Ayaṃ gauḥ śrotro hiraṇmayaḥ svāhā ॥ Tasya putraḥ śrotro praṇaḥ paśuḥ ॥
“This golden (lit. made of gold) Cow is the Listener; her son is the Listener-Prana, the animal.”
Structure
Ayaṃ gauḥ śrotro hiraṇmayaḥ svāhā, Tasya putraḥ śrotro praṇaḥ paśuḥ
Ayaṃ (this) gauḥ (cow) hiraṇmayaḥ (made of gold) śrotro (for the listener) svāhā (offering), Tasya (his) putraḥ (son) śrotro (the listener) praṇaḥ (life) paśuḥ (animal)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | indeclinable | — | this |
| gauḥ | gauḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | cow |
| śrotro | śrotro | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | hearing |
| hiraṇmayaḥ | hiraṇmayaḥ | adjective | — | made of gold |
| svāhā | svāhā | indeclinable | — | an oblation |
| Tasya | Tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of that |
| putraḥ | putraḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son |
| śrotro | śrotro | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | hearing |
| praṇaḥ | praṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | life breath |
| paśuḥ | paśuḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | animal |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, 'Ayaṃ gauḥ śrotro hiraṇmayaḥ svāhā', is interpreted by Śaṅkarācārya as symbolizing the ultimate reality, Brahman, and its relationship with the individual self, Ātman. The 'golden Cow' represents the universe, and 'the Listener' signifies the all-pervading consciousness. The phrase 'Tasya putraḥ śrotro praṇaḥ paśuḥ' is seen as indicating that the universe, as the manifestation of Brahman, is also imbued with this consciousness, thus establishing the non-dual nature of reality. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes that such verses point to the ultimate identity of Brahman and Ātman, guiding the seeker towards the realization of this non-dual truth. Through this interpretation, Śaṅkarācārya underscores the importance of understanding the universe and the self as interconnected aspects of the supreme reality, Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an allegory for the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, interprets 'Ayaṃ gauḥ śrotro hiraṇmayaḥ svāhā' as symbolizing the jīva's inherent capacity to listen to and understand the divine. The 'golden Cow' represents the divine grace that nourishes the jīva, while 'the Listener' signifies the jīva's ability to receive and respond to the divine call. The subsequent phrase, 'Tasya putraḥ śrotro praṇaḥ paśuḥ', is understood as emphasizing the jīva's dependent yet intimate relationship with Īśvara, where the jīva's very life force (praṇaḥ) is derived from the divine. This interpretation highlights the devotional aspect, where the jīva seeks to cultivate a deeper listening and understanding of the divine will, leading to a fulfilling and loving relationship with Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a Neo-Vedānta perspective, as espoused by Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, this verse is seen as a call to realize the universal and eternal principles that govern human existence. Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of understanding the symbolism in ancient texts to uncover the practical wisdom they contain. The 'golden Cow' can be seen as a symbol of the eternal, divine wisdom that nourishes humanity, while 'the Listener' represents the human capacity for spiritual awareness and growth. The phrase 'Tasya putraḥ śrotro praṇaḥ paśuḥ' suggests that our very existence and life force are connected to this divine wisdom, urging us to listen to and align with it for a more harmonious and fulfilling life. This interpretation brings the verse into contemporary relevance, encouraging individuals to seek a deeper connection with their inner selves and the universe, fostering a sense of unity and purpose in life.