛcaḥ | ṛcaḥ | noun | accusative · plural · feminine | verses |
| probodhiyuk | probodhiyuk | verb | √budh · optative · first | may you awake |
| tā | tā | pronoun | accusative · plural · feminine | them |
| upahvaya-sava | upahvaya-sava | verb | √hū · imperative · second | invoke |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is pivotal in understanding the non-dual nature of reality, as it hints at the ultimate unity of the universe. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the oneness of Brahman and Ātman. The phrase 'yena pūrvam ṛṣāyaḥ' suggests that the ancient sages realized this unity through their profound statements, which numbered a hundred, implying completeness and perfection. The 'carupat' or the beautiful lord, refers to the ultimate reality, Brahman, who is the source of all wisdom. This verse points to the identity of Brahman and Ātman, where the individual self (jīva) is ultimately one with the universal self (Brahman). Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) also supports this interpretation, where he explains that the realization of this unity is the key to liberation. The awakening to heaven, as mentioned in the verse, symbolizes the attainment of this liberation, where the individual transcends the limitations of the mundane world and realizes the divine within.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse underscores the significance of devotion and the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the supreme lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, highlights the importance of bhakti, or devotion, as the means to attain liberation. The 'ṛṣāyaḥ' in the verse refer to the devotees who, through their sincere prayers and worship, are able to awaken to the divine presence. The 'vācaḥ śatam' symbolizes the countless ways in which the lord can be worshipped and praised. The 'carupat' represents the beautiful and benevolent nature of Īśvara, who is the ultimate object of devotion. Madhvācārya, in his commentary on the Rigveda, also emphasizes the role of devotion in realizing the lord, and this verse is seen as a testament to the power of devotion in transforming the individual and bringing them closer to the divine. The verse, therefore, encourages the seeker to cultivate devotion and to seek the lord through sincere worship and self-surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message for contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of spiritual awakening and the realization of one's true nature. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture on 'The Powers of the Mind', highlights the potential of the human mind to achieve great things, and this verse can be seen as a call to tap into that potential. The 'ṛṣāyaḥ' represent the ideal of the seeker, who, through dedication and perseverance, can attain a higher state of consciousness. The 'vācaḥ śatam' symbolize the diverse ways in which this can be achieved, whether through meditation, yoga, or selfless service. The 'carupat' represents the ultimate goal of this journey, which is to realize the beautiful and divine nature of the self. S. Radhakrishnan, in his book 'The Hindu View of Life', also emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth and self-realization, and this verse is seen as a reminder of the human potential for transformation and growth. The verse, therefore, encourages the seeker to embark on a journey of self-discovery and to strive for a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.