Ayaṃ somo mahate brahmaṇe pṛthivyā rajjate garbhe asti | Tasya vṛṣṇaḥ pibatu somamāhaṃ
“This Soma is present in the great Brahman, in the womb of the Earth; may I drink that Soma.”
Structure
Ayaṃ somo mahate brahmaṇe pṛthivyāḥ rajate garbhe asti | Tasya vṛṣṇaḥ pibatu somam āhaṃ
Ayaṃ (this) somoḥ (Soma) pṛthivyāḥ (of the earth) garbhe (in the womb) asti (exists) mahate (for the great) brahmaṇe (Brahman) rajate (shines). Tasya (of that) vṛṣṇaḥ (bull) pibatu (may drink) somam (Soma) āhaṃ (I)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayaṃ | Ayaṃ | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | this |
| somo | somo | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Soma |
| mahate | mahate | noun | dative · singular · masculine | to the great one |
| brahmaṇe | brahmaṇe | noun | dative · singular · masculine | Brahman |
| pṛthivyāḥ | pṛthivyāḥ | noun | genitive · singular · feminine | of the earth |
| rajate | rajate | verb | √rañj · present · third | adorn |
| garbhe | garbhe | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in the womb |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · present · third | is |
| Tasya | Tasya | pronoun | genitive · singular · masculine | his |
| vṛṣṇaḥ | vṛṣṇaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | bull |
| pibatu | pibatu | verb | √pā · optative · third | may he drink |
| somam | somam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | Soma |
| āhaṃ | āhaṃ | indeclinable | — | I say |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda is pivotal in establishing the non-dual nature of reality, as propounded by Śaṅkarācārya. The phrase 'mahate brahmaṇe' indicates the supreme Brahman, which pervades everything, including the earth. The Soma, symbolic of the ultimate bliss and consciousness, is said to reside in this Brahman. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Brahmasūtras, explains that such verses point to the ultimate identity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal self (Brahman). The yearning to 'drink that Soma' signifies the aspirant's desire to realize this unity, to experience the bliss of Brahman. This interpretation underscores the Advaitic theme of the universe being a manifestation of the one Brahman, with all distinctions, including that between the individual and the divine, being ultimately transcended. The direct experience of this unity is what 'drinking Soma' metaphorically represents, aligning with Śaṅkarācārya's emphasis on the path of knowledge (jñāna yoga) for achieving liberation.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as an expression of devotion and the desire for union with the divine. Rāmānujācārya, in his philosophy of Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, interprets such verses as indicative of the loving relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the personal God). The 'Soma' represents the divine grace or the loving kindness of God that the devotee seeks. The aspiration to 'drink that Soma' is thus a metaphor for the longing to receive God's grace and be in communion with Him. This is in line with Rāmānujācārya's emphasis on bhakti (devotion) as a primary means to achieve spiritual liberation. The verse underscores the personal aspect of the divine and the intimate, loving relationship that can exist between God and the devotee, reflecting the Vaiṣṇava tradition's focus on the path of devotion (bhakti yoga) as a powerful means to attain spiritual fulfillment.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, among other modern interpreters of Vedānta, see this verse as a call to realize one's inner potential and the universal consciousness that underlies all existence. According to Vivekānanda, the 'Soma' symbolizes the highest state of consciousness, accessible through spiritual practices and self-realization. The desire to 'drink that Soma' is thus a symbolic expression of the human aspiration for transcendence and unity with the ultimate reality. This interpretation aligns with Vivekānanda's emphasis on practical Vedānta and the universal principles that can guide human life towards freedom and enlightenment. Radhakrishnan, similarly, views such verses as emphasizing the quest for the absolute, which is not just a metaphysical concept but a living experience that can transform human life. Both thinkers connect the message of the verse to the contemporary quest for meaning, peace, and unity, highlighting the relevance of ancient wisdom to modern challenges and aspirations.