Yato dadhāti gabhastibhyāṁ yata āste pṛthivyā vasuvṛddhā drumanntī vasupatnī । Yasyā hiranyavarnā hāraḥ śreyaḥ kaṇṭhe divyaṁ jaḍitaśleṣam । Aśīmadabhyāṁ pinākahastā mṛḍu mṛḍu mṛḍayantī rambhorukṣmatī.
“From her two hands she holds and bestows; stationed on earth she promotes prosperity; she wears a divine necklace studded with gold around her neck.”
Structure
Yato dadhāti gabhastibhyām yata āste pṛthivyāḥ vasu-vṛddhā drum-anvattī vasu-patnī yasyāḥ hiranyavarnā hārāḥ śreyāḥ kaṇṭhe divyaṁ jaḍita-śleṣam aśīma-dabhyāṁ pināka-hastā mṛḍu mṛḍu mṛḍayantī rambho-ru-kṣmatī
Yatā (by what means) dadhāti (nourishes) gabhastibhyām (with her hands),yadā (at what place) āste (dwells) pṛthivyāḥ (of the earth) vasu-vṛddhā (increasing wealth) drum-anvattī (accompanied by trees),vasu-patnī (the wife of Vasu) yasyāḥ (of whom) hiranya-varnā (golden) hārāḥ (a necklace) śreyāḥ (is better) kaṇṭhe (around the neck),divyaṁ (divine) jaḍita-śleṣam (adorned with a divine clasp) aśīma-dabhyāṁ (with unlimitted powers) pināka-hastā (bearing a Pinaka bow) mṛḍu (gentle) mṛḍu (soft) mṛḍayantī (delighting) rambho (splendid) uru-kṣmatī (wide-radiant)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yato | yato | indeclinable | — | from where |
| dadhāti | dadhāti | verb | √dā · laṭ-present · third | he gives |
| gabasthibhyāṁ | gabasthibhyāṁ | noun | instrumental dual · dual · masculine | from the hands |
| yata | yata | indeclinable | — | from where |
| āste | āste | verb | √ās · laṭ-present · third | she dwells |
| pṛthivyāḥ | pṛthivyāḥ | noun | genitive singular · singular · feminine | of the earth |
| vasu-vṛddhā | vasu-vṛddhā | compound | bahuvrīhi · "vasu-vṛddhā" | rich in wealth |
| drum-anvattī | drum-anvattī | compound | dvandva · "druma anvattī" | accompanied by trees |
| vasu-patnī | vasu-patnī | compound | bahuvrīhi · "vasu-patnī" | wife of Vasu |
| yasyāḥ | yasyāḥ | pronoun | genitive singular · singular · feminine | of whom |
| hiranyavarnā | hiranyavarnā | compound | bahuvrīhi · "hiranya-varṇā" | golden-colored |
| hārāḥ | hārāḥ | noun | nominative plural · plural · masculine | necklaces |
| śreyāḥ | śreyāḥ | noun | nominative plural · plural · masculine | better |
| kaṇṭhe | kaṇṭhe | noun | locative singular · singular · masculine | in the neck |
| divyaṁ | divyaṁ | adjective | — | divine |
| jaḍita-śleṣam | jaḍita-śleṣam | compound | tatpuruṣa · "jaḍita śleṣam" | adorned with |
| aśīma-dabhyāṁ | aśīma-dabhyāṁ | compound | dvandva · "aśīma dabhyāṁ" | with unmeasured tenderness |
| pināka-hastā | pināka-hastā | compound | bahuvrīhi · "pināka hastā" | with a pināka in her hand |
| mṛḍu | mṛḍu | adjective | — | soft |
| mṛḍu | mṛḍu | adjective | — | soft |
| mṛḍayantī | mṛḍayantī | verb | √mṛḍ · laṭ-present · third | she pacifies |
| rambho | rambho | noun | locative singular · singular · masculine | in the clump of plantain |
| ru-kṣmatī | ru-kṣmatī | compound | bahuvrīhi · "ru-kṣmatī" | covered in foliage |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda signifies the non-dual nature of ultimate reality, pointing to the identity of Brahman and Ātman. Śaṅkarācārya would likely interpret 'vasupatnī' as the feminine aspect of the divine, embodying the wealth and prosperity that arises from the union of the individual self (jīva) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). The 'hiranyavarnā hāraḥ' or golden necklace signifies the radiant, luminous nature of the Self. The 'divyaṁ jaḍita-śleṣam' around her neck suggests the indivisible, all-pervading essence of Brahman. In the context of Advaita Vedānta, this verse underscores the idea that the jīva, in its essential nature, is none other than Brahman, and that this realization (anubhava) leads to the attainment of true prosperity and liberation. This interpretation aligns with Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Brahmasūtra, where he discusses the ultimate goal of life as the realization of one's true nature as Brahman.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava perspective, particularly through the lens of Rāmānujācārya's Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, this verse can be seen as describing the divine consort, Śrī or Lakṣmī, who embodies the wealth and prosperity that flows from the divine grace of Viṣṇu. The golden necklace ('hiranyavarnā hāraḥ') symbolizes the beauty and splendor of the divine, while 'divyaṁ jaḍita-śleṣam' highlights the inseparable, eternal relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, emphasizes the importance of bhakti or devotion, suggesting that true prosperity and liberation are achieved through loving devotion to the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, discusses the role of Lakṣmī as the mediator of Viṣṇu's grace, illustrating how this verse supports the Vaiṣṇava view of the personal, loving relationship between the individual and the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda would likely view this verse as symbolizing the potential for spiritual growth and self-realization inherent in every individual. The 'vasupatnī' with her golden necklace represents the divine feminine, embodying the qualities of nurturing, compassion, and wisdom. The 'divyaṁ jaḍita-śleṣam' signifies the eternal, unbroken thread of consciousness that links the individual with the universal. This verse, in the context of Neo-Vedānta, encourages the pursuit of spiritual upliftment and service to others as the means to achieve true prosperity and inner peace. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of realizing one's inner divinity and using this realization as a basis for compassionate action in the world. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan saw the Upaniṣads and the Ṛgveda as advocating a universal message of human unity and the pursuit of knowledge and self-realization, highlighting the relevance of this verse to contemporary life and global understanding.