Ayaṃ gauḥ śṛṇu somo dadhyāṃ prajāpate Ajarāmaraḥ paśupatīnāṃ yat praśnena śṛṇvasi

Prajāpate (creator) dadhyāṃ (in milk) somo (the Soma) gauḥ (cow) ayam (this) śṛṇu (hear) paśupatīnāṃ (of the lord of cattle) Ajarāmaraḥ (the immortal) yat (which) praśnena (by questioning) śṛṇvasi (you hear)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda underscores the non-dual nature of reality. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the idea that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all duality and attributes. In the context of this verse, the address to Prajapati and the reference to the Lord of animals as immortal (Ajarāmaraḥ) hint at the transcendent nature of the divine, which is not bound by the limitations of mortal existence. The question 'why are you hearing through questioning?' can be seen as a rhetorical device to provoke introspection into the nature of the self and the ultimate reality, pointing towards the identity of Brahman and Ātman. This introspection is essential in Advaita Vedānta for realizing the non-dual truth. Shankara's emphasis on the importance of self-inquiry aligns with the spirit of questioning presented in this verse, guiding the seeker towards the realization of the ultimate, unchanging reality that underlies all existence.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is interpreted through the lens of devotional theology, emphasizing the personal relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, discusses the concept of śeṣa-śeṣin relation, where the individual souls are dependent on and intimately connected with the Lord. The address to Prajapati, considered an aspect of the divine, underscores this relationship. The Lord's immortality (Ajarāmaraḥ) and role as the Lord of animals (Paśupatīnāṃ) symbolize His dominion over all existence and His role as the protector and sustainer. The question posed in the verse reflects the jīva's quest for understanding and communion with Īśvara, highlighting the paths of devotion and surrender as means to realize this relationship. Madhvācārya would further emphasize the distinction between the Lord and the individual souls, while affirming the loving and dependent relationship between them, as exemplified by the cow's appeal to Prajapati.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound insight into the universal and practical aspects of spiritual inquiry. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of self-realization and the universal principles that underlie all religious traditions. The rhetorical question in the verse, 'why are you hearing through questioning?' can be seen as an invitation to introspection and self-reflection, akin to Vivekānanda's call to seek the truth within. This introspection is not merely an intellectual exercise but a practical means to understand one's place in the world and the interconnectedness of all existence. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, discusses the concept of the ultimate reality as being beyond human comprehension, yet accessible through intuition and experience. This verse, with its imagery and metaphors, serves as a reminder of the mysterious and the Unknown, encouraging the seeker to embrace a path of inquiry, devotion, and service, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

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