Ayaṃ yaḥ paro antarikṣo nātyati-chchāyo yasya devāsaḥ, / Sarve yasya gāvo diśaḥ.
“This which is the supreme heaven, whose gods do not exceed, of which all directions are the cows.”
Structure
Ayaṃ - yaḥ - paro - antarikṣaḥ - nātyati - cchāyo - yasya - devāsaḥ - Sarve - yasya - gāvaḥ - diśaḥ
Ayaṃ (this) yaḥ (who/which) devāsaḥ (of gods) cchāyo (shadow) nātyati (does not exceed) paro (transcendent) antarikṣaḥ (space) yasya (whose) -yasya (whose) Sarve (all) gāvaḥ (directions/cows) diśaḥ (are directions)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| yaḥ | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| paro | parō | indeclinable | — | beyond |
| antarikṣo | antariṣo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the space between |
| nātyati | nātyati | verb | √aty · laṭ-present · third | does not cross |
| cchāyo | cchāyō | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | shadow |
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom |
| devāsaḥ | devāsaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | gods |
| Sarve | Sarve | adjective | — | all |
| yasya | yasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | of whom |
| gāvaḥ | gāvaḥ | noun | nominative · plural · masculine | cows |
| diśaḥ | diśaḥ | noun | accusative · plural · feminine | directions |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda underscores the non-dual nature of reality, where the cosmic expanse (antarikṣa) is not transcended by the gods themselves, hinting at a reality beyond the dichotomy of divine and mortal. Shankara's commentary on the Brahmasūtras and the Upaniṣads emphasizes the ultimate reality, Brahman, as the unchanging, all-pervasive essence. The notion that all directions (diśaḥ) are like cows (gāvaḥ) of this supreme heaven suggests a unified, holistic view of the cosmos, where every aspect is interconnected and inseparable from the ultimate reality. This reading supports the Advaita interpretation of the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self (ātman) is ultimately one with the cosmic reality (Brahman). The verse invites the reader to transcend the limited, dualistic perspective and embrace the non-dual (advaita) nature of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse through the lens of devotion and the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, would likely view the 'supreme heaven' as a reference to Vaikunṭha, the realm of Viṣṇu, where the devotees reside in eternal bliss. The 'gods' not exceeding this realm suggest the supremacy of Viṣṇu, and the 'cows' representing all directions imply the omnipresence and omniscience of the Lord. This interpretation emphasizes the devotional path, where the jīva seeks to realize its inherent dependence on and love for Īśvara, ultimately achieving union with Him. Madhvācārya might further distinguish between the soul's intrinsic dependence on Viṣṇu and the Lord's sovereignty over all existence, including the cosmos described in the verse.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures in Neo-Vedānta, would likely interpret this verse as a call to universal harmony and the recognition of the divine in all aspects of life. Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Upaniṣads, often emphasized the practical application of Vedāntic principles in achieving a higher state of consciousness and service to humanity. This verse, with its imagery of the cosmos as an interconnected, holistic system, resonates with Vivekānanda's message of universal brotherhood and the inherent divinity of every being. Radhakrishnan, with his philosophical background, might further explore the implications of this verse for contemporary life, suggesting that the 'supreme heaven' represents a state of consciousness or a societal ideal where all individuals and directions (aspects of life) are valued and integrated. This reading encourages a modern, inclusive understanding of the verse, applicable to personal and societal transformation.