Agna āyur vindaya māhata svāhā
“O Agni, obtain long life and wealth, svāhā.”
Structure
Agniḥ āyur vindaya māhṛt svāhā
Agniḥ (fire) āyur (life) vindaya (acquire) māhṛt (may he grant) svāhā (offering)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agniḥ | Agniḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the fire god |
| āyur | āyur | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | long life |
| vindaya | vindaya | verb | √vind · laṣaḍ-imperative · second | may you obtain |
| māhṛt | māhṛt | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | greatness, magnitude |
| svāhā | svāhā | indeclinable | — | an oblation, a ritual offering |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): The verse Agna āyur vindaya māhata svāhā is interpreted by Śaṅkarācārya as an expression of the individual self (jīva) yearning for the ultimate reality, Brahman. Śaṅkara's commentary on the Taittirīya Upaniṣad (2.1.1) where it says 'Satyam vada, Dharmam chara', highlights the pursuit of truth and righteousness as fundamental. In the context of this verse, the pursuit of long life and wealth (āyur and māhṛt) symbolizes the jīva's quest for completeness and fulfillment, which is ultimately found in the realization of the identity of the individual self with Brahman. The use of 'svāhā' at the end signifies the surrender or offering of the individual ego to the universal, illustrating the non-dual (advaita) perspective where all distinctions are transcended in the realization of the ultimate truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, the verse is seen as a prayer to Agni, who is considered a manifestation of the divine, specifically of Viṣṇu. Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtra, emphasizes the concept of 'prapatti' or surrender to the Lord. Here, the request for 'āyur' (long life) and 'māhṛt' (wealth) is not merely material but is interpreted as a desire for the means to serve and worship the Lord without hindrance. The utterance 'svāhā' is significant as it represents the act of offering, underscoring the devotee's submission to the will of God. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava view, exemplifies the personal relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord), where the soul petitions the Lord for the means to engage in devotional service, leading to ultimate liberation through love and surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical and universal application of Vedāntic principles. This verse can be seen as an inspiration for living a meaningful life. Vivekānanda, in his 'Complete Works', Volume 4, discusses the importance of selfless action and the cultivation of inner strength. Here, 'āyur vindaya' (obtaining long life) and 'māhata' (great wealth) can be metaphorically understood as the aspiration for a long, healthy, and spiritually prosperous life, where one can contribute positively to society. 'Svāhā' then signifies the dedication of one's actions to a higher purpose. In contemporary terms, this verse promotes a holistic lifestyle where personal well-being is aligned with the greater good, reflecting Vivekānanda's vision of a society where individual growth and collective welfare go hand in hand, leading to a more compassionate and enlightened world.