Ayaṃ sujātā ati sujātā Ayā suprabhūtā bhūmī . Ayam asya mahimānaḥ ॥
“This earth is well-born, very well-born, and well-produced; this is Its greatness.”
Structure
Ayaṃ su-jātā ati su-jātā Ayā su-prabhūtā bhūmiḥ Ayam asya mahimānaḥ
Ayam (this) mahimānaḥ (greatness) asya (of this) su-jātā (well-born) su-jātā (very well-born) ati (indeed) Ayā (this) bhūmiḥ (earth) su-prabhūtā (very rich/abundant)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | |
| su-jātā | Sujātā | compound | karmadhāraya · "sugacchā jātā" | well-born |
| ati | ati | indeclinable | — | very |
| su-jātā | sujātā | compound | karmadhāraya · "sugacchā jātā" | well-born |
| Ayā | Ayā | pronoun | nominative · singular · feminine | |
| su-prabhūtā | Suprabhūtā | compound | karmadhāraya · "sugacchā prabhūtā" | richly abounding |
| bhūmiḥ | bhūmiḥ | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | |
| Ayam | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | |
| asya | asya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | |
| mahimānaḥ | mahimānaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, 'Ayaṃ sujātā ati sujātā Ayā suprabhūtā bhūmī . Ayam asya mahimānaḥ', underscores the non-dual nature of reality, hinting at the ultimate identity of Brahman and Ātman. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the emphasis on the earth being 'well-born' and 'well-produced' suggests an inherent goodness and perfection in the universe, reflective of the inherent nature of Brahman. The phrase 'Ayam asya mahimānaḥ' or 'this is Its greatness' points towards the recognition of Brahman's majesty and omnipresence, transcending all limitations. Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad, where he explains the concept of 'Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam Brahma', provides a closely related perspective, implying that the truth, consciousness, and infinity of Brahman are the essence of all existence, including the earth. This verse, therefore, supports the Advaita view of a unified, all-encompassing reality where the distinction between the individual self (jiva) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) is illusory.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse emphasizes the relationship between the jiva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord), seeing the earth as a manifestation of God's glory. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasutra, highlights the concept of 'śarīra-śarīrī' or the body-soul relationship between the universe and God, suggesting that just as the body is sustained by the soul, the universe is sustained by Īśvara. The description of the earth as 'sujātā' and 'suprabhūtā' indicates its status as a divine creation, reflecting the divine attributes of Īśvara. This verse thus underscores the devotional path, where recognizing the greatness of God in all aspects of creation, including the earth, fosters a deeper sense of reverence and surrender to the divine will. Madhvācārya's Dvaita philosophy, while emphasizing the real distinction between the soul and God, also sees the universe as a venue for the soul's spiritual journey towards liberation, guided by divine grace.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This ancient verse offers profound insights into the universal and practical principles applicable to contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Vedas, often highlighted the potential for human growth and perfection implicit in such verses, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and cultivating one's innate goodness and the inherent goodness of the world. The description of the earth as 'well-born' and 'well-produced' can be seen as an affirmation of the natural world's integrity and the interconnectedness of all life, resonating with modern environmental and ecological concerns. S. Radhakrishnan, in his philosophical works, discussed the relevance of Vedantic ideas to current global challenges, suggesting that the pursuit of a more harmonious relationship between humanity and nature, as inspired by verses like this, is essential for a balanced and sustainable future. This verse, therefore, serves as a call to re-evaluate our relationship with the earth and our place within the larger cosmic scheme, promoting a worldview that integrates spiritual insight with practical, ethical action.