agna āyur vindate gātum yaśasaḥ pārāyate yantrāt. tasyā na viśatāṃ dṛtaṃ vaśe vāgindriyēṇa pāpmanā.
“By this method Agni (or the student) finds his own lifespan and fame, that person does not fall under the control of the lower forces through their power of speech.”
Structure
agnaḥ āyur vindate gātum yaśasaḥ pārāyate pustakāt tasya nāviśatāṃ dṛtam vaśe vāgindriyēṇa pāpmanā
agnaḥ (fire) āyur (longevity) vindate (finds) gātum (a path) yaśasaḥ (of fame) pārāyate (to cross over) pustakāt (from a book)tasya (of that one) nāviśatāṃ (who do not enter) dṛtam (quickly) vaśe (under the control) vāgindriyēṇa (of the organ of speech) pāpmanā (by the evil one)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| agnaḥ | agniḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | fire |
| āyur | āyur | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | life, long life |
| vindate | vindate | verb | √vind · present · third | he finds, obtains |
| gātum | gātum | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | path, way |
| yaśasaḥ | yaśasaḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of fame, glory |
| pārāyate | pārāyate | verb | √pārā · present · third | he leads across, bestows |
| pustakāt | pustakāt | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from the book (or: repository) |
| tasya | tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of him, his |
| nāviśatāṃ | nāviśatāṃ | verb | √viś · optative · third | may not enter |
| dṛtam | dṛtam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | what has been seen or perceived |
| vaśe | vaśe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in one's control, under one's power |
| vāgindriyēṇa | vāgindriyēṇa | compound | tatpuruṣa · "vāg indriyēṇa" | with the sense organ of speech |
| pāpmanā | pāpmanā | noun | instrumental · singular · masculine | with evil, by evil |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, agna āyur vindate gātum yaśasaḥ pārāyate pustakāt, signifies the attainment of true knowledge and liberation. According to Shankara, the knowledge of Agni, or the fire that symbolizes the Supreme Consciousness, is essential for realizing one's true nature and fame. This fame is not worldly but rather the recognition of one's identity with Brahman. The phrase 'tasya nāviśatāṃ dṛtam vaśe vāgindriyēṇa pāpmanā' suggests that one who has realized this knowledge is not swayed by the lower forces, symbolized by the power of speech, which can lead to ignorance and suffering. In his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, Shankara explains that the ultimate goal is to realize the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal Self (Brahman), and this verse points towards that non-dual reality, where the distinctions between the individual and the universal are transcended, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Through the realization of this identity, one achieves true freedom and is no longer bound by the limitations of the material world.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of the loving relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). According to Rāmānujācārya, the attainment of knowledge and fame, as mentioned in the verse, is a result of devotion to and dependence on God. The 'agna' or fire represents the divine presence that guides the devotee towards realizing their true potential and achieving spiritual growth. The phrase 'pārāyate pustakāt' can be seen as the transcendence of worldly knowledge, symbolized by 'pustakāt' or books, and the attainment of a deeper, spiritual understanding. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, might interpret 'tasya nāviśatāṃ dṛtam vaśe vāgindriyēṇa pāpmanā' as the protection of the devotee from the influence of evil forces through the power of devotion and the grace of God. In this context, the verse emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God's will and cultivating devotion as a means to achieve spiritual liberation and realize one's true relationship with the Divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse from the Ṛgveda offers a profound message for contemporary life, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and the cultivation of inner strength. According to Swami Vivekānanda, the 'agna' or fire represents the inner spark within each individual, which, when fanned into a flame, can lead to the realization of one's true potential and the attainment of greatness. The phrase 'āyur vindate gātum yaśasaḥ' suggests that this inner fire is the source of both longevity and fame, not in the worldly sense but in terms of leaving a lasting, positive impact on the world. In his lectures, Vivekānanda often emphasized the need to tap into this inner potential and to overcome the limitations imposed by external forces, symbolized by 'vāgindriyēṇa pāpmanā' or the power of speech that can lead to negativity and suffering. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings, also highlights the universal applicability of this verse, suggesting that the pursuit of knowledge and the cultivation of inner strength are essential for achieving personal and social transformation. By applying the principles embedded in this verse, individuals can unlock their full potential, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.