Ayaṃ gauḥ śṛṇu gāyati gāyanaḥ । Sā ma iyaṃ vedānāṃ mātā vedānāṃ janānī ॥
“The Cow, who is all-hearing, cries out in song; She is the Mother, the birth-giver of all the Vedas.”
Structure
Ayaṃ gauḥ śṛṇu gāyati gāyanaḥ Sā mama iyaṃ vedānāṃ mātā vedānāṃ janānī
Gāyanaḥ (the singer) ayaṃ (this) gauḥ (cow) śṛṇu (listens) gāyati (sings) Sā (She) iyaṃ (this) mama (my) vedānāṃ (of the Vedas) mātā (mother) vedānāṃ (of the Vedas) janānī (mother)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| gauḥ | gauḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | cow |
| śṛṇu | śṛṇu | verb | √śṛ · laṭ-present · second | hear |
| gāyati | gāyati | verb | √gā · laṭ-present · third | sings |
| gāyanaḥ | gāyanaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | singer |
| Sā | Sā | pronoun | nominative · singular · feminine | she |
| mama | mama | indeclinable | — | my |
| iyaṃ | iyaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · feminine | this |
| vedānāṃ | vedānāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the Vedas |
| mātā | mātā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | mother |
| vedānāṃ | vedānāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the Vedas |
| janānī | janānī | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | progenitress |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda is often interpreted through the lens of non-dualism by Advaita Vedānta. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahmasutras, doesn't directly address this verse but his approach to similar passages emphasizes the ultimate reality, Brahman, as the underlying essence of all existence. The 'cow' in this context can be seen as a symbol of the universe or the knowledge that imparts the ultimate truth. The phrase 'She is the Mother, the birth-giver of all the Vedas' suggests that all knowledge, including the Vedas, originates from this singular, unified source. This aligns with Shankara's non-dualistic view where the ātman (individual self) and Brahman (ultimate reality) are ultimately one. The verse, therefore, points to the brahman-ātman identity, implying that the individual self and the universal self are not separate, reinforcing the Advaita Vendānta's central tenet of non-duality. This interpretation encourages the seeker to look beyond the literal meaning and embrace the profound, unified nature of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be understood as underscoring the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasutras, emphasizes the concept of 'aprthagbhāva' or in separateness, highlighting the inseparable relationship between the jīva and Īśvara. The cow, symbolizing the nourishing and sustaining power of the divine, cries out in song, indicating the call of the divine to the individual soul. The description of the cow as the 'Mother, the birth-giver of all the Vedas' signifies the Supreme Lord as the origin of all knowledge and the sustainer of the universe. This verse, therefore, is seen as an expression of devotion and a reminder of the dependent relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, guiding the devotee towards a path of devotion and self-surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical and universal application of Vedāntic principles. This verse, with its imagery of the cow as a symbol of knowledge and nourishment, can be seen as a call to realize one's inner potential and to seek the ultimate truth. Vivekānanda, in his 'Lectures from Colombo to Almora', spoke about the importance of realizing the divine within and the role of knowledge in this pursuit. The cow, as the 'Mother, the birth-giver of all the Vedas', represents the universal and eternal principles that guide humanity towards its highest aspirations. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, encourages individuals to seek knowledge, not merely as intellectual understanding but as a means to realize their true nature and to contribute positively to the world. It underscores the importance of education, self-reflection, and the pursuit of wisdom, aligning with Vivekānanda's vision of a holistic and spiritually grounded approach to life.