Ayam hi draṣṭum arhati yaḥ paśyati cādhipān | Sa hi dṛṣṭvā divi devān paśyati cādhipān ||
“He alone deserves to see, who sees the rulers; Having seen them, he sees the gods in heaven.”
Structure
Ayaṃ hi draṣṭum arhati yaḥ paśyati ca adhipān | Saḥ hi dṛṣṭvā divi devān paśyati ca adhipān
Saḥ (he) hi (indeed) draṣṭum (to see) arhati (is worthy) yaḥ (who) ca (and) adhipān (the ruling powers) paśyati (sees)Saḥ (he) hi (indeed) dṛṣṭvā (having seen) devān (the gods) divi (in the heaven) ca (and) adhipān (the ruling powers) paśyati (sees)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| draṣṭum | draṣṭum | verb | √dṛś · liṅ-optative · third | to see |
| arhati | arhati | verb | √arh · laṭ-present · third | is worthy |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| paśyati | paśyati | verb | √paś · laṭ-present · third | sees |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| adhipān | adhipān | compound | tatpuruṣa · "adhipa + ān" | the Lords |
| Saḥ | Saḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed |
| dṛṣṭvā | dṛṣṭvā | verb | √dṛś · kṛtyā-past participle | having seen |
| divi | divi | indeclinable | — | in heaven |
| devān | devān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the gods |
| paśyati | paśyati | verb | √paś · laṭ-present · third | sees |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| adhipān | adhipān | compound | tatpuruṣa · "adhipa + ān" | the Lords |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda underscores the non-dualistic essence of reality. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, highlights the importance of recognizing the ātman as the ultimate reality, beyond the distinctions of the material world. The phrase 'ayam hi draṣṭum arhati yaḥ paśyati cādhipān' suggests that the one who truly deserves to see or understand is the one who perceives the rulers or the lords, which, in a non-dual context, points to the realization of the brahman-ātman identity. Shankara would argue that seeing the 'devān paśyati ca adhipān' in heaven is metaphorical for realizing the divine within oneself, thus affirming the ultimate non-duality of the universe. This realization is a direct path to mokṣa, or liberation, where the individual self (jīva) recognizes its oneness with the universal self (brahman).
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as emphasizing the importance of devotion and the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his interpretation, might view 'yaḥ paśyati cādhipān' as the jīva's ability to perceive and understand the rulers or lords as manifestations of Īśvara, thus establishing a personal relationship with the divine. The act of 'dṛṣṭvā divi devān' is then a profound devotional experience where the jīva, through bhakti, comes to see the divine in all aspects of life, including the heavens and the rulers thereof. This verse, for Vaiṣṇavas, underscores the path of devotion as a means to achieve salvation, where the jīva, in loving surrender, recognizes and worships the Īśvara in all forms and manifestations.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, a key figure in Neo-Vedānta, would likely interpret this verse as a call to recognize the inherent divinity within oneself and in all beings. He might argue that 'draṣṭum arhati' refers to the potential in every individual to see beyond the mundane and perceive the divine essence. The phrase 'dṛṣṭvā divi devān paśyati ca adhipān' could be seen as an exhortation to look beyond the surface level of existence and recognize the divine principle governing the universe. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of realizing this universal truth for personal liberation and societal progress. He believed that such a realization can empower individuals to strive for a higher moral and ethical life, thus contributing to the betterment of humanity. This interpretation aligns with his vision of Vedānta as a practical philosophy for everyday life, promoting unity, peace, and the pursuit of spiritual growth.