Ayaṃ yajño niśāyyo daśeme mahīnām । Ṛcaḥ somasya vrāte ca kratavaḥ.
“This yajña is to be performed on the tenth day of the month, the hymns are for the vow of Soma and for the rituals.”
Structure
Ayaṃ yajño niśāyyo daśame mahīnām Ṛcaḥ somasya vrāte ca kratavaḥ
Ayaṃ (this) yajño (sacrifice) niśāyyo (to be performed at night) daśame (in the tenth) mahīnām (month),Ṛcaḥ (hymns) ca (and) kratavaḥ (rituals) somasya (of Soma) vrāte (vow, or ritual context)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| yajño | yajño | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | sacrifice |
| niśāyyo | niśāyyo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | at night |
| daśame | daśame | noun | locative · singular · masculine | tenth |
| mahīnām | mahīnām | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of months |
| Ṛcaḥ | Ṛcaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | verses |
| somasya | somasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of Soma |
| vrāte | vrāte | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in the host |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| kratavaḥ | kratavaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | rituals |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, the performance of yajña on the tenth day of the month symbolizes the culmination of spiritual disciplines. Śaṅkara's commentary on the Brahma Sūtras (BS 1.1.1) highlights the importance of understanding the ultimate reality, Brahman, through the practice of rites and rituals. The mention of Ṛcaḥ (hymns) and Soma (the sacred plant) points to the Vedic means of realizing the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal self (Brahman). The verse's emphasis on the tenth day signifies the perfection and completion of the spiritual journey, akin to the tenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gītā, where Arjuna finally achieves a direct vision of the Supreme. Śaṅkara's non-dual reading underscores the notion that the yajña is not merely a ritual but an inward sacrifice leading to the realization of the oneness of all existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is interpreted within the Vaiṣṇava tradition as highlighting the devotional aspect of yajña, with the tenth day representing the culmination of spiritual effort in devotion to the Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sūtras, emphasizes the personal aspect of God and the importance of bhakti (devotion) in achieving spiritual liberation. The Ṛcaḥ and Soma are seen as symbols of the loving service and offerings made to the Lord, with the rituals and vows taken in the pursuit of pleasing Him. This interpretation underscores the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord), where the performance of yajña becomes an act of loving surrender and service, reflecting the teachings found in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, when viewed through the lens of Neo-Vedānta, emphasizes the universal and practical application of spiritual principles in daily life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the 'Complete Works', often spoke about the need to balance the inner and outer aspects of life, suggesting that spiritual growth is not merely an ascetic pursuit but a holistic development of the human being. The yajña on the tenth day can be seen as a symbol of the culmination of such balanced efforts. Rādhākrishnan, in his writings, highlighted the importance of integrating the spiritual insights of the Vedas into contemporary life, viewing them as universally applicable principles rather than mere rituals. Thus, the Ṛcaḥ and the vow of Soma are interpreted as representing the aspiration towards a higher truth and the commitment to living a life of integrity and spiritual values, making the verse relevant to modern seekers of truth and self-realization.