yasyaā hiranyavatī divyā duhitā | har-yā śvetā savalā | gāvo dādr̥pu-rne | tasyāṃ pāhi | jotiṣāṃ pate |
“Protect the radiant lady, with golden and white-complexioned, unblemished cows, the celestial daughter of Heaven.”
Structure
yasyaām hiranyavatī divyā duhitā har-yā śvetā savalā gāvo dādr̥-pu-rne tasyāṃ pāhi jotiṣāṃ pate
Jotiṣāṃ pate (Lord of the stars),yasyaām (in whose) hiranyavatī (rich) divyā (divine) duhitā (daughter) har-yā (having a bay or reddish-brown horse) śvetā (and a white one) savalā (together) gāvo (cows) dādr̥-pu-rne (multiplying, teeming) tasyāṃ (in that) pāhi (I drink)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yasyaām | yasyaām | pronoun | locative · singular · feminine | in whom |
| hiranyavatī | hiranyavatī | adjective | — | golden |
| divyā | divyā | adjective | — | heavenly |
| duhitā | duhitā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | daughter |
| har-yā | haryā | adjective | — | greenish-yellow |
| śvetā | śvetā | adjective | — | white |
| savalā | savalā | adjective | — | speckled |
| gāvo | gāvo | noun | nominative · plural · feminine | cows |
| dādr̥-pu-rne | dādr̥-pūrṇe | compound | bahuvrīhi · "dādṛp-ūrṇā" | abounding in milk |
| tasyāṃ | tasyāṃ | pronoun | locative · singular · feminine | in her |
| pāhi | pāhi | verb | √pā · optative · second | drink |
| jotiṣāṃ | jotiṣāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · neuter | of stars |
| pate | pate | noun | vocative · singular · masculine | lord |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, yasyaām hiranyavatī divyā duhitā, the phrase 'hiranyavatī divyā duhitā' refers to the ultimate reality, Brahman, which is the source of all existence. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) explains that the universe is a manifestation of Brahman, much like the daughter is a manifestation of the father. The 'golden and white-complexioned, unblemished cows' symbolize the pure and untouched aspects of the universe, untainted by Maya. The verse thus points to the non-dual identity of Brahman and Ātman, guiding the seeker to realize the ultimate truth that lies beyond the duality of the world. By contemplating on this verse, the seeker can experience the unity of existence and attain liberation. Shankara's reasoning emphasizes the importance of understanding the symbolic language of the Vedas to grasp the ultimate reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse, yasyaām hiranyavatī divyā duhitā, is interpreted by Rāmānujācārya as a description of the divine feminine, Lakshmi, who is the consort of Vishnu. The 'golden and white-complexioned, unblemished cows' represent the jīvas, who are under the protection of the divine. The verse highlights the intimate relationship between the jīva and Īśvara, where the jīva seeks refuge in the divine. Rāmānuja's commentary on the Brahma Sutras (1.1.1) explains that the jīva's ultimate goal is to attain liberation by realizing its inherent dependence on Īśvara. This verse thus emphasizes the importance of devotion and surrender to the divine, guiding the seeker towards a path of selfless love and service. The Vaiṣṇava tradition sees this verse as a call to cultivate a deep sense of devotion and reliance on the divine, leading to a life of spiritual growth and self-realization.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture 'The Real and the Apparent Man', explains that the verse yasyaām hiranyavatī divyā duhitā symbolizes the potential for human growth and self-realization. The 'golden and white-complexioned, unblemished cows' represent the innate purity and goodness that lies within every individual. The verse encourages the seeker to tap into this inner potential, to strive for self-perfection, and to realize one's true nature. Vivekānanda emphasizes the importance of self-effort and self-reliance in achieving spiritual growth, citing the Upanishads as a guide for modern life. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, reminds us of the need to cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness, to recognize our inner potential, and to strive for a life of purpose and meaning. As Rādhākrishnan notes in his book 'The Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy', this verse offers a universal message of hope and transformation, guiding individuals towards a path of self-discovery and spiritual evolution.