ādityasya savitaḥ savah ādityaḥ savitā ca naḥ . garbhe gṛṇānām adbhuto draśca turuṣṇigbhiḥ ॥
“May the Savitar Aditya, who is wonderful and a witness to the Rgvedic chants, protect us in our womb-like state.”
Structure
ādityasya savitaḥ savah ādityaḥ savitā ca nah garbhe gṛṇānām adbhuto draśca turuṣṇigbhiḥ
ādityasya (of the Aditya) savitaḥ (impeller) savah (energy) ādityaḥ (Aditya) savitā (impeller) ca (and) nah (to us),garbhe (in the womb) gṛṇānām (of the waters) adbhuto (wondrous) draśca (protector) turuṣṇigbhiḥ (by the rays)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ādityasya | ādityasya | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the sun |
| savitaḥ | savitaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | impeller |
| savah | savah | indeclinable | — | energy |
| ādityaḥ | ādityaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the sun |
| savitā | savitā | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | impeller |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| nah | nah | pronoun | accusative · plural · neuter | us |
| garbhe | garbhe | noun | locative · singular · neuter | in the womb |
| gṛṇānām | gṛṇānām | noun | genitive · plural · masculine | of men |
| adhbuto | adhbuto | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | wondrous one |
| draśca | draśca | verb | √dṛś · optative · first | (may) see |
| turuṣṇigbhiḥ | turuṣṇigbhiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | with arrows |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda is pivotal in understanding the concept of non-duality. Shankara, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the ultimate reality, Brahman, as the essence of all existence. The invocation of Savitar Aditya, who is considered a manifestation of the divine, points to the idea that the individual self (ātman) is not separate from the universal self (Brahman). The phrase 'garbhe gṛṇānām adbhuto draśca turuṣṇigbhiḥ' suggests the witness consciousness that pervades all states of being, reinforcing the notion of brahman-ātman identity. This verse, through its depiction of the divine as an omnipresent, witnessing consciousness, supports Shankara's thesis that the distinction between the individual and the absolute is illusory, leading to the ultimate realization of non-duality.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of devotion to the divine, with Savitar Aditya representing a form of Īśvara, the personal Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, interprets such verses as indicative of the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara, where the jīva seeks refuge and protection in the Lord. The 'womb-like state' mentioned in the verse symbolizes the dependence of the jīva on Īśvara for sustenance and liberation. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, would emphasize the distinction between the individual souls and the Lord, yet both would agree on the significance of bhakti (devotion) as the means to achieve liberation. This verse, therefore, underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on a personal, loving relationship between the devotee and the divine.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often highlighted the practical and universal applications of Vedantic principles. He would likely interpret this verse as a call to recognize the divine within and without, emphasizing the role of the individual in realizing their true nature. The image of the 'womb-like state' could be seen as symbolic of the potential for spiritual growth and rebirth, where one seeks protection and guidance from the universal consciousness. Sarvepalli Rādhākrishnan, drawing on his philosophical background, might view this verse as an illustration of the quest for the absolute, which is at the heart of human existence. Both thinkers would connect this verse to contemporary life by emphasizing the importance of self-realization, compassion, and the pursuit of knowledge as pathways to understanding and experiencing the universal truth that underlies all existence.