Ayaṃ somo mahate dīvyāya madhuraḥ pṛthakpṛthag ṛṣibhiḥ pibatām
“This Soma is sweet for the great divine (one), let the seers drink it severally.”
Structure
Ayaṃ somoḥ mahate dīvyāya madhuraḥ pṛthak pṛthak ṛṣibhiḥ pibatām
ṛṣibhiḥ (by the seers) pṛthak pṛthak (each one) pibatām (let them drink) ayam (this) somoḥ (Soma) madhuraḥ (sweet) mahate (for the great) dīvyāya (divine)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | indeclinable | — | this |
| somoḥ | somaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Soma |
| mahate | mahate | adjective | — | great |
| dīvyāya | dīvyāya | adjective | — | divine |
| madhuraḥ | madhuraḥ | adjective | — | sweet |
| pṛthak | pṛthak | indeclinable | — | separately |
| pṛthak | pṛthak | indeclinable | — | separately |
| ṛṣibhiḥ | ṛṣibhiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | by sages |
| pibatām | pibatām | verb | √pā · optative · third | let them drink |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, 'Ayaṃ somo mahate dīvyāya madhuraḥ pṛthakpṛthag ṛṣibhiḥ pibatām', is interpreted by Śaṅkarācārya as an allegory for the knowledge of Brahman. The 'Soma' here represents the blissful and immortal nature of the ultimate reality, which is tasted or experienced by the sages (ṛṣibhiḥ) in their individual selves (pṛthak pṛthak), signifying the direct, personal experience of the non-dual truth. Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Brahmasūtra and the Upaniṣads often emphasizes the importance of understanding the self (ātman) as being one with Brahman, the absolute. In this context, the verse points to the realization that each individual, through their own path, can experience this unity with the divine, reflecting the Advaita Vedānta's core philosophy of non-duality (Advaita).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition offers a devotional interpretation of this verse, focusing on the loving relationship between the jīva (the individual self) and Īśvara (the supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, would likely emphasize that the 'Soma' symbolizes the divine nectar of bhakti (devotion) that is offered to the supreme deity, here referred to as 'mahate dīvyāya', indicating the greatness and divinity of the Lord. The phrase 'pṛthakpṛthag ṛṣibhiḥ pibatām' suggests that each devotee, in their unique way, partakes in the bliss of devotion to the Lord, underscoring the personal and intimate nature of devotion in Vaiṣṇavism. This interpretation highlights the path of devotion as a means to experience divine love and union with the Supreme.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Rādhākrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, would interpret this verse in a universal and practical light. For them, the 'Soma' represents the divine within each individual, and the act of 'drinking' it signifies the realization of one's true, divine nature. The phrase 'pṛthakpṛthag ṛṣibhiḥ pibatām' is seen as an encouragement for each person to embark on their own spiritual journey, tasting the bliss of their inner divinity in their unique way. This reading aligns with Vivekānanda's emphasis on the potential for human liberation through the realization of the divine within, as expressed in his lectures and writings, such as 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda'. It underscores the universal accessibility of spiritual growth and self-realization, transcending traditional boundaries.