Ayaṃ somo mahate brāhmaṇe vṛndārakāṃ pīnu ṣaḍaśatā sahasraśaḥ ॥
“This Soma is for the great Brahman, to make it exhilarating, drink it in abundance with sixty-six hundred.”
Structure
Ayaṃ somo mahate brāhmaṇe vṛndārakāṃ pīnu ṣaḍaśatā sahasraśaḥ
Ayaṃ (this) somo (Soma) pīnu (I drink) sahasraśaḥ (a thousand times) ṣaḍaśatā (six hundred) vṛndārakāṃ (making rich) mahate (for the great) brāhmaṇe (Brahman)
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 | to the great one |
| brāhmaṇe | brāhmaṇe | noun | dative · singular · masculine | Brahmin |
| vṛndārakāṃ | vṛndārakāṃ | adjective | — | exalting |
| pīnu | pīnu | verb | √pā · present · first | I drink |
| ṣaḍaśatā | ṣaḍaśatā | noun | ablative · singular · feminine/neuter | by sixty-six |
| sahasraśaḥ | sahasraśaḥ | indeclinable | — | a thousandfold |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, 'Ayaṃ somo mahate brāhmaṇe vṛndārakāṃ pīnu ṣaḍaśatā sahasraśaḥ', is interpreted by Śaṅkarācārya as a metaphor for the ultimate reality, Brahman. The 'Soma' here represents the blissful and liberating knowledge of the Self (Ātman), which is to be realized by the individual self (jīva) as none other than the great Brahman. In his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, Śaṅkara explains that the journey to this realization involves the cultivation of knowledge and the ultimate rejection of duality. The 'sixty-six hundred' symbolizes the immense abundance of this liberating knowledge, emphasizing that it is limitless and available to all who seek it. This understanding underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between the individual self and the ultimate reality is transcended. Through the lens of Advaita Vedānta, this verse points towards the ultimate goal of human existence: the realization of the Ātman-Brahman identity, where the individual self merges with the universal Self, achieving mokṣa or liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of devotion and the longing for a personal relationship with the Divine, particularly Viṣṇu or Nārāyaṇa. Rāmānujācārya, a key figure in Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, would interpret 'Ayaṃ somo' as the gift of divine grace, which is bestowed upon the devotee, enabling them to experience the bliss of God's presence. The 'great Brahman' refers to the Supreme Lord, and 'vṛndārakāṃ pīnu' signifies the richness of devotional service (bhakti) that leads to an intimate relationship with God. The 'sixty-six hundred' may be seen as representing the countless ways and means through which a devotee can approach and worship the Divine. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava perspective, underscores the importance of prapatti (surrender) and the cultivation of bhakti as the path to realizing one's true nature as a servant of the Lord, thereby achieving liberation through devotion.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, a key figure in modern Hindu thought, would likely interpret this verse as a call to action for the realization of one's inner potential and the pursuit of spiritual growth. The 'Soma' here symbolizes the divine within, which, when awakened, leads to a profound sense of joy, peace, and liberation. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of self-realization and the universal principles that underlie all religious traditions. He might see the 'great Brahman' as the ultimate reality that resides within every individual, waiting to be discovered. The 'sixty-six hundred' could represent the manifold ways in which this realization can occur, emphasizing the diversity of human experience and the various paths to enlightenment. This verse, from a Neo-Vedānta perspective, encourages individuals to embark on a personal journey of discovery, to 'drink in abundance' from the wellspring of spiritual knowledge, and to realize their true potential as expressions of the divine.