Ayaṃ gauḥ śunakhasyā pāśād vimuktaḥ śṛṇvān śravataṃ devasakhaḥ
“This cow, freed from the noose of the dog, listens (to the sounds) and hears (the voice) of the friend of the gods.”
Structure
Ayaṃ gauḥ śunakhasyā pāśāt vimuktaḥ śṛṇvān śravataṃ devasakhaḥ
Devasakhaḥ (friend of gods) ayaṃ (this) gauḥ (cow) śunakhasyā (from the dog's) pāśāt (noose or trap) vimuktaḥ (released) śṛṇvān (hearing) śravataṃ (those who listen)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| gauḥ | gauḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | cow |
| śunakhasyā | śunakhasyā | compound | tatpuruṣa · "śunakasya ā" | of the dog's |
| pāśāt | pāśāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from the snare |
| vimuktaḥ | vimuktaḥ | verb | √muk · past participle · third | released |
| śṛṇvān | śṛṇvān | verb | √śru · present participle · third | listening |
| śravataṃ | śravataṃ | verb | √śru · present participle · accusative dual | (you) two listen |
| devasakhaḥ | devasakhaḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "devasakhaḥ" | having gods as friends |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, Ayaṃ gauḥ śunakhasyā pāśād vimuktaḥ śṛṇvān śravataṃ devasakhaḥ, is interpreted by Śaṅkarācārya as an allegory for the liberation of the individual self (jīva) from the bondage of ignorance (avidyā), symbolized by the noose of the dog. The cow, representing the jīva, is freed to listen to the divine sound, which signifies the attainment of spiritual knowledge (brahmajñāna) and ultimately, the realization of the non-dual identity of Brahman and Ātman. This reading aligns with Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras, where he emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and the discrimination between the real and the unreal (viveka) to achieve liberation. The friend of the gods (devasakha) in this verse represents the inner Self, or the witness consciousness, which is the ultimate reality to be realized. Through this interpretation, the verse points to the central theme of Advaita Vedānta: the non-dual nature of ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the devotee's longing for liberation from the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra) and union with the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). The cow, freed from the noose of the dog, symbolizes the devotee's release from the bondage of karma and the attainment of freedom to listen to the divine words (śruti) of the Lord. The friend of the gods (devasakha) represents the Lord Himself, who is the ultimate refuge and savior of the devotee. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the importance of prapatti, or self-surrender, as the means to achieve this liberation. The verse is seen as a call to devotees to surrender themselves to the Lord and seek His grace for liberation. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would likely interpret the verse as a manifestation of the Lord's mercy and grace, highlighting the dependence of the devotee on the Lord's will for liberation.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, Ayaṃ gauḥ śunakhasyā pāśād vimuktaḥ śṛṇvān śravataṃ devasakhaḥ, is viewed in Neo-Vedānta as a powerful symbol of the human quest for freedom and self-realization. The cow, freed from the noose of the dog, represents the individual's struggle to break free from the constraints of societal expectations, ignorance, and ego-bound limitations. The act of listening (śṛṇvān) to the divine sound signifies the cultivation of inner awareness and the pursuit of spiritual growth. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of self-reliance, courage, and perseverance in the face of adversity, which is reflected in this verse. The friend of the gods (devasakha) represents the higher Self, or the universal consciousness, which is the ultimate goal of human aspiration. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, highlights the significance of this verse in the context of the universal human search for meaning and purpose, underscoring the importance of spiritual inquiry and self-discovery in contemporary life.