Ayaṃ somo mahate dīrghāya devā ṛtāvā vardhamānāya vṛkṣāya । Na tvasyāsti pipāsā nāhaṅkāro viduḥ kilbiṣīṇāṃ parāhan ।
“This Soma is for the great, long-lived, and prosperous tree; it does not create thirst or arrogance for the one who knows the sinful.”
Structure
Ayaṃ somo mahate dīrghāya devā ṛtāvā vardhamānāya vṛkṣāya Na tvasyāsti pipāsā nāhaṅkāro viduḥ kilbiṣīṇāṃ parāhan
devāḥ (gods) ṛtāvāḥ (just ones) viduḥ (know) kilbiṣīṇāṃ (of sinners) parāhan (transgressions)ayaṃ (this) somoḥ (Soma) mahate (for the great one) dīrghāya (for long life) vṛkṣāya (for the growing one) vardhamānāya (who is growing)na (not) tvā (your) asti (is) pipāsā (thirst) nāhaṅkāro (nor arrogance)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| somo | somaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Soma |
| mahate | mahate | noun | dative · singular · masculine | for the great one |
| dīrghāya | dīrghāya | noun | dative · singular · masculine | for the long one |
| devā | devā | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | the gods |
| ṛtāvā | ṛtāvā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | who follows ṛta |
| vardhamānāya | vardhamānāya | noun | dative · singular · masculine | for the one who is growing |
| vṛkṣāya | vṛkṣāya | noun | dative · singular · masculine | for the tree |
| Na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| tvasyāsti | tvasya asti | verb | √as · present · third | there is |
| pipāsā | pipāsā | noun | nominative · singular · feminine | thirst |
| nāhaṅkāro | nāhaṅkāro | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | nor egoism |
| viduḥ | viduḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the wise one |
| kilbiṣīṇāṃ | kilbiṣīṇāṃ | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of the sinful ones |
| parāhan | parāhan | verb | √han · optative · third | may he slay |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, when understood through the lens of Advaita Vedānta, points towards the ultimate reality of Brahman. The Soma, often symbolizing the blissful and immortal essence, is likened to a great, long-lived, and prosperous tree. This simile suggests the all-encompassing and eternal nature of Brahman. Shankara's commentary on the Upanishads often emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the universal self (Brahman). In the context of this verse, the lack of 'pipāsā' (thirst) and 'ahaṅkāro' (arrogance) for the one who knows the sinful, hints at the liberation from worldly desires and ego, which is a key concept in achieving the Brahman-ātman identity. The 'viduḥ kilbiṣīṇāṃ parāhan' suggests a transcendence of sinful actions, implying a state of awareness that surpasses the mundane, leading the seeker towards the realization of the ultimate non-dual reality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava interpretation of this verse focuses on the devotional aspect and the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). The prosperous tree can be seen as a symbol of the devotee who has taken refuge in the Lord, thereby achieving a state of spiritual prosperity. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) and prapatti (surrender) in achieving liberation. The mention of 'devā ṛtāvā' (the gods who follow the cosmic order) and 'vardhamānāya vṛkṣāya' (the growing tree) might symbolize the divine providence and the growth of the devotee under the Lord's care. The absence of thirst and arrogance in the one who knows the sinful can be seen as the result of the devotee's surrender to the Lord, leading to a life free from worldly ego and desires, in line with the teachings of Vaiṣṇava acharyas.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse offers a profound message relevant to contemporary life. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures, often emphasized the importance of self-realization and the need to transcend the limitations of the ego. The image of the Soma as a 'great, long-lived, and prosperous tree' can be seen as a symbol of human potential, where one's life is guided by principles of righteousness ('ṛtāvā') and continuous spiritual growth ('vardhamānāya'). The absence of 'pipāsā' and 'ahaṅkāro' in those who understand the nature of sin suggests a state of inner fulfillment and humility. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, highlights the universal applicability of Vedāntic principles, including the idea that true freedom and peace come from transcending the ego and worldly desires. This verse, therefore, encourages a life of self-awareness, moral integrity, and spiritual aspiration, which are essential for personal and societal well-being in the modern world.