Ayaṃ gauḥ śṛṇu māvyā vacoḥ śrotraṃ ca yasya nādrīyate । Vṛṇīmahe tamevaitam, gṛṇīmahe tamevaitam ॥
“Hear, O Cow, our words, and may he whose ear is attentive, we choose him, him alone we choose.”
Structure
Ayaṃ gauḥ śṛṇu mā avyā vacoḥ śrotraṃ ca yasya na ādrīyate Vṛṇīmahe tam eva aitam gṛṇīmahe tam eva aitam
Ayaṃ (this) gauḥ (cow) śṛṇu (listen) mā (not) avyā (avoid) vacoḥ (to my words) śrotraṃ (one whose ears) ca (and) yasya (of who) na (not) ādrīyate (are respected) Vṛṇīmahe (we choose) tam (that one) eva (alone) aitam (this) gṛṇīmahe (we praise) tam (that one) eva (alone) aitam (this)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| gauḥ | gauḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | cow, bull |
| śṛṇu | śṛṇu | verb | √śru · laṭ-imperative · second | listen |
| mā | mā | indeclinable | — | not |
| avyā | avyā | noun | ablative · singular · feminine | from me |
| vacoḥ | vacoḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine/neuter | of speech/voice |
| śrotraṃ | śrotraṃ | noun | nominative · singular · neuter | ear/ hearing |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom/whose |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| ādrīyate | ādrīyate | verb | √ā-dṛ · laṭ-passive · third | is not respected/honored |
| Vṛṇīmahe | Vṛṇīmahe | verb | √vṛ · laṭ-middle · first | we choose/select |
| tam | tam | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | him/that one |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed/only |
| aitam | aitam | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | him/that one |
| gṛṇīmahe | gṛṇīmahe | verb | √gṛ · laṭ-middle · first | we choose/select |
| tam | tam | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | him/that one |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | indeed/only |
| aitam | aitam | pronoun | accusative · singular · masculine | him/that one |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, 'Ayaṃ gauḥ śṛṇu māvyā vacoḥ śrotraṃ ca yasya nādrīyate', is interpreted by Śaṅkarācārya as an allegory for the non-dual nature of reality. The 'gauḥ' or cow represents the intellect, which is being addressed to listen to the higher truth. The phrase 'yasya nādrīyate śrotraṃ' signifies the one whose ear (or mind) is not distracted, implying a state of inner purity and concentration. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, often emphasizes the importance of such a concentrated mind for realizing the ultimate truth of brahman-ātman identity. This verse, thus, points to the necessity of preparing the mind to receive the higher knowledge, which ultimately leads to the understanding that the individual self (ātman) is not different from the universal reality (brahman). By choosing 'tam eva' (him alone), the verse underscores the exclusivity of the path to realizing this non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of devotion and the intimate relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya would interpret 'Ayaṃ gauḥ' as the symbol of the Lord's mercy and nourishment, calling out to the devotee to listen and understand the divine word. The phrase 'yasya nādrīyate śrotraṃ' highlights the importance of a devotee's undivided attention and faith in receiving the Lord's grace. Madhvācārya, known for his dualistic philosophy, might view 'tam eva' as the Lord alone, whom the devotee seeks and chooses, emphasizing the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara for liberation. This interpretation aligns with the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as the means to attain union with the divine, underscoring the personal relationship between the devotee and the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and Sarvepalli Rādhākrishnan, key figures in the Neo-Vedānta movement, offer a universal and practical interpretation of this verse. They would see 'Ayaṃ gauḥ' as a metaphor for the universal consciousness or cosmic energy that pervades all existence. The call to 'śṛṇu' (hear) is an invitation to tune into this inner reality, which is always present but often overlooked due to our distracted state, as hinted by 'yasya nādrīyate śrotraṃ'. Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often spoke about the need to cultivate inner strength and awareness to realize one's true potential, which aligns with the idea of choosing 'tam eva'—the eternal, unchanging essence within. Rādhākrishnan, with his emphasis on the fusion of the spiritual and the secular, might interpret this verse as a call to integrate spiritual values into everyday life, choosing the path of wisdom and self-realization in all aspects of human endeavor.