Ayaṁ yaḥ śaturī ca krāturī taṁ me devā yaśo brūvan । Na kirīṭinām āśūśuvat sahamānaḥ . Taṁ me garutmān madhuṛiṭā dadharō rathē ॥
“May the gods proclaim the fame of him who created this chariot; the wearer of the crest did not lag behind; who upheld it on the chariot like a bird on a sweet.”
Structure
Ayaṁ yaḥ śaturī ca krāturī taṁ me devā yaśo brūvan Na kirīṭināṁ āśūśuvat sahamānaḥ Taṁ me garutmān madhuṛiṭā dadharō rathē
Ayaṁ (this) yaḥ (who) śaturī (fierce) ca (and) krāturī (violent) taṁ (that one) devā (gods) me (to me) yaśo (glory) brūvan (declare)Na (not) kirīṭināṁ (of the crowned ones) āśūśuvat ( swift-moving) sahamānaḥ (enduring) Taṁ (that) me (to me) garutmān (the bird-like) madhuṛiṭā ( the intoxicating one) rathē ( on the chariot) dadharō (bore)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṁ | Ayaṁ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| śaturī | śaturī | adjective | — | having sharp or projecting |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| krāturī | krāturī | adjective | — | cruel or fierce |
| taṁ | taṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | him |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular · masculine | to me |
| devā | devā | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | gods |
| yaśo | yaśo | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | fame |
| brūvan | brūvan | verb | √brū · present participle · third | saying |
| Na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| kirīṭināṁ | kirīṭināṁ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of those wearing a crest or crown |
| āśūśuvat | āśūśuvat | verb | √śūśū · present participle · third | who speeds quickly |
| sahamānaḥ | sahamānaḥ | verb | √sah · present participle · third | enduring or bearing |
| Taṁ | Taṁ | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | him |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular · masculine | to me |
| garutmān | garutmān | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | bird-like (possessing wings) |
| madhuṛiṭā | madhuṛiṭā | adjective | — | honey-loving |
| dadharō | dadharō | verb | √dhṛ · aorist · third | he held |
| rathē | rathe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | on the chariot |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda is seen as an expression of the non-dual nature of reality. The chariot mentioned here symbolizes the body, and the creator of the chariot symbolizes the ultimate reality, Brahman. The phrase 'may the gods proclaim the fame of him who created this chariot' indicates the omnipresence and omniscience of Brahman. According to Shankara, the 'wearer of the crest' refers to the ego or the individual self, which does not lag behind in realizing its true nature as Brahman. The image of upholding the chariot like a bird on a sweet suggests the effortless and natural union of the individual self with Brahman, similar to how a bird instinctively savors sweetness. This verse points to the brahman-ātman identity, highlighting the non-dual essence where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal reality (Brahman). Shankara's commentary on the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita further elucidates this concept, emphasizing the discriminative understanding required to realize this fundamental unity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse focuses on the devotional aspect, emphasizing the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya would likely view the creator of the chariot as a symbol of the divine, highlighting the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara for its existence and ultimate liberation. The phrase 'may the gods proclaim the fame of him' underscores the glory and majesty of the Supreme Lord, whom the jīva should strive to know and worship. The 'wearer of the crest' could be seen as the devotee who, with the grace of Īśvara, does not lag behind in spiritual progress. The image of the chariot upheld like a bird on a sweet might symbolize the joyful and effortless nature of devotion when the jīva is in harmony with Īśvara. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, invites the devotee to cultivate a deep sense of reverence and love for the divine, recognizing the inherent dependence and relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse can be seen as a call to realize one's inner potential and the universal principles that govern existence. Swami Vivekānanda might interpret the chariot as a symbol of the human body and mind, which must be skillfully guided to achieve spiritual growth and self-realization. The creator of the chariot represents the divine spark within every individual, and the 'gods proclaiming the fame' symbolizes the recognition and celebration of human potential when it is actualized. The 'wearer of the crest' not lagging behind suggests the importance of self-confidence and self-effort in spiritual pursuit. The image of upholding the chariot like a bird on a sweet can be seen as a metaphor for the natural and spontaneous expression of human potential when aligned with universal principles. Vivekānanda's lectures and writings emphasize the importance of realizing one's true nature and living in accordance with dharma, or righteous living, to achieve both personal and societal well-being. This verse, from a Neo-Vedānta perspective, encourages individuals to strive for self-realization and to live a life of purpose and contribution, reflecting the universal and practical application of Vedāntic principles in contemporary life.