Ayaṃ somo mahate brahmaṇe gṛhīto yo rāyaḥ svāyaṃṛdhīrāya vīram.
“This Soma is taken for the great Brahman, who is self-impelled and heroic.”
Structure
Ayaṃ somo mahate brahmaṇe gṛhīto yo rāyaḥ svāyaṃṛdhīrāya vīram
Ayaṃ (this) somo (Soma juice) gṛhīto (has been taken) mahate (for the great) brahmaṇe (Brahman/Poet-Priest),yo (who) vīram (the hero) svāyaṃṛdhī (self-impelled/ glorious) rāyaḥ (King) āya (has come/goes).
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | indeclinable | — | this |
| somo | somaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Soma |
| mahate | mahate | noun | dative · singular · masculine | for the great one |
| brahmaṇe | brahmaṇe | noun | dative · singular · masculine | Brahman |
| gṛhīto | gṛhītaḥ | verb | √gṛh · past participle · third | taken |
| yo | yaḥ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | who |
| rāyaḥ | rāyaḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of the king |
| svāyaṃṛdhīrāya | svāyaṃṛdhīrāya | compound | karmadhāraya · "svāyaṃ-ṛdhī-rāya" | to the self-nourishing king |
| vīram | vīram | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | hero |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, Ayaṁ somo mahate brahmaṇe gṛhīto yo rāyaḥ svāyaṃṛdhīrāya vīram, underscores the non-dual nature of reality. According to Shankara, the term 'mahate brahmaṇe' refers to the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate reality that is beyond human comprehension. The phrase 'svāyaṃṛdhīrāya' signifies the self-impelled nature of Brahman, emphasizing its autonomy and independence. This verse points to the Brahman-ātman identity, suggesting that the individual self (ātman) is, in essence, the same as the universal Self (Brahman). Shankara's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) also highlights this non-dual understanding, where he states that the knowledge of Brahman is the knowledge of one's own Self. This verse, therefore, invites the seeker to realize this fundamental identity and attain liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of devotion to the Supreme Lord. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra (1.1.1), emphasizes the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Lord). The term 'mahate brahmaṇe' is understood as referring to the Supreme Lord, who is the ultimate recipient of all sacrifices and offerings. The phrase 'svāyaṃṛdhīrāya vīram' highlights the Lord's self-impelled and heroic nature, which is the source of all strength and inspiration for the devotee. Madhvācārya, in his Anuvyākhyāna, also interprets this verse as a celebration of the Lord's sovereignty and the devotee's dependence on Him. This verse, therefore, becomes a call to devotion, inviting the seeker to surrender to the Lord and seek refuge in His divine presence.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse, Ayaṁ somo mahate brahmaṇe gṛhīto yo rāyaḥ svāyaṃṛdhīrāya vīram, has a profound universal application. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lecture on 'The Powers of the Mind' (Complete Works, Vol. 4), highlights the importance of self-impelled effort (svāyaṃṛdhī) in achieving spiritual growth. He emphasizes that true strength and heroism (vīram) arise from within, and that the individual must tap into this inner source to overcome life's challenges. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his book 'The Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy' (1920), also explores the relevance of this verse to modern life. He sees the 'mahate brahmaṇe' as a symbol of the universal consciousness that underlies all existence, and the 'svāyaṃṛdhīrāya vīram' as a call to individual empowerment and self-realization. This verse, therefore, becomes a source of inspiration for personal growth, encouraging the seeker to cultivate inner strength and strive for a higher purpose in life.