Ayaṃ yajñaḥ svastirastu naḥ svastiramindriyāyāṃ svastirbāhavyāyāṃ svastigrāmyebhyaḥ । Śaṃ no astu dvipade śaṃ catuṣpade ॥
“May this Yajña bring us prosperity, well-being to our senses, strength to our vital energies, and happiness to our villages, and may there be well-being for all, both two-legged and four-legged creatures.”
Structure
Ayaṃ yajñaḥ svastiḥastu naḥ svastiḥ-amindriyāyāṃ svastiḥ-bāhavyāyāṃ svastiḥ-grāmyebhyaḥ śaṃ no astu dvipade śaṃ catuṣpade
Ayaṃ (this) yajñaḥ (sacrifice) naḥ (for us) svastiḥ (auspiciousness) astu (be)amindriyāyāṃ (in Indra's realm) svastiḥ (auspiciousness) astu (be)bāhavyāyāṃ (in the realm of Bāhu) svastiḥ (auspiciousness) astu (be)grāmyebhyaḥ (for the villagers) svastiḥ (auspiciousness) astu (be)naḥ (for us) dvipade (to the two-legged) śaṃ (auspiciousness) astu (be)naḥ (for us) catuṣpade (to the four-legged) śaṃ (auspiciousness) astu (be)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| yajñaḥ | yajñaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | sacrifice |
| svastiḥ | svastiḥ | indeclinable | — | well-being |
| astu | astu | verb | √as · optative · third | may be |
| naḥ | naḥ | pronoun | dative · plural · masculine | to us |
| svastiḥ | svastiḥ | indeclinable | — | well-being |
| amindriyāyāṃ | amindriyāyāṃ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "amindriyāyāṃ = a-mindriyā-yāṃ" | in swooning fits |
| svastiḥ | svastiḥ | indeclinable | — | well-being |
| bāhavyāyāṃ | bāhavyāyāṃ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "bāhavyāyāṃ = bāhavya-yāyāṃ" | in falling on one's back |
| svastiḥ | svastiḥ | indeclinable | — | well-being |
| grāmyebhyaḥ | grāmyebhyaḥ | compound | tatpuruṣa · "grāmyebhyaḥ = grāmya-ebhyaḥ" | from rural or savage attacks |
| śaṃ | śaṃ | indeclinable | — | peace |
| no | no | particle | — | our |
| astu | astu | verb | √as · optative · third | may be |
| dvipade | dvipade | compound | dvandva · "dvipade = dvi-pade" | to the biped |
| śaṃ | śaṃ | indeclinable | — | peace |
| catuṣpade | catuṣpade | compound | dvandva · "catuṣpade = catuṣ-pade" | to the quadruped |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda underscores the unity and interconnectedness of all existence, which is a fundamental concept in Advaita Vedānta. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, emphasizes the ultimate reality of Brahman and the illusory nature of the distinctions between the individual self (jīva) and the supreme self (Īśvara). The phrase 'svastirastu naḥ' (may prosperity be ours) points to the inherent bliss and completeness of Brahman, which is the true nature of the self. Shankara's reasoning on the unity of Brahman and ātman is closely related to this concept, as he notes in his Brahma Sūtra Bhāṣya that the ultimate goal is to realize this non-dual identity. The well-wishing for all creatures, 'śaṃ no astu dvipade śaṃ catuṣpade' (may there be peace for the two-legged and the four-legged), reflects the all-encompassing and compassionate nature of this ultimate reality, highlighting the intrinsic oneness of all beings.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of devotion and dependence on Īśvara (the Lord) for all aspects of life. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the concept of prapatti, or surrender to the Lord, as the means to attain spiritual liberation. The phrase 'ayaṃ yajñaḥ svastirastu naḥ' (may this yajña bring us prosperity) is interpreted as a prayer to the Lord to bestow blessings and protection upon the devotees. The distinction between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara is maintained, with the jīva being completely dependent on Īśvara for its existence and liberation. Madhvācārya, in his Dvaita Vedānta, further emphasizes the real difference between the Lord and the souls, highlighting the importance of loving devotion (bhakti) towards Īśvara as the path to spiritual growth and ultimate liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, a key figure in Neo-Vedānta, interprets this verse as a call to recognize the inherent divinity in all beings and to strive for the well-being of all. In his lectures and writings, Vivekānanda emphasizes the practical application of Vedāntic principles in everyday life, advocating for service to humanity as a means to realize one's own divinity. The universal appeal of 'śaṃ no astu dvipade śaṃ catuṣpade' (may there be peace for the two-legged and the four-legged) resonates with his message of universal brotherhood and the need for harmony among all living beings. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, highlights the importance of this verse in promoting a sense of global citizenship and responsibility, underscoring the interconnectedness of human existence with the natural world and the necessity of a holistic approach to peace and prosperity.