Ayaṃ Somaḥ pavate tvāyaí śatapātu śatadhinv dvipātu . Ā pavasva tvayā mṛḍ tvayā mṛḍ iha upahūy svāhā ॥
“This Soma juice is being filtered for you, may it give 100 kinds of nourishment and 200 kinds of vitality; please purify with you and be propitious, I invite you here; hail!”
Structure
Ayaṃ Somaḥ pavate tvāyai śata-pātu śata-dhinv dvi-pātu Ā pavasva tvayā mṛḍ tvayā mṛḍ iha upahūya svāhā
Ayaṃ Somaḥ (this Soma)tvāyai (for you)pavate (purifies)śata-pātu (giving a hundred protections)śata-dhinv (stimulating a hundred)dvi-pātu (giving two protections)Ā pavasva (come, purify)tvayā (with you)mṛḍ (delight)tvayā (with you)mṛḍ (delight)iha (here)upahūya (being called)svāhā (hail)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| Somaḥ | Somaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Soma |
| pavate | pavate | verb | √pū · laṭ-present · third | purifies |
| tvāyai | tvāyai | pronoun | dative · singular · feminine | for you |
| śata-pātu | śata-pātu | compound | karmadhāraya · "śata pātuḥ" | protects a hundred |
| śata-dhinv | śata-dhinv | compound | karmadhāraya · "śata dhinvaḥ" | reaches a hundred |
| dvi-pātu | dvi-pātu | compound | karmadhāraya · "dvi pātuḥ" | two protector |
| Ā | Ā | indeclinable | — | come |
| pavasva | pavasva | verb | √pū · laṣ- imperative · second | purify |
| tvayā | tvayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by you |
| mṛḍ | mṛḍ | verb | √mṛḍ · liṅ-optative · first | may you be kind |
| tvayā | tvayā | pronoun | instrumental · singular · masculine | by you |
| mṛḍ | mṛḍ | verb | √mṛḍ · liṅ-optative · first | may you be kind |
| iha | iha | indeclinable | — | here |
| upahūya | upahūya | verb | √hū · anā-shṭā- participle | calling near |
| svāhā | svāhā | indeclinable | — | hail |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, Śaṅkara explains that the ritual of Soma filtration symbolizes the purification of the individual self. This verse from the Ṛgveda, 'Ayaṃ Somaḥ pavate tvāyai śata-pātu śata-dhinv dvi-pātu,' signifies the aspiration for the ultimate reality, Brahman, which is the essence of all existence. The numbers 'śata' (hundred) and 'dvi' (two) represent the multifaceted nature of the universe and the duality of the human experience, respectively. Śaṅkara would likely interpret 'Ā pavasva tvayā mṛḍ tvayā mṛḍ' as an invitation to the Absolute to manifest within, underscoring the non-dual identity of the ātman and Brahman. This understanding is rooted in his concept of 'ānanda' (bliss) as the fundamental nature of reality, where the pursuit of knowledge and purification ultimately leads to the realization of this unity.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, this verse can be seen as a supplication to the Lord, where 'Ayaṃ Somaḥ pavate tvāyai' indicates the offering of one's actions and devotion to Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya might view 'śata-pātu śata-dhinv dvi-pātu' as symbolizing the numerous blessings and protections bestowed by the divine upon the devotee, emphasizing the personal relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara. The phrase 'Ā pavasva tvayā mṛḍ tvayā mṛḍ' would then represent the devotee's plea for purification and grace, highlighting the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara's mercy for spiritual growth and liberation. This interpretation reflects the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on bhakti (devotion) and prapatti (surrender) as the means to attain mokṣa (liberation).
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda would likely interpret this verse in the context of his universal and practical philosophy, focusing on the human potential for spiritual growth and self-realization. He might see 'Ayaṃ Somaḥ pavate tvāyai' as a metaphor for the unfolding of one's inner potential, with 'śata-pātu śata-dhinv dvi-pātu' representing the multifaceted development of the individual towards perfection. 'Ā pavasva tvayā mṛḍ tvayā mṛḍ' could then symbolize the process of self-purification and the invocation of one's higher self, aligning with Vivekānanda's teachings on the importance of self-control, concentration, and love in achieving spiritual liberation. This perspective underscores the relevance of the verse to contemporary life, where individuals strive for personal growth, harmony, and fulfillment, reflecting the broader human quest for meaning and transcendence.