Ayaṃ gauḥ śṛṇvantu gāvo diśaḥ sarvataḥ . Na tvāṃ diśaḥ pārśvaṃ na tvāṃ sarvataḥ ॥
“May this cow hear and may cows in all directions hear; you are not in any direction nor on all sides.”
Structure
Ayaṃ gauḥ śṛṇvantu gāvo diśaḥ sarvataḥ Na tvāṃ diśaḥ pārśvāṃ na tvāṃ sarvataḥ
Ayaṃ (this) gauḥ (cow) tvāṃ (you) śṛṇvantu (listen to)gāvo (cows) diśaḥ (from all directions) sarvataḥ (on all sides) śṛṇvantu (listen)Na (not) tvāṃ (you) diśaḥ (directions) sarvataḥ (on all sides) pārśvāṃ (on your flank) na (not) tvāṃ (you) sarvataḥ (on all sides)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| gauḥ | gauḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | cow |
| śṛṇvantu | śṛṇvantu | verb | √śṛṇu · laṭ-present · third | let them hear |
| gāvo | gāvo | noun | accusative · plural · feminine | cows |
| diśaḥ | diśaḥ | noun | accusative · plural · feminine | directions |
| sarvataḥ | sarvataḥ | indeclinable | — | on all sides |
| Na | Na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvāṃ | tvāṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | thee |
| diśaḥ | diśaḥ | noun | accusative · plural · feminine | directions |
| pārśvaṃ | pārśvaṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | side |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvāṃ | tvāṃ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | thee |
| sarvataḥ | sarvataḥ | indeclinable | — | on all sides |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is emblematic of the non-dual understanding, where the distinctions between directions and the concept of space are transcended. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, underscores the idea that ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all spatial and temporal boundaries. The phrase 'Na tvāṃ diśaḥ pārśvāṃ na tvāṃ sarvataḥ' is particularly significant as it negates the notion of Brahman being confined to any specific direction or being omnipresent in a spatial sense. Instead, it points to the all-encompassing, yet unbounded nature of Brahman. This verse, in the context of Advaita Vedanta, serves as a pointer to the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman), emphasizing the transcendence of all dualities, including the subject-object dichotomy. Shankara's interpretation of such verses as this one from the Ṛgveda, highlights the path to realizing this non-dual reality, where the separation between the individual and the universal is dissolved.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse can be seen as an expression of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasutras, emphasizes the concept of 'aprthagbhāva' or insepatability, where the jīva and Īśvara are distinct yet inseparable. The call to the cow and the directions in this verse can be metaphorically understood as the call of the jīva to Īśvara, seeking union and understanding. The phrase 'Na tvāṃ diśaḥ pārśvāṃ na tvāṃ sarvataḥ' highlights Īśvara's transcendence of all limitations, including spatial ones, underscoring His omnipresence and the jīva's dependence on Him. Madhvācārya might interpret this verse in the context of his Dvaita philosophy, emphasizing the real difference between the jīva and Īśvara, yet acknowledging the jīva's total dependence on Īśvara for liberation, where the verse serves as a reminder of the path to achieving such liberation through devotion.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, when viewed through the lens of Neo-Vedanta, offers a profound reflection on the universal and the individual. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical application of Vedantic principles in everyday life, highlighting the unity and interconnectedness of all existence. The call to the cow and the directions can be seen as a symbol of the universal call to humanity, to recognize and respond to the inherent unity and interconnectedness of all beings. The phrase 'Na tvāṃ diśaḥ pārśvāṃ na tvāṃ sarvataḥ' can be interpreted as a reminder of the transcendental nature of the ultimate reality, which is beyond all human constructs of space and time. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, expands on this idea, suggesting that such verses point to a reality that is both immanent and transcendent, encouraging a life of service, compassion, and wisdom, where the individual strives to realize this unity in their daily life and interactions, fostering a sense of global citizenship and responsibility.