Ayaṃ deva-rāto astu mama, māyi gāṃ nayet-tu ca.
“May this god give (me) a cow, and may he bestow it on me.”
Structure
Ayaṃ deva-rāto astu mama, māyi gāṃ nayet-tu ca
Ayaṃ (this) deva-rāto (divine gift) mama (for me) astu (let it be), tu (and) ca (also) gāṃ (cow) māyi (to me) nayet (may it bring)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| deva-rāto | deva-rāto | compound | karmadhāraya · "deva-rātaḥ" | whose wealth is divine |
| astu | astu | verb | √as · liṭ-imperative · third | may be |
| mama | mama | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | my |
| māyi | māyi | noun | locative · singular · feminine | in me |
| gāṃ | gāṃ | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | cow |
| nayet-tu | nayet-tu | verb | √nī · laṅ-optative · third | may lead |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, Ayaṃ deva-rāto astu mama, māyi gāṃ nayet-tu ca, is often interpreted by Śaṅkarācārya as an illustration of the ultimate reality, Brahman, being the giver of all desires. In his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, Śaṅkara explains that the gods, here represented by 'deva-rāto', are mere instruments of Brahman. The cow, or 'gāṃ', symbolizes the fulfillment of desires, which can only be truly satisfied by realizing one's identity with Brahman. Śaṅkara's non-dual reading of this verse highlights the idea that the distinction between the giver (god) and the receiver (individual self) is ultimately an illusion. The true self, or ātman, is identical with Brahman, and all desires are fulfilled when this identity is realized. Therefore, the verse points to the ultimate goal of human existence: the realization of brahman-ātman identity, beyond the duality of subject and object.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of the loving relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes that the 'deva-rāto' refers to the Lord's gracious nature, which bestows gifts upon the devotee. The 'gāṃ' or cow, represents the abundance of divine grace, which is available to those who approach the Lord with devotion. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, interprets the verse as an illustration of the Lord's sovereignty and the dependence of the jīva on Him. According to Madhva, the verse highlights the importance of surrendering to the Lord's will, recognizing that all gifts, including the fulfillment of desires, come from Him. This devotional reading of the verse underscores the personal relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the Lord is the benevolent giver, and the individual self is the grateful receiver.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Vedas, interprets this verse as a call to recognize the divine within oneself and in all of existence. He sees the 'deva-rāto' as the symbol of the universal divine energy, which is the source of all abundance and fulfillment. The 'gāṃ' or cow, represents the nourishing and sustaining power of this energy. Vivekānanda emphasizes that the verse encourages us to tap into this divine energy, to recognize our own inner potential, and to strive for self-realization. S. Radhakrishnan, in his writings, connects this verse to the modern human condition, highlighting the universal desire for fulfillment and happiness. He sees the verse as a reminder that true fulfillment can only be achieved by recognizing the interconnectedness of all existence and the divine presence that underlies it. This reading of the verse encourages us to cultivate a sense of reverence, gratitude, and responsibility towards the natural world and towards each other, recognizing that we are all part of a larger web of life.